Bird Set Free

2015 promotional single by Sia From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bird Set Free

"Bird Set Free" is a song recorded by Sia for her seventh studio album This Is Acting (2016).[2] It was released as the first promotional single from the album on 4 November 2015.

Quick Facts Promotional single by Sia, from the album This Is Acting ...
"Bird Set Free"
Thumb
Promotional single by Sia
from the album This Is Acting
Released4 November 2015
GenrePower pop[1]
Length4:15
LabelInertia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Greg Kurstin
Audio video
Bird Set Free on YouTube
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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 for her album 25, but later decided to let Sia keep it.[3][4]

Composition

"Bird Set Free" is a piano-based power ballad[5][6] written in the key of F minor.[7]

Critical reception

Rolling Stone said the song is "liberating".[8] 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."[9] Alex McCown of The A.V. Club called it the "best female empowerment sing-along Katy Perry never wrote."[10] 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."[11]

Promotion

Sia performed "Bird Set Free" and "Alive" on the 7 November 2015 episode of Saturday Night Live.[12][13]

Usage in media

"Bird Set Free" was featured over the end credits of the horror film The Shallows.[14] It was also featured in the opening credits of the 2017 film Unforgettable.[citation needed]

Charts

More information Chart (2015–16), Peak position ...
Chart (2015–16) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[15] 36
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[16]98
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[17]69
France (SNEP)[18]49
New Zealand Heatseekers (Recorded Music NZ)[19] 9
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[20]65
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[21] 13
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[22]69
UK Singles (OCC)[23]92
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Certifications

More information Region, Certification ...
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Italy (FIMI)[24] Gold 25,000
Poland (ZPAV)[25] Gold 25,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[26] Silver 200,000
United States (RIAA)[27] Gold 500,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

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References

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