Heroes (We Could Be)

"Heroes (We Could Be)" is a song by Swedish DJ and record producer Alesso, featuring the vocals of Swedish singer Tove Lo. Released on 25 August 2014, the song has charted in a number of countries. In the US, the song went to number one on the dance chart.

"Heroes (We Could Be)"
Single by Alesso featuring Tove Lo
from the album Forever
Released	25 August 2014
Recorded	2013–14
Genre	Progressive house
Length	3:30 (Radio Edit) 5:39 (Extended Mix)
Label	Def Jam
Songwriter(s)	Alessandro Lindblad Ebba Nilsson David Jones Brian Eno
Producer(s)	Alesso
Alesso singles chronology
"Tear the Roof Up" (2014) "Heroes (We Could Be)" (2014) "Cool" (2015)
Tove Lo singles chronology
"Stay High" (2014) "Heroes (We Could Be)" (2014) "Not on Drugs" (2014)

Background

In an interview with Billboard, Alesso explained the song: "When Tove Lo and I first started working together, she'd tell me about how she wanted to be different, to stand out as an artist. And on some level, I think everyone goes through that. As a teenager, I was always wondering about who I was, what was my identity, did I secretly wish I was someone else. But as you [age], you realize that it's not about being someone else." When asked what inspired the song's lyrics, he continued, "My team and I reached out to [Lo] to see if she'd be interested in a collaboration, and a couple months later, we began writing the lyrics that would go over these instrumentals. We discussed what it should be about -- we knew it should be an emotional record -- and this gorgeous girl came back with this gorgeous topline."[1]

Even though the song's melody bears no similarity to David Bowie's 1977 single ""Heroes"", his and Brian Eno's names were added to the song's writing credits in July 2015. Alesso told the Daily Star: "I just didn't want to get sued. They aren't similar, but we needed protection in case we pissed off Bowie."[2]

Music video

The music video was released on 10 October 2014. Similar to the 2006 TV series of the same name, it introduces teenagers with supernatural abilities, who are detained in a high security institute. An angel is being kept under strict supervision as scientists compel her to swallow drugs designed to remove her powers. Meanwhile, Alesso runs toward and enters the facility and to release the angelic woman. As he walks past the super human teens, they exhibit their abilities and break free. This triggers an alarm, allowing him and the woman to escape from the scientists. As they approach the top of the building, they decide to fall. As they fall, the angel flies away. However, Alesso falls on a car and perishes. The final scene involves the teens escaping into the night. Tove Lo is also featured in the video.

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts Chart (2014–15) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[3] 11 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[4] 41 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[5] 28 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[6] 34 Brazil (Brasil Hot 100)[7] 26 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[8] 51 Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100)[9] 15 Denmark (Tracklisten)[10] 26 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[11] 11 France (SNEP)[12] 44 Germany (Official German Charts)[13] 71 Hungary (Dance Top 40)[14] 15 Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[15] 2 Hungary (Single Top 40)[16] 12 Ireland (IRMA)[17] 6 Italy (FIMI)[18] 35 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[19] 10 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[20] 18 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[21] 15 Norway (VG-lista)[22] 11 Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[23] 7 Poland (Dance Top 50)[24] 20 Scotland (Official Charts Company)[25] 3 Slovenia (SloTop50)[26] 35 Spain (PROMUSICAE)[27] 24 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[28] 5 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[29] 47 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[30] 6 UK Dance (Official Charts Company)[31] 1 Ukraine (FDR Pop Singles)[32] 1 US Billboard Hot 100[33] 31 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[34] 27 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[35] 1 US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[36] 2 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[37] 11 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[38] 34

Year-end charts Chart (2014) Position Australia (ARIA)[39] 94 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[40] 59 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[41] 73 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[42] 63 US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[43] 27 Chart (2015) Position France (SNEP)[44] 172 Hungary (Dance Top 40)[45] 35 Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[46] 31 Hungary (Single Top 40)[47] 86 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[48] 89 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[49] 100 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[50] 50 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[51] 45 US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[52] 12 Chart (2018) Position Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[53] 68 Decade-end charts Chart (2010–2019) Position US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[54] 50 Certifications Region Certification Certified units/sales Australia (ARIA)[55] Platinum 70,000^^ Canada (Music Canada)[56] Gold 40,000^* Italy (FIMI)[57] Platinum 50,000 New Zealand (RMNZ)[58] Gold 7,500^* Sweden (GLF)[59] 2× Platinum 80,000^^ United Kingdom (BPI)[60] Platinum 600,000 United States (RIAA)[61] Platinum 1,000,000^^ ^*sales figures based on certification alone ^^shipments figures based on certification alone sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

See also

• List of number-one dance singles of 2014 (U.S.)

External links

• Full Lyrics at LyricsOnDemand.com

References

1. Buerger, Megan (November 4, 2014). "Alesso Talks "Heroes (We Could Be)" Single and Tove Lo". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
2. "ALESSO CREDITS DAVID BOWIE ON 'HEROES (WE COULD BE)' TO AVOID A LAWSUIT". EDM.com. 1 June 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
3. "Australian-charts.com – Alesso feat. Tove Lo – Heroes (We Could Be)". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
4. "Austriancharts.at – Alesso feat. Tove Lo – Heroes (We Could Be)" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
5. "Ultratop.be – Alesso feat. Tove Lo – Heroes (We Could Be)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
6. "Ultratop.be – Alesso feat. Tove Lo – Heroes (We Could Be)" (in French). Ultratop 50.
7. "Brazil" (PDF). ABPD. October 6, 2001. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
8. "Alesso Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
9. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 20155 into search. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
10. "Danishcharts.com – Alesso feat. Tove Lo – Heroes (We Could Be)". Tracklisten. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
11. "Alesso feat. Tove Lo: Heroes (We Could Be)" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
12. "Lescharts.com – Alesso feat. Tove Lo – Heroes (We Could Be)" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
13. "Offiziellecharts.de – Alesso feat. Tove Lo – Heroes (We Could Be)". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
14. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
15. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
16. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
17. "Chart Track: Week 4, 2015". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 22, 2015.
18. "Top Digital - WK 10 (dal 2015-03-02 al 2015-03-08)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
19. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Alesso feat. Tove Lo" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
20. "Dutchcharts.nl – Alesso feat. Tove Lo – Heroes (We Could Be)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
21. "Charts.nz – Alesso feat. Tove Lo – Heroes (We Could Be)". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
22. "Norwegiancharts.com – Alesso feat. Tove Lo – Heroes (We Could Be)". VG-lista. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
23. "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
24. "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Dance Top 50. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
25. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
26. "SloTop50 | Slovenian official singles weekly charts" (in Slovenian). Retrieved 5 February 2018.
27. "Spanishcharts.com – Alesso feat. Tove Lo – Heroes (We Could Be)" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
28. "Swedishcharts.com – Alesso feat. Tove Lo – Heroes (We Could Be)". Singles Top 100. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
29. "Swisscharts.com – Alesso feat. Tove Lo – Heroes (We Could Be)". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
30. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
31. "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
32. "FDR Pop Singles Chart #649 ~ 28 Вересня - 5 Жовтня 2014 (28 Sep - 5 Oct 2014)". 28 September 2014. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved 28 September 2014.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
33. "Alesso Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
34. "Alesso Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
35. "Alesso Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
36. "Alesso Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
37. "Alesso Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
38. "Alesso Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
39. "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2014". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
40. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2014". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
41. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2014" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
42. "Årslista Singlar – År 2014" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Swedish Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 11 February 2015. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
43. "Hot Dance/Electronic Songs – Year-End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
44. "Top de l'année Top Singles 2015" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
45. "Dance Top 100 - 2015". Mahasz. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
46. "Rádiós Top 100 - hallgatottsági adatok alapján - 2015". Mahasz. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
47. "Single Top 100 - eladási darabszám alapján - 2015". Mahasz. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
48. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2015" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
49. "Årslista Singlar - År 2015" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Swedish Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
50. "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2015". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
51. "Dance Club Songs - Year End 2015". Billboard. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
52. "Hot Dance/Electronic Songs – Year-End 2015". Billboard. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
53. "Rádiós Top 100 - hallgatottsági adatok alapján - 2018". Mahasz. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
54. "Decade-End Charts: Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (2013-ON)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
55. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2014 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association.
56. "Canadian single certifications – Alesso – Heroes". Music Canada.
57. "Italian single certifications – Alesso ft Tove Lo – Heroes (We Could Be)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 29 May 2015. Select "2015" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Heroes (We Could Be)" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli online" under "Sezione".
58. "New Zealand single certifications – Alesso feat. Tove Lo – Heroes (We Could Be)". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
59. "Alesso feat. Tove Lo - Heroes (We Could Be)" (in Swedish). Grammofon Leverantörernas Förening. Retrieved 25 December 2014.
60. "British single certifications – Alesso feat. Tove Lo – Heroes (We Could Be)". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Type Heroes (We Could Be) in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
61. "American single certifications – Alesso – Heroes (We Could Be)". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH.