Sit Still, Look Pretty

This article is about the Daya single. For her album of the same name, see Sit Still, Look Pretty (album).

"Sit Still, Look Pretty" is a song by American singer Daya. It was released on September 4, 2015, as the second single from her debut extended play (EP), Daya (2015) and her debut studio album of the same name (2016).^[1] It is the follow-up to her Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hit "Hide Away". The song was written by Gino Barletta, Mike Campbell and Britten Newbill. Lyrically, the song includes themes of female empowerment.

"Sit Still, Look Pretty"
Single by Daya
from the album Daya and Sit Still, Look Pretty
Released	September 4, 2015
Recorded	2015
Genre	Synthpop
Length	3:20
Label	Artbeatz Z RED
Songwriter(s)	Gino Barletta Mike Campbell Britten Newbill
Producer(s)	Scott Bruzenak Barletta
Daya singles chronology
"Hide Away" (2015) "Sit Still, Look Pretty" (2015) "Don't Let Me Down" (2016)
Music video
"Sit Still, Look Pretty" at Vevo

"Sit Still, Look Pretty" debuted at number 100 on the Billboard Hot 100, and peaked at number 28. The single has also charted in Canada, Slovakia, and Czech Republic. A lyric video for the song was released on March 6, 2016.^[2] The music video for the song was released on MTV on September 9, 2016.^[3] The song was nominated for an Ardy at the 2017 Radio Disney Music Awards for Best Song of the Year. The song has also been used in the film Pitch Perfect 3, where actress and singer Hailee Steinfeld provided the lead vocals.

Background

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Daya stated "It's about being a girl that goes after her own dreams and really fights for what she wants, and not letting anyone get in the way of that. It's important for young girls to know that they don't have to act a certain way or depend on someone for happiness. They can find all of that within themselves."^[4] Daya also said in an interview with Idolator, "I think it's just about not being an accessory for someone else. Just having your own dreams and goals. Going after them and not having to always try to please someone."^[5]

Critical reception

Dana Getz of Entertainment Weekly writes it "relegates [good boys] to the sidelines" and further labeled it a "bouncy, eff–you jaunt".^[4] Idolator's Mike Wass calls the chorus "empowering" and stated "['Sit Still, Look Pretty'] picks up where 'Hide Away' left off — in that it's a little rebellious and a lot relatable."^[5] Billboard ranked "Sit Still, Look Pretty" at number 47 on their "100 Best Pop Songs of 2016" list.^[6]

Music video

A music video for the song was released on September 9, 2016.^[3]

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2016) Peak position Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[7] 65 Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[8] 63 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[9] 64 Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[10] 29 Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[11] 53 Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[12] 58 Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[13] 20 US Billboard Hot 100[14] 28 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[15] 20 US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[16] 15 US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[17] 31 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[18] 8

Year-end charts Chart (2016) Position US Billboard Hot 100[19] 78 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[20] 32

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[21]	Platinum	30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[22]	Silver	200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[23]	2× Platinum	2,000,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
United States	September 4, 2015	Digital download	Artbeatz Z RED	[24]
	March 29, 2016	Top 40 radio		[1]