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Uncover the hidden gems penned by a pop powerhouse! Join us as we dive into the surprising tracks crafted by Sia that you might not have known about.
Transcript
00:00Pretty hurts, we shine the light on whatever's worst.
00:06Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks
00:10for the best songs written or co-written by Sia Furler,
00:14but performed by other artists.
00:16♪ Like I'm on top but you're my flashlight ♪
00:19♪ You're getting me, getting me through the night ♪
00:24Number 20.
00:25Champion.
00:26Fall Out Boy.
00:27Fall Out Boy's rock classification feels like a far cry
00:31from Sia's habitual pop and electronica,
00:34but Champion manages to bring the genres together wonderfully.
00:37♪ I could do anything, anything ♪
00:41♪ If I could love for real, if I could love for real ♪
00:44♪ So bad I could die ♪
00:46Considered pop rock or pop punk,
00:48this song is actually somewhat of a return
00:51to Fall Out Boy's familiar sound
00:53after their departure with their earlier single,
00:55Young and Menace.
00:57♪ May you press rewind and send a message ♪
01:01♪ I was done in your menace ♪
01:04With Sia being the only other credited songwriter on the track,
01:07aside from the band members themselves,
01:10you can definitely hear her in the vocal delivery style.
01:13♪ I'm just showing off and still believe, still believe ♪
01:18It's a strong ballad with invigorating lyrics.
01:21As the title suggests,
01:22the band even took to social media around the song's release,
01:26saying,
01:27"'Champions aren't born, they're forged.'"
01:30We bet Sia would agree with that.
01:32Number 19.
01:33Boy Problems.
01:34Carly Rae Jepsen.
01:36Credited with the lyrics for the bridge,
01:38Sia adds that depth she's so known for
01:40to an otherwise surface-level message.
01:43♪ Boy problems, truth's got them, I've got it in too ♪
01:50It's a song for the girlies,
01:52especially ones who are so caught up
01:54in romantic relationships with guys.
01:56♪ It's gonna save them state, it's not gonna change anyway ♪
02:00♪ So I'm tired of hearing all your boy problems ♪
02:04Carly Rae Jepsen cleverly balances
02:06a playful and relatable take on romantic woes
02:09with a bit of self-awareness.
02:11Sia's bridge delves into the idea further
02:14by having the subject reflect
02:15on ultimately pushing her friend away
02:17because of all the one-sidedness.
02:19♪ And you discover you're not good for each other ♪
02:23♪ She's been giving you, but take it, take it, take it ♪
02:26That spoken line at the beginning, by the way,
02:29is none other than Sia herself.
02:31♪ Listen, just leave or stay, but I'm done with you today ♪
02:37Number 18.
02:38Acid Rain.
02:39Alexis Jordan.
02:41♪ Get up! ♪
02:48♪ Get up! ♪
02:49Acid Rain is a straight-up bop,
02:51and it's criminally underrated.
02:53Sia is one of a few songwriters responsible for the jam,
02:56but her influence is easy to hear.
02:58♪ It's like acid rain in a hurricane ♪
03:06There are tons of poetic lines and vivid imagery in there,
03:10like a crown of thorns and, of course, acid rain in a hurricane.
03:14While the composition is practically all electro-house
03:17thanks to the sampling of Get Up Rattle by Dutch DJs Bingo Players,
03:27you can practically hear Sia in the chorus
03:30as the vocals start to become stretched and more soulful.
03:33♪ I know that you will come to save me from harm, from harm ♪
03:40Number 17.
03:41Devil In Me.
03:42Halsey.
03:43This one doesn't take much convincing.
03:45In fact, casual fans might actually mistake this for a Sia song on the first listen.
03:55Not only do these two artists share comparable singing styles,
03:59but they also have their feet firmly planted in overlapping genres.
04:03The similarities are no clearer than in Devil In Me.
04:06♪ You said I should eat my feelings head held high ♪
04:14Featured on Halsey's second studio album,
04:16Hopeless Fountain Kingdom, the track marks the first collaboration between Halsey and Sia.
04:22Here's to many more.
04:23In the meantime, we can enjoy the masterpiece that is this joint effort.
04:29♪ Gotta wake up, gotta wake up, gotta wake up, gotta wake up, come back to life ♪
04:35Number 16.
04:36Expertise, Ready, Set, Go.
04:39Jennifer Lopez.
04:40♪ We can do it standing up, gonna feel my love, one thing unites us ♪
04:46With this song, we get a masterclass on writing for someone else's voice.
04:50All suggestive offers and titillating thoughts,
04:53Expertise, Ready, Set, Go is perfectly tailored to J.Lo's musical identity.
04:58The double entendre is lost on no one,
05:01as Lopez makes a bid to show her partner her, uh, well, expertise.
05:05♪ Let me show my expertise, I'm an expertise and you know it ♪
05:11The lyrics playfully straddle the line between confident seduction and empowerment.
05:16Meanwhile, the upbeat production complements the theme,
05:19turning the number into one hell of a club bop.
05:22Sia ultimately lays the groundwork magnificently for J.Lo to come in with her signature style,
05:27delivering something that is totally recognizable as a Lopez hit.
05:30Those are the type of songs that I feel like have been on all my albums,
05:34but now there's a different type of strength in those records
05:38that those writers were able to help me capture,
05:41that didn't exist on my earlier, um, in my earlier lyrics.
05:46Number 15.
05:47I.A.M.
05:48Christina Aguilera.
05:50Yet another underrated gem,
05:52I.A.M. can be found on the second half of Christina Aguilera's
05:55sixth studio album titled Bionic.
05:57♪ I am timid and I am oversensitive ♪
06:06We're back in Sia's wheelhouse as I.A.M. calls the artist to mind.
06:10Knowing everything we do about Sia's thoughts on personas and anonymity,
06:14there's something that feels very raw and personal in the core meaning of this song.
06:18Everything is laid bare as the singer acknowledges every little attribute
06:22that makes her the person she is.
06:24Asking to be seen and loved for just that.
06:27♪ Love me or leave me, just take it or leave it ♪
06:31♪ It's not that I'm weak, I just need you to see me ♪
06:36It's a simply beautiful ballad,
06:38and something a little more stripped down from Aguilera's usual style.
06:42♪ Take me, free me, set me free, take hold of me, set me free ♪
06:51Number 14.
06:52Bound to You.
06:53Christina Aguilera.
06:55♪ I've opened up, unsure I can trust ♪
07:02I.A.M. is far from the only time these two have worked together.
07:06Written for 2010's Burlesque, Bound to You is a heartfelt number that explores the fear
07:11that comes with falling in love and caring for someone so deeply.
07:15♪ I am terrified to love for the first time ♪
07:22Aguilera's vocals are at their peak here,
07:24with the production doing everything it can to make them soar.
07:28Aguilera, in turn, brings the lyrics to life,
07:31and if we weren't already in awe of her character, Ali, this performance does it.
07:36It's no surprise that the song was nominated for a Golden Globe,
07:39only further cementing Sia's brilliant writing capabilities.
07:42♪ Finally found my way, I am bound to you ♪
07:50Number 13.
07:52Radioactive.
07:53Rita Ora.
07:54♪ Let me feel the beat, fall to the sky ♪
07:59An invigorating party anthem, Radioactive must have one of the coolest beats out there.
08:04The tune fits a few different genres, but we think neo-disco is the perfect way to describe it.
08:10There's little to complain about here.
08:12We've got an upbeat rhythm, a classic urban pop sound,
08:15Rita Ora's sweeping vocal display, and of course, Sia's contribution.
08:20♪ You and I, I'm feeling it, feeling it, feeling, feeling it ♪
08:28The words aren't overly poetic, but there's depth and emotion to be appreciated,
08:33not to mention sheer commanding strength.
08:35♪ I'm feeling it, feeling it, feeling, feeling it, we rise to life ♪
08:42Ora is totally in her element with a track that fits her image superbly.
08:47Number 12.
08:48Double Rainbow.
08:49Katy Perry.
08:50Found on the album Prism, Double Rainbow is utter elegance.
08:54♪ I hit the lottery, cause you're brighter than all of the Northern Lights ♪
09:02From Perry's soft crooning to the inspiring melody to Sia's carefully crafted lyrics,
09:07the finished product is the kind of thing to give you chills.
09:10You can hear Sia everywhere in the eloquent words and even in some of Perry's delivery.
09:15♪ We slide by like a double rainbow in the sky ♪
09:23The singer-songwriter reportedly had the idea of the double rainbow metaphor
09:27after a yoga class, which just goes to show how inspiration really can strike anywhere.
09:33Described as a massive ballad, Double Rainbow is as hopeful as it is moving,
09:38and never fails to uplift our outlook on love.
09:41♪ The two of us together make everything glitter ♪
09:48Number 11.
09:49Breathe.
09:50Jessie J.
09:51Breathe is the noticeable black sheep of Jessie J's second album, Alive.
09:56It's considered to have a darker arrangement, although its message is rather bright nonetheless.
10:00♪ Falling under pressure, I can feel the butterflies though you blow smoke inside my mouth ♪
10:07It talks about devotion and giving yourself completely to someone,
10:11an entirely selfless kind of love.
10:13The motif of breathing is especially resonant as it connotes life force and simplicity,
10:19just being together with somebody else.
10:21♪ So together we can breathe, I wanna give you all of me ♪
10:27♪ Open up your eyes and love me, love me, love me ♪
10:31Unity, mutual understanding, and fulfillment are big themes,
10:35and Sia, as a co-writer on the track, tackles them remarkably.
10:40There are so many beautiful thoughts expressed in this one,
10:43it's impossible not to fall in love.
10:45♪ I wanna give you all of me, you don't have to take care of me, of me, of me ♪
10:53Number 10.
10:54We Are One.
10:55Ole Ole.
10:56Pitbull featuring Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Lete.
10:59Sia might be known for her ballads, but this song is pure fun.
11:03As the official anthem of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, it's a call for unity.
11:08♪ It's your world, my world, our world today And we invite the whole world, whole world to play ♪
11:16That might reflect the song's creation as well,
11:19as Sia is one of nine credited songwriters for the piece.
11:22The track is full of life and celebrates our shared humanity,
11:26despite coming from different places and backgrounds.
11:29♪ Hey, hey, forza, forza, come on, sing with me Hey, hey, hey, ale, ale, come shout it out with me ♪
11:36Pitbull's verses pair well with singing done by Jennifer Lopez
11:40and Brazilian singer Claudia Lete,
11:43which helped the song peak at number one in three countries.
11:46♪
11:54Number 9.
11:55Try Everything.
11:56Shakira.
11:57♪ I messed up tonight, I lost another fight Lost to myself, but I'll just start again ♪
12:05Can we agree that Sia should write songs for every movie soundtrack?
12:08Written for Disney's Zootopia,
12:10Try Everything is an uplifting song with the message to never give up.
12:14♪ I won't give up, no, I won't give in Until I reach the end, and then I'll start again ♪
12:21The lyrics perfectly match the theme of the movie,
12:24as the main character gets knocked down and back up again numerous times.
12:29Shakira embodies that spirit of determination,
12:32and her voice gives listeners hope while still matching the song's upbeat, fun rhythm.
12:36♪ No, I won't be, I wanna try everything I wanna try even though I could fail ♪
12:44The song was a hit with global audiences and charted all over the world,
12:48even reaching number one on the U.S. Kid Digital Song Chart.
12:52Number 8.
12:53Invincible – Kelly Clarkson
12:55The creation of this song came after Sia learned
12:58Kelly Clarkson was performing a cover of her song, Breathe Me, while out on tour.
13:02♪ I'm lost, miles up, and I don't know where to be if I'm dead ♪
13:11A fan of the American Idol artist,
13:13Sia reached out to her about writing a song for her, and this synth-pop anthem was born.
13:18♪ You know I had lost hope, I was all alone, never been so low till you came along ♪
13:26It's the ideal combination of Clarkson's towering vocals,
13:30with Sia's inspiring lyrics about self-empowerment and confidence to face anything thrown her way.
13:36Clarkson owns it, and as her voice swells with the instrumentation,
13:40anyone listening will feel motivated.
13:42In addition to writing on the track, Sia also performed some of the backing vocals.
13:47♪ Now I am invincible and I'm a perfect storm ♪
13:53Number 7. You Lost Me – Christina Aguilera
13:57The heart of her 2010 album, Bionic, this Sia-penned ballad tells the story of a
14:02woman whose cheating ex hurt her and left her world infected.
14:05♪ I feel like our world's been infected ♪
14:14Aside from being number one on the Hot Dance Club chart,
14:17the track wasn't exactly a raging smash,
14:20but it's definitely still well worth a listen for Christina Aguilera's ever-confident vocals.
14:25♪ Babe, you lost me ♪
14:31Although it starts off gently, it isn't long before we get to hear the singer's amazing range.
14:36♪ Somehow you left me neglected ♪
14:43While Sia and Aguilera have a lot of impressive work together,
14:46You Lost Me has to be the best.
14:48Number 6. Loved Me Back to Life – Céline Dion
14:56♪ I was walking dead, stuck inside my head ♪
15:00A big departure for Céline Dion, this power ballad demonstrates that she's
15:04forever a musical force to be reckoned with. The title track for 2013's Loved Me Back to Life,
15:10it was long-awaited due to the six-year gap between it and Dion's last English release.
15:16Critics favorably compared the song to Sia's own,
15:19and praised the track's hook for its dubstep beat and smooth belting.
15:23♪ From the corner, the wait is over ♪
15:29With a great build, it shows off Céline's full and emotive powerhouse vocals beautifully.
15:35♪ Night after night, you loved me back to life ♪
15:42Loved Me Back to Life became a top 40 hit in many places around the world.
15:46No surprise there.
15:47Number 5. Perfume – Britney Spears
15:51♪ Do I imagine it, or do I see a stare? Is there still longing there? ♪
15:57This song is definitely an underrated gem for both Britney Spears and Sia.
16:02Featured on Spears' Britney Jean album,
16:04this tune is almost definitely the standout track from the release.
16:08♪ I wait, I put on my perfume, I want it all over you ♪
16:15Critically praised for how personal and raw it feels,
16:18Spears sings about wanting her boyfriend's next girlfriend to be able to smell her perfume on him.
16:23The lyrics express a sadness that the pop star hadn't explored in quite a while,
16:28while her vocals sound the strongest they've ever been.
16:31♪ I want to be me, it's just you and me ♪
16:42Spears was a major fan of the number,
16:45and revealed that it was inspired by her own breakup with ex, Jason Trowick.
16:49Number 4. Flashlight – Jessie J
16:52You're saying it's an original?
16:56Yes, I'm saying it's an original.
16:57BITCH!
16:58Written for Pitch Perfect 2,
17:00this ballad wasn't the song Sia intended for the film.
17:03Initially, she wrote Bird Set Free for Hailee Steinfeld's character to sing.
17:15But it's hard to imagine a song fitting the film more perfectly than this one.
17:19The Jessie J version appeared on the soundtrack, and charted as a single as well.
17:23♪ It's a sweet life, you're stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight ♪
17:28♪ You're getting me, getting me through the night ♪
17:32It shows a softer side to Jessie J, who's known for her faster, energetic songs.
17:37This one is more emotionally raw and vulnerable,
17:40as she expresses her appreciation for her lover guiding her through darkness.
17:44♪ You're stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight ♪
17:47♪ You're getting me, getting me through the night ♪
17:51Number 3. Pretty Hurts – Beyoncé
17:54♪ Pretty hurts, we shine the light on whatever's worst ♪
18:00Sia actually intended the song for Katy Perry,
18:03who somehow overlooked it due to an email snafu, so Sia offered it to Rihanna.
18:08When Rihanna didn't work out, Queen Bee jumped on the opportunity to record it.
18:13Sia famously wrote 25 other songs for Beyoncé's consideration,
18:17but only this one made her album.
18:19♪ This time I'm gonna take the crown without falling down, down, down ♪
18:26We're glad it went to her, since her rich vocals pull off
18:29the powerful feminist message it sends to women about the double standards of beauty.
18:34The song also contains some of Sia's finest lyrics,
18:37with lines like,
18:38It's the soul that needs a surgery.
18:40♪ Try to be something but you can't be, what you can't be ♪
18:44♪ It's the soul that needs a surgery ♪
18:48Number 2. Let Me Love You Until You Learn To Love Yourself – Ne-Yo
18:52♪ Had no example of a love that was even remotely real ♪
18:59Ne-Yo isn't known for his dance floor tracks,
19:02but this entry was a pleasant surprise and departure from his usual R&B crooner style.
19:08High energy and up-tempo, Sia helped co-write the song alongside the Norwegian producers Stargate,
19:14who she would collaborate again with later that year.
19:17♪ A heart of darkness is but to light, I'll take you there ♪
19:24The lyrics urge Ne-Yo's unnamed lover to love herself first,
19:27before they can have a healthy relationship.
19:30It's a pretty deep message for a dance floor tune, but somehow,
19:33it gels well with the intense beat and synthesizers to make you get down with the groove.
19:38♪ Girl let me love you, and I will love you, until you learn to love yourself ♪
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20:011. Diamonds – Rihanna
20:04♪ Shine bright like a diamond, shine bright like a diamond ♪
20:12Okay, so you probably knew Sia was behind this one, but like a good diamond,
20:16this song is flawless and deserves the top spot.
20:19Written in just 14 minutes, the ballad was a departure from Rihanna's earlier songs about
20:24unhealthy relationships. Instead, this one celebrates love that makes you feel good,
20:29secure, and valued.
20:31♪ Beautiful like diamonds in the sky, shine bright like a diamond ♪
20:37Lyrically, it fits with Sia's other anthems of empowerment that she's known to explore
20:42in her own work. It was a certified hit for both artists, and became Rihanna's 12th number one,
20:48and Sia's second song to sell over a million copies.
20:52Which number were you most surprised to learn Sia helped pen? Let us know in the comments.
20:58♪ I chose to be happy, you and I, you and I, like diamonds in the sky ♪
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