Sia, Saved My Life | Track Review 🎵

Sia delivers an authentic vocal performance on the thoughtful, uplifting single, “Saved My Life,” co-written by Dua Lipa and Greg Kurstin.

After releasing “Original” from the Dolittle soundtrack in 2020, Grammy-nominated pop singer/songwriter Sia (Sia Furler) is back with a new single.  Where “Original” is tied to a soundtrack, “Save My Life” is a standalone single born out of the coronavirus pandemic. “Saved My Life” was debuted during Americares’ COVID is NO Joke livestream fundraiser, according to Rolling Stone.  “Saved My Life” definitely has credentials behind it, written by Furler, Dua Lipa, and Greg Kurstin.

“Saved My Life” commences with a lovely piano introduction.  One of the selling points is how the record establishes itself and percolates.  Sia initiates her vocal performance with the memorable lyric, “Boom, boom, boom / Beats my heart,” which marks the beginning of the first verse. From the start, she delivers excellent vocals, which continue on throughout the record. Her performance is authentic, beautiful, and expressive through and through.  Shifting to the production, in addition to radiant piano that graces the backdrop, the groove established is also strong.  “Saved My Life” is definitely well-produced, with Greg Kurstin unleashing his magic once again.

As far as the songwriting, there’s a lot of repetition on the verses.  Even so, it’s effective in this particular instance, successfully conveying the point. After the enigmatic start of the first verse, the second verse is more stable and established, with the full complement of instrumentation behind it. The crowning achievement is the soaring chorus, which is empowering, memorable, and thoughtful:

“Well, someone must have sent you here to save my life
Someone must have sent you to save me tonight
I know that in darkness, I have found my light
I know that in darkness, I've been given sight
In your loving arms, I feel delight
In your loving arms, I'll be alright
Someone must have sent you to save me tonight
Someone must have sent you here to save my life.”

I love the ad-libs by during the final chorus.  They further amplify the power and grandeur of “Saved My Life.”

Final Thoughts 

Sia has done it again! “Saved My Life” is a winner thanks to an authentic vocal performance, thoughtful, uplifting songwriting, and solid production.  It’s a relatively simple but potent record.

Sia • “Saved My Life” • Monkey Puzzle / Atlantic • Release: 5.2.20

Photo Credits: Monkey Puzzle / Atlantic