Man, remember 2014? The neon colors, the massive drops, and that specific moment when Skrillex and Diplo decided to join forces. If you were anywhere near a festival stage or a radio back then, you couldn't escape "Take You There." It was the lead single from the Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack Ü album, featuring the vocals of Kiesza, and honestly, it felt like a cultural reset for electronic dance music.
It wasn't just a song. It was a statement.
At the time, Skrillex was still the poster boy for "scary" dubstep, and Diplo was the king of the underground-turned-global dance floor. When they dropped "Take You There" as Jack Ü, people didn't really know what to expect. What they got was this weirdly beautiful, frantic, and incredibly polished bit of pop-infused house music that somehow managed to feel both gritty and mainstream. It’s been over a decade, and if you play those opening synth stabs in a club today, the room still goes absolutely mental.
The Weird Alchemy Behind Take You There Skrillex and Diplo
Let’s talk about how this track actually came together. It wasn't some calculated corporate boardroom meeting. Sonny Moore (Skrillex) and Wes Pentz (Diplo) have always had this chaotic, "anything goes" energy in the studio. "Take You There" was born out of that messy creativity.
They brought in Kiesza, who was fresh off the massive success of "Hideaway." Her voice had that perfect 90s diva quality—powerful but flexible. In the sessions, they weren't looking for a standard EDM vocal. They wanted something that felt raw. If you listen closely to the production, it’s actually kind of minimalist compared to the "wall of sound" dubstep Skrillex was known for previously.
The track is built on a 123 BPM groove. It’s bouncy. It’s got that signature Jack Ü "squeak"—you know the one—that sounds like a balloon being rubbed or a very rhythmic dolphin. It sounds ridiculous when you describe it, but in the context of the drop, it’s genius. This was the start of the "post-EDM" era where producers started valuing weird textures over just pure loudness.
Why Kiesza Was the Secret Weapon
Kiesza’s contribution can’t be overstated. Most EDM tracks at the time used vocals as a secondary element, just a "top line" to get to the drop. But on Take You There, the vocal is the anchor. Her range allows the track to transition from a melodic, almost soulful verse into a frenetic, high-energy chorus without it feeling jarring.
Interestingly, the lyrics are pretty simple. "I want to take you there / To that place, I want to take you there." It’s classic dance music escapism. But the way she delivers it—with that slight grit in her voice—makes it feel urgent. It wasn't just about a physical place; it was about the feeling of the 2010s festival culture, where everyone was just trying to lose themselves for an hour.
The Production Magic You Probably Missed
If you’re a producer or just a nerd for sound design, take you there skrillex is a masterclass in hybrid production. Skrillex is famous for using Ableton Live, and his processing chains are legendary for being incredibly complex.
The lead sound in the drop? It’s a mix of FM synthesis and heavy vocal chopping. They took snippets of Kiesza's voice, pitched them up, distorted them, and then used a technique called "formant shifting" to give it that alien, elastic quality. It’s what makes the song sound so "Jack Ü." It’s bright. It’s loud. It’s unapologetic.
- The percussion isn't just a standard 4/4 beat. There are these tiny "glitches" and shakers that dance around the stereo field.
- The sub-bass is incredibly clean. It doesn't fight with the kick drum, which is a mistake a lot of amateur producers made back then.
- The breakdown uses these lush, wide pads that give the listener a second to breathe before the madness starts again.
It’s easy to forget how influential this was. Before this album, EDM was getting a bit stale. Big room house was everywhere, and it all started to sound like the same "1-2-3-JUMP" formula. Jack Ü broke that. They brought back the "fun" in a way that felt rebellious.
The Cultural Impact: More Than Just a Chart Topper
When "Take You There" dropped in October 2014, the reaction was mixed at first. The die-hard "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites" fans were confused. "Where’s the growl, Sonny?" they asked. But the track quickly grew on everyone. It reached the Billboard Hot 100 and became a staple of the festival circuit throughout 2015.
It paved the way for "Where Are Ü Now" with Justin Bieber. People forget that "Take You There" was the proof of concept. It proved that Skrillex and Diplo could make music that appealed to the masses without losing their "cool" factor. It was the bridge between the underground dubstep world and the pop charts.
Looking back, the music video also captured a very specific vibe. It was a compilation of tour footage—behind-the-scenes clips of Sonny and Wes acting like kids, hanging out with fans, and playing massive sets. It felt authentic. In an era where everything was becoming highly curated and "aesthetic," Jack Ü felt like a chaotic, traveling circus.
Does it hold up in 2026?
Honestly? Yes.
✨ Don't miss: Why Your Photo Of The Day Funny Fix Is Actually Better For Your Brain Than Yoga
Music moves fast. Trends die. But "Take You There" has this timeless quality because it doesn't take itself too seriously. It’s a party record. The production is so crisp that it still sounds better than 90% of the stuff coming out today. It’s a reminder of a time when the electronic music scene felt like it was constantly evolving and trying new things.
Technical Breakdown: The Sound of Jack Ü
For those who want to dig into the "why" of the sound, you have to look at the collaboration style. Skrillex is a perfectionist. He will spend ten hours on a snare hit. Diplo is a vibe curator. He knows how to make a track move and how to strip away the "nerdiness" to find the hook.
The synthesis in "Take You There" relies heavily on "vocaloid" style processing. By using the human voice as an instrument, they created a sound that felt organic but was clearly digital. This was revolutionary. Now, every pop producer uses vocal chops, but in 2014, this specific "squeaky" lead was the Jack Ü trademark.
Moving Past the Hype: What We Can Learn
There’s a lesson here for creators. Skrillex didn't stay in his lane. He could have just kept making dubstep forever and made millions doing it. Instead, he teamed up with Diplo, took a risk, and helped redefine what "pop" music could sound like.
"Take You There" is the sound of two artists having a blast. It wasn't about the Grammys (though they won those later). It was about making something that made them want to jump around behind a DJ booth.
How to experience the Jack Ü vibe today:
- Listen to the VIP Remix: If you think the original is good, the "Take You There" VIP (Bedtime Remix) or the various festival edits show just how versatile the melody is.
- Watch the Live Sets: Go back and find their 2014-2015 Ultra or Coachella sets. The way they mixed this track into their sets was legendary.
- Analyze the Stem Layers: If you can find the stems or breakdown videos online, look at how many layers are in that drop. It’s surprisingly simple but perfectly EQ'd.
If you're looking to capture that same energy in your own playlists or productions, don't be afraid of the "weird" sounds. The things that make people go "what is that?" are usually the things that make a song iconic. "Take You There" proved that the most memorable parts of a song are often the ones that feel the most experimental.
Whether you're a casual listener or a die-hard fan, take you there skrillex remains a high-water mark for 2010s electronic music. It’s a snapshot of a moment when the walls between genres were falling down, and everyone was invited to the party.
Next Steps for the Superfan:
- Check out the Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack Ü 10th-anniversary discussions on Reddit and Discord; there are still plenty of unreleased demos from those sessions floating around.
- Explore Kiesza's newer independent work—she’s moved away from the EDM world, but her songwriting remains top-tier.
- Revisit Skrillex's Quest for Fire to see how his production style has evolved from the "squeaky" Jack Ü days into the sophisticated, UK-inspired sound he champions now.