We Are Warriors

"We Are Warriors"
Single by Avril Lavigne
ReleasedApril 24, 2020 (2020-04-24)
Length3:46
LabelBMG
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne singles chronology
"I Fell in Love with the Devil"
(2019) 		"We Are Warriors"
(2020) 		"Flames"
(2021)
Music video
"We Are Warriors" on YouTube

"We Are Warriors" is a song by Canadian singer Avril Lavigne released on April 24, 2020, for digital download by the BMG Rights Management. A re-recording of the final track—originally titled "Warrior"—from her sixth studio album Head Above Water (2019), Lavigne released the song as a charity single to support Project HOPE during the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] It is her final release for BMG before signing to Travis Barker's label DTA Records and Elektra Records.

Background

The original song, titled "Warrior", was released as the closing track of Head Above Water, and was described by Lavigne as "one of the first songs I wrote for the album after 'Head Above Water.' They are both about the health battle I continue to fight every day," adding, "I hope my songs can help you find strength if you need it..."[2]

In April 2020, Lavigne announced an upcoming project in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to raise money for Project HOPE, an organisation "keeping doctors and medical staff safe all over the world".[3] On 21 April, this was announced as the new single "We Are Warriors", to be released on 24 April.[4] Along with amended vocals, "We Are Warriors" contains additional violin recorded by Lindsey Stirling.[5]

Music video

The black and white video was released on May 1, 2020, and it showed clips of medical professionals on the front lines intercut with video submissions from fans who filmed themselves holding their signs and shoutouts. In addition, the video also contained footage from the Head Above Water Tour. Lavigne used an iPhone to self-film her own scenes from her home.[6]

Live performances

Lavigne performed the song throughout May and June 2020 on several livestreams from her home to promote it. The livestreams were broadcast on her Instagram profile, YouTube channels and Facebook pages of events in support of victims and frontline workers of the pandemic. The performances were widely praised by the public due to her vocal delivery. Lavigne performed the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on June 11, 2020. On June 19, 2020 Lavigne performed the song on Live with Kelly and Ryan.

Charts

Chart performance for "We Are Warriors"
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Canada (Hot Canadian Digital Songs)[7] 23
France Singles Sales Chart (SNEP)[8] 109
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[9] 100
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[10] 24

Release history

Release formats for "We Are Warriors"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various April 24, 2020
BMG [11]

References

  1. ^ "Avril Lavigne - Instagram". Instagram. 21 April 2020. Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  2. ^ "Avril Lavigne Confronts Health Battle On New Song 'Warrior': Hear A Snippet". www.iheart.com. 5 February 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  3. ^ "Avril Lavigne Re-Recorded 'Warrior' to Honor 'Heroic' Workers Amid Coronavirus Pandemic". Billboard. 21 April 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  4. ^ "We Are Warriors". Twitter. 21 April 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  5. ^ "Avril Lavigne - We Are Warriors (Official Video)". YouTube. 30 April 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2020.[permanent dead link‍]
  6. ^ Nicole Pajer (18 May 2020). "Avril Lavigne Explains Her Choice To Pay Tribute to Frontline Workers on "We Are Warriors"". American Songwriter. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  7. ^ "Avril Lavigne Chart History (Hot Canadian Digital Songs Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  8. ^ "Avril Lavigne - We Are Warriors (single)". www.chartsinfrance.net. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  9. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  10. ^ "Avril Lavigne Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  11. ^ "We Are Warriors - Single by Avril Lavigne". Apple Music. Retrieved April 24, 2020.