Bird Set Free
| "Bird Set Free" | |
|---|---|
| Song |
"Bird Set Free" is a song recorded by Sia for her seventh studio album This Is Acting (2016).[1]
Background
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Sia said that the song was written for Pitch Perfect 2 soundtrack, but they rejected it in favour of "Flashlight". Afterwards she pitched it to Rihanna, who rejected it, then to Adele, who initially recorded it but later decided to let Furler keep it.[2]
Composition
The song is written in the key of F minor.[3]
Critical reception
Rolling Stone said the song is "liberating".[4] In a review of the song's parent album This Is Acting, Kathy Iandolf of Idolator wrote "This album is dark, indicated by the lead single 'Alive,' but also by the opener 'Bird Set Free,' where Sia takes a solemn vow to emotional liberation amidst strong piano keys."[5] Alex McCown of The A.V. Club called it the "best female empowerment sing-along Katy Perry never wrote."[6] Calling the song a "ginormo self-empowerment anthem", Hugh Montgomory of The Independent wrote "Sia produces something more complex, battle-cries from a volatile soul."[7]
Promotion
Sia performed "Bird Set Free" and "Alive" on the November 7, 2015 episode of Saturday Night Live.[8][9]
Usage in media
"Bird Set Free" was featured over the end credits of the horror film The Shallows.[10] It was also featured in the opening credits of the 2017 film Unforgettable.[citation needed]
Charts
| Chart (2015-16) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[11] | 36 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[12] | 98 |
| Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[13] | 69 |
| France (SNEP)[14] | 49 |
| New Zealand Heatseekers (Recorded Music NZ)[15] | 9 |
| ERROR: MUST PROVIDE year FOR Slovak CHART | 65 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[16] | 69 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[17] | 92 |
Keala Settle version
| "Bird Set Free" | |
|---|---|
| Song |
Keala Settle's version of the song was released on March 6, 2018.[citation needed]
References
- ^ Gordon, Jeremy (3 November 2015). "Sia Shares "Bird Set Free"". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
- ^ Sia talks reclaiming unwanted hits
- ^ "Product MN0159570 "Bird Set Free"". Music Notes. EMI Music Publishing. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
- ^ Listen to Sia's new song Bids Set Free
- ^ This Is Acting : Album Review
- ^ McCown, Alex (29 January 2016). "Sia's charisma holds together an assembly line of modern pop hits". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
- ^ Montgomery, Hugh. "Sia, This is Acting review: a thrillingly intimate album that's so much more than just off-cuts". The Independent. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
- ^ Claymore, Gabriela Tully (October 13, 2015). "Sia Playing SNL with Host Donald Trump". Stereogum. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
- ^ Russell, Erica (November 7, 2015). "Donald Trump Hosts 'SNL', Sia Performs". PopCrush. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
- ^ Truffaut-Wong, Olivia (June 23, 2016). "'The Shallows' End-Credits Song Is A Pitch-Perfect Choice". Bustle. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "ARIA Australian Top 50 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. 16 November 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
- ^ "Sia Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 201549 into search. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
- ^ "Sia – Bird Set Free" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
- ^ "NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 16 November 2015. Archived from the original on 29 May 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Sia – Bird Set Free". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 November 2015.