"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.
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]
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]
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
References
^Rolling Stone Staff (28 June 2023).
"The 50 Most Inspirational LGBTQ Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 3 September 2023. A power-pop battle cry from Sia's 2015 LP, This Is Acting, "Bird Set Free" features themes that often resonate with the queer community...
^"ARIA Australian Top 50 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. 16 November 2015.
Archived from the original on 17 March 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
^"
ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 201549 into search. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
^"
ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201549 into search. Retrieved 7 December 2015.