Calabria (song)


"Calabria" is a song by Danish DJ/producer Rune Reilly Kölsch. It was originally released in 2003 by Credence, a sublabel of Parlophone Records.
Calabria is the name of a region in southern Italy.

Background and recording

The track was originally conceived as an instrumental, but in spite of being licensed to several other labels outside Denmark, it received more airplay after DJ group Nari & Milani used the instrumental to create a mash-up with Alex Gaudino and Crystal Waters' "Destination Unknown", matching Rune's instrumental to Waters' vocals. It was released as "Destination Calabria" in 2005 by Italian label Rise Records. The year before, Dutch group Drunkenmunky had produced a cover of the instrumental. Two other dance music acts, Dirty Laundry and Kaner, had also created their own versions the same year.
Rune re-released the track once more in 2007, having remixed it with dancehall beats, and adding vocals by Danish reggae singer Natasja Saad. This reggae fusion version titled "Calabria 2007" has been very successful around the world and gained popularity in the United States in mid-to-late 2007. It got heavy club play, eventually entering the playlist of major Top-40/Dance radio stations such as Z100 and KTU. It placed at #80 on Z100's top 100 songs of 2007. This song was featured in a Target advertisement for the 2007–2008 school year, featuring college dorm supplies, and due to the song's prominence in the ad, the song received much exposure.
In 2008, the song hit the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 at number 46, making it one of the highest peaking reggae fusion songs in 2008. There is also another remix featuring Mims and a Dominican rap remix featuring Dominican artist Punto Rojo. On January 16, 2008 the song reached number one on Billboard's Hot Dance Airplay chart.
In 2014, British musician Guppy Slim played a set dedicated to Calabria at Casa Del Vibe in Bristol. It was recorded and played on BBC Radio 6 Music at various times following its performance. Later the same year, a remix by Dutch DJ duo Firebeatz was released on October 13, along with a supporting music video.

Track listing

;2003 12" vinyl
  1. 'Calabria' - 7:45
  2. 'Calabria' - 9:14
  3. 'Calabria' - 2:05
;2007 CD single
  1. 'Calabria 2007' - 3:52
  2. 'Calabria 2007' - 6:31
  3. 'Calabria 2007' - 6:31

    Chart positions

"Calabria"

"Calabria" (Dirty Laundry version)

"Calabria" (Drunkenmunky version)

"Calabria 2007"

Note: Months after Calabria 2007 release, its track vocalist singer Natasja Saad died in a car accident.

"Calabria 2007" (Drunkenmunky version)

"Calabria (Firebeatz Remix)"