Powerless (Say What You Want)

"Powerless (Say What You Want)" addresses how Furtado was discriminated against as her record company wanted to hide her ancestry: "Paint my face in your magazines/Make it look whiter than it seems/Paint me over with your dreams/Shove away my ethnicity". According to Furtado, "I noticed that when I turned on the TV, I didn't really see anybody that looked like me. So it's really important for me to keep that realness in me and always remember where I came from, while at the same time always entertaining people. I like music to be inclusive." Furtado also commented on gaining strength through the things that are truly important, saying that "real power comes from not caring about power and just letting yourself be free" and affirming that it is "good to have balance in life".{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1480374/nelly-furtado-mashes-cultures-and-a-bumblebee-together-for-new-video/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006205059/http://www.mtv.com/news/1480374/nelly-furtado-mashes-cultures-and-a-bumblebee-together-for-new-video/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 October 2015 |title=Nelly Furtado Mashes Cultures (And A Bumblebee) Together For New Video |publisher=MTV |date=12 November 2003 |access-date=4 January 2021}}

Of the instrumentation, Furtado said: "I get to see a lot of DJ-oriented performance stuff, and I'm into the heaviness of breakbeats, how raw and powerful they are. Everything lately has become so synthesized, but just the standard sound of breakbeats is inspiring. 'Powerless' uses breakbeats like that; it's a real groove, a real vibe. It just carries you away. There’s a banjo mixed with a breakbeat from elements of Malcolm McLaren's 'Buffalo Gals.' So right away you're bobbing your head. The lyrics are initially in-your-face, like, 'Okay, I know I'm going to be stereotyped in my life because that is the world we live in; that's society.' But the song tries to find some sense of order in this complicated world."{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}}

The song was named 'Single of the Year' at the 2004 Juno Awards.

The music video was directed by Bryan Barber and was shot over three days.{{cite web|url=http://www.aarongoffman.com/nelly/ |title=Nelly furtado POWERLESS music video |access-date=11 October 2007 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012221647/http://aarongoffman.com/nelly/ |archive-date=12 October 2007 }} The video revolves around a classic psychological metaphor: Furtado trapped inside a box from which she seeks to escape. Inside, the box is plastered with posters that act as doors or windows for the artist's imagination. Her situation is a metaphor for being both defined and confined by the illusory commercial reality of her celebrity and beauty. The video was shot on various sets and dressed locations, and in a large customized box crate, which were all created by production designer Aaron Goffman. Using Photoshop and Illustrator, Moneyshots designed the posters and graphics that surround Furtado in the box and added the transitions that transport her back and forth between the imprisoning box and the poster environments that signify the escape that self-expression can bring.{{cite web|url=http://www.aarongoffman.com/nelly/nellysynopsis.html |title=POWERLESS music video synopsis |access-date=11 October 2007 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009060532/http://www.aarongoffman.com/nelly/nellysynopsis.html |archive-date=9 October 2007 }}{{Clear|left}} There is an alternate version of the video featuring Furtado in a field, and shown in several screens in different parts of a city, showing the movements of the modern life.

UK CD maxi-single{{cite web|author= |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000127MJY |title=Powerless by Nelly Furtado: Amazon.co.uk: Music |website=Amazon.co.uk |access-date=5 May 2016}}

1. "Powerless (Say What You Want)" (album version) – 3:53
2. "Powerless (Say What You Want)" (JoSH Desi remix) – 3:12
3. "Powerless (Say What You Want)" (alternative acoustic mix) – 3:47

European 2-track CD single

1. "Powerless (Say What You Want)" (album version) – 3:53
2. "Powerless (Say What You Want)" (alternative acoustic mix) – 3:47

European CD maxi-single{{cite web|author= |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000UH76U |title=Nelly Furtado - Powerless - Amazon.com Music |website=Amazon.com |access-date=5 May 2016}}

1. "Powerless (Say What You Want)" (album version) – 3:53
2. "Powerless (Say What You Want)" (alternative acoustic mix) – 3:47
3. "Powerless (Say What You Want)" (JoSH Desi remix) – 3:47
4. "Powerless (Say What You Want)" (instrumental) – 3:53

Credits are lifted from the Folklore album booklet.{{cite AV media notes|title=Folklore|title-link=Folklore (Nelly Furtado album)|others=Nelly Furtado|year=2003|type=US CD album booklet|publisher=DreamWorks Records|id=B0001007-12}}

Studios

• Recorded at The Gymnasium (Santa Monica, California) and Metalworks Studios (Mississauga, Canada)
• Mastered at Bernie Grundman Mastering (Hollywood, California)

Personnel

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• Nelly Furtado – writing, lead and background vocals, production
• Gerald Eaton – writing
• Brian West – writing, engineering
• Trevor Horn – writing ("Buffalo Gals")
• Anne Dudley – writing ("Buffalo Gals")
• Malcolm McLaren – writing ("Buffalo Gals")
• Track & Field – production, programming
• Track – flange guitar, electric harmonium (left-hand)
• Field – electric harmonium (right-hand)
• James Bryan – acoustic guitar
• Steve Carnelli – banjo, mandolin
• Mike Elizondo – Echoplex slide guitar
• Brad Haehnel – mixing, engineering
• Joe Labatto – engineering
• Steve Chahley – engineering assistance
• Ian Bodzasi – engineering assistance
• Brian "Big Bass" Gardner – mastering

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{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Powerless (Say What You Want)"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=Nelly Furtado|title=Powerless (Say What You Want)|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2003|certyear=2023|access-date=1 June 2023}}

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{{Reflist}}

• {{YouTube|mVvr6PKUoEs|"Nelly Furtado - Powerless (Stripped)"}}

{{Nelly Furtado}}

{{Nelly Furtado singles}}

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Category:2003 singles

Category:Music videos directed by Bryan Barber

Category:Nelly Furtado songs

Category:Songs written by Anne Dudley

Category:Songs written by Trevor Horn

Category:Songs written by Nelly Furtado

Category:Songs written by Brian West (musician)

Category:Songs written by Gerald Eaton

Category:2003 songs

Category:DreamWorks Records singles

Category:Juno Award for Single of the Year singles

Category:Songs written by Malcolm McLaren

Category:Songs about racism and xenophobia