When Sia and David Byrne joined together for a live duet on Miley Cyrus’ New Year television special in 2022, they ended up being the duo that nobody knew they needed! The pair performed a quirky rendition of Sia’s track ‘Unstoppable’, with the video of their performance reaching over two million people around the world on YouTube alone.
Sia is the first to appear onstage, in a bold pink outfit complete with an enormous bow and monochrome wig that has become characteristic of the singer. She gets the performance off to an emotive start, and by the time David Byrne joins her onstage, the audience is well warmed up and clearly ecstatic to see these two musical legends performing together.
Some of the video’s online viewers initially appeared to have some doubts about the performance. One person, for instance, felt that David Byrne’s vocals weren’t suited to the song and that he should have allowed Sia to perform it on her own. Many other fans, however, have since rushed to Byrne’s defense, arguing that his unusual vocal style – as pioneered with his original band Talking Heads – is actually part of what makes the performance so entertaining.
The hardcore David Byrne fans among readers might also remember that this performance was not the first time the singer and Sia have collaborated. If you’re not already aware of it, check out this deep cut from 2010—a track called ‘Never So Big’ from Byrne’s collaborative album with Fatboy Slim that also features Sia on vocals.
At first, it’s easy to imagine why people might think David Byrne and Sia make an odd pairing; their individual musical styles are very different, as are their aesthetics. As revealed by the pair’s live rendition of Sia’s track ‘Unstoppable,’ however, sometimes opposites attract, and we can’t get enough of their powerful but quirky performance of this rousing, emotive song.
Sia and David Byrne’s unexpected collaboration at Miley Cyrus’ New Year special became the surprise hit we never knew we needed, captivating millions and spawning lively debate. Their unique chemistry and Byrne’s distinct style brought a new flair to Sia’s ‘Unstoppable.’ Whether you’re on Team Sia, Team Byrne, or simply a fan of great music, there’s plenty more to discover about this striking performance and their creative journeys. Check out the links below for further exploration.
