Together

"Together" is an overwhelmingly positive and uplifting song that champions the themes of unity, self-love, and resilience. The central message conveyed through the lyrics is that true partnership and the ability to lift each other up can only be achieved when individuals first learn to love and accept themselves. The line, "You can't love me unless you love you too," encapsulates this core idea, suggesting that self-worth is the foundation for any healthy and supportive relationship. The song encourages listeners to let go of past negativity, metaphorically described as setting "the past on fire," and to face the future with optimism and shared strength. It's a declaration that through unity and cooperation, any obstacle can be overcome, allowing people to "take it higher" together. The narrative arc of the song moves from acknowledging a partner's pain and anger to offering a path towards healing through mutual support and a hopeful outlook.

A person observes their partner, who is clearly upset and angry. The sounds of their anger are described metaphorically as "thunder" coming from their mouth and "lightning" from their ears, indicating a powerful and frightening outburst. The observer feels their own time is limited in this situation and suggests playing Stevie Wonder's music as a quick remedy to prevent them from sinking into despair. They see the fear in their partner's eyes and the tears they're crying, where a metaphorical lion, a symbol of their inner turmoil, now sleeps. The core message is then introduced: one cannot truly love another without first loving oneself. To treat oneself foolishly is to be incapable of accepting love from others.

The chorus erupts with a call to action, urging them to leave the past behind—to "set the past on fire"—and look towards a brighter future with hope. It's an anthem of unity and shared strength, repeating the powerful affirmation that together, they can achieve greater heights. This refrain serves as the song's emotional anchor, a promise of mutual support and elevation.

In the second verse, the emotional landscape shifts from stormy to serene. A "rainbow" is now seen emerging from the partner's heart, a clear symbol of hope and reconciliation. This positive sign is taken as an indication that everything will be alright. The partner is now seen as an "angel," signifying a transformation from the earlier, fear-inducing state. It's a moment of bidding farewell to past grievances and welcoming a new beginning, a "hello to tomorrow."

A bridge-like section follows, a simple yet profound chant expressing a deep desire for love. It's a dual plea: a desire to both give and receive love, a request for love to be "delivered." This repetition emphasizes the fundamental human need for connection and affection that underpins the entire song. The song culminates in a final, powerful repetition of the chorus, reinforcing the central theme of burning away the past and rising higher together. It's a conclusive statement of hope, resilience, and the transformative power of love, both for oneself and for others.

"Together" was released on May 20, 2020, as the lead single from Sia's ninth studio album, Music – Songs from and Inspired by the Motion Picture. The song is featured as the end title track for the musical film Music, which was co-written and directed by Sia herself. The film's screenplay, penned by Sia and children's author Dallas Clayton, was based on a short story Sia had written back in 2007. Sia first mentioned the song in a 2018 interview with Rolling Stone, describing it as a "cheerful song that matches her personality much more than, say, 'Chandelier'." The track was co-written by Sia and acclaimed producer Jack Antonoff, who also handled the primary production. Frequent Sia collaborator Jesse Shatkin provided additional production. The song was recorded at Conway Recording Studios and Electric Lady Studios. The creation was part of a larger project where Sia wrote ten original songs for her directorial debut film.

"Together" follows a conventional pop song structure with a consistent and catchy rhythm that makes it highly accessible. The song is set in a brisk, upbeat tempo that drives its energetic and optimistic feel. The rhyme scheme in the verses is relatively simple, often following an ABCB pattern (e.g., "mouth" / "up" / "wonder" / "under"), which maintains a natural, conversational flow. The pre-chorus tightens the rhyme with a rhyming couplet ("too" / "fool"), building anticipation for the chorus. The chorus itself relies more on repetition and powerful declaration than complex rhyming, with the key line "take it higher" being the memorable anchor. The rhythmic phrasing of the lyrics works in tandem with the strong beat, with Sia often delivering the lines in a syncopated manner that adds to the song's dynamic and danceable quality. The interplay between the driving musical rhythm and the soaring vocal melody creates an overwhelming sense of forward momentum and joyful release.

Musically, "Together" is a quintessential Sia pop anthem, characterized by its bright, upbeat tempo and soaring, powerful vocal delivery. The production, handled by Jack Antonoff and Jesse Shatkin, features a clean, synth-heavy arrangement with a driving beat that builds into an explosive, chant-like chorus. This structure is designed for maximum emotional impact and memorability. Sia's vocal performance is dynamic, moving from a more measured and empathetic tone in the verses to her signature, full-throated belting in the chorus, conveying a sense of liberation and joy. Lyrically, the song employs direct address, speaking to a "you," which creates an intimate and personal feel. The use of simple, powerful metaphors (e.g., "set the past on fire") makes the song's message of hope and unity universally understandable and resonant. The repetition of the key phrase "we can take it higher" acts as a powerful hook, both musically and thematically, reinforcing the song's core message of upliftment.

"Together" served as the lead single for the soundtrack of Sia's directorial debut film, Music, and was a key part of the movie's promotional campaign. The music video features the film's stars—Kate Hudson, Leslie Odom Jr., and Maddie Ziegler—in a brightly colored, highly choreographed dance number, offering audiences a first look at the movie's visual style. The song achieved moderate commercial success, peaking at number 27 on the ARIA Singles Chart in Sia's native Australia and reaching number 11 on the Billboard Adult Top 40 chart in the United States. It was also featured in a prominent advertising campaign for the American retail chain Target, further increasing its public exposure. While the film Music itself was met with controversy and negative reviews for its depiction of autism, the song "Together" was often highlighted as a more straightforward and palatable piece of uplifting pop music.

The lyrics of "Together" are rich with accessible and powerful imagery that reinforces its optimistic message.

• Thunder and Lightning: In the opening verse, the partner's anger and frustration are vividly depicted as "thunder coming from your mouth" and "lightning coming from your ears." This use of storm imagery powerfully conveys a sense of emotional turmoil and danger, setting a scene of conflict that needs resolution.
• Setting the Past on Fire: The recurring chorus line "Come now, set the past on fire" is a potent metaphor for liberation and new beginnings. It's a call to decisively break free from past traumas, mistakes, and pain to move forward unburdened.
• Rainbow: Following the storm imagery, the appearance of a "rainbow coming from your heart" symbolizes hope, healing, and the promise of better things to come. It signifies that the emotional storm has passed and that peace and love are prevailing.
• Taking it Higher: This central, repeated phrase functions as a metaphor for mutual growth, spiritual and emotional elevation, and overcoming adversity through unity. It suggests that the combined strength of the partnership can lead to a state of being that is greater than what either individual could achieve alone.

The most significant recurring phrase in "Together" is the hook, "Together, we can take it higher." This line is repeated multiple times throughout the chorus and serves as the song's central thesis. Its repetition transforms it into a powerful mantra of unity, optimism, and mutual support. It's the emotional and thematic core of the song, promising that partnership leads to elevation. Another repeated phrase is the call to action, "Come now, set the past on fire / Stand up, raise your face to the skies, my love," which reinforces the theme of leaving negativity behind and embracing a hopeful future. Finally, the pre-chorus repeats the condition for this unity: "Can't love me unless you love you too," emphasizing the foundational importance of self-love. This recurrence drills home the message that personal well-being is essential for a successful shared journey.