Song of the Day 3/30: Sia, “Helium”

Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has bottled up a significant portion of the world’s petroleum and nitrogen-based fertilizer. It’s also choked off a third important resource that’s starting to get more attention: helium.

The inert gas is used in a variety of industries, most noticeably semiconductors and medical imaging. While prices will rise as supplies dwindle, the U.S. actually produces almost twice as much as Qatar does, so those scare headlines about shortages are probably premature. On the other hand, birthday parties won’t be so cheap anymore, and Thanksgiving parades might want to rethink those balloons.

Sia wasn’t thinking about MRIs when she wrote this number for one of those dreadful “50 Shades” movies – it was a simile for the uplifting power of love. At the time, the Australian singer and songwriter was in the phase where she hid her face behind a wig for performances. She explained her reasons.

“I’m trying to have some control over my image. And I’m allowed to maintain some modicum of privacy. But also I would like not to be picked apart or for people to observe when I put on ten pounds or take off ten pounds or I have a hair extension out of place or my fake tan is botched. Most people don’t have to be under that pressure, and I’d like to be one of them.”

Naturally, it wound up drawing more attention to her, and she eventually gave up the practice.