Misplaced Pages

"White Flag"
Single by Dido
from the album Life for Rent
B-side	"Paris" "Don't Leave Home"
Released	7 July 2003 (2003-07-07)
Studio	The Church (London, England)
Genre	Pop
Length	4:01 (album version) 3:40 (radio edit)
Label	Arista Cheeky
Songwriter(s)	Dido Armstrong Rick Nowels Rollo Armstrong
Producer(s)	Dido Rollo
Dido singles chronology
"Feels Like Fire" (2003) "White Flag" (2003) "Life for Rent" (2003)
Music video
"White Flag" on YouTube

"White Flag" is a song by English singer-songwriter Dido, released as the lead single from her second studio album, Life for Rent (2003). The song was first released to US radio on 7 July 2003 and was issued in the United Kingdom as a physical single on 1 September 2003. The song performed well on record charts around the world, peaking at number one in Australia, Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Norway, and Portugal. In Dido's native UK, it reached number two on the UK Singles Chart, and in the United States, it climbed to number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song's music video, directed by Joseph Kahn, features actor David Boreanaz as Dido's love interest. "White Flag" was nominated for the Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 46th Grammy Awards but lost to Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful". It won the Best British Single at the 2004 Brit Awards. "White Flag" ranked at number 317 on Blender's list "The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born".

Background and composition

"White Flag" was written and produced by Dido, Rick Nowels, and Rollo Armstrong. In the song, the protagonist is unwilling to give up, even if she knows her relationship is over. Dido has stated the song was inspired by a real break-up she had with a former fiancé.

"White Flag" features "multi-layered" sound, delicate piano outro, and strings. The majority of the song is in the key of D minor, but constantly alternates between that key and its relative major, F major. The tempo is 90 beats per minute, and Dido's vocals range from the low note of A₃ to the high note of C₅.

Critical reception

David Jeffries from AllMusic praised "Dido's sweet delivery" and stated that "It’s all very beautiful, the perfect soundtrack for weeping, and the definition of "wistful" in a song." Derryck Strachan wrote for BBC Music that the song is "engaging to the extent that you could easily be humming along without it registering in your brain. There's something unconscious, pleasantly innocuous about it. It's comfort food for the ears and it could be easily on a Tom Hanks–Meg Ryan romantic comedy." Alexis Petridis from The Guardian wrote that the song "is a superb, confidently written pop song, possessed of a chorus that is impossible to dislodge from your memory without the aid of hypnotherapy."

Awards and impact

The song was nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 2004 Grammy Awards, but lost to Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful". The song won the award for "Best Single" at the 2004 BRIT Awards.

In popular culture

The song is heard on the 11th episode of Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld, as well as appearing on the soundtrack to the films Perfect Strangers and Mommy.

Music video

The music video, directed by Joseph Kahn, was filmed in Cape Town, South Africa and features actor David Boreanaz as Dido's love interest.

The video tells a story about a relationship that is over, but where Dido is obviously still smitten with her ex, who is oblivious of her. They have numerous occasions where they are near each other without him noticing. Dido is clearly still not over him, and he is clearly not over her. At the end of the video, they return to their apartments and Dido's room is filled with photos of him and, in a twist ending, his apartment is also filled with Dido's photos (showing he's still as much in love with her as well.) The screen rotates throughout the entirety of the video, never standing still. The song's opening is also cut out entirely from the video.

Track listings

Credits and personnel

Credits are lifted from the European CD single liner notes.

Studios

• Recorded and mixed at The Church (London, England)
• Additional recording at The Ark
• Strings recorded at Angel Recording Studios (London, England)
• Mastered at Metropolis Studios (London, England)

Personnel

• Dido – writing (as Dido Armstrong), vocals, production
• Rick Nowels – writing, guitar, keyboards
• Rollo – writing (as Rollo Armstrong), production
• Paul Herman – additional acoustic guitar
• Rusty Anderson – electric guitar
• Mark Bates – additional keyboards, piano, programming
• P*Nut – drums and bass programming
• Ash Howes – recording, mixing
• Grippa – additional recording
• Gavin Callaghan – recording assistance
• Nathan Loughran – recording assistance
• Nick Ingman – string arrangement
• Gavyn Wright – concertmaster
• Miles Showell – mastering
• Simon Corkin – artwork design
• Ellen Von Unwerth – photography

Charts

Certifications

Release history

References

1. The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born: 301 – 350
2. "Dido – Life for Rent (album review) – Sputnikmusic". 21 June 2006. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
3. ^ Jeffries, David. "White Flag – AllMusic". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original on 1 May 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
4. "Dido: Meaning Behind 'White Flag' Revealed! " HPL". HuffPost Live. 29 March 2013. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
5. It is actually in the Aeolian mode, because there is no dominant chord, A major.
6. "Dido – White Flag Digital Sheet Music". Music Notes. 10 October 2003. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
7. Strachan, Derryck (20 June 2003). "Review of Dido – Life for Rent". BBC. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
8. Petridis, Alexis (26 September 2003). "Dido "Life For Rent"". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
9. "Dido – White Flag – Lyrics Meaning". Music Banner. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
10. "Brits 2004: The winners". BBC News. BBC. 17 February 2004. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
11. "The Soundtrack To 'Mommy' Is A Music Snob's Worst Nightmare". The FADER. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
12. "Dido: White Flag". IMDb. September 2003.
13. "Dido – White Flag – YouTube". YouTube. 2 October 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
14. ^ White Flag (European CD single liner notes). Dido. Arista Records, Cheeky Records. 2003. 82876 560912.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
15. White Flag (Japanese CD single liner notes). Dido. Arista Records, BMG Japan. 2003. BVCA-29605.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
16. White Flag (European 12-inch single vinyl disc). Dido. Arista Records, Cheeky Records. 2003. 82876546021.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
17. White Flag (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Dido. Arista Records. 2003. 82876546021.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
18. White Flag (Australian CD single liner notes). Dido. Arista Records, Cheeky Records. 2003. 82876546022.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
19. "Dido – White Flag". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
20. "Dido – White Flag" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
21. "Dido – White Flag" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
22. "Dido – White Flag" (in French). Ultratop 50.
23. "Top 50 Singles". Jam!. Archived from the original on 18 June 2004. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
24. "R&R Canada AC Top 30" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1552. 16 April 2004. p. 52.
25. "Canadian Top 20 in 2003" (PDF). Cross Canada Countdown. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 April 2005. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
26. "RR Canada Hot AC Top 30" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1552. 16 April 2004. p. 55. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
27. Dido — White Flag. TopHit. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
28. "HR Top 20 Lista". Croatian Radiotelevision. Archived from the original on 3 October 2003. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
29. "Rádio 2004" (in Czech). IFPI. Archived from the original on 19 February 2004. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
30. "Dido – White Flag". Tracklisten.
31. "Darkness, Black Eyed Peas Lead U.K. Charts". Billboard. 22 September 2003. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
32. "Dido: White Flag" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
33. "Dido – White Flag" (in French). Les classement single.
34. "Dido – White Flag" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
35. "Top 50 Singles Εβδομάδα 30/11–06/12" (in Greek). IFPI. Archived from the original on 9 December 2003. Retrieved 29 June 2020. See Best Position column.
36. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
37. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
38. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – White Flag". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
39. "Dido – White Flag". Top Digital Download.
40. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 48, 2003" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
41. "Dido – White Flag" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
42. "Dido – White Flag". Top 40 Singles.
43. "Dido – White Flag". VG-lista.
44. "Hit of the World: Portugal" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 41. 11 October 2003. p. 89. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
45. "Arhiva romanian top 100 Editia 2, saptamina 12.01 – 18.01, 2004" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on 20 February 2005. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
46. "Top Radio Hits Russia Weekly Chart: Nov 27, 2003". TopHit. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
47. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
48. "Dido – White Flag" Canciones Top 50.
49. "Dido – White Flag". Singles Top 100.
50. "Dido – White Flag". Swiss Singles Chart.
51. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
52. "Dido Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
53. "Dido Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
54. "Dido Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
55. "Dido Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
56. "Dido Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
57. "Dido Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
58. "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2003". ARIA. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
59. "Jahreshitparade Singles 2003" (in German). Retrieved 6 February 2020.
60. "Jaaroverzichten 2003" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
61. "Rapports annuels 2003" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
62. "Top Radio Hits Global Chart 2003". TopHit. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
63. "Hits of the World – Europe's Top Singles of 2003" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 52. 27 December 2003. p. 147. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
64. "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 2003" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
65. "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 2003" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
66. "Best of Singles 2003". IRMA. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
67. "Top of the Music – Mix e Singoli" (PDF) (in Italian). FIMI. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 May 2006. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
68. "2003 Dutch Single Chart" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
69. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2003" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
70. "End of Year Charts 2003". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
71. "Top Radio Hits Russia Annual Chart: 2003". TopHit. Archived from the original on 22 April 2024. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
72. "Årslista Singlar, 2003" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
73. "Swiss Year-End Charts 2003" (in German). Retrieved 13 August 2010.
74. "The Official UK Singles Chart 2003" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
75. "2003 The Year in Charts: Most-Played Adult Top 40 Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 11, no. 51. 19 December 2003. p. 22.
76. "Rádiós Top 100 – hallgatottsági adatok alapján – 2004" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
77. "Billboard Top 100 – 2004". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
78. ^ "Year in Music & Touring". Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 52. 25 December 2004. p. YE-74. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
79. "Year in Music & Touring: Hot Dance Airplay". Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 52. 25 December 2004. p. YE-61. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
80. "2004 The Year in Charts: Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs". Billboard Radio Monitor. Vol. 12, no. 51. 17 December 2004. p. 22.
81. "Rádiós Top 100 – hallgatottsági adatok alapján – 2005" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
82. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2003 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
83. "Austrian single certifications – Dido – White Flag" (in German). IFPI Austria.
84. "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2003". Ultratop. Hung Medien.
85. "Top 20 Singles Chart". IFPI Denmark. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
86. "Danish single certifications – Dido – White Flag". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
87. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Dido; 'White Flag')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
88. "Italian single certifications – Dido – White Flag" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Select "2021" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "White Flag" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
89. "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway.
90. "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2003" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011.
91. "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('White Flag')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
92. "British single certifications – Dido – White Flag". British Phonographic Industry.
93. "American single certifications – Dido – White Flag". Recording Industry Association of America.
94. "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1511. 4 July 2003. p. 26. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
95. "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1516. 8 August 2003. p. 26. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
96. "Dido: Single". click2music.dk (in Danish). Archived from the original on 1 October 2003. Retrieved 4 November 2023. To view release date, select Dido from Vælg kunster (A - Å), then click on White Flag.
97. "Dido Waves 'White Flag'". NME. 10 July 2003. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
98. "Reviews – Records Released 1.09.03: Single of the Week". Music Week. 23 August 2003. p. 21.
99. "ホワイト・フラッグ | ダイド" [White Flag | Dido] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
100. "Dido: White Flag". click2music.se (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 23 February 2005. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
101. "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 15th September 2003" (PDF). ARIA. 15 September 2003. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2003. Retrieved 15 May 2021.

• 2003 songs
• 2003 singles
• Dido (singer) songs
• Arista Records singles
• BMG Japan singles
• Brit Award for British Single
• Cheeky Records singles
• European Hot 100 Singles number-one singles
• Music videos directed by Joseph Kahn
• Number-one singles in Australia
• Number-one singles in Austria
• Number-one singles in the Czech Republic
• Number-one singles in Germany
• Number-one singles in Hungary
• Number-one singles in Italy
• Number-one singles in Norway
• Number-one singles in Portugal
• Song recordings produced by Dido (singer)
• Song recordings produced by Rollo Armstrong
• Songs written by Dido (singer)
• Songs written by Rick Nowels
• Songs written by Rollo Armstrong
• Breakup songs