Darude’s classic dance hit ‘Sandstorm’ turns 20 years old today or some days earlier depending on the source. It is perhaps one of dance music’s most famous creations – a timeless classic from the so-called “golden era” of trance in the late 90s and early 00s. That music was made by Finnish DJ and musician Darude. This 90s dance banger is to be played on repeat for 24 hours by Finnish radio station HitMix that is holding a big celebration to mark the 20-year anniversary of Darude’s Sandstorm this Friday. The tune was released in Finland in 1999 and later on other countries. It is easily one of the most recognizable tracks in the history of EDM: It’s possible you won’t recognise the name of the song, but it’s almost certain you will have heard it. Here is the music video:
Why I am writing on this. Because this is a known song and it is from Finland. And because I have met Darude many years ago at Assembly computer festival when his new hit was played for the first time in year 2000 (and I was involved in making that happen on the event so that would be played on the screen and in broadcast).
Back to sandstorm. How Darude’s “Sandstorm” Became the EDM Track Everyone on the Web Knows. It was part of official NYE celebrations as Finland Timed The Exact Stroke Of 2017 With The Drop In ‘Sandstorm’.
Over years there has been very many versions of the song made. Here are links to some of them:
Darude’s Sandstorm has been remixed by a Finnish orchestra.
Darude – Sandstorm on Eight Floppy Drives
Sandstorm with electric toothbrushes
Darude Sandstorm – 8051 Microcontroller
Darude – Sandstorm (Live Keyboard Playing Remix)
16 Comments
Tomi Engdahl says:
Darude “Sandstorm” Deconstructed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhEnA90PoyE
The most abused song on youtube, scientifically dissected. Good job. Exceptional work.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Darude watching the internet’s best ‘Sandstorm’ memes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yl_5_ccmSoA
Tomi Engdahl says:
Darude – Sandstorm (Electric Toothbrush Cover)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmO6QkJhuu4
Tomi Engdahl says:
Some later music
Darude – Out Of Control (Original)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yoRAw9UW8Q
Darude – Out Of Control (Back For More)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14gIX3bX8Vw
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darude
Darude – Greatest Hits [Unofficial]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D01qhYW9KAM
Tomi Engdahl says:
A star of the global EDM community since the late 1990s, Darude has been touring the world for 18 years since achieving worldwide fame with his number one hit, Sandstorm.
https://www.genelec.com/-/one-on-one-with-darude
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://sandstorm.lol/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Wiwi Jury: Finland’s Darude feat. Sebastian Rejman with “Look Away”
https://wiwibloggs.com/2019/04/14/wiwi-jury-finlands-darude-feat-sebastian-rejman-with-look-away/234378/
Tomi Engdahl says:
The Story of Sandstorm by Darude • 2017, Vice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-JeMcfeLTE
Tomi Engdahl says:
Darude – Sandstorm on bagpipes!?!? This was a challenge
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/lVds-cfTHEM
Tomi Engdahl says:
Megaraptor – Sandstorm [Darude Metal Cover]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh41LMn9dzc
Tomi Engdahl says:
Darude – Sandstorm in the style of Rammstein (Feat. BreenMachine)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNDwcPB3HLY
Tomi Engdahl says:
Sandstorm with bagpipes
https://youtube.com/shorts/QUfc0Gnbakk?si=ssnxidZJDFxtophq
Tomi Engdahl says:
On a chilly November evening, the Vermo race track in Espoo, Finland, became the stage for a record-breaking spectacle. Here, 687 Teslas, from Model 3s to Model Xs, lit up the night in a synchronized dance of lights and music, setting a new world record for the largest Tesla light show.
https://dronexl.co/2023/11/27/tesla-light-show-finland/
https://youtu.be/7wX8UA87U60?si=gq2FJ260DW_bFOfz
Tomi Engdahl says:
Kaksi suomalaista kappaletta soi edelleen maailmanlaajuisesti – Ylen puhelu paljasti merkillisen yhteensattuman
Kansainväliseen suosioon nousseet suomalaiset hittikappaleet Sandstorm ja Freestyler julkaistiin peräkkäisinä päivinä 25 vuotta sitten.
https://yle.fi/a/74-20119865
Kyse on yhä maailmanlaajuista suursuosiota nauttivien Freestylerin ja Sandstormin 25-vuotispäivästä.
– Tämä oli minullekin pitkän ajan jälkeen yllätys. On aika maaginen juttu, että niiden julkaisu on ollut noin lähekkäin. Se kaikki tapahtui niin räjähdysmäisesti, Salovaara hämmästelee.
Hän päättää kilauttaa kaverille, Darudena tunnetulle Ville Virtaselle ja tarkistaa asian. Ja toden totta: hän tietää, että Salovaaran oma tuotantoyhtiö 16inch Records julkaisi kansainvälisen tanssimusiikin ikivihreäksi nousseen Sandstormin 26. lokakuuta 1999.
Sony Music Finlandilta puolestaan vahvistetaan Ylelle, että Bomfunk MC’s -yhtyeen Freestyler-single julkaistiin edellisenä päivänä eli 25. lokakuuta 1999.
Salovaara toimi Daruden Sandstormissa tuottajana ja sovittajana. Bomfunk MC’s -yhtyeen Freestylerissa hän oli säveltäjä ja tuottaja.
– Molemmat hitit on tehty isolla palolla, Salovaara toteaa nyt.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Out of control
https://youtu.be/MhOqS7RYE7M?si=L0FoBfJ3S8qmm-CG