siaincopy
Credit: Getty Images

Diamonds – Rihanna

It took Sia just 14 minutes to write the track, and when she showed the song’s co-writer, producer-to-the-stars Benny Blanco, he was stunned by its quality. But what was perhaps more surprising was Rihanna matched Sia’s inflections exactly. “She could’ve done it her own way, but I think she really genuinely liked the way it was,” Sia told The New York Times. 

 

Pretty Hurts – Beyonce

The track, written in Sia’s small apartment in Angelino Heights in Los Angeles, was originally offered to Katy Perry. When she didn’t reply to the email, Rihanna’s team jumped on it and held the song for eight months. Not paying its fee, “Pretty Hurts” was offered to Beyonce who closed the deal immediately. Perry then texted Sia, “I’m pretty hurt you never sent me this song.” Sia responded, “Check your email.”

 

Titanium – David Guetta

Written in just 40 minutes, Sia thought she was penning a track for Alicia Keys. Then, when Guetta tried to invite other singers to replace Sia’s vocal, it was Katy Perry who suggested he keep the Australian singer-songwriter. The DJ released the track, without Sia’s knowledge, something she was not too happy about given electronic dance music was “not her scene”.

 

Breathe – Jessie J

With a reputation as one of the best voices to be exported from the UK, it only seemed fitting Jessie J and the Australian powerhouse joined forces. Sia wrote the track “Breathe” for her second studio album, Alive.

 

Cannonball – Lea Michele 

It may have completely bombed on the charts, but Glee star Lea Michele couldn’t be more thankful to Sia for writing her track, “Cannonball”. Grieving from the sudden loss of her long-term boyfriend Cory Monteith from a drug overdose in July 2014, Michele said Sia’s input was not only cathartic, it was a huge turning point for her album. It’s main message? “Love as hard as you can love,” said Michele.