Sia co-wrote the song “Diamonds,” and now that track is a No. 1 single by Rihanna. If Sia had sung it, and farmed it to radio, it would not go No. 1.
But that’s not to say the songwriter doesn’t sing it better.
The Aussie performed “Diamonds” for an audience at the Norweigan-American Achievement Award ceremony (you heard me) last night, set to a simple and emotional backing track with help from Stargate. Her rasp and high notes fit the tune and “Diamonds” obviously sat right in her range.
Rihanna’s version has her Bajan accent, a childish sound clap-trapping down on the chorus’ vowels. I think coming from global superstar Rihanna the song is just fine. I get why it’s a hit when it’s coming from Sia, ho is better known at the moment for her guest spot and co-write on David Guetta’s “Titanium.” She, furthermore, co-wrote Ne-Yo’s recent hit “Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself).”
“Diamonds” was produced by Stargate and frequent collaborator and “Diamonds” co-writer Benny Blanco. The latter told the Huffington Post of the song’s fruition: “We’re sitting there trying to make records, and we finally just said, “Let’s just do something we like. Let’s make a hip-hop record with some really cool chords on it.” It didn’t sound Rihanna at all… Then Sia heard the track and instantly gravitated towards it… she wrote this amazing song, and it just happened overnight.”