"Flames"
Single by David Guetta and Sia
from the album 7
Released22 March 2018 (2018-03-22)
Recorded2017
GenreSynth-pop, electropop[1]
Length3:15
LabelWhat a Music
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • David Guetta
  • Giorgio Tuinfort
  • Marcus van Wattum
David Guetta singles chronology
"Like I Do"
(2018) 		"Flames"
(2018) 		"Your Love"
(2018)
Sia singles chronology
"Helium"
(2018) 		"Flames"
(2018) 		"Here I Am"
(2018)
Music video
"Flames" on YouTube

"Flames" is a song by French DJ and record producer David Guetta and Australian singer-songwriter Sia. The song was released on 22 March 2018 by What a Music, as the third single from Guetta's seventh studio album, 7 (2018).[3][4] The duo's seventh collaboration, it was written by Sia, Guetta, Christopher Braide, Giorgio Tuinfort and Marcus van Wattum, with production handled by the latter three.

The single was a commercial success, reaching the top 5 on official charts across Europe, including France, Scotland, Switzerland and the Netherlands. It also reached the top 10 in the United Kingdom and Germany among others, was the most-played song on European radio in 2018,[5] and earned Sia a nomination for Best Female Artist at the ARIA Music Awards of 2018.

Background

"Flames" became the seventh collaboration between Guetta and Sia, after "Titanium", "She Wolf (Falling to Pieces)", "Wild One Two", "Bang My Head", "The Whisperer" and "Helium".[2] In a press release, Guetta opened up about the pair's history and his excitement at the prospect of getting back in the studio with her:[6]

"Titanium" is still one of the tracks I am proudest of and Sia is one of my favorite artists to work with. She's a great songwriter and has an amazing voice. I'm just super excited that we get to release another track together.

Composition

"Flames" is an electropop[1][7] and house song[2] with elements of dance music.[1] A track with vague '80s influences,[8] it is performed in the key of F minor with a tempo of 94 beats per minute in common time. The chorus of the song follows a progression of Cm–E♭–Fm–D♭, and Sia's vocals span from B♭3 to C5.[9]

Music video

A lyric video for "Flames" was released on 22 March 2018. It was directed by Joe Rubinstein.[10]

The official music video for "Flames" was released on 5 April 2018 on Guetta's YouTube channel. This work was directed by Lior Molcho.[11] It emulates 1970s wuxia films and features three women (Lauren Mary Kim, Courtney Chen and Aryn Wu) training with their martial arts master (Danny Trejo). The training includes chopping a block of wood, balancing wooden buckets, and catching a fly with chopsticks, but suddenly they are ambushed by a group of ninjas, and the master is killed after he surrendered upon request by a checkmate disciple. The three are then captured and taken to the palace, where they encounter the ruler (Guetta). Then the three break free and fight all the ninjas, but the ruler defeats them by throwing fireballs. The master then reappears in ghostly form, and encourages them to fight back. Eventually, the three defeat the ruler by forcing his fire-casting hands down to his crotch hence burning him to the ground in a rather fatal way, ending with the master watching his disciples' resurgence almost happily.

Reception

The song was well received by music critics. Roisin O'Connor of The Independent said: "The track is classic Sia, starring her incredible voice and a big, emotive chorus; it's an uplifting, low-key banger that shows off the maturity Sia has brought to previous Guetta tracks, along with his talent for an infectious beat."[12] Dean Chalkley of edm.com said: "Once again, Guetta showcases his skills in providing a massive pop-house hybrid ready to take over the radio stations all over the world, offering a perfect foundation to Sia's distinctly powerful and unique voice. With a bit slower tempo, a new pop ballad is just what one could expect from the duo."[2] Mike Nied from Idolator called it "an inspiring anthem complete with a rousing production and another of the 'Chandelier' siren's jaw-dropping vocal lines."[6] Brittany Spanos of Rolling Stone described the song as "uplifting": "On the song, Guetta goes for a less clubby sound than usual. The song is more earnest as Sia offers words of encouragement to a loved one weathering a tough time."[13]

At the ARIA Music Awards of 2018, "Flames" earned Sia a nomination for Best Female Artist.[14]

Track listing

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[97] 2× Platinum 140,000‡
Austria (IFPI Austria)[98] Platinum 30,000‡
Belgium (BEA)[99] Gold 10,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[100] Platinum 80,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[101] Platinum 90,000‡
France (SNEP)[102] Diamond 333,333‡
Germany (BVMI)[103] Platinum 400,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[104] 2× Platinum 100,000‡
Norway (IFPI Norway)[105] 2× Platinum 120,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[106] 4× Platinum 200,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[107] Platinum 10,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[108] Platinum 40,000‡
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[109] Gold 10,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[110] Platinum 600,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Various 22 March 2018 Digital download Original What a Music [3]
Australia 23 March 2018 Contemporary hit radio Warner Music Australia [111]
Italy Warner [112]
Various 20 April 2018 Digital download Remixes (Part 1) What a Music [16]
Remixes EP [17]
11 May 2018 Remixes (Part 2) [19]
25 May 2018 Remixes 2 EP [18]
United States 11 June 2018 Hot adult contemporary radio Original
[113]
12 June 2018 Contemporary hit radio [114]
Various 23 June 2018 Digital download Acoustic What a Music [15]

References

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