Legendary songwriter Diane Warren called in to talk with Audacy’s Julia all about her important and exciting new song with Rita Ora, called “Finish Line.”
LISTEN NOW: Diane Warren joins Audacy's Julia to talk about her important and exciting new song with Rita Ora.
After being introduced to the project, Diane recalled thinking “it’d be great to do a song for Title IX,” that portrays the message, “til we look behind at the finish line,” Warren said of the new track which supports ESPN's upcoming four-part Title IX docuseries titled 37 Words. “But it also goes beyond this, cause it’s a song about overcoming obstacles really," Diane added, which she followed with some of the songs lyrics. "To the limit, 'til we win it, 'til we look behind at the finish line.” Reiterating, “it’s not getting to the finish line, it’s looking behind at the finish line.”
“It’s important to empower women, it’s important to empower people, you want something that’s uplifting and inspiring, and that’s what this song is. And again it goes beyond that. Its Pride month — it could be that too y’know, the song can be for whatever you want it to be," Diane said of the inspirational track. “It happens to be for this at the moment,” Warren expressed, “but you can wake up in the morning and want to take over the world when you listen to this song.”
When it came to finding the perfect vocal match for the track, Diane knew Rita was the one, especially since they’d already worked together in the past. Noting the obvious that “Rita is a great singer,” Diane also knew “that this was a subject that’s important to her, y’know empowering women. So I reached out to her, and she loved the song and loved the idea… and she jumped right in.” Not to mention, “Rita’s global and this is a global issue," Diane added.
Speaking from her personal experience, Diane admitted she never felt as if she had to push through any barriers in the music business, despite being a women. “People either wanted to do my songs or they didn’t… But friends of mine in the business and friends of mine that are recording artists… yeah they’ve had to deal with that, more than me to be super honest.”
Diane continued to answer questions about her writing process, if there are any lyrics from her past hits she wishes she could change now, and what’s most memorable moment she’s had with a songs release (hint: the answer involves Lady Gaga and Beyoncé). And the conversation didn’t stop there, so do yourself a favor and just press play on the full interview above. And of course listen to “Finish Line” below.
There is something special about a collection of women singing their most powerful, uplifting songs. Celebrate women’s voices from all genres of music and puts them together in one station, listen to She Sings on Audacy now
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