Adagio for Strings (Tiësto song)

"Adagio for Strings"
US CD variant of standard artwork
Single by Tiësto
from the album Just Be
Released31 January 2005
GenreUplifting trance
Length7:23[1]
Label
SongwriterSamuel Barber
ProducerTiësto
Tiësto singles chronology
"Just Be"
(2004) 		"Adagio for Strings"
(2005) 		"UR" / "A Tear in the Open"
(2005)
Official video
"Adagio for Strings" by Tiësto on YouTube
Audio
"Adagio for Strings" (nine-minute version) by Tiësto on YouTube

"Adagio for Strings" is a track by Dutch DJ Tiësto. It was first released in January 2005 as the fourth single from the album Just Be. A Trance remake of the classical music composition by Samuel Barber, the track takes the melody of the aforementioned piece (which is in 3
4 time) and adapts it into 4
4 time. In 2013, it was voted by Mixmag readers as the second greatest dance track of all time.[2]

Background and composition

Tiësto began using Adagio for Strings as the opening piece for a filmed concert in the Netherlands. In an interview cited by Rolling Stone Australia, he explained that he chose the piece because he wanted “a grand opening with a track people already know,” presented in a different stylistic form.[3]

Critical reception

EDM House Network characterizes the work as an example of Tiësto’s “genre-defying” approach to electronic music.[4] A review on DeBaser observes that the title Adagio for Strings commonly evokes its use in Oliver Stone’s Platoon, which has become part of its broader public identity.[5]

Tiësto’s version has been repeatedly described as one of the defining tracks of his career. We Rave You referred to it as his “most famous” release.[6]

Formats and track listings

CD, maxi-singles

Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, United States Maxi-single[7]

  1. "Adagio for Strings" (Radio Edit)–3:28
  2. "Adagio for Strings" (Original LP Version)–9:33
  3. "Adagio for Strings" (Danjo & Styles Remix) - 11:22
  4. "Adagio for Strings" (Fred Baker Remix) - 8:18
  5. "Adagio for Strings" (Phynn Remix) - 7:09

Germany, United Kingdom Maxi-single[8]

  1. "Adagio for Strings" (Radio Edit)–3:25
  2. "Adagio for Strings" (Original Mix)–9:35
  3. "Adagio for Strings" (Fred Baker Remix) - 7:11
  4. "Adagio for Strings" (Danjo & Styles Remix) - 11:31
  5. "Adagio for Strings" (Phynn Remix) - 8:26
  6. "Adagio for Strings" (video) - 3:31

12" vinyl

Independence Records, Universal Licensing Music (ULM) 12" Vinyl[9]

  1. "Adagio for Strings" (Original Album Version)–7:23
  2. "Adagio for Strings" (Radio Edit)–3:47

Nebula, Magik Muzik, Media Records 12" Vinyl[10]

  1. "Adagio for Strings" (Original LP Version)–9:33
  2. "Adagio for Strings" (Fred Baker Remix)–7:11

Nebula, Magik Muzik, Nettwerk America 12" Vinyl[11]

  1. "Adagio for Strings" (Danjo & Styles Remix)–11:24
  2. "Adagio for Strings" (Phynn Remix)–8:18

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[25] Platinum 600,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Official versions

References

  1. ^ "Spotify – Web Player". Spotify.
  2. ^ What is the greatest dance track of all time?
  3. ^ "Tiësto, 'Adagio for Strings' (2005)". Rolling Stone Australia. The Brag Media. 25 July 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  4. ^ Simon, Andrea (14 November 2023). "The History Of: Adagio for Strings". EDM House Network. Retrieved 5 December 2025. Nexus Radio similarly notes that the track demonstrates his ability to merge styles and create a version that “transcends traditional boundaries.”"Flashback: Tiesto's "Adagio For Strings" – A Trance Masterpiece Reimagined". Nexus Radio. 4 October 2024. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  5. ^ "DJ Tiësto – Adagio For Strings". DeBaser. 24 July 2006. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  6. ^ "Tiësto's 'Adagio For Strings' turns 13 years old today". We Rave You. 10 January 2018. Retrieved 5 December 2025. AllMusic lists the commercial single editions as being released in 2005."Adagio for Strings [CD #2] – Tiësto". AllMusic. Netaktion LLC. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  7. ^ "Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, US Maxi-Single". Discogs. 22 September 2003.
  8. ^ "Germany and UK Maxi-Single". Discogs. 2 May 2005.
  9. ^ "Magik Muzik CD Single". Discogs. 22 September 2003.
  10. ^ "Magik Muzik CD Single". Discogs. 11 April 2005.
  11. ^ "Magik Muzik CD Single". Discogs. 11 April 2005.
  12. ^ "Tiësto – Adagio for Strings" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  13. ^ "Tiësto: Adagio for Strings" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  14. ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name.
  15. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  16. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  17. ^ "Irish Singles Chart – Search for song". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
  18. ^ "Romanian Top 100". 16 December 2005. Archived from the original on 2005-12-16.
  19. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 17/4/2005 – Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  20. ^ "Official Singles Chart on 17/4/2005 – Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  21. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart on 17/4/2005 – Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  22. ^ "DJ Tiesto - Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
  23. ^ "ChartsPlusYE2005" (PDF). UKchartsplus.co.uk. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  24. ^ "Dance Top 100 - 2006". Mahasz. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  25. ^ "British single certifications – Tiësto – Adagio for Strings". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 4, 2021. Select singles in the Formats field. Type Adagio for Strings Tiësto in the "Search:" field.
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