Surrender

## Aurora singles chronology

"**Surrender**" is a song by Australian singer, songwriter, rapper, and producer Aurora. It was released on January 16, 2015 as the sixth single from Aurora's debut studio album, *Platinum Heart* (2015).

## Background and composition

Following the underperformance and negative reviews of prior single "Remember When" and its B-side "Guide the Way", rumours began to circulate that Aurora's forthcoming debut album may be shelved. Aurora took to Twitter to dispel these rumours, dismissing them as "ill-founded, idle gossip," and that she, "would never give up on [her] fans or [her] album at the first sign of critical or commercial disappointment." Furious with this undesirable depiction of her perpetuated by the media, Aurora was inspired to record her next single in order to set the record straight.

"Surrender" is composed as an electro-industrial song. Directly inspired by the underperformance of her prior releases and the subsequent negative media portrayal of her, Aurora had a score to settle, and did so through song. "It's my fight song, absolutely," Aurora confirmed in a video published exclusively to her website, unlocked with the pre-order of her forthcoming debut album, "am I supposed to sit here and do nothing while [the media] lie to my fans and tarnish my reputation? I don't think so." In terms of length, it is one of Aurora's shortest tracks to date.

## Critical reception

"Surrender" was praised by Platvian music critics for its themes of perseverance and overcoming adversity, applauding it as an inspiring comeback.

It initially received a rating of 7.833 by Platvian music critics, but was increased to 8.4745 the following week due to fan demand.

## Commercial performance

"Surrender" debuted and peaked at #1 on the Platvia HitList chart dated January 27, 2015. It became Aurora's second #1 song on the Platvia HitList.

It also debuted and peaked at #2 on the Platvian All-Time Fan Demanded Songs component chart the following week.

## Lyrics

I'm caught in the crossfire of a self-sustaining war
But ignorance and courage keep me coming back for more
Hiding in the trenches filled with lies I tell myself
A shallow ditch of pity that destroys my mental health
**Chorus**
And so I run, into the no man's land
Surrounded by the fallen, faceless souls
Won't ever be that man
I'll soldier on till I'm forever known
You thought I'd forfeit fighting, I thought you knew me better
Because I'm a defender; and I'll never surrender
**Second Verse**
Watch me raise the white flag just so you can see it burn
You've struck me down too many times; it's finally my turn
Now armed with my undeterred desire to survive
Know when I dance with death is when I truly feel alive
**Chorus**
And so I run, into the no man's land
Surrounded by the fallen, faceless souls
Won't ever be that man
I'll soldier on till I'm forever known
You thought I'd forfeit fighting, I thought you knew me better
Because I'm a defender; and I'll never surrender
**Bridge**
When I forget the past
I know forever I will last
**Chorus**
And so I run, into the no man's land
Surrounded by the fallen, faceless souls
Won't ever be that man
I'll soldier on till I'm forever known
You thought I'd forfeit fighting, I thought you knew me better
Because I'm a defender; and I'll never surrender

## Live performances

"Surrender" was included in the setlist for Aurora's debut concert tour, The Heartstorm Tour. It was performed as the second track during the tour's fourth act, titled "Pressure", being the seventeenth performance overall.

## Re-recorded version

Following her split from Red Rose Records in 2020, "Surrender" was re-recorded for Aurora's album *Platinum Heart: Deluxe* (2021).