You’ve heard it. That massive, gravelly, almost-breaking high note in the chorus that feels like it’s literally tearing through the speakers. It’s one of those rare tracks that stops you in your tracks. But who sings the song chandelier? If you’ve ever been confused about the face behind the music, you aren't alone. The artist is Sia, a powerhouse Australian singer-songwriter who spent years trying not to be famous before this song turned her into a global icon.
Sia Furler. That’s the name.
Most people know her for the giant blonde and black wigs that hide her face, but her journey to that specific song is actually pretty wild. It wasn't just a random hit; it was a desperate, honest moment of venting that happened after she'd already decided to quit being a "pop star" entirely. She wanted to be the person writing the hits, not the person singing them. Then "Chandelier" happened. It changed everything.
The Mystery of the Wig and the Voice
Honestly, the reason people often ask who sings the song chandelier is because Sia went out of her way to be invisible. During the entire promotional cycle for the 1000 Forms of Fear album, she rarely showed her face. She performed with her back to the audience on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. she wore oversized headpieces. She used a young, incredibly talented dancer named Maddie Ziegler to be her "avatar" in the music videos.
It was a brilliant marketing move, sure. But it was also a survival tactic. Sia had been in the industry since the 90s, starting in a jazz-funk band called Crisp and later doing vocals for Zero 7. By the time 2014 rolled around, she was tired. She’d seen the dark side of fame—the scrutiny, the pressure on women to look a certain way, the loss of privacy. So, she hid. Ironically, hiding made her more famous than ever.
The song itself is a contradiction. People play it at parties because it sounds triumphant. That soaring melody feels like a celebration. But if you actually listen to the lyrics, it’s anything but a party anthem. It’s a song about alcoholism. It’s about the "party girl" who is actually miserable, trying to hold on for dear life until the morning comes.
Why Sia Almost Gave the Song Away
Sia was actually one of the most successful songwriters in the world before she released this track. We’re talking about the woman who wrote "Diamonds" for Rihanna in about 14 minutes. She wrote "Pretty Hurts" for Beyoncé and "Titanium" for David Guetta. In fact, she originally intended for "Chandelier" to go to someone like Rihanna or Katy Perry.
She sat on the demo for a while. There was something about the vocal performance, though, that felt too personal. Jesse Shatkin, her co-writer and producer, has talked about how the recording process was surprisingly raw. The "cracks" in her voice weren't mistakes; they were the point. When Sia realized she couldn't imagine anyone else singing those specific lines with the same level of pain, she kept it for herself.
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It’s a good thing she did.
Breaking Down the "Chandelier" Vocal Technique
If you try to sing this at karaoke, you’re probably going to regret it. It’s notoriously difficult. Sia uses a technique that involves a lot of "vocal fry" and "belting" that sits right on the edge of her physical limits.
The song is written in the key of B♭ minor. When she hits that chorus, she’s jumping up to a high E♭5. For the non-musicians out there: that’s high. Really high. But it’s not a "pretty" high note like you’d hear from a Disney princess. It’s a desperate, raspy belt.
- The Verse: Breathy, low-energy, mimicking the feeling of a hangover.
- The Pre-Chorus: The tension starts building, the pace picks up.
- The Chorus: Total explosion.
Vocally, she’s doing something called "glottal compression." It gives her voice that signature "crack." It’s what makes you feel like she’s about to cry while she’s singing. Experts like Sam Johnson, a well-known vocal coach on YouTube, have analyzed her performance, noting how she manages to stay healthy while sounding like she’s shredding her vocal cords. It’s a masterclass in emotional delivery.
The Maddie Ziegler Connection
You can't talk about who sings the song chandelier without talking about the girl in the leotard. Maddie Ziegler was only 11 years old when she filmed the music video. Directed by Sia and Daniel Askill, the video features Maddie in a blonde bob wig, performing a frantic, contemporary dance choreographed by Ryan Heffington.
That video currently has over 2.5 billion views.
It was a cultural reset. It moved away from the "sexy" pop videos of the era and opted for something weird, uncomfortable, and deeply artistic. Maddie became the "face" of Sia. For years, people thought the little girl was the singer, or at least a younger version of her. In reality, Sia was often standing just off-camera, or in the back of the stage, watching her vision come to life through a child prodigy.
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The Dark Inspiration Behind the Lyrics
People often miss the heavy themes here. "Chandelier" is an autobiographical look at Sia’s past struggles with substance abuse. She has been very open in interviews, specifically with Rolling Stone and The New York Times, about her battle with addiction and her diagnosis with bipolar disorder.
The line "Help me, I'm holding on for dear life" isn't a metaphor for having a good time. It’s about the cycle of addiction—the "one, two, three, drink" mantra that leads to a temporary high followed by a crushing low.
When you know that, the song changes. It’s no longer just a cool pop song. It’s a scream for help disguised as a Top 40 hit. This depth is exactly why it resonated so much. It wasn't manufactured by a corporate team; it was a diary entry set to a massive beat.
The Impact on Pop Music
Before 2014, pop was in a bit of a "polished" phase. Everything was perfectly tuned, perfectly shiny. Sia brought back the "ugly" vocal. She showed that you could have a massive hit while sounding vulnerable and unpolished.
She also proved that you didn't need to be a "brand" in the traditional sense. You didn't need to post selfies every five minutes or have a public feud to sell records. You just needed a song that made people feel something. Following the success of "Chandelier," we saw a shift in how other artists approached their careers. You can see her influence in the songwriting styles of artists like Lorde, Billie Eilish, and even Halsey.
Common Misconceptions About the Singer
Because Sia’s voice is so unique, people often confuse her with other artists who have that "indie-pop" rasp.
- Is it Rihanna? No, but Sia wrote many of Rihanna’s hits, and they share a similar "vowel-heavy" singing style.
- Is it Adele? No, though both are known for emotional power-ballads. Adele’s voice is much "rounder" and more soul-focused, whereas Sia has a sharper, more jagged edge.
- Is she a new artist? Not at all. Sia had been releasing music since 1997. "Chandelier" was her sixth studio album’s lead single. She was nearly 40 years old when it became a hit, which is almost unheard of in the youth-obsessed pop world.
The mystery was part of the charm. By the time people realized who was behind the wig, she had already established herself as one of the most important voices of the decade.
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What to Do If You Love This Sound
If you’re just discovering Sia through "Chandelier," you’re late to the party, but it’s a great party to be at. Her catalog is deep.
To really understand her range, you should listen to "Breathe Me." It’s an older track (famously used in the series finale of Six Feet Under). It’s quiet, haunting, and shows the opposite side of her vocal ability compared to the bombast of "Chandelier."
Then, check out her work with Zero 7, specifically "Destiny." It’s chill, trippy, and very "early 2000s lounge." It shows that she isn't just a belter; she’s a versatile musician who can handle almost any genre.
Your Sia Deep-Dive List:
- Elastic Heart: The spiritual successor to Chandelier.
- Cheap Thrills: Her biggest commercial success, leaning into a more dancehall/reggae vibe.
- Soon We'll Be Found: A beautiful track where she performs the entire video in sign language.
- Titanium: The David Guetta collaboration that originally reintroduced her to the mainstream.
Final Thoughts on the Chandelier Phenomenon
Sia Furler managed to do the impossible: she became a superstar while staying a ghost. "Chandelier" remains a staple on radio and streaming for a reason. It’s a perfect storm of a haunting lyric, a once-in-a-generation vocal performance, and a visual identity that was impossible to ignore.
Who sings the song chandelier? A woman who decided that her art was more important than her face. That’s a rare thing in the 21st century.
If you’re looking to explore more of this style of music, start by looking into the "Alt-Pop" genre on streaming platforms. Pay close attention to the songwriters listed in the credits of your favorite songs; you’ll be surprised how often Sia’s name pops up on tracks for other artists. Exploring the discography of Maddie Ziegler’s performances is also a great way to see the visual side of this era of music. Turn the volume up, listen to that high note in the bridge, and appreciate the fact that sometimes, the best pop music comes from a place of real, raw honesty.