Sia is an Australian singer and songwriter known for her distinctive vocal style and emotionally raw songwriting. Over her career, she has established herself as a major force in pop music, writing and performing songs that balance vulnerability with infectious hooks. Her work frequently explores themes of resilience and personal struggle, making her catalog particularly relevant for choral arrangements that connect with contemporary audiences.
Why we love this
Timothy Takach's arrangement captures the emotional core of this modern pop anthem while making it accessible for mixed choir singers. The stripped-down vulnerability of the original translates beautifully to a cappella or accompanied voicing, giving students authentic contemporary material that doesn't sacrifice musical integrity. Programming a piece this recognizable alongside classical repertoire signals to your singers and audiences that choral music includes the music young people actually care about.
What to expect
Haunting and intimate, even when full harmonies enter. There's an undercurrent of determination beneath the vulnerability, as if the song itself is bracing for impact. The arrangement invites singers to connect emotionally with lyrics about resilience and survival.
Who it's for
Any director seeking to expand their repertoire with songs that resonate with student singers and modern audiences. This works equally well for community choirs, show choirs, or concert ensembles looking to include contemporary pop in a meaningful way.
How to get the most out of it
Balance the melody across voice parts carefully during unison or octave passages; clarity matters more than blend when navigating contemporary pop harmonies.
Let the lyrics drive phrasing rather than relying on strict metric regularity. The emotional arc of each phrase should feel conversational and genuine.
If using accompaniment, resist the urge to push tempo; this song earns its power through space and restraint rather than energy.
Attend to dynamic contrast between verses and choruses. The original features intimate verses and building intensity, a dynamic landscape your arrangement likely preserves.
How to use it
Pair this with other contemporary pop arrangements to create a thematic set, or use it as a closing number to showcase your ensemble's versatility and connection to student culture. It also works effectively as a concert opener that immediately engages both performers and audience.
Skills your students will build
Singing contemporary pop idioms with authentic phrasing and vocal production
Balancing tight harmonic structures with emotional expression
Reading and performing music that doesn't rely on traditional metric predictability
Navigating upper and lower register demands across different voice parts
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