Receiving Credit Where Its Due? Where Validation Truly Lies in Music

Sia is no budding flower in the music game. Many of you reading this have probably all heard her music, as Sia has penned some of the most successful songs to hit mainstream radio in recent years. Writing songs for such artists as Rihanna, Katy Perry and Britney Spears, now the Australian talent is realeasing music under her own name with new album 1000 Forms of Fear.

The cover art of this album displays a blonde fringed wig with no face. Sia's recent performances on tv show her performing in unusual stances, singing on her stomach with her head down or standing with her back to the audience. Yes, it all makes for a wonderfully weird performance but the actual reason Sia has kept her face hidden is because she claims that although she is passionate about her musical talent, she does NOT want to be FAMOUS. So I wondered, how does Sia validate herself as an artist? How does she define gratitude for her talent and how does she prefer to receive it?

Sia has penned such monster hits as ‘Diamonds’ sung by Rihanna and ‘Perfume’ performed by Brtiney Spears .  Her most recent songwriting hit was ‘Pretty Hurts’, one of my favourite tracks from the latest Beyonce album.  Three very different artists that have all been drawn to Sia’s words and melodies. So what is it about sia that makes her musicality stand out?

Firstly, her words and subjects are raw and relatable, discussing emotional hurt, addiction, love and desire.  Her melodies are simultaneously soft and powerful, which offers a beautiful contrast of which translates effectively with other singing voices. When Sia showcases her vocal talent with her songs made famous by other artists, you are deeply affected and truly understand the intention of each song.

Sia has crafted her songwriting formula into the perfect equation creating sure-fire hits that are ironically formed in the rawest, messiest of ways.  She says that she feels complete validation in her songwriting credits and she does not need fame to go along with that. Having megastar Beyonce slam down enough money to snatch ‘Pretty Hurts’ from fellow megastar Rihanna, must be validation enough.

However as a listener I can hear that Sia has an equally, if not more powerful voice than the artists she writes for,  performing her vocals flawlessly on live tv – yet disguises her face, almost detaching herself from her vocal ability.  Out of the countless songs she has written, Sia takes particular pride in a collection of which she keeps to herself. She has recently released some of these songs, those she deeply connects with, as an album under her name, not her face.

Having her name imprinted on this music means that the woman behind the voice is still being praised, just in a less confronting, intrusive way as Sia sees it. In these modern times, perhaps there is more dignity and resolution in that.  It could be perceived that Sia is not dissociating herself from her talent, but simply preserving her real self from an often destructive industry.