Reaper (song)

Last updated

"Reaper"
Reaper (Sia song) coverart.png
Single by Sia
from the album This Is Acting
Released29 May 2017 (2017-05-29)
Genre Pop
Length3:39
Label Inertia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Sia singles chronology
"To Be Human"
(2017)		"Reaper"
(2017)		"Free Me"
(2017)
Audio video
"Reaper" on YouTube

"Reaper" is a song by Australian singer and songwriter Sia which features on her seventh studio album, This Is Acting (2016). It was released as the fourth promotional single from This Is Acting on 7 January 2016, [1] before being released as an official single, the fifth from the album, in Australia, on 29 May 2017. [2] [3]

Contents

The pop song, originally intended for Rihanna's album Anti (2016), was written by Sia, Kanye West, Noah Goldstein, Charles Njapa (better known by his stage name 88-Keys), and Dom $olo, and produced by West, Dom $olo, Goldstein, 88-Keys, Jesse Shatkin, and Jake Sinclair.

Background and release

"Reaper" came about when Sia was writing songs for Rihanna's eighth studio album Anti. [4] Both Rihanna and Kanye West were supposed to be a part of the session with her, but neither turned up, instead telling Sia what they wanted, leaving notes for her. [5] Sia and West had previously collaborated on the latter's song "Wolves". [6] "Reaper" was one of four rejected by Rihanna which ended up on This Is Acting, alongside "Bird Set Free", "Cheap Thrills", and "Space Between". [4] Sia stated in an interview with Rolling Stone that she "thought there was something about the chorus that seemed fun", but "never thought it would see the light of day". [5] Her manager pushed for the song to be featured on the album:

I don't care about the song. I know in print that will look bad, but what I mean is I'm not emotionally attached to it. I thought it was a fun song. I think it's a good, fun song, but I didn't anticipate it being on the record. But my manager really likes it so I put it on for him.

— Sia on "Reaper", Rolling Stone [5]

In January 2016, Sia revealed the track listing for This Is Acting by having theaters around the world display songs and track numbers on their marquees. [7] The songs "Reaper" and "House on Fire" were confirmed as the seventh and eighth tracks, respectively, on the marquee of Webster Hall in Manhattan, New York City, on 6 January. [8] The day after, "Reaper" was released as the fourth promotional single from the album. [1] [9]

Sia performed the song on Good Morning America on the morning of This Is Acting's release. [10] It was eventually released as a single in Australia – the fifth from the album – on 29 May 2017, [11] directly following the announcement of the Australian leg of the Nostalgic for the Present Tour. [3] [12]

Composition

"Reaper" is a pop song [13] about cheating death. [14] The song, featuring Sia's "eccentric art-pop vocals", begins mellow before building into a "dramatic" chorus. [15] At a length of 3 minutes and 38 seconds, [16] it was written by Sia, Kanye West, Noah Goldstein, 88-Keys, and Dom $olo, with the latter four handling production alongside Jesse Shatkin and Jake Sinclair. [17] The song is written in the key of F-sharp major. [18]

Reception

In her review of This Is Acting for Vulture, Lindsay Zoladz named "Reaper" as one of the album's best songs, calling it "a feel-good ode to cheating death". [14] Laurence Day of The Line of Best Fit opined that although the lyrics are "wounded and vulnerable", the song is an "endearingly optimistic track", likening its belying of the "gravity of the subject at hand" to that in Sia's "Chandelier". [19] Writing for The Arts Desk , Katie Colombus described "Reaper" as a "huge life [anthem] that celebrate[s] every breath you are able to take", [20] and Soul Bounce writer B. Cakes called the song "oddly-inspiring" and "jaunty". [21] DIY 's El Hunt described it as "simple yet effective". [22] In 2017, staff of Billboard ranked the song as one of the best "deep cuts" by 21st century popstars, describing it as a "rumbling anthem" which "is a welcome dose of 'not today' attitude". [23]

Taking a more critical standpoint, Alex Kritselis of Bustle wrote, "After hearing 'Reaper', [...] it's easy to understand Sia's indifference. It's a catchy tune, sure [but] I'm not at all surprised Rihanna passed on it." [24] Similarly, Cameron Cook of Pitchfork opined that the song "falls a little flat, missing the punch that its intended artist [Rihanna] would have provided". [25]

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of This Is Acting. [26]

Charts

Chart (2016)Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [27] 78
France (SNEP) [28] 89
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [29] 92

Release history

CountryDateFormatLabelRef.
Worldwide7 January 2016
  • Monkey Puzzle
  • Inertia
  • RCA
[16] [30]
Australia29 May 2017 Contemporary hit radio Inertia [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sia</span> Australian singer and songwriter (born 1975)

Sia Kate Isobelle Furler is an Australian singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Adelaide, she started her career as a singer in the acid jazz band Crisp in the mid-1990s. When Crisp disbanded in 1997, she released her debut studio album, OnlySee, in Australia. She moved to London and provided vocals for the British duo Zero 7. Sia released her second studio album, Healing Is Difficult, in 2001, and her third, Colour the Small One, in 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paranoid (Kanye West song)</span> 2009 single by Kanye West featuring Mr Hudson

"Paranoid" is a song by American musician Kanye West from his fourth studio album, 808s & Heartbreak (2008). The song features vocals from English musician Mr Hudson and background vocals from American singer Kid Cudi. West handled the production, with co-production from Jeff Bhasker and Plain Pat. The song was written by the producers alongside Kid Cudi and American rapper Consequence. It was serviced to top 40 radio stations in the United States on March 23, 2009, as the fourth and final single from the album. An upbeat new wave track, the song features electronic drum effects and pop synths. Its lyrical content is centered around West being pushed away by the mistrustful thinking of a woman that he is in love with.

"All of the Lights" is a song by American rapper Kanye West, released as the fourth single from his fifth studio album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010). It was produced by West and features additional vocals from several other recording artists, including Drake, John Legend, The-Dream, Alicia Keys, Fergie, Elton John, Ryan Leslie, Charlie Wilson, Tony Williams, La Roux, Alvin Fields, Ken Lewis, Kid Cudi, and Rihanna, with the latter two being credited on the official music video and the official single, but not on the album version of the song. The song is often played along with its accompanying interlude “All of the Lights (Interlude)”

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diamonds (Rihanna song)</span> 2012 single by Rihanna

"Diamonds" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna for her seventh studio album, Unapologetic (2012). It was written by Sia together with its producers, Benny Blanco and Stargate. The song premiered on September 26, 2012, during the Elvis Duran and the Morning Show and was digitally released the following day as the lead single from Unapologetic. "Diamonds" is a mid-tempo pop, electronic and R&B ballad that features heavy synthesizers, orchestral sounds and electronic rhythms. The song's lyrics serve as a departure from the themes of unhealthy relationships that were on Rihanna's previous singles contrasted to the song's portrayal of lovers as "diamonds in the sky".

"Bound 2" is a song by American rapper Kanye West, featured as the final track from his sixth studio album, Yeezus (2013). It was produced by West and Che Pope, with additional production being handled by Eric Danchick, Noah Goldstein, No ID and Mike Dean. The song features vocals from American soul singer Charlie Wilson and serves as the album's second single. "Bound 2" incorporates samples from "Bound" by Ponderosa Twins Plus One and the lines "Uh-huh, honey" and "Alright" from Brenda Lee's "Sweet Nothin's". The song also interpolates Wee's "Aeroplane (Reprise)" for the bridge, sung by Charlie Wilson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chandelier (song)</span> 2014 single by Sia

"Chandelier" is a song by Australian singer and songwriter Sia, from her sixth studio album, 1000 Forms of Fear (2014). Written by Sia and Jesse Shatkin and produced by Shatkin and Greg Kurstin, the song was released on 17 March 2014 as the lead single from the album. It is an electropop song, featuring electronica, R&B and reggae influences. Lyrically, the song has a melancholic theme, detailing the demoralisation and rationalisation of alcoholism through the thought process of a "party girl". More broadly, the song speaks to the fleeting feelings of release and abandon that come with intoxication, as well as the pain, guilt and emptiness that accompany addiction, alcoholism and hedonistic excess.

Jesse Samuel Shatkin is an American songwriter, producer and engineer. He has worked with Sia, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Lopez, Fitz and the Tantrums, One Direction, and Miley Cyrus, among others. Shatkin was nominated in 2014 for Grammy Awards as both a producer and as a songwriter. Both nominations were based on his work on the Sia track "Chandelier", which he co-wrote and co-produced. He was also nominated in the Record of the Year category in 2013 as an engineer on Clarkson's single "Stronger ".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All Day (Kanye West song)</span> Kanye West song

"All Day" is a song by American rapper Kanye West. It features Trini-American rapper Theophilus London, Canadian rapper Allan Kingdom, and English musician Paul McCartney. The song was produced by West and ten others. Having initially leaked in August 2014 after being announced for release as a single by West, he premiered the song on March 2, 2015 via Power 106 and Hot 97. The following day, it was released for digital download and streaming as a standalone single, through GOOD Music and Def Jam. The song contains a re-recorded sample of "When the Wind is Blowing" by Paul McCartney and Wings and an interpolation from "Dance with Me" by Jamaican singer Noel Ellis. It includes elements of industrial and drill music, alongside synthesizers. The lyrics center around West boasting about being successful and winning in life, with West comparing certain lyrics to the work of Jay-Z.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FourFiveSeconds</span> 2015 single by Rihanna, Kanye West and Paul McCartney

"FourFiveSeconds" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna, American rapper Kanye West, and English musician Paul McCartney. It was written and produced by McCartney, Kanye West, Mike Dean, Dave Longstreth and Noah Goldstein with additional writing from Kirby Lauryen, Ty Dolla Sign, Dallas Austin, Elon Rutberg and Rihanna. Previewed by West at the iHeartMedia Music Summit on January 21, 2015, it was digitally released on January 24. "FourFiveSeconds" is a folk-pop and soul song with an instrumentation consisting of an acoustic guitar, organ and bass guitar.

"Wolves" is a song by American rapper Kanye West, featuring vocals from Sia and Vic Mensa, from his seventh studio album The Life of Pablo (2016). It was produced by West, Cashmere Cat, and Sinjin Hawke and was originally planned to be the opening track to The Life of Pablo. West debuted the song on February 12, 2015, at a fashion show where he also premiered his new Adidas shoe. The presentation was broadcast live to more than 40 locations around the world.

<i>This Is Acting</i> 2016 studio album by Sia

This Is Acting is the seventh studio album by Australian singer and songwriter Sia. It was released on 29 January 2016 by Inertia, Monkey Puzzle and RCA Records. The album is mostly composed of songs written by Sia for other pop artists that were not included on their albums. Sia described songwriting for others as "play-acting," hence the title This Is Acting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Invincible (Kelly Clarkson song)</span> 2015 single by Kelly Clarkson

"Invincible" is a song by American singer Kelly Clarkson from her seventh studio album, Piece by Piece (2015). It was written by Sia, Jesse Shatkin, Steve Mostyn, and Warren "Oak" Felder. Produced by Shatkin, the track is an anthem about self-empowerment. "Invincible" features uncredited vocals from Sia, as well as string arrangements by Oliver Kraus. It was first released as the first promotional single from Piece by Piece on February 23, 2015, but then issued as the album's second single to Hot Adult Contemporary radio stations on May 18, 2015 through RCA Records.

"I'm In It" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kanye West, from his sixth studio album, Yeezus (2013). It was produced by West, Evian Christ, Dom Solo, Noah Goldstein, Arca and Mike Dean. The song features vocals from Justin Vernon and Assassin and a sample of "Lately" by Kenny Lattimore. In the song, West describes numerous sexual fantasies using very sexually explicit lyrics. The song has received mixed reviews from music critics, with its explicit lyrics receiving the most criticism. Despite charting in the United States in 2013, the song is one of the worst performing songs on Yeezus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alive (Sia song)</span> 2015 single by Sia

"Alive" is the lead single from Australian singer and songwriter Sia's seventh studio album This Is Acting (2016). It was co-written by Sia, Adele, and Tobias Jesso Jr. The song was produced by Jesse Shatkin. "Alive" was released on 25 September 2015. The song was originally intended for Adele's third studio album, 25, along with "Bird Set Free". However, since Adele decided not to use the songs, she let Sia use them for her seventh studio album. Musically, it is a midtempo pop and synth-pop song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bird Set Free</span> 2015 promotional single by Sia

"Bird Set Free" is a song recorded by Sia for her seventh studio album This Is Acting (2016). It was released as the first promotional single from the album on 4 November 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unstoppable (Sia song)</span> 2016 single by Sia

"Unstoppable" is a song by Australian singer-songwriter Sia, taken from her seventh studio album This Is Acting (2016). The song was written by Sia and Christopher Braide, and produced by Jesse Shatkin. It was released as the album's final promotional single on 21 January 2016. In July 2016, a new version of the song was made for Gillette's 2016 Olympic ad campaign, "Pretty Isn't Perfect", which features a verse from American rapper Pusha T.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Famous (Kanye West song)</span> 2016 single by Kanye West

"Famous" is a song by American rapper Kanye West, produced and co-written by fellow American hip hop artist/producer Havoc. It serves as the lead single from his seventh studio album The Life of Pablo (2016). The song features vocals from Barbadian singer Rihanna and ad-libs from American hip hop artist Swizz Beatz, and enlists samples of Jamaican singer Sister Nancy's song "Bam Bam" and "Do What You Gotta Do" by American singer Nina Simone. The single was serviced to US urban and rhythmic contemporary radio stations on March 28, 2016, and was confirmed for release three days before. It was sent to Italian contemporary hit radio stations on April 15 by Universal.

"Frank's Track" is a song by American musician Kanye West, which was added to his seventh studio album The Life of Pablo (2016) when updates were made to it on March 16, 2016.

"Praise God" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his tenth studio album Donda (2021). The song features vocals from fellow American rappers Travis Scott and Baby Keem. It also features additional vocals from West's late mother, Donda West, for whom the album is named. The song peaked at number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100, alongside reaching number 10 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and the top of the US Gospel and Christian Songs charts.

References

  1. 1 2 Plaugic, Lizzie (7 January 2016). "Listen to Sia's new song 'Reaper,' written and produced by Kanye West". The Verge . Archived from the original on 19 July 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  2. ↑ "Singles Report: Selena Gomez sneaks past Liam Payne at radio". The Music Network. 29 May 2017. Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Sia releases new single "Reaper"". The Partae. 29 May 2017. Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  4. 1 2 Cridlin, Jay (9 March 2016). "Rihanna's 'Anti,' Sia's 'This Is Acting' approach pop stardom in divergent ways". Tampa Bay Times . Archived from the original on 2 May 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 Spanos, Brittany (3 December 2015). "Sia's Reject Opus: Songwriter on Reclaiming Adele, Rihanna's Unwanted Hits". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  6. ↑ Robinson, Will (5 January 2016). "Preview Sia's song Reaper, co-written by Kanye West". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on 3 July 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  7. ↑ Minsker, Evan (6 January 2016). "Sia and Kanye West Team on "Reaper"". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on 8 January 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  8. ↑ Thompson, Eliza (7 January 2016). "Listen to a New Sia Song Meant for Rihanna and Made With Kanye West". Cosmopolitan . Archived from the original on 13 August 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  9. ↑ Silverberg, Nicole (7 January 2016). "Oh Man, This New Sia-Kanye West Collaboration Is Actual Fire". GQ . Condé Nast. Archived from the original on 26 September 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  10. ↑ Grebey, James (29 January 2016). "Sia Performs 'Reaper' on 'Good Morning America' With Dancers Who Had Dalmatian Face Paint". SPIN . Archived from the original on 23 July 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  11. 1 2 "Australian Singles Report" (PDF). The Music Network. 29 May 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  12. ↑ Styles, Aja (28 May 2017). "Sia brings first Australian tour in five years to Melbourne, Sydney only". The Sydney Morning Herald . Archived from the original on 15 April 2022. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  13. ↑ Kramer, Kyle (7 January 2016). "Listen to Sia's New Song "Reaper," Co-Written and Co-Produced by Kanye West". Vice . Archived from the original on 20 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  14. 1 2 Zoladz, Lindsay (28 January 2016). "Sia's This Is Acting Is Full of Hits, Misses, and Some Great What-Ifs". Vulture . Archived from the original on 8 July 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  15. ↑ Murphy, Sarah (7 January 2016). "Sia Further Details 'This Is Acting,' Drops "Reaper" Featuring Kanye West". Exclaim! . Archived from the original on 9 January 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  16. 1 2 Sia (7 January 2016). "Reaper". Spotify. Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  17. ↑ "Sia / Reaper / Credits". Tidal . Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  18. ↑ Furler, Sia; West, Kanye. "Reaper / Digital Sheet Music". MusicNotes, Inc. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  19. ↑ Day, Laurence (7 January 2016). "Listen to Sia and Kanye West's upbeat collaboration "Reaper"". The Line of Best Fit . Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  20. ↑ Colombus, Katie (28 December 2016). "Albums of the Year: Sia - This Is Acting". The Arts Desk . Archived from the original on 9 August 2022. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  21. ↑ Cakes, B. (7 January 2016). "Sia Dodges The 'Reaper' With An Assist From Kanye West". Soul Bounce . Archived from the original on 22 June 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  22. ↑ Hunt, El (29 January 2016). "Sia - This Is Acting". DIY . Archived from the original on 25 June 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  23. ↑ "The 100 Best Deep Cuts by 21st Century Pop Stars: Critics' Picks". Billboard . 21 November 2017. Archived from the original on 4 August 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  24. ↑ Kritselis, Alex (7 January 2016). "Hear The Song Sia & Kanye West Wrote For Rihanna". Bustle . Archived from the original on 21 July 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  25. ↑ Cook, Cameron (28 January 2016). "Sia: This Is Acting". Pitchfork . Condé Nast. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  26. ↑ This Is Acting (booklet). Sia. Monkey Puzzle Records/RCA Records. 2016. 88875180552.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  27. ↑ "Sia Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  28. ↑ "Sia – Reaper" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  29. ↑ "Sia – Reaper". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  30. ↑ Fitz-Gerald, Sean (7 January 2016). "Listen to Sia's 'Reaper,' Written With Kanye for Rihanna". Vulture . Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.