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"O... Saya" (ओ साया, transl. O Shadow) is a song from the soundtrack of the 2008 film Slumdog Millionaire. It was composed by Indian musician A. R. Rahman and British rapper M.I.A., both of whom performed on the recording.

Song information

Rahman became interested in M.I.A. after listening to her debut album Arular, and upon meeting Rahman in the recording sessions of her follow-up album, the singer said she was a big fan of his work. Director Danny Boyle suggested M.I.A. work with Rahman on a piece for the score of the film, and even though she had announced a retirement earlier at Bonnaroo Festival, she said the offer could not be refused. Rahman was halfway through his score when M.I.A. met him in London, and both eventually shared initial ideas. The song was then composed through continuous e-mailing between Rahman in India and M.I.A. in England, and once he recorded his parts, M.I.A. contributed her vocals from New York, where she had moved. According to the digital music sheet published at musicnotes.com, the song is written in the key of B minor, with a moderately fast tempo.

The song was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 81st Academy Awards, but eventually lost to the song "Jai Ho", also from Slumdog Millionaire. M.I.A. said the nomination was an honor, stating "Maybe I can afford to book Dave Chappelle at the baby shower now." At the awards ceremony, the song was performed by Rahman, surrounded by dancers and taiko drums. 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.

"O... Saya" charted in the Billboard Hot 100 at 93, and the Canadian Hot 100 at 68.

The song was featured during the 2009 NFL draft.

Chart performance

References

1. Peter Culshaw (6 March 2009). "Interview with AR Rahman, the composer behind the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack". The Telegraph.
2. Mark Slutsky (11 December 2009). "Making it in Mumbai". Montreal Mirror. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
3. Perez, Rodrigo (24 November 2008). "DANNY BOYLE AND POP SENSATION M.I.A. TALK 'SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE' SOUNDTRACK". MTV. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
4. ^ Just a Minute With: A. R. Rahman on "Slumdog Millionaire"
5. "Composer A.R. Rahman on the Sounds of 'Slumdog Millionaire' and Being M.I.A.'s Idol". New York. 12 November 2008. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
6. "Digital Sheet Music, M.I.A. - 'O, Saya'". Musicnotes.com. Peer International Music Publishing. 2009. SC0128549 (Product Number).
7. Cohen, Jonathan (22 January 2009). "'Slumdog, 'WALL-E' Lead Oscar Music Nominees". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 23 February 2009.
8. "M.I.A. Responds to Oscar Nod: "I Can Afford to Book Dave Chappelle at the Baby Shower Now"". Rolling Stone. 23 January 2009. Archived from the original on 26 January 2009. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
9. "'Slumdog Millionaire' Sweeps Music Oscars". Billboard. 23 February 2009. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
10. M.I.A.’s Agitprop Pop
11. Ben-Yehuda, Ayala. "Soulja Boy Climbs Hot 100". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
12. "Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Acharts. 26 January 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2009.
13. "US SINGLES TOP 100 COMPILED BY: BILLBOARD HOT 100". Acharts. 26 January 2020.

• 2008 songs
• Indian songs
• M.I.A. (rapper) songs
• Slumdog Millionaire
• Songs with music by A. R. Rahman
• Songs written by M.I.A. (rapper)