Loyal Brave True Explained

Loyal Brave True
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:Christina Aguilera
Album:Mulan (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Released:March 6, 2020
Genre:Pop
Length:2:46
Label:Walt Disney Records
Producer:Jamie Hartman
Chronology:Christina Aguilera
Prev Title:Fall on Me
Prev Year:2019
Next Title:Reflection
Next Year:2020

"Loyal Brave True" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Christina Aguilera, taken from the soundtrack to the 2020 action drama film Mulan. The song was written by Billy Crabtree, Harry Gregson-Williams, Rosi Golan, and producer Jamie Hartman. It was released as a single on March 6, 2020 by Walt Disney Records.[1] "Loyal Brave True" received a nomination for the Soundtrack Song of 2020 at the 46th People's Choice Awards.[2] It was also shortlisted as one of fifteen potential nominees for the Academy Award for Best Original Song.[3]

Background and composition

The song is a pop ballad,[4] written by Billy Crabtree, Harry Gregson-Williams, Jamie Hartman and Rosi Golan.[5] Hartman, who also produced "Loyal Brave True",[5] has previously worked with Aguilera on her seventh studio album Lotus (2012), writing and co-producing a dance-pop song "Army of Me".[6] It was Mitchell Leib, the president of music and soundtracks for the Walt Disney Studios, who opted Aguilera for the project, as she already recorded a song, the pop version of "Reflection" for the original 1998 Mulan; another version recorded by her for 2020 film would be released her next single.[7] As Gregson-Williams disclosed, "From the demo to the final song, there was a massive leap in the intensity of the song, mainly due to the fact that Christina was going to sing it."[7]

Hartman and Gregson-Williams incorporated classic Chinese music influences in the song—one of the instruments used during the recording sessions was guzheng.[7] [1]

Critical reception

In April 2020, Entertainment Focus named "Loyal Brave True" one of the best pop songs of the year so far.[8] Entertainment Weekly editor Joey Nolfi praised Aguilera for her "powerhouse vocals",[4] while Bianca Gracie of Billboard believed that the song is "filled with the undeniable warrior spirit we've all come to love Mulan for, but also updates the lead character's story for the 21st century".[1] Bleeding Cools Jeremy Konrad stated that Aguilera's strong voice "matches what is increasingly looking like an epic, powerful film".[9] In December 2020, the Idolator editor Mike Wass named "Loyal Brave True" one of the best pop songs of the year,[10] as well as one of the most underrated songs of the year.[11] After the nominations for the 93rd Academy Awards were announced, Kory Grow of Rolling Stone wrote that the song was "surprisingly snubbed" for Best Original Song.[12] In a separate article Idolator also noted the song was Oscar-worthy and placed it on its list of the forty best songs ever recorded by Aguilera.[13]

Music videos

Lyric videos for both "Loyal Brave True" and its Spanish-language version, "El Mejor Guerrero", premiered on YouTube on March 6, 2020, along with the single.[14] [15] A short teaser of the music video for "Loyal Brave True" was publicized on August 13,[16] and the next day the video was released in its full form.[17] A Spanish-language video for "El Mejor Guerrero" premiered on YouTube's DisneyMusicVEVO channel simultaneously.[17] [18]

Cover versions

In November 2021, Pamela Yuri covered the song on the tenth season of a reality talent show The Voice Brasil.[19] The same year it was performed by Gabriela Marszał during the blind auditions of The Voice Kids Poland.[20]

Accolades

YearCeremonyCategoryResultRef.
2020People's Choice AwardsThe Soundtrack Song of 2020
2021Academy AwardsBest Original Song
2021Chicago Indie Critics AwardsBest Original Song[21] [22]

Credits and personnel

Personnel
  • Christina Aguilera – vocals
  • Jamie Hartman – songwriting, production
  • Billy Crabtree – songwriting

Credits adapted from Tidal.[23]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2020)Peak
position
Canada Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[24] 45
Scotland (OCC)[25] 61
UK Download (OCC)[26] 49
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[27] 24

Year-end charts

Notes and References

  1. Christina Aguilera Returns to Her Disney Roots With 'Loyal Brave True' From New 'Mulan' Soundtrack. Billboard. Bianca. Gracie. March 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200309193842/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9329638/christina-aguilera-mulan-song-loyal-brave-true. October 8, 2020. 2020-03-09.
  2. Web site: E! People's Choice Awards 2020 – The Soundtrack Song of 2020. People's Choice Awards. https://web.archive.org/web/20201002072350/https://pca.eonline.com/music/the-soundtrack-song-of-2020. October 8, 2020. 2020-10-02.
  3. Web site: 93rd Oscars Shortlists. https://archive.today/20210210100136/https://www.oscars.org/oscars/93rd-oscars-shortlists. 5 February 2021 . The Academy Awards. February 10, 2021. February 10, 2021.
  4. Hear Christina Aguilera's warrior spirit on new Mulan ballad 'Loyal Brave True'. https://archive.today/20200316093812/https://ew.com/movies/christina-aguilera-new-song-loyal-brave-true-mulan/. dead. 2020-03-16. Entertainment Weekly. Meredith Corporation. Joey. Nolfi. March 6, 2020. October 8, 2020.
  5. Web site: Christina Aguilera Releases New 'Mulan' Song, Has 'Reflection' Reboot on Deck. Chris. Willman. Variety. Penske Media Corporation. March 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200307222324/https://variety.com/2020/music/news/christina-aguilera-mulan-songs-reflection-loyal-brave-true-1203525917/. October 8, 2020. 2020-03-07.
  6. Web site: Christina Aguilera – Lotus (CD, Album, Deluxe Edition) – Discogs. Discogs. Zink Media, Inc.. https://web.archive.org/web/20190624133721/https://www.discogs.com/es/Christina-Aguilera-Lotus/release/4020732. Spanish. October 8, 2020. 2019-06-24.
  7. Web site: Inside Christina Aguilera's Accidental Hit Song From 'Mulan'. TheWrap. The Wrap News Inc.. Steve. Pond. January 13, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210120142522/https://www.thewrap.com/loyal-brave-true-mulan-soundtrack-christina-aguilera-harry-gregson-williams-jamie-hartman/. March 22, 2021. 2021-01-20.
  8. Web site: EF's Top 10 Pop Songs of 2020 so far. https://archive.today/20200609175453/https://www.entertainment-focus.com/music-section/music-news/efs-top-10-pop-songs-of-2020-so-far/. dead. 2020-06-09. Gary. James. April 5, 2020. Entertainment Focus. Piñata Media Limited. October 8, 2020.
  9. Web site: 'Mulan': Listen to Christina Aguilera's New Song 'Loyal Brave True'. https://archive.today/20200316093243/https://www.bleedingcool.com/2020/03/06/mulan-listen-to-christina-aguileras-new-song-loyal-brave-true/. dead. 2020-03-16. Bleeding Cool. Bleeding Cool USA. March 6, 2020. Jeremy. Konrad. October 8, 2020.
  10. Web site: The 100 Best Pop Songs Of 2020. https://archive.today/20210102130733/https://www.idolator.com/7917021/the-100-best-pop-songs-of-2020?chrome=1&Exc_D_LessThanPoint002_p1=1&edg-c=1. dead. 2021-01-02. Idolator. Hive Media. Mike. Wass. December 26, 2020. January 2, 2021.
  11. Web site: The Most Underrated Pop Songs Of 2020. https://archive.today/20210102130436/https://www.idolator.com/7916694/the-most-underrated-pop-songs-of-2020?chrome=1&Exc_D_LessThanPoint002_p1=1&edg-c=1. dead. 2021-01-02. Idolator. Mike. Wass. December 16, 2020. Hive Media. January 2, 2021.
  12. Oscars 2021: Hear the Nominees for Best Original Song. Rolling Stone. Penske Media Corporation. Kory. Grow. March 15, 2021. March 16, 2021.
  13. Web site: Christina Aguilera's 40 Best Songs. Idolator. Mike. Wass. December 18, 2020. August 22, 2023.
  14. Web site: Christina Aguilera – Loyal Brave True (From 'Mulan'/Official Lyric Video). YouTube. Alphabet Inc.. March 6, 2020. October 8, 2020.
  15. Web site: Christina Aguilera – El Mejor Guerrero (From 'Mulán'/Spanish Version/Official Lyric Video). YouTube. Alphabet Inc.. March 6, 2020. October 8, 2020.
  16. Web site: Preview: Christina Aguilera's 'Loyal Brave True' Music Video (from the Live Action 'Mulan' Soundtrack). https://archive.today/20200814144234/https://thatgrapejuice.net/2020/08/preview-christina-aguileras-loyal-brave-true-music-video-from-the-mulan-soundtrack/. dead. 2020-08-14. August 14, 2020. Grape Juice. Townsquare Music. October 8, 2020.
  17. Christina Aguilera Unleashes Triumphant Video For 'Loyal Brave True' From Disney's 'Mulan': Watch. https://archive.today/20200814154700/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9434446/christina-aguilera-loyal-brave-true-video. dead. 2020-08-14. Billboard. Glenn. Rowley. August 14, 2020. October 8, 2020.
  18. Web site: Christina Aguilera Rilis Video Musik 'Loyal Brave True'. https://archive.today/20200817151743/https://creativedisc.com/2020/08/christina-aguilera-rilis-video-musik-loyal-brave-true/. dead. 2020-08-17. Creative Disc. August 16, 2020. Indonesian. October 8, 2020.
  19. Web site: Fãs de Mulan por aí? Pamela Yuri soltou a voz na versão brasileira da música 'Lealdade, coragem, verdade' e arrasou no palco!. Twitter. Twitter, Inc.. November 3, 2021. https://archive.today/20211103131339/https://twitter.com/TheVoiceBrasil/status/1455712961482444802. November 3, 2021. Portuguese. November 3, 2021.
  20. Web site: Gabriela Marszał – kim jest uczestniczka The Voice Kids 4? Hitem Aguilery podbiła serca trenerów. Radio Eska. ZPR Media Group. March 13, 2021. https://archive.today/20211103131944/https://www.eska.pl/news/gabriela-marszal-kim-jest-uczestniczka-the-voice-kids-4-hitem-aguilery-podbila-serca-trenerow-aa-NSTJ-bLNr-8W84.html. November 3, 2021. Polish. November 3, 2021.
  21. Web site: 2020 CIC Awards. https://archive.today/20210118104619/https://chicagoindiecritics.org/cic-awards/2020-cic-awards/. dead. 2021-01-18. CIC Awards – Chicago Indie Critics Awards. January 3, 2021. February 1, 2021.
  22. Web site: SPECIAL: Nominations for the fifth annual Chicago Indie Critics Awards. https://archive.today/20210118105004/https://www.everymoviehasalesson.com/blog/2020/12/special-nominations-for-the-fifth-annual-chicago-indie-critics-awards. dead. 2021-01-18. Every Movie Has a Lesson. December 28, 2020. February 1, 2021.
  23. Web site: Loyal Brave True (From 'Mulan') / Christina Aguilera − TIDAL. Tidal. Aspiro. October 8, 2020.
  24. CANADIAN DIGITAL SONG SALES – The week of September 19, 2020. https://archive.today/20201113104052/https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-canada-digital-song-sales/2020-09-19. dead. 2020-11-13. Billboard. November 13, 2020.
  25. Web site: Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100: 11 September 2020 – 17 September 2020. https://archive.today/20200916070353/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/. dead. 2020-09-16. Official Charts Company. October 8, 2020.
  26. Web site: Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100: 11 September 2020 – 17 September 2020. https://archive.today/20200916131719/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-downloads-chart/. dead. 2020-09-16. Official Charts Company. October 8, 2020.
  27. DIGITAL SONG SALES – The week of September 19, 2020. https://archive.today/20200915123536/https://www.billboard.com/charts/digital-song-sales/2020-09-19. dead. 2020-09-15. Billboard. October 8, 2020.
  28. Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2020. Billboard. December 4, 2020.
  29. Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 3, 2021.