"La La Land" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Single by Demi Lovato | ||||
from the album Don't Forget | ||||
B-side | "Behind Enemy Lines" | |||
Released | December 18, 2008 | |||
Studio | Wishbone Studio (North Hollywood, CA) | |||
Genre | Pop rock | |||
Length | 3:16 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | ||||
Demi Lovato singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"La La Land" on YouTube |
"La La Land" is a song by American singer Demi Lovato. It was written by Lovato, Joe Jonas, Nick Jonas and Kevin Jonas and produced by the Jonas Brothers alongside John Fields, for Lovato's debut studio album, Don't Forget (2008). It was released as the album's second single on December 18, 2008, through Hollywood Records. "La La Land" is one of six songs on the album co-written by the Jonas Brothers, who also contributed backing vocals and guitars to the track. Lovato said that she wrote the song about being herself in Hollywood and not letting other people change who she is. Musically, the song is a guitar-driven pop rock song and the lyrics speak of Lovato feeling "out of place" in Hollywood.
The song was met with positive reviews from critics. Commercially, "La La Land" peaked at number fifty-two on the Billboard Hot 100 and number thirty-five on the UK Singles Chart. The song achieved its highest peak in Ireland, where it reached number thirty on the Irish Singles Chart. It was less successful in Australia and Germany, where it peaked in the lower half of the charts. The song was used to promote Lovato's Disney Channel sitcom Sonny with a Chance and its music video features appearances from her co-stars. Lovato included "La La Land" in the regular set lists to four of her concert tours. In 2023, it was re-recorded for her first remix album, Revamped ; it featured American musician Nita Strauss.
"La La Land" is one of six songs on Lovato's debut album Don't Forget (2008) that she co-wrote with the Jonas Brothers. [1] Lovato said that it was "important" to have The Jonas Brothers on their album, because "I mean, just look at how successful they are. I would love to have their input anytime, because they're obviously doing something right." [2] The band also contributed backing vocals and played the guitar to the song. [3] It was produced by the Jonas Brothers and John Fields, with the latter also playing the bass, guitars and keyboards. [3] The song also features Devin Bronson, who provided a guitar solo, and Dorian Crozier, who played the drums. [3] In an interview, Lovato explained that the song is about being yourself when you are surrounded by "the pressures of fame". [4] She said, "You get to Hollywood and a lot of times people can try to shape you and mould you into what they want you to be. The song is just about keeping it real and trying to stay yourself when you're out in Hollywood." [4] "La La Land" was released as the album's second single on December 18, 2008. It was later released in the United Kingdom on May 31, 2009, with the new song "Behind Enemy Lines". [5] A CD single was released on June 1, 2009, with a recorded live version of the Camp Rock song "This Is Me" from Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience . [6] As part of her first remix album titled Revamped , Lovato re-recorded "La La Land" in 2023, in collaboration with American rock guitarist Nita Strauss. [7]
"La La Land" is a guitar-driven pop rock song. [8] According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, the song is composed in the time signature of common time with a moderate beat rate of 84 beats per minute. It is written in the key of A major, [9] and Lovato's vocal range spans from the low note of F♯3 to the high note of E5. [10] It has a basic sequence of F♯m–D–E as its chord progression. [10] Lyrically, "La La Land" is about Lovato feeling "out of place" in Hollywood, demonstrated in lines such as, "Who said I can't wear my Converse with my dress?", and "I'm not a supermodel, I still eat McDonald's." [11] [12] Ed Masley of The Arizona Republic compared the track's theme to Miley Cyrus' "Party in the U.S.A.", and the guitars present in the song to works by English punk rock band The Clash. [11]
"La La Land" was directed by Brendan Malloy and Tim Wheeler. [13] It was used to promote Lovato's then-upcoming Disney Channel sitcom, Sonny with a Chance . [14] In an interview with MTV News, Lovato said that it "really describes the show. I'm excited about that." [14] Speaking of the video, co-director Malloy said, "The idea for the video is to create this hyperreal world, that's the word we keep using, La La Land. Fame has definitely gotten to everybody's head. It's more like [Lovato] is the only one in this world that fame hasn't gotten to." [13] According to Lovato, her Sonny with a Chance co-stars play "stereotypical Hollywood Los Angeles ... big type of people." [13] The video premiered on December 19, 2008, on Disney Channel. [15] It was released to the iTunes Store on January 20, 2009. [16] For the video, the lyric "I still eat McDonald's" was changed to "I still eat at Ronald's". [17] Jefferson Reid of E! Online praised the video, writing, "Mocking Hollywood phonies is always cool by us, and bonus points to Demi Lovato for doing it while rocking out in admirable form. Skewering the "La La Land" machine with sass and grit, Disney's latest everygirl rock star seems like she might eventually give Miley Cyrus a real run for her money." [18]
The video features appearances from Lovato's Sonny with a Chance co-stars Allisyn Ashley Arm, Doug Brochu, Sterling Knight, Michael Kostroff, Brandon Mychal Smith and Tiffany Thornton, [13] as well as Lovato's older sister Dallas Lovato. The video begins with Lovato being interviewed on a talk show called Rumor Has It with Benny Beverly (Brochu). After introducing her to the audience, Beverly asks Lovato what it is like to be a star. A video is then shown to the audience, which serves as the main portion of the clip. In Hollywood, Lovato walks past a "Be-seen section," and bumps into a stranger on the street, which a paparazzo (Knight) takes a picture of. A woman then reads a tabloid magazine with Lovato and the "mystery man" on the cover. The video then cuts to Lovato and the Sonny with a Chance cast at a red carpet event, with paparazzi taking pictures of Lovato wearing Converse sneakers with a dress. Lovato is then shown on the set of a commercial for her perfume, in a pink wig with makeup being applied to her. She is uncomfortable and eventually refuse to cooperate, which angers the director (Smith). The video then cuts back to Rumor Has It with applause from the audience and ends with Beverly praising Lovato.
Lovato performed "Get Back" and "La La Land" at the Kids' Inaugural: "We Are the Future" event on January 19, 2009, in Washington D.C. at the Verizon Center. The event was held to celebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the United States. [19] On April 7, 2009, Lovato performed "La La Land" on the eighth season of Dancing with the Stars . [20] During the performance, Benji Schwimmer and Tori Smith danced along. Barrett wrote that "the frantic nature of both song and dance complemented each other quite nicely." [20] On April 25, 2009, Lovato performed the song on the final episode of singing competition My Camp Rock (UK), where she also presented the award to the winner, Holly Hull. [21]
During the summer of 2008, Lovato performed the song in both the Warm Up Tour and the Jonas Brothers' Burnin' Up Tour; for the latter, she served as the opening act. [22] Later in 2009, the song was performed during the Summer Tour 2009. [23] In 2010, she performed the song during her South American tour. [24] Lovato also performed the song during her set at the Jonas Brothers Live in Concert World Tour 2010. [25] Scott Mervis of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote that Lovato performed a "high-energy, high-volume" version of the song. [25] In September 2011, Lovato performed the song during the revue concert An Evening with Demi Lovato as part of a medley with "Get Back" and "Here We Go Again". [26] "La La Land" was added to the regular set lists to the concert tours A Special Night with Demi Lovato in 2011 to 2013, [27] the Neon Lights Tour in 2014, [28] and the Holy Fvck Tour in 2022. [29]
Fraser McAlpine of BBC Music wrote a positive review of the song and rated it four out of five stars. [30] He wrote, "So, essentially doing a song like this is rocky ground, but the good news is that Demi generally comes across as the kind of bright, scrappy, girl-next-door type, so it doesn't sound quite so preposterous when she insists that she's still quite normal, really." [30] McAlpine concluded his review, writing, "You can almost hear the paparazzi cameras going off as she's singing. ... Of course, the only thing she has to worry about now is that having made this very public declaration, if she slips up for a second, we'll all be watching..." [30] Judy Coleman of The Boston Globe said that Lovato shows "her Gen-Y stripes", and "forcibly rhymes 'everything's the same' with 'the La-La land machine' – pronounced, of course,' ma-SHAYN'." [31] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic noted it as one of the best tracks on Don't Forget. [1] Ed Masley of The Arizona Republic included "La La Land" at number eight on his "Top 10 from the Disney girls" list, and wrote, "Are Disney girls just naturally plagued by insecurity or is it all a plot to seem more real? Like Miley's "Party in U.S.A.," this song is all about how out of place Lovato feels in La La Land." [11] The song was added to a retrospective 2021 list of the 20 Best Rock Songs by Pop Stars made by Spin 's Al Shipley. [32]
On January 10, 2009, "La La Land" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 83. [33] The following week, it rose to number 56. [34] The same week, it debuted on the Hot Digital Songs chart at number 42. [35] On January 31, 2009, "La La Land" reached its peak of number 52 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 27 on Hot Digital Songs. [36] [37] To date, it has sold 935,000 digital copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. [38]
In the UK, on the UK Singles Chart, the song debuted at number 63 on May 2, 2009. The following week, it reached its peak of 35, and spent a total of seven weeks on the chart. [39] In Ireland, it debuted at number 30, which became its peak. [40] In Germany, the song debuted at number 82 and spent only one week on the chart. [41] In Australia, it reached its peak of number 76 on May 11, 2009. [42]
|
|
Recording and management
Personnel
Credits adapted from Don't Forget liner notes. [44]
Chart (2009) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [42] | 76 |
Canada (Hot Canadian Digital Songs) [45] | 70 |
European Hot 100 Singles ( Billboard ) [46] | 91 |
Germany (Official German Charts) [41] | 82 |
Ireland (IRMA) [40] | 30 |
Scotland (OCC) [47] | 18 |
UK Singles (OCC) [39] | 35 |
US Billboard Hot 100 [36] | 52 |
US Pop 100 ( Billboard ) [45] | 93 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [48] | Gold | 35,000‡ |
United States (RIAA) [49] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Demetria Devonne "Demi" Lovato is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. After appearing on the children's television series Barney & Friends (2002–2004), she starred in the Disney Channel short series As the Bell Rings (2007–2008). Lovato rose to prominence for playing Mitchie Torres in the musical television film Camp Rock (2008) and its sequel Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam (2010). The former film's soundtrack contained "This Is Me", her debut single and duet, which peaked at number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100.
"This Is Me" is a pop rock song performed by Demi Lovato and Joe Jonas in their roles as Mitchie Torres and Shane Gray from the 2008 Disney Channel television film Camp Rock. It premiered on Radio Disney on June 6, 2008, and an acoustic version was released by Walt Disney Records onto digital platforms on June 17 as the fourth single from the Camp Rock soundtrack album. The song has versions and adaptations in eight languages and an acoustic version included in different editions of the official soundtrack. A live version is also included on Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience.
"Get Back" is the debut non-soundtrack single by American singer Demi Lovato. It was written by Lovato, Joe Jonas, Nick Jonas and Kevin Jonas and produced by the Jonas Brothers alongside John Fields, for Lovato's debut studio album, Don't Forget. The song features Jack Lawless on drums and John Taylor and the Jonas Brothers on guitars. The initial writing of the song took place when Lovato wanted to write a song about getting back together with an old boyfriend, as opposed to writing mean or heartbroken songs. "Get Back" was released by Hollywood Records as the lead single for Don't Forget on August 12, 2008. Musically, the song is an upbeat punk rock song with a guitar-driven sound.
Don't Forget is the debut studio album by American singer Demi Lovato. It was released on September 23, 2008, by Hollywood Records. She started working on the album in September 2007, while filming the Disney Channel original movie Camp Rock. Lovato co-wrote most of the songs with pop rock band The Jonas Brothers, who produced the album along with record producer John Fields. Other songwriters include Kara DioGuardi, Jason Reeves and Rooney frontman Robert Schwartzman. Don't Forget features primarily a power pop and rock sound, with the lyrical content addressing other adolescent topics.
Sonny with a Chance is an American teen sitcom created by Steve Marmel that aired on Disney Channel for two seasons between February 2009 and January 2011. The series centers on Sonny Munroe, portrayed by Demi Lovato, a teenage comedian from Wisconsin who joins the cast of a sketch comedy television series titled So Random! after moving to Hollywood, Los Angeles. Episodes deal with Sonny's attempts to develop relationships with her castmates and establish her role within the group, focusing on her life working on the show's set, as well as coming to terms with her newfound fame. The main themes depicted include the focus on friendships and adolescence. The series also stars Tiffany Thornton, Sterling Knight, Brandon Mychal Smith, Doug Brochu and Allisyn Ashley Arm. Sonny with a Chance also contains fully-produced comedy sketches from the show-within-a-show. These elements draw inspiration from the Nickelodeon series All That, which executive producers Brian Robbins and Sharla Sumpter Bridgett previously worked on, as well as 30 Rock.
American singer Demi Lovato has released eight studio albums, two video albums, two soundtrack albums, one remix album, five extended plays (EPs), 53 singles, and 16 promotional singles. According to Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Lovato has achieved 51 million certified units. As of August 2023, she has sold 9.7 million albums and 23.9 million song downloads and her songs have registered 7.7 billion on-demand streams in the United States. Each of Lovato's studio albums debuted in the top-ten on the US Billboard 200, and four of which have received platinum or higher certifications and two gold certifications in the U.S. She has a total of 36 chart entries on the US Billboard Hot 100, including four top-ten songs.
"Don't Forget" is a song by American singer Demi Lovato, from her debut album of the same name. It was written by Lovato and the Jonas Brothers, who co-produced the song with John Fields. It was released as the album's third and final single on March 17, 2009, through Hollywood Records. The inspiration of the song came from Lovato falling in love with someone who later left them. According to Lovato, it is one of the songs on the album that they most relates to. Musically, "Don't Forget" is a midtempo glam rock ballad that features Lovato singing with breathy falsetto vocals. An accompanying music video was released on March 20, 2009. In 2023, the song was re-recorded for her first remix album Revamped.
Here We Go Again is the second studio album by American singer Demi Lovato. It was released on July 21, 2009, through Hollywood Records. Unlike her previous album, Don't Forget (2008), Lovato did not collaborate with the Jonas Brothers, as she wanted to work with different people and give the album a personal approach. Lovato collaborated for the album with established songwriters and producers, such as E. Kidd Bogart, Gary Clark, Toby Gad, John Mayer, Jon McLaughlin, Lindy Robbins and John Fields, who produced her previous album Don't Forget.
"Here We Go Again" is a song recorded by American singer Demi Lovato. It was written by Isaac Hasson, Lindy Robbins and Mher Filian and produced by SuperSpy, for Lovato's second studio album of the same name. It was released as the album's lead single on June 23, 2009, through Hollywood Records. The song was the only single from Here We Go Again released in North America. "Here We Go Again" is a power pop song with guitar lines and pop hooks and the lyrics speak of the protagonist's on-off relationship with a hesitant boyfriend.
"Send It On" is a song recorded by American recording artists Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez from charity project Disney's Friends for Change. The track's producers Adam Anders and Peer Åström co-wrote it with Nikki Hassman. The song was released on August 11, 2009, by Walt Disney and Hollywood Records as a promotional charity single in order to benefit international environmental associations. In regard to the song and the campaign, the six singers noted that it is a good cause and that it is one dear to them. Lyrically, the pop ballad is about passing on an environmentalist message.
"Remember December" is a song by American singer Demi Lovato for her second studio album, Here We Go Again. It was written by John Fields, Lovato and Anne Preven, and produced by Fields. The song was released in Europe as the album's second and final single on January 18, 2010 through Hollywood Records. "Remember December" adapts power pop and synth-pop genres and diverges from Lovato's usual pop rock sound. The lyrics describe the speaker's attempt to remind her boyfriend of the good times of their relationship. Lovato described the song's sound as an example of what she wanted her future music to sound like.
"Skyscraper" is a song recorded by American singer Demi Lovato for her third studio album, Unbroken (2011). It was released by Hollywood Records on July 12, 2011, as the lead single from the album. The song was written by Toby Gad, Lindy Robbins, and Kerli; the former handled its production. American singer Jordin Sparks provided background vocals for the track. It was inspired by a picture of the apocalypse, in which the world was in ruins and, among collapsed buildings, one skyscraper was standing.
Unbroken is the third studio album by American singer Demi Lovato. It was released on September 20, 2011, by Hollywood Records. Primarily a pop record, Lovato described the album as "more mature" and with more R&B elements than her previous material, citing Rihanna as the major influence. While some of the album's lyrical content was heavily influenced by Lovato's personal struggles, it also deals with lighter subjects, such as love and self empowerment. Contributions to the album's production came from a wide range of producers, including Toby Gad, Ryan Tedder, Timbaland, Jim Beanz and Rock Mafia.
"Heart Attack" is a song recorded by American singer Demi Lovato. It was released on February 25, 2013, as the lead single from her fourth studio album, Demi (2013). The song was produced by Mitch Allan and Jason Evigan of The Suspex, who co-wrote the song along with Lovato, Sean Douglas, Nikki Williams, and Aaron Phillips. "Heart Attack" is an electropop song that employs cardiac motifs to represent the fear of falling in love. It received acclaim from music critics, many of whom complimented its lyrics and Lovato's vocals.
The Neon Lights Tour was the third headlining concert tour by American singer Demi Lovato, in support of her fourth studio album, Demi (2013). The first leg of tour began in North America on February 9, 2014 at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia and ended on March 30, 2014 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The tour's second leg took place in both South America and Mexico. It started on April 22, 2014 at the Citibank Hall in São Paulo, Brazil and ended on May 17, 2014 at Arena Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico.
"Neon Lights" is a song by American singer Demi Lovato from her fourth studio album, Demi (2013). The song was released as the album's third single on November 19, 2013 by Hollywood Records. Ryan Tedder and Noel Zancanella produced and co-wrote the song along with Lovato, Mario Marchetti and Tiffany Vartanyan. On September 29, 2013, Lovato announced the name of her concert tour, the Neon Lights Tour, and soon after that "Neon Lights" would become the third single from the album. The song, with its prominent EDM and four-on-the-floor influences, covered new ground for Lovato, who had been previously known for her pop rock and ballad singles. Its accompanying music video was released on November 21, 2013.
"Fix a Heart" is a song by American singer Demi Lovato, from her third studio album, Unbroken (2011). Priscilla Renea co-wrote the track with producer Emanuel Kiriakou. It is a pop piano ballad that Lovato and some critics described as a break-up song, while other authors noted references in the lyrics about the singer's issues with self-harm.
American singer and actor Demi Lovato has released two video albums and appeared in various music videos, films, and television shows. From her debut album Don't Forget (2008), she released music videos for its eponymous single as well as "Get Back" and "La La Land". Lovato released her second album Here We Go Again in 2009, producing music videos for the eponymous single and "Remember December". Her third studio album Unbroken (2011) spawned music videos for "Skyscraper", which won Best Video with a Message at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards, and "Give Your Heart a Break". She then released her fourth studio album Demi (2013), which was accompanied by music videos for "Heart Attack", which was nominated for Best Female Video at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, "Made in the USA", "Neon Lights", and "Really Don't Care".
"Substance" is a song by American singer Demi Lovato. It was released through Island Records on July 15, 2022, as the second single from her eighth studio album, Holy Fvck (2022). She co-wrote the track with Jutes, Laura Veltz, and its producers Alex Niceforo, Keith Sorrells, and Warren "Oak" Felder. It is a pop-punk and rock track, incorporating guitars and drums. The lyrics of the song include a criticism of the contemporary society.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link){{cite web}}
: Missing or empty |url=
(help)