On a Roll

Last updated

"On a Roll"
Ashley O - On a Roll.png
Promotional single by Ashley O
B-side "Right Where I Belong"
ReleasedJune 14, 2019 (2019-06-14)
Genre Dance-pop [1]
Length2:34
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) The Invisible Men
Music video
"On a Roll" on YouTube

"On a Roll" is a song recorded by American singer Miley Cyrus under the moniker "Ashley O", the character in the Black Mirror episode "Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too". It is an adaptation of the 1989 Nine Inch Nails song "Head Like a Hole". The episode was originally released on June 5, 2019, and the song was released as a promotional digital single by RCA Records and The Null Corporation on June 14, 2019. The B-side, "Right Where I Belong", is based on the 2005 Nine Inch Nails song "Right Where It Belongs". Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor approved of the adaptations, and released Black Mirror-themed merchandise to coincide with the episode's release. [2] The song was ranked 28th on the 100 Best Songs of 2019 list by Billboard . [3] The song was not released to radio in the US. [4]

Contents

Background and composition

The track interpolates elements of "Head Like a Hole", the 1989 single by American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, from their debut studio album Pretty Hate Machine . Therefore, "On a Roll" credits Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor as a songwriter, and was produced by production trio the Invisible Men. [5] Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker gained permission from Reznor to use the song, and later re-wrote the lyrics to be "uber-positive" in order to serve as a juxtaposition with the "dark concepts" of the episode. [6] The song is written in the key of G minor in common time with a tempo of 122 beats per minute. [7] BuzzFeed noted online observations that the song's chorus, "Hey yeah woah-ho", sounds like "Hey I'm a hoe", and described it as an example of a mondegreen. [8]

Critical reception

In a positive review, Rolling Stone 's Brittany Spanos stated: "The underlying darkness and the disconnect of knowing that a cutesy, capitalistic take on a Nine Inch Nails classic shouldn't work but inexplicably does feels like more danger than [Cyrus]'s been able to extract before." [9] Andrew Unterberger of Billboard assumed that the song would become a bigger hit than Cyrus' previous single "Mother's Daughter" and compared Ashley O to Cyrus early in her career, writing: "It's Miley Cyrus freed from narrative. Sure, it probably helps your enjoyment of 'Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too' to consider how Cyrus' own early career was shaped by handlers who didn't necessarily have her own artistic vision or general best interests in mind, and how she ultimately felt the need to break out from that. But the song? It's just A Bop, one that requires no knowledge of Pretty Hate Machine to appreciate its straightforward catchiness and motivational — if more than a little absurd — lyrics." [10]

Music video

The official music video for "On a Roll" was released on June 13, 2019, on Netflix's official YouTube channel. [11]

Andrew Unterberger of Billboard described the video as "[splitting] the difference between 'Bad Romance'-era Gaga and 'California Gurls'-era Katy Perry in a way that would've certainly made it a YouTube smash." [10]

Live performances

Cyrus performed "On a Roll" and "Head Like a Hole" live on June 30, 2019, during her set at Glastonbury Festival 2019 in Pilton, Somerset. [12]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Trent Reznor

No.TitleLength
1."On a Roll"2:34
2."Right Where I Belong"2:11
Total length:4:45
On a Roll – Remixes
No.TitleLength
1."On a Roll" (DallasK Remix)3:04
2."On a Roll" (Basic Tape Remix)3:00
3."On a Roll" (KDA Remix)3:10
4."On a Roll" (Junior Vasquez Remix)4:23
5."On a Roll" (Wax Wings Remix)3:50
Total length:17:27

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal. [13]

Charts

Chart (2019)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [14] 86
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [15] 77
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100) [16] 49
Hungary (Single Top 40) [17] 26
Hungary (Stream Top 40) [18] 36
Ireland (IRMA) [19] 35
Latvia (LAIPA) [20] 27
Lithuania (AGATA) [21] 21
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) [22] 18
Scotland (OCC) [23] 44
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100) [24] 31
UK Singles (OCC) [25] 65
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles ( Billboard ) [26] 16
US Dance Club Songs ( Billboard ) [27] 3
US Rolling Stone Top 100 [28] 99

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nine Inch Nails</span> American industrial rock band

Nine Inch Nails, commonly abbreviated as NIN, stylized as NIИ, is an American industrial rock band formed in Cleveland in 1988. Its members are the singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Trent Reznor and his frequent collaborator, Atticus Ross. Reznor was previously the only permanent member of the band until Ross was officialized in 2016. The band's debut album, Pretty Hate Machine (1989), was released via TVT Records. After disagreeing with TVT about how to promote the album, the band signed with Interscope Records and released the EP Broken (1992). The following albums, The Downward Spiral (1994) and The Fragile (1999), were released to critical acclaim and commercial success.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trent Reznor</span> Musical artist

Michael Trent Reznor is an American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and composer. He came to prominence as the founder, lead vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and primary songwriter of the industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails. The band's line-up has constantly changed, with Reznor being its only official member from its creation in 1988 until 2016, when he added English musician and frequent collaborator Atticus Ross as its second permanent member.

<i>And All That Could Have Been</i> 2002 live album by Nine Inch Nails

And All That Could Have Been is a double album by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released on January 22, 2002, by Nothing and Interscope Records. The live album contains music recorded during the Fragility v2.0 US tour in 2000. Disc one is a live album of most of the band's normal set list of the time, while disc two contains a studio album titled Still, containing "deconstructed" versions of previous Nine Inch Nails songs and some new material. The double DVD set, sold separately, includes video recordings of the songs performed on the CD, as well as additional song performances and footage from the tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Head Like a Hole</span> 1990 song by Nine Inch Nails

"Head Like a Hole" is a song by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released as the second single from the group's debut album, Pretty Hate Machine. It enjoyed heavy rotation on the radio at the time of its release, eventually reaching number 9 on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.

<i>With Teeth</i> 2005 studio album by Nine Inch Nails

With Teeth is the fourth studio album by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released by Nothing Records and Interscope Records on May 3, 2005. The album was produced by Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor and long-time collaborator Alan Moulder. It also features contributions from musician Dave Grohl and future band member Atticus Ross.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Closer (Nine Inch Nails song)</span> Song by Nine Inch Nails

"Closer" is a song by American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released as the second single on their second studio album, The Downward Spiral (1994). Released in May 1994, it is considered one of Nine Inch Nails' signature songs and remains their most popular song. Most versions of the single are titled "Closer to God", a rare example in music of a single's title differing from the title of its A-side. The single is the ninth official Nine Inch Nails release, making it "Halo 9" in the band's official Halo numbering system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurt (Nine Inch Nails song)</span> 1994 song by Nine Inch Nails

"Hurt" is a song by American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails from its 1994 studio album The Downward Spiral—where it is the closing song on the album—written by Trent Reznor. It was subsequently released on April 17, 1995, as a promotional single from the album, wherein it was issued straight to radio. The song received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rock Song in 1996. In 2020, Kerrang and Billboard ranked the song number two and number three, respectively, on their lists of the greatest Nine Inch Nails songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nine Inch Nails discography</span> Discography of industrial metal band Nine Inch Nails

American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails have released 11 studio albums, one live album, three remix albums, two compilation albums, six extended plays, 20 singles, 10 promotional singles, four video albums and 31 music videos. Nine Inch Nails has also contributed to numerous film soundtracks as well as the soundtrack to the video game Quake.

<i>Year Zero</i> (album) 2007 studio album by Nine Inch Nails

Year Zero is the fifth studio album by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released by Interscope Records on April 17, 2007. Conceived while touring in support of the band's previous album, With Teeth (2005), the album was recorded in late 2006. It was produced by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, and was the band's first studio album since 1994's The Downward Spiral that was not co-produced by long-time collaborator Alan Moulder. It was the band's last album for Interscope, following Reznor's departure the same year due to a dispute regarding overseas pricing.

<i>Ghosts I–IV</i> 2008 studio album by Nine Inch Nails

Ghosts I–IV is the sixth studio album by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released by The Null Corporation on March 2, 2008. It was the band's first independent release following their split from longtime label Interscope Records in 2007. The production team included Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor, studio collaborators Atticus Ross and Alan Moulder, and contributions from Alessandro Cortini, Adrian Belew, and Brian Viglione.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Discipline (Nine Inch Nails song)</span> Nine Inch Nails song

"Discipline" is a song by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails from their seventh studio album, titled The Slip (2008). It was released on April 22, 2008 as the only single from the album. It is the band's first single since severing its ties with Interscope Records and publishing music independently.

<i>The Slip</i> (album) 2008 studio album by Nine Inch Nails

The Slip is the seventh studio album by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released on May 5, 2008, digitally on the Nine Inch Nails website, and on CD on July 22 by The Null Corporation. It was their second release in 2008, following their sixth album Ghosts I–IV, released two months prior. The album was produced by frontman Trent Reznor with collaborators Atticus Ross and Alan Moulder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Perfect Drug</span> Nine Inch Nails song

"The Perfect Drug" is a song by Nine Inch Nails written for the David Lynch film Lost Highway. It was released in 1997 on the Lost Highway soundtrack as well as a single from the score. Remixes of the song were released as an EP, "The Perfect Drug" Versions.

<i>Hesitation Marks</i> 2013 album by Nine Inch Nails

Hesitation Marks is the eighth studio album by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released on August 30, 2013, by The Null Corporation and distributed by Columbia Records in the United States and Polydor Records elsewhere. It was the band's first release in five years, following The Slip (2008), as well as their only release on Columbia. Like previous albums, the album was produced by frontman Trent Reznor alongside longtime collaborators Atticus Ross and Alan Moulder. To date, this is the most recent Nine Inch Nails album to be co-produced by Moulder.

<i>Not the Actual Events</i> 2016 EP by Nine Inch Nails

Not the Actual Events is the third extended play (EP) and tenth major release by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails. It was released physically on December 23, 2016, under Trent Reznor's own label The Null Corporation, while those who had pre-ordered received a download link a day early. The second Nine Inch Nails EP of original material following Broken (1992), it marks longtime collaborator Atticus Ross's first appearance as an official member of the band. The digital pre-orders included a "physical component" that was shipped in early March 2017. The EP is the first in a trilogy released in 2016–2018, preceding Add Violence (2017) and the band's ninth studio album Bad Witch (2018).

<i>Add Violence</i> 2017 EP by Nine Inch Nails

Add Violence is the fourth EP and eleventh major release by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails. Issued through the Null Corporation and Capitol Records on July 19, 2017, it is the second in a trilogy of releases, following the EP Not the Actual Events (2016) and preceding the band's ninth studio album Bad Witch (2018). It was produced by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.

<i>Bad Witch</i> 2018 studio album by Nine Inch Nails

Bad Witch is the ninth studio album by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released by The Null Corporation and Capitol Records on June 22, 2018. It is the last of a trilogy of releases, following their two previous EPs Not the Actual Events (2016) and Add Violence (2017). As with the previous releases in the trilogy, it was produced by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, making it the band's first studio album since 2007's Year Zero to not be co-produced by the long-time collaborator Alan Moulder, who is credited with mixing the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old Town Road</span> 2018 single by Lil Nas X

"Old Town Road" is the debut mainstream single by American rapper Lil Nas X, first released independently in December 2018. After gaining popularity, the single was re-released by Columbia Records in March 2019. The rapper also recorded a remix with American country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, which was released on April 5, 2019. Both were included on Lil Nas X's second EP, 7 (2019).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too</span> 3rd episode of the 5th series of Black Mirror

"Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too" is the third and final episode of the fifth series of the anthology series Black Mirror. The episode was written by series creator and showrunner Charlie Brooker and directed by Anne Sewitsky; it was released on Netflix on 5 June 2019, alongside "Striking Vipers" and "Smithereens".

References

  1. Unterberger, Andrew (July 3, 2019). "Is Miley Cyrus' 'Black Mirror' Song 'On a Roll' Going to End Up Her Biggest New Hit?". Billboard .
  2. Monroe, Jazz (June 5, 2019). "Miley Cyrus Sings Nine Inch Nails Songs in 'Black Mirror' Season 5". Pitchfork . Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  3. Billboard Staff (December 11, 2018). "The 100 Best Songs of 2019: Staff List". Billboard . Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  4. "Is Miley Cyrus' 'Black Mirror' Song 'On a Roll' Going to End up Her Biggest New Hit?". Billboard . July 3, 2019.
  5. Spanos, Brittany (June 12, 2019). "Song You Need to Know: Miley Cyrus/Ashley O, 'On a Roll'". Rolling Stone . Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  6. "'Black Mirror' Got Trent Reznor's Blessing to Remix Nine Inch Nails for Miley Cyrus Episode". June 6, 2019.
  7. "On a Roll (Head Like a Hole) (Music from the Netflix Original Series, Black Mirror)".
  8. Zamora, Christian (June 17, 2019). "No, Ashley O Is NOT Singing About How She's A Hoe". BuzzFeed . Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  9. Spanos, Brittany (June 12, 2019). "Song You Need to Know: Miley Cyrus/Ashley O, 'On a Roll'". Rolling Stone . Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  10. 1 2 Unterberger, Andrew (July 3, 2019). "Is Miley Cyrus' 'Black Mirror' Song 'On a Roll' Going to End Up Her Biggest New Hit?". Billboard . Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  11. Strauss, Matthew (June 13, 2019). "Watch the New Video for Miley Cyrus' "Black Mirror" Song "On a Roll"". Pitchfork . Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  12. Kreps, Daniel (June 30, 2019). "See Miley Cyrus Perform "On a Roll" and "Head Like a Hole" at Glastonbury". Rolling Stone . Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  13. "On A Roll / Ashley O – TIDAL". Tidal . Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  14. "The ARIA Report" (PDF) (1532). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). July 15, 2019: 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 16, 2019. Retrieved August 12, 2019.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  15. "Miley Cyrus Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  16. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 27. týden 2019 in the date selector. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  17. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
  18. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  19. "Irish-charts.com – Discography Miley Cyrus". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  20. "Mūzikas Patēriņa Tops/ 28. nedēļa" (in Latvian). LAIPA. Archived from the original on October 10, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  21. "Savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. July 12, 2019. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  22. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. June 24, 2019. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  23. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 22, 2019.
  24. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 28. týden 2019 in the date selector. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  25. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  26. "Miley Cyrus Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  27. "Miley Cyrus Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  28. "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone . June 27, 2019. Retrieved July 3, 2019.