Aha, it's Tuesday. That means Three Tunes by Ablaze, and today's spotlight goes to Sia, an acclaimed Australian singer, songwriter, and music video director with powerful vocals and massive pop hits. She is also known for wearing large wigs to obscure her face during the peak of her career.
She started as a singer in the band "Crisp" in the 90's, then went on as a solo artist when the group disbanded, releasing 5 studio albums, then shifting to writing songs for other artists (i.e., Beyoncé, Rihanna, Flo Rida).
The first tune below was released in 2014 as the lead single for her album 1000 Forms of Fear.
Accordingly, the electropop ballad was initially written for Rihanna or Beyoncé, but she decided to record the song herself. I'd say it was a good decision as it became her first single to appear on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #8. It also reached 5th on the record charts in 20 countries, and received 4 nominations in the Grammy Awards. It went viral and became the 7th most viewed (watched) video on YouTube in 2014.(¹) I suppose most people have heard of this song.
The next tune is also a popular dance-pop, written by Sia herself.
Accordingly, Sia recorded a demo and sent it to other artists. It was offered to Katy Perry, but the artist turned it down, then a twist happened. Unbeknownst to the singer, Guetta released her demo vocals for his album Nothing but the Beat.(²)
Anyway, I love Sia's soaring vocals, the pulsating beat that gives the song that "throbbing" feeling, which makes one wanna get up and dance.
And last but certainly not least is a song that topped the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming the singer's first number one single and Sean Paul's.
It won the APRA Music Awards of 2019 and 2020, and the Most Played Australian Work Overseas in the APRA Music Awards of 2018. It topped other charts and reached Platinum and Diamond status in various countries. It was Italy's best-selling and highest-certified single by a female artist, receiving Diamond certification, making Sia the first female artist to achieve such a status. (³)
Anyhow, I like the vibrant, more upbeat, and "carefree feel" of this dance-hall pop track. And with that, let me end this week's participation in the TTT edition.
Lead photo is a screenshot of her YT Channel profile pic. No copyright infringement intended. 05052026/20:50ph
