Sia’s songs are said to have strong emotions and impact. The Australian singer, songwriter, and director Sia Kate Isobelle Furler also known as Sia Furler began her career as a singer in the acid jazz band Crisp in Adelaide.
After the band disbanded in 1997, she began her journey to her solo career.
Since after her first single in 2000, Sia has continued to top charts with her songs and has won several awards as a singer and also a songwriter.
20 of Her Greatest Hits Yet
She has released quite a number of hit songs but the focus here will be just on 20 of them:
1. Cheap Thrills
This single is from Sia’s seventh album; This Is Acting which was released on 26 January 2016. The song was written by the singer and Greg Kurstin and was produced by Kurstin.
Cheap Thrills peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and that made it her first number-one single in the chart.
The song was originally intended to be performed by Rihanna for her album Anti(2016) but it was rejected.
The same song was certified as Quadruple Platinum and reached No.6 in New Zealand and No.3 and it was awarded Quadruple Platinum in Sweden, Five-time Platinum in Spain, and Double Diamond in Poland. It also peaked at No. 2 for four weeks in the UK and later got certified quadruple platinum for shipments of over 2.4 million units.
Sia’s Cheap Thrills made it to the Billboard’s 100 Best Pop Songs of 2016.
Lyrics
Come on, come on, turn the radio on
It’s Friday night, and it won’t be long
Gotta do my hair, put my make-up on…
2. Alive
This song is considered the lead single from Sia’s seventh studio album This Is Acting. The song was co-written by Adele and Tobias Jesso Jr. and produced by Jesse Shatkin. It was released on 25 September 2015 and it was supposed to be part of Adele’s studio album 25.
The song was well-received as it reached the top 40 in 15 countries and on the UK Singles Charts. Alice made it to No. 56 on the US Billboard Hot 100. By the time the music video was released in November 2015, it first had over 200 million views.
Lyrics
Hey I wanted everything I never had
Like the love that comes with light
I wore envy and I hated that
But I survived…
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3. The Greatest
The Greatest is also in Sia’s seventh studio album, This Is Acting( 2016). It was released on 6 September 2016 through Monkey Puzzle and RCA Records.
The music video was filmed by Sia and Daniel Askill featuring the American dancer and actress Maddie Ziegler. It also featured 48 different young people which is why media outlets have perceived that the video was a tribute to the 49 victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting.
The Greatest has topped five in several countries and has also been awarded certifications in different places.
Lyrics
Uh-oh, running out of breath but I
Oh, I, I got stamina
Uh-oh, running now, I close my eyes
Well, oh, I got stamina
And uh-oh, I see another mountain to climb
But I, I, I got stamina…
4. Move Your Body
Sia released the song Move Your Body in January 2017 in the album This Is Acting. The song was originally intended for Shakira but it was rejected. It was rewritten by Sia and Greg Kurstin.
The song was used in a commercial for 500 Lexus LC.
Lyrics
Poetry in your body, you got it on every way
And can’t you see it’s you I’m watching?
I am hot for you in every way
And turn around, Let me see you…
5. Breathe Me
The Australian singer released Breath Me on 19 April 2004 and it was featured on the album Colour the Small One. It was written by Sia Furler and Dan Carey and produced by Jimmy Hogarth.
Since it was released, the song has received positive reviews and even sold 1.2 million copies in the United States.
Breathe Me peaked at number 71 in the United Kingdom on May 1st, 2004 and No. 19 in Denmark, and No.81 in France in 2012. The single also made it to No. 24 on the Rock Digital Songs in the United States.
Lyrics
Be my friend, hold me
wrap me up, enfold me
I am small and needy
Warm me up and breathe me…
6. Chandelier
Chandelier is from Sia’s sixth album forms of fear and it was written by Sia and Jesse Shatkin. The song is an electropop song that features electronica R&B and also an infusion of reggae.
The song reached the top 5 in 20 countries and peaked No.8 on the Billboard Hot 100. It became the singer’s first single as a lead artist to appear on the Hot 100. It also sold over 2 million copies in the United States.
Lyrics
I’m gonna swing from the chandelier
From the chandelier
I’m gonna live like tomorrow doesn’t exist
Like it doesn’t exist…
7. Elastic Heart
Sia featured the Canadian singer the weekend and Diplo an American record producer to release the song Elastic Heart. It was released on 1 October 2013 and it peaked at number 7on the singles chart of New Zealand.
The song has appeared on charts in several countries including Australia, Belgium, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Lyrics
I’ve got thick skin and an elastic heart
But your blade, it might be too sharp
I’m like a rubber band until you pull too hard
I may snap and I move fast
But you won’t see me fall apart
Cos I’ve got an elastic heart…
8. Big Girls Cry
The single Big Girls Cry is a song written by Sia Furler and Christopher Braide. the song was not released internationally, only in Australia and some parts of Europe.
The song has been performed by Sia on a live television show and also at The Recording Academy.
Lyrics
I may cry ruinin’ my makeup
Wash away all the things you’ve taken
And I don’t care if I don’t look pretty
Big girls cry when their hearts are breaking…
9. Taken for Granted
The song was the first single Sia released from her second album Healing Is Difficult. (2001). It was written by Sia and produced by Nigel Corsbie.
Taken for Granted has reached the top 10 on the UK Singles Chart and stayed at No. 10 on the UK R&B Chart for up to five weeks after its debut. It also peaked at number 100 on the ARIA Singles Chart in March 2002.
https://youtu.be/wq2E96MsmzM
Lyrics
I’m sitting in the car again
Waiting for you
You said you’d be a minute
But you’ve been twenty-two
See you’ve got to do your hair
And get it just right
Sometimes you’re in the bathroom
For half of the night…
10. Little Man
Sia released LittleMan in September 2000 in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The single is the second from her album Healing is difficult(2001).
After its debut in 2000, the song peaked at No. 82 in the United Kingdom. It made it to the No. 4 spot in the UK garage songs for Billboard.
Lyrics
Little man, I’m endlessly proud of you
In such a short time span
You’ve filled my heart with joy
As I grow older, you grow wiser
Watching my mistakes
Memorize where I’ve gone wrong…
11. Drink to Get Drunk
This song was released as a single in 2001 in the album Healing Is Difficult(2001). The song peaked at number 1 on the Belgian Dance Chart in January 2001.
The song was later remixed by Gino Scalette and Quinn Whalley. Another cover was released in April 2002 by the British house DJ and also producer Chris Lake and in October 2011, Sander van Doom released a cover version through Spinnin Records.
Lyrics
Don’t ask me why I smoke
But I drink to get drunk
Don’t ask me why I smoke
I don’t know
But I drink to get drunk…
12. Clap Your Hands
Sia released Clap Your Hands in 2010 in her fifth studio album We Are Born (2010). It was written by Sia Furler and Samuel Dixon and was produced by Greg Kurstin.
The song was later remixed by Diplo. On September 12, 2011, Sia performed ClapYour Hands-on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Lyrics
Clap your hands, clap your hands
Turn the lights on my nights this life and we only get one chance
Oh clap your hands, clap your hands
Come on dance, take a chance on romance, we only get one shot at love
Oh clap your hands, clap your hands…
13. Together
The single was released in Sia’s ninth studio album. The album was released on 20 May 2020 by Atlantic Records. The song is the lead single in the album. It was written by Sia Furler and produced by Jack Antonoff.
Lyrics
Ooh together
We can take it higher
I can hear the thunder
Comin’ from your mouth and I know my number’s up
Give me some Stevie Wonder
Quick, put it on before we go under…
14. I’m Not Important to You
This single was released in 2001 in the album Healing Is Difficult. The song is said to be originally part of Crisp‘s E.P Word and The Deal in 1995.
Lyrics
You took me for granted
You took me, you took me for granted
But I landed back on my feet, back on
My feet…
15. Sober and Unkissed
Sober and Unkissed is the seventh track in Sia’s second studio album, Healing is difficult. The song has been considered as a reimaging of her older song soon from the album OnlySee.
Lyrics
When are you coming around
Oh when are you coming around
Cause soon I’ll be cold and thirsty…
16. Courage to Change
The Australian singer-songwriter Sia released Courage to Change on 24 September 2020 through Monkey Puzzle and Atlantic Records. The song is in her album Music-Songs from and inspired by the Motion Picture.
Lyrics
Rain it falls rain it falls
Pouring on me
And the rain it falls, rain it falls
Sowing the seeds of love and hope, love and hope
We don’t have to stay here, stuck in the weeds…
17. Eye of the Needle
This song was released as a promotional single from the album 1000 Forms of Fear. The song was released on 3 June 2014 and it has appeared on record charts of Australia, France, and the United Kingdom.
Lyrics
And I ain’t ready
But I’ll hold steady
Yeah, I’ll hold you
In my arms, in my arms, in my arms…
18. Fire meet Gasoline
Sia recorded Fire meet Gasoline for her sixth studio album, 1000 Forms of Fear (2014). The song was written by Sia, Greg Kurstin, and Samuel Dixon.
“Fire Meet Gasoline” has topped several charts including the UK Singles No.193 and Belgium (Ultratip Flanders) No.4 and 12.
Lyrics
Flame you came from me, fire meet gasoline
Fire meet gasoline, I’m burning alive
I can barely breathe when you’re here loving me
Fire meet gasoline
Fire meet gasoline…
19. Blow It All Away
Blow It All Away is the fourth single from Sia’s second studio album, Healing Is Difficult. after the September 11 2001 attacks, the song was re-recorded in 2002 as Throw It All Away.
The song was written by Sia Furler, Blair MackKichan, Felix Howard, and Kevin Armstrong.
Lyrics
Without a sound ever heard
Without a lesson, I have learned
You are foolish
And diluted…
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20. You’ve changed
This song is the lead single in Sia’s fifth studio album, We Are Born. It was released on 28 December 2009 through Monkey Puzzle. It was written by Sia Furler and Lauren Flax. The song was produced by Greg Kurstin.
Lyrics
Stealing hearts was your pastime
I saw girls on the hook line
You stole kisses and threw them aside
Hits and misses your love-side
You’ve changed…
Complete Albums
Sia has about 9 studio albums, 7 Live albums, 1 compilation album, 1 video album, and 65 singles in all. Here is a list of her albums.
Studio Albums
- OnlySee (1997)
- Healing Is Difficult (2001)
- Colour the Small One (2004)
- Some People Have Real Problems (2008)
- We Are Born (2010)
- 1000 Forms of Fear (2014)
- This is Acting (2016)
- Everyday is Christmas (2017)
- Music- Songs from and inspired by the Motion Picture (2021)
Live Albums
- Lady Croissant (2007)
- iTunes Live from Sydney (2009)
- iTunes Live-Aria Concert Series (2010)
- The We Meaning You Tour (2011)
- The We Meaning You Tour, Live at the Roundhouse 27 May 2010
- Spotify Sessions (2016)
- tripe j Live at the Wireless-Big Day Out 2011 (2020)
Compilation album
- Best of … (2012)
Awards and nominations
Sia has been nominated severally as a singer as well as a songwriter. Sia’s songs have a remarkable impact on its audience and so has been nominated for awards such as The People’s Choice Award thrice, Brit Award twice, and Four World Music Awards. She also has nine Grammy Award nominations.
Here is a list of some of her awards:
- The Antville Music Video Awards 2014-Chandelier Best Choreography
- APRAMusic Awards Breakthrough Songwriter Award 2002
- NRJ Awards(3)
- MTV Video MusicAward
- Aria Music Award(10)
- ASCAP Pop Music Awards (6)
- BMI London Awards (3)
- BMI Pop Awards (2)
- 2014 International Music Video Festival -Chandelier
- 2014 Australian Music Video of the Year- Chandelier
- 2015 LOS40 Music Awards Best International Act
- 2016 PETA Libby Awards-Best Voice for Animals
