It won the Best British Single at the 2004 Brit Awards and peaked at number one in the charts of Australia, Austria, Norway, Germany and Italy.
In the UK it reached number two, being held off of the top spot by the Blackeyed Peas “Where Is The Love?” Dido wrote the song about a past relationship and initially regretted writing it as the success of the song meant it caused more problems with the person involved.
The song is about a person who is unwilling to give up on their relationship, even if they know the relationship is over.
In a war or battle, the surrendering of a white flag means conceding defeat and by stating “There will be no White Flag..” Dido is saying she will not give up on the relationship but will continue to fight until the bitter end. In the video, you see a couple whose relationship is over but who are both still in love with each other, bumping into each other wherever they go and trying not to acknowledge each other. At the end of the video both their apartments are filled with photos of the other.
The single sold one million copies in five days, with total sales of over five million, which made it the fastest selling album by a female artist.
'White Flag' lyrics
I know you think that I shouldn't still love you,
Or tell you that.
But if I didn't say it, well I'd still have felt it where's the sense in that?
I promise I'm not trying to make your life harder
Or return to where we were I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be I know
I left too much mess and destruction to come back again
And I caused nothing but trouble
I understand if you can't talk to me again
And if you live by the rules of "it's over" then
I'm sure that that makes sense
I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be
And when we meet
Which I'm sure we will
All that was there
Will be there still I'll let it pass
And hold my tongue
And you will think
That I've moved on.... I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be
I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be
I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be
