Destiny (Zero 7 song)

"Destiny"
An orange-tinted image of an urban environment. In the background is a building with a fire escape, and below it, a sign with writing partially obscured by a lorry. The right half of the sign reads "CLOTHING". At the bottom right is a sign that reads, "CLOS— BUS. HOURS __ AM— EMERGENCY CALL—". In the top-left corner is faint writing that says, in two lines, "zero 7" and "destiny". Below it, in smaller font, is "featuring sia & sophie".
Single by Zero 7
from the album Simple Things
Released6 August 2001 (2001-08-06)
GenreDowntempo
Length
  • 5:38 (album version)
  • 3:47 (radio edit)
LabelUltimate Dilemma
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Zero 7
Zero 7 singles chronology
"I Have Seen"
(2001) 		"Destiny"
(2001) 		"End Theme"
(2001)
Sia singles chronology
"Drink to Get Drunk"
(2001) 		"Destiny"
(2001) 		"Distractions"
(2002)
Music video
"Destiny" on YouTube

"Destiny" is a song by English downtempo music duo Zero 7, written and produced by Zero 7 members Henry Binns and Sam Hardaker. After writing the music, the team recruited British singer-songwriter Sophie Barker, who provided additional writing. Zero 7 then met Australian singer Sia, whose manager recommended her to the duo, and she became the track's fourth writer. The song, a downtempo ballad, is about two separated romantics who wish to be with each other again, with one of the partners so desperate to interact with the other that she resorts to watching pornography in a hotel room. Sia and Barker contribute to the vocal performances, with Sia singing the verses and choruses while Barker duets with Sia during the choruses. The song was included on Zero 7's debut studio album, Simple Things, which was released on 23 April 2001.

"Destiny" was later released as a single in the United Kingdom on 6 August 2001. Music critics responded positively to the song, calling it "extraordinary" and "unforgettable" with "dulcet" and "smoldering" vocals, although one reviewer criticised the track for being "too nice". On 12 August 2001, the song debuted at its peak of number 30 on the UK Singles Chart, remaining in the top 100 for three weeks. It also received airplay on adult album alternative radio stations in the United States, reaching number 26 on the Radio & Records Triple A Top 30 chart. Several music videos were made to promote the song. One video, directed by Tommy Pallotta, incorporates rotoscoping techniques and received the most rotation on video networks. This video illustrates several morose individuals walking around a city, passing by many romantic couples displaying their love for each other.