Start a War (song)
"Start a War" | |
---|---|
Song by Gwen Stefani | |
Recorded | February 7, 2015 |
Venue | Orpheum Theatre (Los Angeles) |
Genre | Power ballad |
Length | 3:42 |
Label |
|
Songwriter(s) |
|
Producer(s) | Arnthor Birgisson |
"Start a War" is an unreleased song recorded by American singer
A power ballad, "Start a War" garnered praise for Stefani's vocals and Sia's role as a songwriter. Several music critics commended it as a typical Sia ballad and a good fit for Stefani. The track has only been performed once during a MasterCard Priceless Surprises Presents Gwen Stefani concert on February 7, 2015. The rendition was accompanied by a backdrop displaying falling feathers and featured Stefani dressed in a similar attire.
Background and development
"
In December 2014 Stefani spoke of the song to Spin's Brennan Carley, when she mentioned working with Furler on the record. In the interview, she stated: "I’ve got a good start on the record. Sia and I did a session with Pharrell and No Doubt. She's a genius and I love working with her. There's a song on the record called "Start a War" that she wrote that I'm very grateful for. I think the girls are gonna love that one."[5] Popjustice's Brad O'Mance wrote that the announcement Stefani was working with Sia was good news.[6] However, the physical release of "Baby Don't Lie" and "Start a War" never occurred. Furthermore, Universal Music Group's official website had listed a digital release of "Start a War" to take place on November 9, 2015, and had assigned it a UPC code, as it had for the unreleased maxi single for "Baby Don't Lie".[7] In the week of its scheduled release, Stefani's single "Used to Love You" was distributed instead.[8]
This marked Stefani's first time working with Birgisson, although she had worked with Furler previously on "
Critical reception
Spin's Colin Joyce was impressed by "Start a War". He stated that "the number seems to be the sort of skyward ballad that [Sia] has made her wheelhouse" and found it to be "a good look for Stefani".[15] Stassa Edwards of Jezebel was equally positive, declaring that it "has all of the hallmarks of a Sia ballad – those mournful, moody bridges that Sia does so well". Edwards concluded by saying she enjoyed the feathery-inspired setup that accompanied Stefani's performance.[12] Richard Baxter, a blogger on Popology Now, largely praised the track. He wrote: "As expected, 'Start a War' is very much in the veins of a typical Sia ballad. Same sound, same melodies, yet Gwen makes the song her own by not channeling Sia's vocals." Baxter continued: "It's got a bit of radio appeal, at least from what we can understand, and Gwen sounds pretty phenomenal."[13] Also writing of Stefani's vocals, Julien Goncalves on the French website Purebreak Charts was pleased that the "aerial" song was strong enough to emphasize her voice.[16]
Live performance
Stefani has only performed "Start a War" once as part of a MasterCard Priceless Surprises Presents Gwen Stefani concert on February 7, 2015.[10] The appearance took place at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles, where it was advertised as a promotional event for her upcoming third album.[17] The performance was accompanied by a feather backdrop and Stefani in matching clothing.[12] Since she performed "Start a War" along with her recent releases ("Baby Don't Lie", "Spark the Fire", and "Together"), several news publications believed it would receive a commercial release.[11] Having heard the performance, a blogger from KLUC-FM speculated that the track could belong to either Stefani or No Doubt.[18]
Track listings and formats
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Baby Don't Lie" (album version) | 3:23 |
2. | "Baby Don't Lie" (alternate version) | 3:20 |
3. | "Start a War" | 3:42 |
4. | "Carousel" | 3:48 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Start a War" | 3:42 |
Release history
Region | Date (cancelled) | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
United States | October 16, 2015 | CD |
|
[3] |
November 9, 2015 | [19] |
References
- ^ "Baby Don't Lie – Single: Gwen Stefani". iTunes Store (US). October 20, 2014. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
- Amazon.com (UK). October 19, 2014. Archived from the originalon 2016-12-27. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
- ^ Interscope, Mad Love. 2015. 00602517201260, 00738167828320.)
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link - ^ Izundu, Chi Chi (January 19, 2015). "Charli XCX working on Gwen Stefani's new album". BBC. Archived from the original on February 19, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
- ^ Carley, Brennan (December 8, 2014). "Gwen Stefani Never Planned to Return to Her Solo Career". Spin. Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
- ^ O'Mance, Brad (December 8, 2014). "There's a song on the Gwen Stefani album written by Sia because of course there is". Popjustice. Archived from the original on December 27, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
- ^ "Universal Music Group: Gwen Stefani". Universal Music Group. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- ^ ""Used to Love You" Gwen Stefani: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com (US). October 20, 2015. Archived from the original on December 28, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
- ^ Graff, Gary (July 18, 2014). "Maroon 5 Discuss Sia-Penned Gwen Stefani Duet & 'Experimenting With Electronic Elements' on 'V'". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 25, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
- ^ a b Kreps, Daniel (February 8, 2015). "Gwen Stefani Debuts New Ballad 'Start a War' at Solo Show". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
- ^ a b Rettig, James (February 8, 2015). "Watch Gwen Stefani Debut "Start A War" At Her First Solo Show In Six Years". Stereogum. Archived from the original on December 27, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
- ^ a b c Edwards, Stassa (8 February 2015). "Gwen Stefani Performs New Single "Start a War"". Jezebel. Archived from the original on February 10, 2015. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
- ^ a b Baxter, Richard (February 8, 2015). "First Listen: Gwen Stefani – 'Start a War'". Popology Now. Archived from the original on February 27, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
- ^ Hampp, Andrew (February 8, 2015). "Gwen Stefani Plays First Solo Show in Six Years at L.A.'s Orpheum Theatre". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 2, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
- ^ Joyce, Colin (February 8, 2015). "Gwen Stefani Debuts Sia Collaboration 'Start a War' at Rare Solo Show". Spin. Archived from the original on March 20, 2017. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
- ^ Goncalves, Julien (February 14, 2015). ""Start A War" : Gwen Stefani dévoile en live une ballade signée Sia. Regardez!" (in French). Purebreak Charts. Archived from the original on December 27, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
- ^ Britton, Luke Morgan (February 9, 2015). "Gwen Stefani performs new song 'Start A War' at first solo show in eight years – watch". NME. Archived from the original on December 27, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
- ^ "Could This Be A New Gwen Stefani Song?". KLUC-FM. February 12, 2015. Archived from the original on December 27, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
- ^ a b "Start a War" (Digital download). Gwen Stefani. Interscope, Mad Love. 2015. 00602547115862.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)