 " We Remain " was written by Ryan Tedder and Brent Kutzle of OneRepublic , and <unk> <unk> . The song is a midtempo arena pop power ballad . It lasts for a duration of 4 : 00 ( four minutes ) . Aguilera sings with " enormous " and " soaring " vocals on a " propulsive Ryan Tedder @-@ ish beat " background . " We Remain " incorporates a smooth piano and drum machine in its instrumentation . According to Billboard magazine , the ballad " finds [ Aguilera ] tamping down [ ... ] for a natural and forceful message of perseverance " . At the chorus , Aguilera sings " So burn me with fire / Drown me with rain / I 'm gonna wake up screaming your name / Yes I 'm a sinner , yes I 'm a saint / whatever happens here , whatever happens here , we remain " . Several critics compared " We Remain " to Aguilera 's previous hit " Beautiful " ( 2002 ) and Alicia Keys ' " Girl on Fire " ( 2012 ) for musical similarities . 
