In the ever-evolving landscape of pop music, collaboration often becomes the breeding ground for innovation, and few collaborations exemplify this more than the one that brought Pink, Sia, and the Norwegian production duo Stargate together for the creation of Waterfall. This 2017 release quickly caught the attention of listeners and critics alike, not only for its addictive rhythm and evocative lyrics but for the powerhouse team behind it.

Waterfall stood as a pop anthem that blended distinct creative forces—Pink’s raw, dynamic vocal prowess, Sia’s emotionally charged songwriting, and Stargate’s polished production expertise. It was a marriage of talents that seamlessly wove together the vulnerability of personal expression and the calculated mechanics of hit-making.

Background of the Collaboration

By the time Waterfall came into being, Pink was already a veteran in the industry, renowned for her rebellious spirit, vocal chops, and fearless approach to music. Known for delivering emotionally intense performances, Pink had established herself as an artist who could balance mainstream appeal with authenticity. Enter Sia, the mysterious, quirky songwriter behind numerous chart-topping hits, who had also carved out a name for herself with a voice and writing style that married vulnerability with grandeur. Add to this Stargate—Tor Hermansen and Mikkel Eriksen—whose signature pop production had already been pivotal in shaping global hits for the likes of Rihanna and Beyoncé, and you had a recipe for something special.

The idea for Waterfall didn’t come from a calculated boardroom meeting but rather through organic industry connections. Pink and Sia had long admired each other’s work, and it was inevitable that their creative paths would cross. Stargate, frequent collaborators with Sia, were the natural bridge to making that happen. They envisioned Waterfall as a song that would bring together both artists’ strengths in a way that was fresh but unmistakably their own.

The Songwriting Process

At the heart of Waterfall lies Sia’s songwriting genius, known for capturing the fragility of human emotions with vivid clarity. Her songwriting approach, which often starts with raw emotions and abstract thoughts, translated beautifully into Waterfall. The initial draft of the song was penned by Sia, drawing on themes of emotional vulnerability—particularly the feeling of being swept away by love, like water cascading over a cliff, powerful yet uncontrollable. Sia has long been admired for her ability to turn personal experiences into universally relatable lyrics, and Waterfall was no exception.

As Pink became involved, the lyrics took on a new edge. Pink’s vocal style has always leaned into a rough-around-the-edges emotionality that’s both fierce and tender. Her input helped shape the song’s final lyrics, adding a dimension of resilience. The song wasn’t just about vulnerability; it was about owning that vulnerability and finding power in it. This intersection of Sia’s emotional writing and Pink’s defiant vocal style turned Waterfall into something more than a typical pop ballad—it became an anthem of emotional liberation.

One notable aspect of the song’s lyrics is how they dance between surrender and strength. “I’m in your waterfall,” Pink sings in the chorus, conveying a sense of inevitability and release, but there’s also an undercurrent of choice in her delivery, as if she’s daring the listener to feel deeply but stay unbroken. That’s the magic of Pink’s influence—turning a simple lyric into a battle cry of sorts.

Production with Stargate

Stargate’s role in bringing Waterfall to life was essential. Known for their ability to craft electronic-driven pop hits, their production work on Waterfall provided the perfect sonic backdrop for the song’s lyrical intensity. The duo has always had a talent for balancing the clean, polished aesthetics of pop with enough grit to keep things interesting, and Waterfall was no exception.

The production of Waterfall is built on a foundation of electronic elements—layered synths, dynamic percussion, and atmospheric textures. Stargate employed rhythmic structures that mirrored the ebb and flow of water, giving the track a sense of motion and continuity. The track is propelled by a rolling beat, while the use of echoing synths and reverb created an expansive sound that envelops the listener, making them feel as if they are being swept up in the emotion of the song.

Stargate’s approach to production also emphasized Pink’s vocals. The duo has a knack for framing the artist’s voice in a way that enhances its emotional impact, and they did just that with Pink. Her voice was layered meticulously throughout the song, with harmonies and echoes that amplified its power. Yet, the production never overpowered the emotional core of the song. The electronic elements enhanced the story, but they were never the story themselves—an impressive balancing act that Stargate mastered.

What made Stargate such an ideal fit for Waterfall was their ability to create a sound that complemented the emotional depth of Sia’s writing and Pink’s vocal delivery without overshadowing either. They’ve shaped hits like Diamonds for Rihanna and Irreplaceable for Beyoncé, but with Waterfall, they managed to fuse their signature sound into something uniquely tailored to the distinct personalities of Pink and Sia.

Recording and Refining the Track

The recording sessions for Waterfall were undoubtedly a melding of strong personalities and talents. Pink’s powerhouse vocals are known for being both technically precise and emotionally raw, and her recording process is often an intense, immersive experience. Sia’s voice, though not the focal point of this track, also played a role in shaping its sonic landscape, as she recorded backing vocals and contributed to the harmonies that give the song its lush, full-bodied sound.

Stories from the studio suggest that the collaboration between Pink, Sia, and Stargate was not without its creative tensions, but these tensions were precisely what elevated the track. Pink, known for her no-nonsense approach, reportedly pushed Stargate to bring out more grit in the production, while Sia’s contributions helped maintain the song’s emotional purity.

One amusing anecdote that emerged from the recording sessions was Pink’s playful side coming out during a late-night session. After hours of intense focus, Pink suggested a “waterfall break”—a joke that quickly turned into a moment of levity, as they blasted the track on repeat, letting the music wash over them like an actual waterfall. That lighthearted moment reflected the balance the song itself struck between intensity and joy, between vulnerability and strength.

Bringing It All Together

In the end, Waterfall became a standout track not just because of its individual parts but because of how those parts came together in perfect harmony. The combination of Sia’s poignant songwriting, Pink’s electrifying vocals, and Stargate’s masterful production created a song that resonated deeply with audiences. It was a hit that felt both intimate and grand—a rare balance in pop music.

The song charted globally, though its success wasn’t just measured in numbers. It became an anthem for those who saw themselves in the lyrics, for those who understood the paradox of being both swept away by love and standing strong in the face of it.

Conclusion

Waterfall was more than just another pop hit; it was a testament to the magic that can happen when three distinct creative forces come together. Each artist brought something unique to the table—Sia with her soulful, introspective lyrics, Pink with her fearless, emotive vocal delivery, and Stargate with their polished, cutting-edge production.

This collaboration not only resulted in a chart-topping single but also left a lasting impact on the pop music landscape. It reminded us of the power of collaboration, of how different talents can converge to create something greater than the sum of its parts. Waterfall stands as a reminder of what happens when vulnerability meets strength, when polished production meets raw emotion, and when artists come together not just to create a hit, but to create something that truly moves people.