If I Rise
Encyclopedia
"If I Rise" is a song performed by A. R. Rahman
and Dido
, composed by A. R. Rahman, with lyrics
by Dido and Rollo Armstrong
. The song featured as the main theme for the Danny Boyle
film 127 Hours
, and was released as the first and only single from the album's soundtrack. The song will also be featured on the album Ten Years On – A Collection of Songs in Remembrance of September 11th 2001, which comprises moving reflective songs by an amazing caliber of artists whose heartfelt lyrics and music will bring people together in remembrance on this monumental day. The song won numerous awards including Broadcast Film Critics Association Award and Denver Film Critics Society Award
. It was also nominated for Best Song Award at the Academy Awards
and World Soundtrack Awards.
portion of the song is sung by The Gleehive Children's Choir, Mumbai
. The choir includes Jervis Dias, Kristen Fernandes, Alisha Pais, Jessica Dmello, Sherize Alveyn, Evania Cerejo, Jememia Fernandes, and Aidan D'silva. The portion was recorded at Octavious Studio, Bandra, Mumbai. The song was nominated for an Academy Award
in the category of Best Original Song
.
and A. R. Rahman
, was released in February 2011. Dido first confirmed on her official website that she and Rahman were going to film a video for the song. The music video was premiered on the Wall Street Journal website on February 17. It has A. R. Rahman playing harpejji
, which was the major instrument used in the track, and Dido singing the track along with Rahman. A few scenes from the film, mainly featuring James Franco
, are also used in the video.
was asked by Dido
, who was pregnant at the time, to perform "If I Rise" at the Academy Awards
. She was joined by A. R. Rahman
for the first live performance of the song.
The song was nominated for an Academy Award
in the category of Best Original Song
. However, it lost to Randy Newman
's "We Belong Together" from Toy Story 3
. Academy's decision not to award Rahman for the song evoked wide criticisms in India. Apart from public responses, several stalwarts also commented on it. Shabana Azmi
said, "A. R. Rahman truly deserved the Oscar for Best Song this year." Konkona Sen Sharma
also tweeted the same opinion. Sandhya Mridul
said, "A.R Rahman stands apart he deserves every win". However, Rahman himself has stated that he personally believes Newman deserved the award.
A. R. Rahman
Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...
and Dido
Dido (singer)
Dido Florian Cloud de Bounevialle O'Malley Armstrong , known as Dido, is an English singer-songwriter.Dido shot to worldwide success with her debut album, No Angel...
, composed by A. R. Rahman, with lyrics
Lyrics
Lyrics are a set of words that make up a song. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist or lyrist. The meaning of lyrics can either be explicit or implicit. Some lyrics are abstract, almost unintelligible, and, in such cases, their explication emphasizes form, articulation, meter, and symmetry of...
by Dido and Rollo Armstrong
Rollo Armstrong
Rollo Armstrong is one half of the music producers/remixers team Rollo and Sister Bliss and is a founding member of the electronic music group Faithless.-Early life:...
. The song featured as the main theme for the Danny Boyle
Danny Boyle
Daniel "Danny" Boyle is an English filmmaker and producer. He is best known for his work on films such as Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours, 28 Days Later, Sunshine and Trainspotting. For Slumdog Millionaire, Boyle won numerous awards in 2008, including the Academy Award for Best Director...
film 127 Hours
127 Hours
127 Hours is a 2010 biographical adventure drama film co-written, produced and directed by Danny Boyle. The film stars James Franco as mountain climber Aron Ralston, who became trapped by a boulder in Robbers Roost, Utah in April 2003....
, and was released as the first and only single from the album's soundtrack. The song will also be featured on the album Ten Years On – A Collection of Songs in Remembrance of September 11th 2001, which comprises moving reflective songs by an amazing caliber of artists whose heartfelt lyrics and music will bring people together in remembrance on this monumental day. The song won numerous awards including Broadcast Film Critics Association Award and Denver Film Critics Society Award
Denver Film Critics Society
The Denver Film Critics Society is an organization of film critics based in Denver, Colorado. -2009 Winners and Nominees:Best Film*The Hurt Locker**A Serious Man**Star Trek**Up in the AirBest Director...
. It was also nominated for Best Song Award at the Academy Awards
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
and World Soundtrack Awards.
Background
The song was featured in the climax scene of the film. The chorusChoir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
portion of the song is sung by The Gleehive Children's Choir, Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
. The choir includes Jervis Dias, Kristen Fernandes, Alisha Pais, Jessica Dmello, Sherize Alveyn, Evania Cerejo, Jememia Fernandes, and Aidan D'silva. The portion was recorded at Octavious Studio, Bandra, Mumbai. The song was nominated for an Academy Award
83rd Academy Awards
The 83rd Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences , honored the best films of 2010 and took place February 27, 2011, at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles beginning at 5:30 p.m. PST / 8:30 p.m. EST. During the ceremony, Academy Awards ...
in the category of Best Original Song
Academy Award for Best Original Song
The Academy Award for Best Original Song is one of the awards given annually to people working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences . It is presented to the songwriters who have composed the best original song written specifically for a film...
.
Music video
The song was first picturised in the climax scene of the film. The official music video, featuring DidoDido (singer)
Dido Florian Cloud de Bounevialle O'Malley Armstrong , known as Dido, is an English singer-songwriter.Dido shot to worldwide success with her debut album, No Angel...
and A. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman
Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...
, was released in February 2011. Dido first confirmed on her official website that she and Rahman were going to film a video for the song. The music video was premiered on the Wall Street Journal website on February 17. It has A. R. Rahman playing harpejji
Harpejji
The harpejji is an electric stringed musical instrument developed in 2007 by Tim Meeks, founder of Marcodi Musical Products, and is a descendant of the StarrBoard. The instrument aims to bridge the gap in sound and technique between the guitar and the piano...
, which was the major instrument used in the track, and Dido singing the track along with Rahman. A few scenes from the film, mainly featuring James Franco
James Franco
James Edward Franco is an American actor, film director, producer, screenwriter, author, painter, performance artist and instructor at New York University. He left college in order to pursue acting and started off his career by making guest appearances on television series in the 1990s...
, are also used in the video.
Live performances
Florence WelchFlorence and the Machine
Florence and the Machine is the recording name of English musician Florence Welch and a collaboration of other artists who provide music for her voice. Florence and the Machine's sound has been described as a combination of various genres, including rock and soul...
was asked by Dido
Dido (singer)
Dido Florian Cloud de Bounevialle O'Malley Armstrong , known as Dido, is an English singer-songwriter.Dido shot to worldwide success with her debut album, No Angel...
, who was pregnant at the time, to perform "If I Rise" at the Academy Awards
83rd Academy Awards
The 83rd Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences , honored the best films of 2010 and took place February 27, 2011, at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles beginning at 5:30 p.m. PST / 8:30 p.m. EST. During the ceremony, Academy Awards ...
. She was joined by A. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman
Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...
for the first live performance of the song.
Accolades
| Award | Result |
|---|---|
| Academy Award for Best Original Song Academy Award for Best Original Song The Academy Award for Best Original Song is one of the awards given annually to people working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences . It is presented to the songwriters who have composed the best original song written specifically for a film... |
|
| Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Song | |
| Denver Film Critics Society Award for Best Song Denver Film Critics Society The Denver Film Critics Society is an organization of film critics based in Denver, Colorado. -2009 Winners and Nominees:Best Film*The Hurt Locker**A Serious Man**Star Trek**Up in the AirBest Director... |
|
| Houston Film Critics Society Award for Best Original Song Houston Film Critics Society Awards 2010 The 4th Houston Film Critics Society Awards were presented on December 18, 2010. These awards for "extraordinary accomplishment in film" are presented annually by the Houston Film Critics Society based in Houston, Texas. The organization, founded in 2007, includes 22 film critics for print, radio,... |
|
| Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award for Best Song Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards 2010 The 14th Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards, honouring the best in film for 2010, were given by the Las Vegas Film Critics Society on 16 December 2010.-Top 10 Films:# The Social Network# Inception# Black Swan# 127 Hours... |
|
| Satellite Award for Best Original Song Satellite Award for Best Original Song The Satellite Award for Best Original Song is an annual award given by the International Press Academy.- 1990s :*1996: "You Must Love Me" performed by Madonna - Evita**"God Give Me Strength" - Grace of My Heart**"Kissing You" - Romeo + Juliet... |
|
| World Soundtrack Award for Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film World Soundtrack Award for Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film The World Soundtrack Award for Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film is one of the three main prizes given by the World Soundtrack Academy to honour the best movie soundtracks... |
The song was nominated for an Academy Award
83rd Academy Awards
The 83rd Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences , honored the best films of 2010 and took place February 27, 2011, at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles beginning at 5:30 p.m. PST / 8:30 p.m. EST. During the ceremony, Academy Awards ...
in the category of Best Original Song
Academy Award for Best Original Song
The Academy Award for Best Original Song is one of the awards given annually to people working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences . It is presented to the songwriters who have composed the best original song written specifically for a film...
. However, it lost to Randy Newman
Randy Newman
Randall Stuart "Randy" Newman is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, composer, and pianist who is known for his mordant pop songs and for film scores....
's "We Belong Together" from Toy Story 3
Toy Story 3
Toy Story 3 is a 2010 American 3D computer-animated comedy-adventure film, and the third installment in the Toy Story series. It was produced by Pixar and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It was directed by Lee Unkrich. The film was released worldwide from June through October in Disney Digital...
. Academy's decision not to award Rahman for the song evoked wide criticisms in India. Apart from public responses, several stalwarts also commented on it. Shabana Azmi
Shabana Azmi
Shabana Azmi is an Indian actress of film, television and theatre. An alumna of the Film and Television Institute of India of Pune, she made her film debut in 1974 and soon became one of the leading actresses of parallel cinema, an Indian New Wave movement known for its serious content and...
said, "A. R. Rahman truly deserved the Oscar for Best Song this year." Konkona Sen Sharma
Konkona Sen Sharma
Konkona Sen Sharma is an Indian actress. She is the daughter of actress and filmmaker Aparna Sen. Sharma appears primarily in Indian arthouse and independent films, and her achievements in the genre have established her as one of the leading actresses of contemporary parallel cinema.Making her...
also tweeted the same opinion. Sandhya Mridul
Sandhya Mridul
Sandhya Mridul is an Indian actress who appears in Bollywood films and television, most known for her roles in films like, movies like Saathiya and Page 3 , and was first runners up in reality dance show, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa .-Personal life and education:Mridul, also called 'Sandy', was born in...
said, "A.R Rahman stands apart he deserves every win". However, Rahman himself has stated that he personally believes Newman deserved the award.