"Sit Still, Look Pretty"
Single by Daya
from the album Daya and Sit Still, Look Pretty
ReleasedSeptember 4, 2015
Recorded2015
GenreSynthpop
Length3:20
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Gino Barletta
  • Mike Campbell
  • Britten Newbill
Producer(s)
  • Scott Bruzenak
  • Barletta
Daya singles chronology
"Hide Away"
(2015) 		"Sit Still, Look Pretty"
(2015) 		"Don't Let Me Down"
(2016)
Music video
"Sit Still, Look Pretty" at Vevo

"Sit Still, Look Pretty" is a song by American singer Daya. It was released on September 4, 2015, as the second single from her debut extended play (EP), Daya (2015) and her debut studio album of the same name (2016).[1] It is the follow-up to her Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hit "Hide Away". The song was written by Gino Barletta, Mike Campbell and Britten Newbill. Lyrically, the song includes themes of female empowerment.

"Sit Still, Look Pretty" debuted at number 100 on the Billboard Hot 100, and has since peaked at number 28. The single has also charted in Canada, Slovakia, and Czech Republic. A lyric video for the song was released on March 6, 2016.[2] The music video for the song was released on MTV on September 9, 2016.[3] The song was nominated for an Ardy at the 2017 Radio Disney Music Awards for Best Song of the Year. The song has also been used in Pitch Perfect 3, where actress Hailee Steinfeld provided the lead vocals.

Background

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Daya stated "It's about being a girl that goes after her own dreams and really fights for what she wants, and not letting anyone get in the way of that. It's important for young girls to know that they don't have to act a certain way or depend on someone for happiness. They can find all of that within themselves."[4] Daya also said in an interview with Idolator, "I think it's just about not being an accessory for someone else. Just having your own dreams and goals. Going after them and not having to always try to please someone."[5]

Critical reception

Dana Getz of Entertainment Weekly writes it "relegates [good boys] to the sidelines" and further labeled it a "bouncy, eff–you jaunt".[4] Idolator's Mike Wass calls the chorus "empowering" and stated "['Sit Still, Look Pretty'] picks up where 'Hide Away' left off — in that it's a little rebellious and a lot relatable."[5] Billboard ranked "Sit Still, Look Pretty" at number 47 on their "100 Best Pop Songs of 2016" list.[6]

Music video

A music video for the song was released on September 9, 2016.[3]

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[21] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[22] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format Label Ref.
United States September 4, 2015 Digital download
[23]
March 29, 2016 Top 40 radio [1]

References

  1. ^ a b "Mainstream Top 40 Future Releases - AllAccess". AllAccess Media Group. March 29, 2016. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  2. ^ "Daya - Sit Still, Look Pretty (Lyric Video) - YouTube". YouTube. March 6, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
  3. ^ a b "Daya - Sit Still, Look Pretty - YouTube". YouTube. September 9, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
  4. ^ a b Getz, Dana (March 29, 2016). "Daya Previews New Single, 'Sit Still, Look Pretty' - EW.com". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  5. ^ a b Wass, Mike (February 3, 2016). "Daya Drops 'Sit Still, Look Pretty' Lyric Video, Announces Chainsmokers Collaboration 'Don't Let Me Down'". Idolator. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  6. ^ "Billboard's 100 Best Pop Songs of 2016: Critics' Picks". Billboard. December 12, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  7. ^ "Daya – Sit Still, Look Pretty" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  8. ^ "Daya – Sit still, Look Pretty" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  9. ^ "Daya Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
  10. ^ "Daya Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  11. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 201628 into search. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
  12. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201616 into search. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  13. ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 36, 2016" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  14. ^ "Daya Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
  15. ^ "Daya Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  16. ^ "Daya Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  17. ^ "Daya Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  18. ^ "Daya Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  19. ^ "Hot 100 Songs - Year-End 2016". Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  20. ^ "Pop Songs - Year-End 2016". Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  21. ^ "British single certifications – Daya – Sit Still, Look Pretty". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  22. ^ "American single certifications – Daya – Sit Still, Look Pretty". Recording Industry Association of America.
  23. ^ "iTunes Store (US) - Music - Daya - Daya - EP". iTunes Store (US). September 4, 2015. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
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