Chains (Tina Arena song)


"Chains" is a song by Australian singer Tina Arena from her album Don't Ask. It was composed by Arena, Pam Reswick and Steve Werfel and produced by David Tyson. "Chains" peaked at number four on her home country's ARIA Singles Chart, number six in the United Kingdom, and charted well throughout Europe, earning her numerous awards in the process. The power ballad was also a hit in North America, peaking at number 38 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 20 on the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart. The track was re-released featuring Jessica Mauboy and The Veronicas following a rendition of the track at the 2015 ARIA Awards where Arena was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

Critical reception

The song received favorable reviews from most music critics. Aberdeen Press and Journal praised Arena's "stunning voice". AllMusic editor Kelvin Hayes called the song a "stellar" "showcase single". Larry Flick from Billboard described it as a "immediately memorable, lyrically smart rhythm ballad" and added that "within an arrangement that smoothly builds from a subtle, finger-snappin' pop groove to a dramatic, rock-edged climax, Arena comes on strong with a voice that is a diva hybrid of Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, and Olivia Newton-John." Crawley News noted the song as "brilliant". Evening Herald complimented Arena as "a singing sensation by six". Monica Tan from The Guardian noted "Chains" as a "glass-breaking love song". People Magazine wrote that "wrapped in the glow of love, she turns in a muscular vocal on this rhythmic power ballad, effortlessly stretching her octave-leaping soprano." They added that Arena "possesses some valuable vocal assets: the pitch-perfect clarity of Celine Dion and the girlish sensuality of early Olivia Newton-John."

Music videos

There are two music videos for "Chains", an Australian version and a US version.
In the Australian music video for "Chains", Arena sits on the floor in a dark living room. The windows are covered with paper, though sunlight enters in a few places. The furniture is covered with white cloths. Occasionally, Arena stands by a window, looking out through a small opening. In the middle of the video, she tears down the paper from the windows and the cloths are removed from the furniture. In a room now fully lit, Arena opens a window and throws out menswear and various things from the apartment. She dances around and, as the video ends, smiles at the camera.

Track listing

Australian CD single
  1. "Chains" – 4:03
  2. "Standing Up" – 3:37
  3. "Chains" – 5:44
  4. "Chains" – 5:05
UK CD single
  1. "Chains" – 4:03
  2. "Standing Up" – 3:37
  3. "Chains" – 5:05
UK CD single
  1. "Chains" – 4:26
  2. "Greatest Gift" – 4:21
  3. "Many Rivers to Cross" – 4:33
  4. "Standing Up" – 3:37

    Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Chart Position
Australia 74
UK Singles 59

Certifications

2015 version featuring Jessica Mauboy and The Veronicas

"Chains" was rereleased on 27 November 2015 following a rendition of the track at the 2015 ARIA Awards where Arena was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. The 2015 version features Jessica Mauboy and The Veronicas and was described by 2Day FM as the "highlight" of the Awards and one of the best ARIA performances.
This version debuted at number 14 on the Australian singles chart, which was Arena's biggest hit on the singles chart in Australia since 2002.

Charts