| "O... Saya" | |
|---|---|
| Song byA. R. Rahman andM.I.A. | |
from the album
| |
| Released | 25 November 2008 |
| Recorded | 2008 |
| Studio | Panchathan Record Inn and AM Studios (Chennai, India) |
| Length | 3:33 |
| Label | Interscope |
| Songwriter(s) | A.R. Rahman M.I.A. |
| Producer(s) | A.R. Rahman |
"O... Saya" (ओ साया,transl. O Shadow) is a song from thesoundtrack of the 2008 filmSlumdog Millionaire. It was composed byIndian musicianA. R. Rahman andBritish rapperM.I.A., both of whom performed on the recording.
Rahman became interested inM.I.A. after listening to her debut albumArular, and upon meeting Rahman in the recording sessions of herfollow-up album, the singer said she was a big fan of his work.[1] DirectorDanny Boyle suggested M.I.A. work with Rahman on a piece for the score of the film,[2] and even though she had announced a retirement earlier atBonnaroo Festival, she said the offer could not be refused.[3] Rahman was halfway through his score when M.I.A. met him in London, and both eventually shared initial ideas.[4] The song was then composed through continuouse-mailing between Rahman in India and M.I.A. in England,[5] and once he recorded his parts, M.I.A. contributed her vocals from New York, where she had moved.[4] According to the digital music sheet published at musicnotes.com, the song is written in thekey ofB minor, with a moderately fast tempo.[6]
The song was nominated for anAcademy Award for Best Original Song at the81st Academy Awards,[7] but eventually lost to the song "Jai Ho", also fromSlumdog Millionaire. M.I.A. said the nomination was an honor, stating "Maybe I can afford to bookDave Chappelle at the baby shower now."[8] At the awards ceremony, the song was performed by Rahman, surrounded by dancers andtaiko drums.[9] M.I.A. expressed interest in performing, even though she had just given birth, but ultimately declined once she learned only the performance would last for only one minute.[10]
"O... Saya" charted in theBillboard Hot 100 at 93,[11] and theCanadian Hot 100 at 68.
The song was featured during the2009 NFL draft.[citation needed]
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian Hot 100[12] | 68 |
| U.S.Billboard Hot 100[13] | 93 |
| Studio albums | |
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| Mixtapes | |
| Extended plays | |
| Singles |
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| Other songs | |
| Concert tours | |
| Related articles | |
