Brave (Sara Bareilles song)

"Brave"
Single by Sara Bareilles
from the album The Blessed Unrest
Released April 23, 2013
Format Digital download
Recorded 2011
Genre Pop
Length 3:39
Label Epic
Writer(s) Sara Bareilles, Jack Antonoff
Producer(s) Mark Endert
Sara Bareilles singles chronology
"Stay"
(2012)		 "Brave"
(2013)		 "I Choose You"
(2014)
The Blessed Unrest track listing

"Brave" is a song by American singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles, taken from her fourth studio album, The Blessed Unrest (2013). The song was written by Bareilles and Jack Antonoff from the band fun., as the singer was inspired from the struggles that a close friend dealt with in regard to coming out. Bareilles requested Mark Endert to produce it with the explicit goal of radio airplay. "Brave" was released worldwide through digital download on April 23, 2013 as the lead single from the album, through Epic Records.

"Brave" received positive reviews from music critics, with one writing that Bareilles channels singers like Fiona Apple and Florence Welch. Some critics also compared pop singer Katy Perry's single "Roar" to the song. "Brave" became Bareilles' third top 40 hit in the United States, peaking at #23, while reaching the top 3 in Australia (#3), her highest charting single in the country to date, and also reaching the top 10 in New Zealand (#4), #26 in South Korea, #58 in Canada and #88 in Japan. The song was covered by Lea Michele and Naya Rivera on the 97th episode of the musical series Glee, which aired on February 25, 2014.[1] It was featured in a commercial for the Nokia Lumia 1020[2] and has continued to be used in adverts for Lumia devices.

The accompanying music video was directed by actress Rashida Jones, and features Bareilles singing intertwined with clips of people dancing in various public places such as a shopping mall, a gym, a library and a bus stop. The singer also performed "Brave" during several live appearances, including at The Today Show and at The Voice. This song was also nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards. Despite its international success, in the United Kingdom "Brave" was released in March 2014, nearly a year after it was first exposed.

Background and composition
"Brave"
A 21-second sample of the song's chorus features Bareilles encouraging her friend to "say what you wanna say, and let the words fall out, honestly I want to see you be brave."[3]
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Brave" was written by Bareilles and Jack Antonoff from the band fun. in 2011.[4] Antonoff described the song "as a real civil rights anthem at a time when there are no civil rights anthems and there's a giant need for civil rights anthems."[5] Bareilles also discussed the song in many interviews, revealing that she thinks "there's so much honor and integrity and beauty in being able to be who you are, [and] it's important to be brave because by doing that you also give others permission to do the same."[6] SiriusXM station The Pulse premiered the single on April 17, 2013.[7] It was released for digital download as the lead single from Bareilles' fourth studio album, The Blessed Unrest, on April 22, 2013 through Epic Records.[8]

"Brave" is a pop song written in the key of B♭ major and with a moderate tempo of 92 beats per minute.[9] During the "commanding chorus" as described by Jason Lipshutz of Billboard, Bareilles encourages her friend to talk, singing, "Say what you wanna say, and let the words fall out, honestly I want to see you be brave."[3][10] The singer revealed she was inspired to write the song from the struggles that a close friend dealt with in regard to coming out.[4] Bareilles requested Mark Endert to produce "Brave" with the explicit goal of radio airplay, saying, "I want my songs to be played on the radio. But I don't need a radio hit so bad that I'm willing to do anything for it."[11]

Reception

"Brave" garnered mostly positive reviews from music critics, with an Entertainment Weekly reviewer writing that Bareilles channels singers like Fiona Apple and Florence Welch.[12] Jenna Hally Rubenstein of MTV wrote that "[Brave] marks the beginning of a new sound for Sara. As opposed to her previous subdued, organically slow ballads, 'Brave' is Sara's most mainstream, pop radio-friendly effort to date."[13]

Vox contributor Julianne Hilmes, however, thought the song has "a classic Sara Bareilles style to it. The moral of this song: speak up!"[14] Jon Caramanica of The New York Times gave "Brave" a mixed review, considering it a "booming and jangly [song] that announce in scale what Ms. Bareilles's sweet and sometimes nervy voice doesn't always do on its own."[15]

Similarity to Katy Perry's "Roar"

On August 10, 2013, Katy Perry released her single "Roar". Shortly after the release, many accused Perry of copying "Brave."[16][17][18][19] When Bareilles was asked about the controversy between the two songs, she responded: "Katy's a friend of mine and we've known each other a really long time," and was upset that there was a "negative spin on two artists that are choosing to share positive messages." She also mentioned she had known about "Roar" before its release and stated "If I'm not mad I don't know why anybody else is upset."[20]

In response to the accusations, "Roar" co-producer/co-writer Dr. Luke tweeted on August 14, 2013: "Roar was written and recorded before Brave came out."[21] In direct response to the attention "Brave" received as a result of the plagiarism accusations, Epic Records decided to promote "Brave" to the mainstream pop radio format.[22] Perry and Bareilles performed "Roar" along with Bonnie McKee, Ellie Goulding, Kacey Musgraves, and duo Tegan and Sara at the We Can Survive: Music for Life on October 23, 2013.[23]

Chart performance

In the week ending May 5, 2013, "Brave" debuted at number 61 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 20 on Hot Digital Songs component chart, with 76,000 downloads sold.[24] Nine weeks later, the song jumped from number 70 to number 66, with sales up by 80%.[25] In December 2013, it reached a new peak at number 26, becoming her third top 40 hit in the US following "Love Song" and "King of Anything".[26] In February 2014, buoyed by sales and airplay after Bareilles' appearance at the Grammy Awards, "Brave" hit a new chart peak, moving up to No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song reached its million sales mark in the US in November 2013,[27] and its second million by April 2014.[28] It managed to stay on the Billboard Hot 100 for 42 weeks.

The song also charted in Canada, where it peaked at number 58, and in South Korea, at number 26.[29][30] It charted at 88 on the Japan Hot 100.[31]

In Oceania, the song was a success. On February 3, 2014, "Brave" debuted at #15 on the New Zealand Singles Chart, over 9 months after its international release. The next week, the song reached the top ten, and sat at #8 for two consecutive weeks. It became Bareillies' second top ten in that country, and her first in almost six years after "Love Song" peaked at #7 in March 2008. Then, on February 24, 2014 "Brave" rose to #7, and was certified Gold. This equaled the peak position of "Love Song". On March 3, 2014 it dropped to number 9, but the next week re-bounded and jumped into the top 5, where it currently sits at #4, and thus becoming her biggest hit in New Zealand. Similarly, the song debuted at #40 in Australia on February 10, and climbed to #17 the following week. It has now risen to #3, and is only her second song to chart there, with "Love Song" having peaked at #4 in July 2008. "Brave" is her highest charting song in Australia.

Since its release to contemporary hit radio, "Brave" has been climbing up on the CHR charts.[32]

Music video and live performances

On April 17, 2013, a lyric video for "Brave" was released through Bareilles' Vevo account.[33] The video was directed by NBC's Parks and Recreation actress Rashida Jones.[34] When asked how did both end up working together, Bareilles said it "happened organically, which is something I've learned is really important to me in terms of my creative endeavors. ... I loved working with Rashida; I thought she was magical. She was so brilliant and creative and visionary and such an awesome person on top of it. I'd like to work with more women like that."[35] The music video was filmed in Los Angeles, and premiered May 14, 2013.[36][37] It features Bareilles singing intertwined with clips of people dancing in various public places such as a shopping mall, a gym, a library and a bus stop.

On April 23, 2013, Bareilles was interviewed and performed in SiriusXM's The Pulse studios.[38] On April 25, 2013, she performed the song on The Today Show.[39] On April 29, 2013, the singer performed "Brave" and "Uncharted" on AXS Live.[40][41] On February 23, 2014, Bareilles performed "Brave" at the White House before Barack Obama and Michelle Obama.

As part of NBC's TODAY's Shine a Light series, Bareilles and Cindy Lauper recorded a mash up of Brave and True Colors with to raise awareness and money for children battling cancer.[42] As of October 2014, the project raised over $300,000 for Paediatric Cancer [43] and donations continue to grow.

Track listing

  1. "Brave" – 3:39

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2013–14) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[44] 3
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[29] 58
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[31] 88
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[45] 4
South Korea (GAON)[30] 26
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[46] 67
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[47] 48
US Billboard Hot 100[48] 23
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[49] 17
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[50] 2
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[51] 3
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[52] 22

Year-end charts

Chart (2013) Position
US Billboard Hot 100[53] 96
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[54] 22
US Adult Pop Songs (Billboard)[55] 8
Chart (2014) Position
Australia (ARIA)[56] 34
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[57] 30
US Billboard Hot 100[58] 74

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
Australia (ARIA)[59] 2× Platinum 140,000[28]
New Zealand (RMNZ)[60] Platinum 15,000[28]
United States (RIAA)[61] Platinum 2,000,000[28]

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
xunspecified figures based on certification alone

Release history

Country Date Format Label
Worldwide[62] April 23, 2013 Digital download Epic Records

References

  1. ↑ Farley, Christopher John (February 25, 2014). "Listen to ‘Glee’ Turn Sara Bareilles’s ‘Brave’ Into a Duet". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  2. ↑ Sciarretto, Amy (December 17, 2013). "Windows Lumia 1020 Phone 2013 Commercial – What’s the Song?". Popcrush. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lipshutz, Jason (July 16, 2013). "Sara Bareilles, 'The Blessed Unrest': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Pannacione, Maggie (April 26, 2013). "Watch Sara Bareilles Talk About New Single "Brave" in Webisode". Artistdirect. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  5. ↑ Tierney Sneed (April 26, 2013). "With Sara Bareilles's 'Brave,' LGBT Themes Become Even More a Pop Norm". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  6. ↑ Peeples, Jase (April 24, 2013). "Sara Bareilles Wants to See You Be 'Brave'". Advocate. Here Media Inc. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  7. ↑ SiriusXM (17 April 2013). "It's the premiere of "Brave," Pulsating New Music from Sara Bareilles in less than half an hour!". SiriusXM The Pulse on Facebook. Facebook. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Brave - Single de Sara Bareilles". Brazil: iTunes Store. Apple Inc. April 22, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Sara Bareilles - Brave Sheet Music (Digital Download)". Music Notes. Tiny Bear Music. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  10. ↑ "'The Blessed Unrest' Review: Sara Bareilles' Latest Is Sweet And Well-Crafted". The Huffington Post. AOL. July 17, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  11. ↑ Wass, Mike (July 16, 2013). "Sara Bareilles’ ‘The Blessed Unrest’: Album Review". Idolator. Buzz Media. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  12. ↑ "Critic Reviews for The Blessed Unrest". Metacritic. July 19, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  13. ↑ "Buzzworthy Obsession: Sara Bareilles, 'Brave'". MTV. MTV Networks. April 26, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  14. ↑ Hilmes, Julianne (April 30, 2013). "Sara Bareilles’ "Brave"". Vox. IPC Media. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  15. ↑ "Sara Bareilles, George Duke and Ace Hood". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. July 15, 2013. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  16. ↑ Kennedy, Gerrick D. (August 11, 2013). "Listen to Katy Perry's new single 'Roar'". Los Angeles Times (Tribune Company). Retrieved August 12, 2013.
  17. ↑ Anderson, Kyle (August 12, 2013). "Katy Perry's 'Roar' sounds an awful lot like Sara Bareilles' 'Brave,' says the Internet". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
  18. ↑ Pavlova, Victoria. "Katy Perry And Sara Bareilles "Brave"-ly "Roar" In The Face Of Plagiarism Speculation". Contactmusic.com. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
  19. ↑ Kennedy, John R. "Katy Perry accused of being copy cat". Global News. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
  20. ↑ "Sara Bareilles on ‘Brave’ vs. Katy Perry's 'Roar'". ABC News. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
  21. ↑ "too bad.....". "Twitter". 14 August 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
  22. ↑ Trust, Gary (August 16, 2013). "Weekly Chart Notes: The 27 Songs To Spend At Least 10 Weeks Atop The Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  23. ↑ Aguila, Justino (October 24, 2013). "Katy Perry Hosts Famous Friends, Previews Next Tour at Hollywood Bowl: Live Review". Billboard.
  24. ↑ Trust, Gary (May 10, 2013). "Chart Moves: PSY Tumbles On Hot 100; Sara Bareilles Previews New Album; George Jones Back On Hot Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  25. ↑ Willot, Carl (August 22, 2013). "Katy Perry’s "Roar" Gives Sara Bareilles’ "Brave" An 80% Sales Boost". Idolator. Buzz Media. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  26. ↑ Grein, Paul (August 28, 2013). "Week Ending Aug. 25, 2013. Songs: Robin & Marvin". Chart Watch. Yahoo! Music. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  27. ↑ Grein, Paul (November 27, 2013). "Chart Watch: Lorde Wins A Squeaker". Chart Watch. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 Paul Grein (April 30, 2014). "Chart Watch: Pharrell Steps Up". Yahoo Music.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 "Sara Bareilles Album & Song Chart History" Canadian Hot 100 for Sara Bareilles. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 "South Korea Gaon International Chart (Gaon Chart". Gaon Chart. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 "Sara Bareilles Album & Song Chart History" Japan Hot 100 for Sara Bareilles. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  32. ↑ http://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/mediabase
  33. ↑ "Sara Bareilles "Brave" Lyric Video Premiere on VEVO". Epic Records. April 17, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  34. ↑ Biggs, Claire (May 15, 2013). "Sara Bareilles Takes to the Streets to Urge You to Be 'Brave' in New Music Video". MTV News. Viacom. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
  35. ↑ Cheesman, Danielle. "Sara Bareilles' 'Brave' new world". MSN. Archived from the original on August 29, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  36. ↑ "Sara Bareilles + Rashida Jones Dance Bravely". VH1. MTV Networks. May 6, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  37. ↑ Lipshutz, Jason (May 14, 2013). "Sara Bareilles Inspires Random Acts of Dance in 'Brave' Video". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  38. ↑ SiriusXM (23 April 2013). "Sara Bareilles is back with a new album, and a new single "Brave" and a new tour, and returns to the SiriusXM Pulse studios today to tell Ron Ross all about it!". SiriusXM The Pulse on Facebook. Facebook. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
  39. ↑ "Watch: Sara Bareilles Performs 'Brave' on The Today Show". Cities97. Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. April 26, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  40. ↑ "Sara Bareilles Performs "Brave" on AXS Live". AXS TV. YouTube. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
  41. ↑ "Sara Bareilles Performs "Uncharted" on AXS Live". AXS TV. YouTube. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
  42. ↑ http://www.today.com/news/watch-hoda-kotb-sara-bareilles-cyndi-lauper-fight-pediatric-cancer-2D80172642
  43. ↑ https://www.crowdrise.com/hoda
  44. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Sara Bareilles – Brave". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  45. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Sara Bareilles – Brave". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  46. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Sara Bareilles – Brave". Swiss Singles Chart.
  47. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2014-04-07" UK Singles Chart.
  48. ↑ "Sara Bareilles Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot 100 for Sara Bareilles. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
  49. ↑ "Sara Bareilles Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Adult Alternative Songs for Sara Bareilles.
  50. ↑ "Sara Bareilles Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Adult Contemporary for Sara Bareilles.
  51. ↑ "Sara Bareilles Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for Sara Bareilles.
  52. ↑ "Sara Bareilles Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Pop Songs for Sara Bareilles.
  53. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/hot-100-songs?page=10
  54. ↑ "Best of 2012: Adult Contemporary Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2012. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
  55. ↑ "Best of 2012: Adult Pop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2012. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
  56. ↑ "End of Year Charts – ARIA Top 100 Singles 2014". ARIA Charts. Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
  57. ↑ "Top Selling Singles of 2014". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  58. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2014/hot-100-songs
  59. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2014 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association.
  60. ↑ THE FIELD id (chart number) MUST BE PROVIDED for NEW ZEALAND CERTIFICATION.
  61. ↑ "American single certifications – Sara Bareilles – Brave". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
  62. ↑ "Sara Bareilles To Release New Album Summer 2013". Epic Records. March 27, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2013.

External links