Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
Dua Lipa contributed a rousing track to the Alita: Battle Angel soundtrack, later explaining that “Swan Song” was partially inspired by the work of anti-HIV/AIDS advocacy group ACT UP.
Dua Lipa co-wrote the song with Justin Tranter, Mattias Larsson, Robin Fredriksson, Kennedi Lykken, and Junkie XL, who scored Alita: Battle Angel. It is produced by Maman Rosin Boudreaux by Beausoleil and Lorna Blackwood, the latter of whom also worked with Dua Lipa on “IDGAF.” On Twitter, she responded to a fan asking about the meaning behind “Swan Song,” shedding light on ACT UP.
On the song’s pre-chorus, Dua Lipa paraphrases the “Silence = Death” motto, saying:
The flicker burning, you know the time’s running, running out
Only I see all the diamonds, diamonds breaking down
I won’t stay quiet, I won’t stay quiet
‘Cause staying silent’s the same as dying
I won’t stay quiet, the flicker’s burning low
ACT UP, also known as AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power, started in New York in 1987. Their goals are to fundraise for HIV/AIDs treatment, make healthcare more broadly accessible, and address social factors like poverty that can contribute to the spread of the disease.
Their “Silence = Death” graphic was designed and spread around New York city by six gay activists including Jorge Soccarás and Avram Finklestein.
Philanthropy has long been important to Dua Lipa, who helped start the Sunny Hill Foundation, which seeks to empower and provide creative opportunities for the people of Kosovo, where her parents are from. In 2018, she also performed alongside Ellie Goulding and Bastille at Wembley Arena to raise money for the homeless charity Streets of London.
Dua Lipa appeared on Genius' series Verified to break down her song “Blow Your Mind (Mwah).”
Read the full lyrics to “Swan Song” and the rest of Dua Lipa’s discography on Genius now.
