Swan Song

Album: Alita: Battle Angel (2019)
Charted: 24 104
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • A "swan song" is a song fabled to be sung by a dying swan. It refers to a performer's last work, achievement or appearance.

    This is not a, this is not a
    Swan, swan song
    We just gotta, we just gotta hold on tonight


    Here, Dua Lipa is making it clear that the fight for justice she is engaged in has not ended. She is encouraging others to stay strong as it is just the beginning and she "won't stay quiet."
  • Dua Lipa wrote the song with Justin Tranter, Kennedi Lykken, Junkie XL and the producer duo of Mattman and Robin as the main theme for the epic cyberpunk action film Alita: Battle Angel.
  • The futuristic video, directed by Floria Sigismondi, sees Duo Lipa on the treacherous streets of the film's fictional Iron City. The director said of the clip: "While in the film Alita is quite literally on a journey to discover who she is, her story serves as a really powerful allegory for any girl who doesn't yet know her own power. I wanted to play with that same profound notion by dropping Dua into a facet of Alita's world and allowing Alita to serve as a surrogate that leads her on a journey to discover she's stronger than she ever could have imagined."
  • "Swan Song" includes on its pre-chorus a reference to the work of New York anti-HIV/AIDS advocacy group ACT UP. Their motto is "Silence = Death".

    I won't stay quiet, I won't stay quiet
    'Cause staying silent's the same as dying
    I won't stay quiet, the flicker's burning low


    Dual Lipa explained why she paraphrased ACT UP's "Silence = Death" graphic. "Alita fights for the lives of marginalized people and this reference reflects our fight as a society towards injustice."

Comments: 1

  • Pablo from CubaWhat does the intro chant say exactly in swan song?
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)Songwriter Interviews

The former Metallica bassist talks about his first time writing a song with James Hetfield, and how a hand-me-down iPad has changed his songwriting.

Pete Anderson

Pete AndersonSongwriter Interviews

Pete produced Dwight Yoakam, Michelle Shocked, Meat Puppets, and a very memorable track for Roy Orbison.

Ralph Casale  - Session Pro

Ralph Casale - Session ProSongwriter Interviews

A top New York studio musician, Ralph played guitar on many '60s hits, including "Lightnin' Strikes," "A Lover's Concerto" and "I Am A Rock."

Commercials

CommercialsFact or Fiction

Was "Ring Of Fire" really used to sell hemorrhoid cream?

Sugarland

SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Meet the "sassy basket" with the biggest voice in country music.

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.