Sia is undoubtedly one of the hottest song writers in pop music, but she’s also a performer who we love to see belt out her own hits (even if she can’t see us).
She’s worked with everyone from Beyonce to Adele to Rihanna and even released her seventh studio album This Is Acting in January, comprised completely of songs that were initially intended for these artists.
Even though Sia was able to fill an entire album of songs that didn’t end up making other artists’ albums, that doesn’t mean she’s had any shortage of hits scooped up by some of today’s biggest pop stars. Sometimes we even get to hear Sia perform the songs as well.
Here are five of the best Sia demos for songs that ended up in the hands of other artists.
5. Making The Most of the Night, Carly Rae Jepsen
Carly Rae Jepsen stayed pretty close to Sia’s demo of Making The Most of the Night from 2015’s EMOTION and we totally get it. The energy that Sia brings to the original track is found in Jepsen’s version as well.
4. Perfume, Britney Spears
We never really got why Britney Spears’ 2013 single Perfume failed to make a big impact on the charts, but what we do get is why Spears signed on to perform the song after hearing Sia’s demo. With only a few chord changes, the two versions sound drastically different, though both maintain the feeling of desperation we fell in love with in Spears’ version.
3. Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself), Ne-Yo
Even songwriters need help sometimes. Ne-Yo turned to fellow writer/performer for his 2012 hit Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself) and fans loved it. Sia performed the song live and thankfully a fan caught it on camera. Can these two please duet already?
2. You Lost Me, Christina Aguilera
Speaking of duets, we didn’t think Christina Aguilera’s You Lost Me could get any more emotionally stirring and darkly beautiful than it already was, until her vocals were paired with songwriter Sia’s. We bow down to the vocal goddesses.
1. Diamonds, Rihanna
One of Sia’s biggest songwriting hits is undoubtedly Diamonds, which she penned for Rihanna’s 2012 album Unapologetic. While Rihanna’s final version is an incredible sweeping pop ballad, Sia’s unassuming piano performance is just as powerful, bringing out her own emotional depth that we love hearing in Rihanna’s version.