Sway (Bic Runga song)

"Sway" is a song by New Zealand singer Bic Runga. It was released as the second single from her debut studio album, Drive (1997), in 1997. The song peaked at No. 7 in New Zealand and No. 10 in Australia, earning gold certifications in both countries. At the 32nd New Zealand Music Awards, the song won three awards: Single of the Year, Best Songwriter, and Best Engineer (Simon Sheridan).[1] In 2001, it was voted the 6th best New Zealand song of all time by members of APRA.[2] A music video directed by John Taft was made for the song.[3]

"Sway"
New Zealand CD artwork
Single by Bic Runga
from the album Drive
B-side
  • "I Don't Mean It"
  • "Lonely Lola Cherry Cola Girl"
Released1997 (1997)
StudioRevolver (Auckland, New Zealand)
Length4:24
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)Bic Runga
Producer(s)Bic Runga
Bic Runga singles chronology
"Bursting Through"
(1996)		 "Sway"
(1997)		 "Suddenly Strange"
(1997)
Alternative cover
UK CD artwork (1997)
Audio
"Sway" on YouTube

An acoustic version of the song can be found on the charity album Even Better than the Real Thing Vol. 2. In September 2019, Runga re-recorded the song for Waiata / Anthems, a collection of re-recorded New Zealand pop songs to promote te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week). The new version, retitled "Haere Mai Rā / Sway", featured lyrics reinterpreted by scholar Tīmoti Kāretu.[4]

In June 2022, R3hab and Amy Shark released a cover titled "Sway My Way".[5]

Background

Bic Runga wrote the song in Ireland. While she was on her way to the airport before her trip, she saw a bridge with graffiti on it. One of the words painted on the bridge was "sway". Although Runga did not understand the circumstances in which this word appeared on the bridge, she decided to give her next song the same title.[6]

Commercial performance

In New Zealand, "Sway" debuted at number 28 on the RIANZ Singles Chart, then climbed into the top 10 five weeks later, eventually peaking at number seven on 13 July 1997. The song spent a total of 17 weeks on the chart and left the top 50 on 14 September 1997.[7] "Sway" was certified gold in New Zealand with 5,000 copies sold.[8] In Australia, "Sway" debuted on the ARIA Singles Chart at number 42, peaked at number 10, and spent a total of 22 weeks on the chart.[9] The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) certified the song gold, denoting shipments of 35,000 units.[10] In 2004, the single charted in Ireland and the United Kingdom. In the former country, the song first appeared on the Irish Singles Chart on 16 September 2004 and peaked at number 26.[11] In the United Kingdom, "Sway" stayed on the UK Singles Chart for a single week, peaking at number 83.[12]

Track listings

Credits and personnel

Credits are lifted from the Drive album booklet.[18]

Studios

  • Recorded at Revolver Studios (Auckland, New Zealand)
  • Mixed at Brooklyn Recording Studios (Los Angeles)
  • Mastered at A&M Mastering (Los Angeles)

Personnel

  • Bic Runga – writing, vocals, backing vocals, xylophone, production, arrangement
  • Gary Verberne – guitars
  • Andrew Thorne – guitars
  • Aaron McDonald – bass
  • Wayne Bell – drums
  • Kate Walshe – violin
  • Sally-Anne Brown – cello
  • Duncan Haynes – string arrangement
  • Matt Wallace – mixing, mastering
  • Tom Banghart – mixing assistance
  • Simon Sheridan – engineering
  • Matt Tait – engineering assistance

Charts

Certifications
Certifications for "Sway"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[10] Gold 35,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[8] Gold 5,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Release history and formats for "Sway"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
New Zealand 1997
  • CD
  • cassette
 Columbia [22]
United States February 1998 Radio [23]
United Kingdom 31 August 1998
  • CD
  • cassette
 Epic [24]

"Sway My Way"
"Sway My Way"
Single by R3hab and Amy Shark
Released10 June 2022 (2022-06-10)
Length2:16
LabelCyb3rpvnk
R3hab singles chronology
"Saved My Life"
(2022)		 "Sway My Way"
(2022)		 "Worlds on Fire"
(2022)
Amy Shark singles chronology
"I'm Not Giving Up"
(2021)		 "Sway My Way"
(2022)		 "Only Wanna Be with You"
(2022)

In June 2022, Dutch producer R3hab and Australian singer Amy Shark released a version titled "Sway My Way".[5] It peaked at number 25 on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified gold.

Speaking about the recording, R3hab said "Every record reveals a new facet of the artist behind it, 'Sway My Way' might surprise some listeners, as it's got a more organic and stripped-back feel than many of my singles, but I love the dynamic it brings. Amy is an incredible artist and a pleasure to work with, and I'm so glad she helped me bring this song to life." Shark said, "I grew up loving Bic Runga, and her song 'Sway' was one that I loved so much. When R3hab asked me to join him and put my spin on the song, I jumped at it."[25]

"Sway My Way" won Highest Selling Single at the 2023 Queensland Music Awards.[26]

At the 2023 ARIA Music Awards, the song was nominated for Song of the Year.[27]

Reception

Conor Lochrie from Rolling Stone Australia felt that "The pair dovetail well on the collaboration, with Shark's emotive vocals paying homage to the original over R3HAb's laidback electronic instrumental."[25]

Track listing
  1. "Sway My Way" – 2:16
  2. "Sway My Way" (Karim Nass remix) – 2:18

Charts
Weekly chart performance for "Sway My Way"
Chart (2022) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[28] 25
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[29] 50

Certifications
Certifications for "Sway My Way"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[30] Platinum 70,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. "Award History". New Zealand Music Awards. Retrieved 25 August 2020. Select 1998 from the Select a Year box.
  2. "APRA Top 100 New Zealand Songs of All Time". Christchurch City Libraries. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  3. "Production Notes" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 5. 31 January 1998. p. 88. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  4. "Waiata / Anthems". iTunes. 6 September 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
  5. "R3HAB Releases Organic, Pop-Influenced House Single "Sway My Way" with Amy Shark". UFO Network. June 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  6. "Bic Runga Talks About the Songs on Drive". bicrunga.com. Archived from the original on 13 October 1999. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  7. "Bic Runga – Sway". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  8. "New Zealand single certifications – Bic Runga – Sway". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  9. "Bic Runga – Sway". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  10. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1998 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  11. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Bic Runga". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  12. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  13. Sway (New Zealand CD single liner notes). Bic Runga. Columbia Records. 1997. 664198.1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. Sway (New Zealand cassette single sleeve). Bic Runga. Columbia Records. 1997. 664198.4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. Sway (Australian CD single liner notes). Bic Runga. Columbia Records. 1997. 665416.2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. Sway (UK CD single liner notes). Bic Runga. Epic Records. 1997. 666143 5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. Sway (Irish CD single liner notes). Bic Runga. SME Records Ireland. 2004. 6661439000.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. Drive (New Zealand CD album booklet). Bic Runga. Columbia Records. 1997. 488580.2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  20. "End of Year Charts 1997". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  21. "1998 ARIA Singles Chart". ARIA. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  22. "Bic Runga Discography". bicrunga.com. Archived from the original on 12 June 2001. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  23. Russell, John (28 February 1998). "New Zealand's Bic Runga 'Drives' Sony Debut to Top". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 9. p. 14. 'Sway' is the first single to be unveiled in America and will be serviced to radio this month.
  24. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 29 August 1998. p. 35.
  25. "R3HAB and Amy Shark Unite to Reimagine a New Zealand Classic". Rolling Stone Australia. 10 June 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  26. "Thelma Plum, Ball Park Music win top gongs at 2023 Queensland Music Awards". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  27. "Nominees Announced for 2023 ARIA Awards". Music Feeds. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  28. "R3hab & Amy Shark – Sway My Way". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  29. "R3hab Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  30. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2022 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
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