White Flag (Dido song) explained

White Flag
Cover:White Flag Dido.jpg
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:Dido
Album:Life for Rent
B-Side:
Studio:The Church (London, England)
Genre:Pop
Length:
  • 4:01 (album version)
  • 3:40 (radio edit)
Label:
Producer:
  • Dido
  • Rollo
Prev Title:Feels Like Fire
Prev Year:2003
Next Title:Life for Rent
Next Year:2003

"White Flag" is a song by English singer-songwriter Dido, released as the lead single from her second studio album, Life for Rent (2003). The song was first released to US radio on 7 July 2003 and was issued in the United Kingdom as a physical single on 1 September 2003. The song performed well on record charts around the world, peaking at number one in Australia, Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Norway, and Portugal. In Dido's native UK, it reached number two on the UK Singles Chart, and in the United States, it climbed to number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song's music video, directed by Joseph Kahn, features actor David Boreanaz as Dido's love interest. "White Flag" was nominated for the Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 46th Grammy Awards but lost to Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful". It won the Best British Single at the 2004 Brit Awards. "White Flag" ranked at number 317 on Blender's list "The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born".[1]

Background and composition

"White Flag" was written and produced by Dido, Rick Nowels, and Rollo Armstrong.[2] In the song, the protagonist is unwilling to give up, even if she knows her relationship is over.[3] Dido has stated the song was inspired by a real break-up she had with a former fiancé.[4]

"White Flag" features "multi-layered" sound, delicate piano outro, and strings.[3] The majority of the song is in the key of D minor, but constantly alternates between that key and its relative major, F major.[5] The tempo is 90 beats per minute, and Dido's vocals range from the low note of A3 to the high note of C5.[6]

Critical reception

David Jeffries from AllMusic praised "Dido's sweet delivery" and stated that "It’s all very beautiful, the perfect soundtrack for weeping, and the definition of "wistful" in a song."[3] Derryck Strachan wrote for BBC Music that the song is "engaging to the extent that you could easily be humming along without it registering in your brain. There's something unconscious, pleasantly innocuous about it. It's comfort food for the ears and it could be easily on a Tom Hanks–Meg Ryan romantic comedy."[7] Alexis Petridis from The Guardian wrote that the song "is a superb, confidently written pop song, possessed of a chorus that is impossible to dislodge from your memory without the aid of hypnotherapy."[8]

Awards and impact

The song was nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 2004 Grammy Awards, but lost to Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful".[9] The song won the award for "Best Single" at the 2004 BRIT Awards.[10]

In popular culture

The song appears on the soundtrack to the films Perfect Strangers and Mommy.[11]

Music video

The music video, directed by Joseph Kahn, was filmed in Cape Town, South Africa and features actor David Boreanaz as Dido's love interest.[12]

The video tells a story about a relationship that is over, but where Dido is obviously still smitten with her ex, who is oblivious of her. They have numerous occasions where they are near each other without him noticing. Dido is clearly still not over him, and he is clearly not over her. At the end of the video, they return to their apartments and Dido's room is filled with photos of him and, in a twist ending, his apartment is also filled with Dido's photos (showing he's still as much in love with her as well.) The screen rotates throughout the entirety of the video, never standing still. The song's opening is also cut out entirely from the video.[13]

Track listings

European and Japanese CD single[14] [15]

  1. "White Flag" – 3:58
  2. "Paris" – 3:23

European 12-inch single[16]

A. "White Flag" (Beginnerz remix) – 7:33

B. "White Flag" (Version Idjut) – 7:12US 7-inch single[17]

A. "White Flag" – 4:00

B. "Don't Leave Home" – 3:46

Australian CD single[18]

  1. "White Flag"
  2. "Paris"
  3. "White Flag" (Johnny Toobad mix)

Credits and personnel

Credits are lifted from the European CD single liner notes.[14]

Studios

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2003–2004)Peak
position
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[19] 26
Canada AC Top 30 (Radio & Records)[20] 2
Canada CHR (Nielsen BDS)[21] 13
Canada Hot AC Top 30 (Radio & Records)[22] 23
Croatia (HRT)[23] 1
Czech Republic (IFPI)[24] 1
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[25] 1
Greece (IFPI)[26] 8
Portugal (AFP)[27] 1
Romania (Romanian Top 100)[28] 9
Russia Airplay (TopHit)[29] 23

Year-end charts

Chart (2003)Position
Australia (ARIA)[30] 78
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[31] 13
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[32] 25
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[33] 30
CIS (TopHit)[34] 38
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[35] 4
France (SNEP)[36] 47
Germany (Official German Charts)[37] 12
Ireland (IRMA)[38] 8
Italy (FIMI)[39] 9
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[40] 10
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[41] 24
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[42] 27
Russia Airplay (TopHit)[43] 25
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[44] 16
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[45] 5
UK Singles (OCC)[46] 12
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[47] 23
Chart (2004)Position
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[48] 2
US Billboard Hot 100[49] 36
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[50] 1
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)14
US Dance Radio Airplay (Billboard)[51] 19
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[52] 70

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)
United States7 July 2003[54]
11 August 2003Contemporary hit radio[55]
Denmark1 September 2003CD[56]
United Kingdom[57] [58]
Japan3 September 2003[59]
Sweden[60]
Australia15 September 2003[61]

Notes and References

  1. https://web.archive.org/web/20101228140244/http://www.blender.com/lists/68125/500-greatest-songs-since-you-were-born-451-500.html?p=4 The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born: 301 – 350
  2. News: Dido – Life for Rent (album review) – Sputnikmusic. 21 February 2012. 21 June 2006.
  3. Web site: Jeffries. David. White Flag – AllMusic. AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. 18 February 2012. 1 May 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120501150557/http://www.allmusic.com/song/white-flag-t6508919. dead.
  4. Web site: Dido: Meaning Behind 'White Flag' Revealed! " HPL. HuffPost Live. 29 March 2013. 26 March 2023.
  5. It is actually in the Aeolian mode, because there is no dominant chord, A major.
  6. Web site: Dido – White Flag Digital Sheet Music. Music Notes. 10 October 2003. 21 February 2012.
  7. Web site: Review of Dido – Life for Rent. Strachan. Derryck. 20 June 2003. BBC. 21 February 2012.
  8. News: Dido "Life For Rent". Petridis. Alexis. Alexis Petridis. 26 September 2003. The Guardian. 21 February 2012.
  9. Web site: Dido – White Flag – Lyrics Meaning. Music Banner. 21 February 2012.
  10. News: Brits 2004: The winners . 19 May 2020 . BBC News . BBC . 17 February 2004.
  11. Web site: The Soundtrack To ‘Mommy’ Is A Music Snob’s Worst Nightmare . 2024-05-02 . The FADER . en.
  12. Web site: Dido: White Flag. IMDb. September 2003.
  13. Web site: Dido – White Flag – YouTube. YouTube. 21 February 2012.
  14. White Flag. Dido. 2003. European CD single liner notes. Arista Records, Cheeky Records. 82876 560912.
  15. White Flag. Dido. 2003. Japanese CD single liner notes. Arista Records, BMG Japan. BVCA-29605.
  16. White Flag. Dido. 2003. European 12-inch single vinyl disc. Arista Records, Cheeky Records. 82876546021.
  17. White Flag. Dido. 2003. US 7-inch single vinyl disc. Arista Records. 82876546021.
  18. White Flag. Dido. 2003. Australian CD single liner notes. Arista Records, Cheeky Records. 82876546022.
  19. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20040618011220/http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/SINGLES.html. 18 June 2004. Top 50 Singles. Jam!. 13 November 2023.
  20. R&R Canada AC Top 30. Radio & Records. 1552. 52. 16 April 2004.
  21. Web site: Canadian Top 20 in 2003. Cross Canada Countdown. https://web.archive.org/web/20050407223203/http://www.crosscanadacountdown.com/pdfs/2003.pdf. 7 April 2005. 2 November 2023.
  22. RR Canada Hot AC Top 30. Radio & Records. 1552. 55. 16 April 2004. 13 November 2023.
  23. Web site: HR Top 20 Lista. Croatian Radiotelevision. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20031003002950/http://www.hrt.hr/hr/top20/maineng.html. 3 October 2003. 7 March 2021.
  24. Web site: Rádio 2004. IFPI. cs. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20040219022231/http://www.ifpicr.cz/radio.htm. 19 February 2004. 19 August 2020.
  25. Darkness, Black Eyed Peas Lead U.K. Charts. Billboard. 22 September 2003. 6 February 2020.
  26. Web site: Top 50 Singles Εβδομάδα 30/11–06/12. IFPI. el. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20031209112825/http://www.ifpi.gr/chart03.htm. 9 December 2003. 29 June 2020. See Best Position column.
  27. Hit of the World: Portugal. Billboard. 115. 41. 89. 11 October 2003. 16 March 2020.
  28. Web site: Arhiva romanian top 100 Editia 2, saptamina 12.01 – 18.01, 2004. Romanian Top 100. ro. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20050220101759/http://www.rt100.ro/editie-top-100_x10101.html. 20 February 2005. 19 August 2020.
  29. Web site: Top Radio Hits Russia Weekly Chart: Nov 27, 2003. TopHit. 23 April 2024.
  30. Web site: ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2003 . . 19 August 2020.
  31. Web site: Jahreshitparade Singles 2003 . de . 6 February 2020.
  32. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2003 . . nl . 13 August 2010.
  33. Web site: Rapports annuels 2003 . Ultratop . fr . 13 August 2010.
  34. Web site: Top Radio Hits Global Chart 2003 . . 21 June 2023.
  35. Hits of the World – Europe's Top Singles of 2003 . Billboard . 115 . 52 . 147 . 27 December 2003 . 17 March 2020.
  36. Web site: Tops de L'année Top Singles 2003 . . fr . 19 August 2020.
  37. Web site: Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 2003 . . de . 6 February 2020.
  38. Web site: Best of Singles 2003 . . 13 August 2010.
  39. Web site: Top of the Music – Mix e Singoli . . it . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060510010334/http://www.fimi.it/documenti/artisti2003.pdf . 10 May 2006 . 14 December 2020.
  40. Web site: 2003 Dutch Single Chart . Top40 . nl . 13 August 2010.
  41. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Single 2003 . . nl . 6 February 2020.
  42. Web site: End of Year Charts 2003 . . 6 February 2020.
  43. Web site: Top Radio Hits Russia Annual Chart: 2003. TopHit. 23 April 2024. 22 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240422160833/https://tophit.com/chart/top/radio/hits/ru/annual/2003. live.
  44. Web site: Årslista Singlar, 2003 . . sv . 16 March 2020.
  45. Web site: Swiss Year-End Charts 2003 . de . 13 August 2010.
  46. Web site: The Official UK Singles Chart 2003 . . 6 February 2020.
  47. 2003 The Year in Charts: Most-Played Adult Top 40 Songs . . 11 . 51 . 22 . 19 December 2003.
  48. Web site: Rádiós Top 100 – hallgatottsági adatok alapján – 2004 . . hu . 19 August 2020.
  49. Web site: Billboard Top 100 – 2004 . Billboardtop100of.com . 6 February 2020.
  50. Year in Music & Touring . Billboard . 116 . 52 . YE-74 . 25 December 2004 . 22 November 2023.
  51. Year in Music & Touring: Hot Dance Airplay . Billboard . 116 . 52 . YE-61 . 25 December 2004 . 22 November 2023.
  52. 2004 The Year in Charts: Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs . . 12 . 51 . 22 . 17 December 2004.
  53. Web site: Rádiós Top 100 – hallgatottsági adatok alapján – 2005 . Mahasz . hu . 8 November 2021.
  54. Going for Adds. Radio & Records. 1511. 26. 4 July 2003. 15 May 2021.
  55. Going for Adds. Radio & Records. 1516. 26. 8 August 2003. 8 September 2021.
  56. Web site: Dido: Single. click2music.dk. da. https://web.archive.org/web/20031001072032/http://www.click2music.dk/denmark/default.asp. 1 October 2003. 4 November 2023. To view release date, select Dido from Vælg kunster (A - Å), then click on White Flag.
  57. Web site: Dido Waves 'White Flag'. NME. 10 July 2003. 15 May 2021.
  58. Reviews – Records Released 1.09.03: Single of the Week. Music Week. 21. 23 August 2003.
  59. Web site: ホワイト・フラッグ ダイド. White Flag Dido. Oricon. ja. 30 August 2023.
  60. Web site: Dido: White Flag. click2music.se. sv. https://web.archive.org/web/20050223103046/http://click2music.se/product.asp?prd=1782&art=246. 23 February 2005. 29 November 2023.
  61. Web site: The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 15th September 2003. ARIA. 25. 15 September 2003. dead. https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20031006140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20031007-0000/Issue708.pdf. 6 October 2003. 15 May 2021.

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