Sea of Flags
"Sea of Flags" | ||||
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Synthpop | ||||
Length | 3:54 | |||
Label | Sony | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Stuart Crichton | |||
Jessica Mauboy singles chronology | ||||
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"Sea of Flags" is a song by Australian recording artist Jessica Mauboy. It was written by Mauboy, Ilan Kidron and Stuart Crichton who also served as producer of the track. The song was performed live by Mauboy on 8 May 2014 at its debut during the interval of the second semi-final of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen, Denmark, directly after which it was released for digital download in Australia and throughout Europe. Mauboy also performed "Sea of Flags" at the closing ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Background
On 25 March 2014, it was announced that Mauboy was chosen by SBS to represent Australia at the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest, by performing as the interval act in the second semi-final.[2] Following the announcement, Mauboy said: "Like so many Aussies, I have loved watching the show from my lounge room and now to be a part of one of the world's biggest music shows is just incredible."[3] The decision to allow Australia to perform at Eurovision came about when its host broadcaster DR decided to reward the country's dedicated love and ongoing support of the annual event.[2] The organisers had asked SBS, which has broadcast Eurovision in Australia for over 30 years, to choose a performer and they eventually picked Mauboy.[3][4] Her appearance would mark the first time Australia has been represented at Eurovision and she would become the first solo artist from a non-European Broadcasting Union country to perform as a guest.[3] However, Mauboy is not the first Australian to perform in the contest as Olivia Newton-John, The New Seekers and Gina G have previously taken part as competing acts representing the United Kingdom.[1][4]
Mauboy told
Composition and recording
"Sea of Flags" was written in two days by Mauboy,
Reception
Alex Patrikios from the
Promotion
Mauboy's Eurovision performance of "Sea of Flags" was broadcast on SBS around 9:15 am on 9 May 2014, during the network's first screening of the second semi-final.
Eurovision performance
Mauboy performed "Sea of Flags" to an estimated television audience of 20 million viewers
As Mauboy performed, a backdrop of images of the
Helen Davidson of The Guardian noted that Mauboy's vocals were "a little shaky at first" but commented that she was "clearly enjoying herself in front of the thousands of pop music lovers in the audience."[27] Similarly, Al Newstead of Tone Deaf wrote it was "difficult to ignore some of the more wonky notes of Mauboy's swooping vocal lines."[9] Newstead also believed that the "real low highlight" of her performance was the astronaut.[9] Nastassia Baroni of Music Feeds commented that "after dusting off some initial flat notes, [Mauboy] rollicked into a high-energy performance, palpably relishing her moment as a dance diva in the global spotlight."[19] Peter Vincent of The Sydney Morning Herald noted that she had "a nervous start and a couple of flat notes" but "quickly grew into the performance" and "even remembered to beam into the cameras and strike a few diva poses as she strutted about the stage."[5] Vincent concluded that Mauboy's performance "was worthy of an international dance pop diva."[5] A writer for The New Zealand Herald wrote that Mauboy's performance song was "a breath of fresh air" but wanted to know "what on earth is a sea of flags?."[24]
Alex Patrikios of the Australian Associated Press described the performance as "typically spirited" and "infectious", while Take 40 Australia described it as "epic."[12][28] News.com.au called it "stunning" and "strong" and wrote that "the much-loved pop princess may have been unknown before arriving in Copenhagen but the audience quickly embraced her as her powerful voice rang out in the massive stadium."[25] V Music commented that Mauboy "absolutely killed it. Slaughtered it. Straight up Liam Neesoned it."[26] V Music also noted that the dancers in the musical number were dressed as "embarrassingly obvious stereotypes" of Australia.[26] Similarly, Sophie Joske of Out in Perth noted that the musical number featured "the most nauseatingly stereotypical Australiana the world has seen since the Sydney Olympics."[14] Tom Mann of Faster Louder described the musical number as a "spectacularly cringe-worthy celebration of Australian clichés" and wrote that Mauboy's performance is "a proud patriotic moment for all Australians."[29] Mike Wass of Idolator called the musical number "a hot mess" but noted that Mauboy "looked (and sounded) great" as "she saved face (and national pride) by delivering a soaring rendition" of "Sea of Flags".[15] Aboriginal fans of Mauboy's responded positively to her performance, with one fan saying: "I guess you could say you don't have to be Neil Armstrong, we can aim for the moon too."[5] Following her performance, Mauboy became a trending topic on Twitter in the United Kingdom.[12]
Track listing
- Digital download[30]
- "Sea of Flags" – 3:54
Personnel
- Vocals – Jessica Mauboy
- Songwriting – Jessica Mauboy, Ilan Kidron, Stuart Crichton
- Production – Stuart Crichton
- Programmer – Stuart Crichton
- Recording engineer – Stuart Crichton
- Mixing engineer – Miles Walker
- Mastering engineer – Leon Zervos
Source:[8]
Charts
Chart (2014) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[16] | 40 |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
Europe[23] | 8 May 2014 | Digital download | Sony Music Australia |
Australia[5] | 9 May 2014 |
References
- ^ a b c d McCabe, Kathy (26 March 2014). "Jessica Mauboy will represent Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest as a guest performer". Herald Sun. The Herald and Weekly Times. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
- ^ a b Storvik-Green, Simon (25 March 2014). "Australian superstar to sing at Eurovision". Eurovision.tv. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014.
- ^ a b c "Jessica Mauboy to perform at Eurovision". Australian Associated Press. SBS. 26 March 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
- ^ a b Brandle, Lars (25 March 2014). "Australia's Jessica Mauboy to Perform at Eurovision Song Contest". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Vincent, Peter (9 May 2014). "Jessica Mauboy performs at Eurovision Song Contest". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
- ^ a b c d Vincent, Peter (4 May 2014). "What will Jessica Mauboy sing at Eurovision?". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
- ^ "Countdown to Eurovision: Armenia". Auspop. 6 May 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
- ^ a b "Jessica Mauboy – Sea of Flags". JB Hi-Fi. Archived from the original on 3 November 2016.
- ^ a b c Newstead, Al (9 May 2014). "Australia's Performance At Eurovision 2014 Is As Amazingly Terrible As You'd Expect". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Le, Andrew (13 May 2014). "Single Review: Jessica Mauboy – 'Sea of Flags'". Renowned for Sound. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
- ^ a b c McCabe, Kathy (9 May 2014). "Jessica Mauboy meets Princess Mary and children backstage ahead of Eurovision Song Contest". Herald Sun. The Herald and Weekly Times. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
- ^ Yahoo!7. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
- ^ "Jess Mauboy releases Eurovision song". Australian Associated Press. Yahoo!7. 9 May 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
- ^ a b c Joske, Sophie (9 May 2014). "Jessica Mauboy Represents Australia at Eurovision". Out in Perth. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
- ^ Spin Media. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
- ^ a b "Jessica Mauboy – Sea Of Flags". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
- ^ Ryan, Gavin (17 May 2014). "Justice Crew Spend Second Week at ARIA No. 1". Noise11. Noise Network. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
- ^ a b McCabe, Kathy (8 May 2014). "Australian singer Jessica Mauboy takes talent to world stage with Eurovision Song Contest dress rehearsal". Herald Sun. The Herald and Weekly Times. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Baroni, Nastassia (9 May 2014). "This Is How Australia Does Eurovision". Music Feeds. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
- ^ "Sunrise Special Event with Jessica Mauboy". Sunrise. Yahoo!7. Archived from the original on 18 May 2014.
- ^ Patrikios, Alexandra (4 August 2014). "Gold Coast welcomes Games". Australian Associated Press. Yahoo!7. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
- ^ Brey, Marco (8 May 2014). "Australia to #JoinUs tonight in the Second Semi-Final!". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
- ^ a b c "Australian singer / songwriter Jessica Mauboy makes Eurovision history" (Press release). Copenhagen, Denmark: PR Newswire. 8 May 2014. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
- ^ APN News & Media. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
- ^ a b c d "Jessica Mauboy wows crowd with stunning performance at the Eurovision Song Contest". News.com.au. News Limited. 9 May 2014. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
- ^ a b c d "Watch Jessica Mauboy's Eurovision performance". V Music. 9 May 2014. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
- ^ a b c Davidson, Helen (9 May 2014). "Jessica Mauboy flies Aboriginal flag at Eurovision". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
- ^ "Things you need to know before watching Eurovision this weekend". Take 40 Australia. MCM Entertainment. 9 May 2014. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
- ^ Mann, Tom (9 May 2014). "Australia's Eurovision debut will make you cringe". Faster Louder. Sound Alliance. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
- ^ "Sea of Flags – Single by Jessica Mauboy". iTunes Store (Australia). Apple. Retrieved 9 May 2014.