Dare to Be Square explained

Dare to Be Square
Cover:Dare_to_be_Square_Guy_Sebastian.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Guy Sebastian
Released:1 October 2013[1] [2]
Recorded:2013
Genre:Pop
Length:3:11
Label:Sony
Prev Title:Bed of Clouds
Prev Year:2013
Next Title:Like a Drum
Next Year:2013

"Dare to Be Square" is a song written and recorded by Australian artist Guy Sebastian. It was recorded to raise awareness for Nickelodeon's anti-bullying campaign with all money raised going towards Kids Helpline.[3]

The single was at the forefront of Nickelodeon's "Dare to Be Square" campaign, which encourages children to say no to bullying and embrace their individuality.[4]

The song peaked at #73 in Australia.

Background

Figures released by the Kids Helpline reveal mental health issues are increasingly worrying Australian children and Australia-wide, people aged 5 to 25 were more likely to be concerned with family relationships, physical and mental health concerns than before.[5]

It was announced in August 2013 that Guy Sebastian, who had recently quit his judging role on The X Factor, had penned a new tune to support Nickelodeon's anti-bullying campaign, titled "Dare to Be Square!"[6] Sebastian was prompted to write the tune after his 17-month-old son was punched by a bigger child during a park outing.[7]

"I didn't suffer from bullying when I was a kid but I think about it a lot now because of Hudson," Sebastian said.[8]

Kids Helpline General Manager said the Dare to Be Square campaign's message of celebrating individuality and self-acceptance will make a real difference to kids across Australia. "There is an undeniable synergy between Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants, Dare to Be Square and Kids Helpline. Our counsellors speak with children and young people every day about issues that are affecting them."[9]

Music video

A video was released for the track.[10]

Promotion

Sebastian performed "Dare to Be Square" in front of thousands on 27 September at Nickelodeon's second annual SLIMEFEST in Sydney. This was televised exclusively on Nickelodeon on Monday 30 September.[11] [12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dare To Be Square Single - Guy Sebastian . iTunes Australia . 1 October 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140105074038/https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/dare-to-be-square-single/id718048417?ls=1 . 2014-01-05 .
  2. Web site: iTunes Charts "Dare To Be Square" by Guy Sebastian . iTunes Charts . 3 September 2014 . 3 September 2014.
  3. Web site: Dare to Be Square for Kids Helpline . BoysTown . Boystown.com.au . 28 November 2013 . 4 September 2014.
  4. Web site: Kids Helpline Not Responding to All Calls . Matt Rossleigh . Boystown.com.au . 2dayfm.com.au . 1 October 2013 . 4 September 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140904144158/http://www.2dayfm.com.au/newsfeed/2013/10/not-all-calls-to-kids-helpline-being-responded-to/ . 4 September 2014 .
  5. Web site: Guy Sebastian reaches out for troubled teens as mental health fears grow . KAITLYN OFFER . Perth Now . www.Perthnow.com.au . 1 October 2013. 4 September 2014 .
  6. Web site: DARE TO BE SQUARE! . Total Girl . September 2013. 4 September 2014 .
  7. Web site: Guy Sebastian helps fight bullying with the release of his new song 'dare to be square' . Lisa Power . Daily Telegraph . 1 October 2013 . 3 September 2014.
  8. Web site: Guy Sebastian Signs to play with Foxtel . news.com.au . 10 August 2013 . 3 September 2014 . 4 September 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140904074110/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/guy-sebastian-signs-to-play-with-foxtel/story-e6frfn09-1226694842599 . dead .
  9. Web site: Guy Sebastian Tackles Bullying in Song . 973fm.com.au . 1 October 2013 . 4 September 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140904211533/http://www.973fm.com.au/entertainment/guy-sebastian-dare-to-be-square . 4 September 2014 .
  10. Web site: Dare to Be Square. 2014-09-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20140904074208/http://video.news.com.au/v/135654/Dare-to-Be-Square. 2014-09-04. dead.
  11. Web site: Sold out SLIMEFEST delivers epic second sliming! . Lori Susko . ClickPromotions . pitchengine.com . September 2013 . 4 September 2014.
  12. Web site: Guy Sebastian performed his uplifting new song Dare Square . www.popsugar.com.au . September 2013 . 4 September 2014.
  13. Ryan, Gavin (5 October 2013).Katy Perry Equals Katy Perry With Roar. Noise11. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013.