"On the Rocks" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Nicole Scherzinger | ||||
from the album Big Fat Lie | ||||
Released | October 10, 2014 | |||
Studio | Contra Recordings (California) | |||
Genre | R&B | |||
Length | 5:07 | |||
Label | RCA | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
| |||
Nicole Scherzinger singles chronology | ||||
|
"On the Rocks" is a song recorded by American singer Nicole Scherzinger for her second studio album Big Fat Lie (2014). It was written by Terius "The-Dream" Nash, C. "Tricky" Stewart and Carlos "Los da Mystro" McKinney, while the song was produced by Godz of Analog, Stewart, Nash and McKinney, with vocal production from Bart Schoudel. The song was released on October 10, 2014, by RCA Records as the third single from the record. "On the Rocks" is an R&B ballad where the singer laments and gets over about a failed relationship by pouring up a stiff drink. "On the Rocks" received negative reviews from music critics, who described it as outdated and criticized the use of Auto-Tune. The accompanying music video premiered on September 5, 2014, on Vevo.
On August 19, Scherzinger announced via her Instagram account, that her second single would be "On the Rocks". [1] Along with the announcement she posted the cover artwork which shows Scherzinger wearing "a plunging white dress" in provocative pose. [2] On August 26, Scherzinger appeared on The Radio 1 Breakfast Show hosted by Scott Mills to premiere the track on the radio program. [3]
"On the Rocks" is a power ballad further described as a "post-break up song". [4] [5] The instrumentation includes of "sad piano and sparse drums." [5] Lyrically, addresses about a failed relationship and the way to get over it is by pouring up a stiff drink. At a part of the song she sings, "Let's take a shot, since you've been taking shots / And allow me to serve you this drink up on the rocks." [4]
Brad O'Mance, writing for Popjustice, wrote that "On the Rocks" was "by some distance the worst single of Nicole Scherzinger's entire career." [6] Melinda Newman of HitFix described the production as "slightly dated" that could "hamper its chances at radio in the U.S.". [7] Writing Digital Spy, Lewis Corner echoed Newman's comments adding "that zest teased with 'Your Love' quickly evaporated, leaving expectations for Big Fat Lie unbearably low. [8] Jacques Peterson from Pop Dust opined that "the lack of success for 'Your Love,' Nicole is now playing it way too safe with the generic follow-up single." [9] A writer for MuuMuse wondered if it's one of the strongest songs of the album and criticized the use of Auto-Tune noting Scherzinger as "a verifiably very good singer." [10] Writing for Idolator Bradley Stern also criticized the use of Auto-Tune and noted the song could serve as a B-side to Kelly Rowland's "Rose Colored Glasses" (2010). [11]
The accompanying music video for "On the Rocks" was shot in Los Angeles, California. [12] The visual was directed by Tim Mattia. [13] Scherzinger said that "On The Rocks" is her favorite video she has ever done stating, "I just wanted the video to not feel like a music video, just really authentic and really raw. It's very empowering. It's a very emotional and personal song for me." [14]
On the day the video premiered, a reviewer from Rap-Up described the video as "breathtaking". [15] Bradley Stern, writing for Idolator described it as "appropriately dramatic" and praised Scherzinger's ability for "conveying the emotion of her music. [16] Joanne Dorken from MTV UK classified the video as "sultry". [14] Jacques Peterson of Pop Dust described the video as a mix between Eminem's video Love the Way You Lie and an Armani commercial. [17]
Throughout the music video, Scherzinger is seen emoting towards her lover. Towards the end, Scherzinger finally leaves the toxic relationship with no feelings of regret.
On October 22, 2014, Scherzinger performed "On the Rocks" at the MOBO Awards. [18] On November 7, Scherzinger performed an acoustic medley together with Sam Smith's "I'm Not the Only One" for SiriusXM Hits 1. [19]
Digital download [20]
Digital download – Remixes [21]
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Big Fat Lie. [22]
Recording
Personnel
Chart (2014) | Peak position |
---|---|
Scotland (OCC) [23] | 45 |
UK Singles (Official Charts Company) [24] | 90 |
Country | Date | Format | Version | Label | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Australia | October 10, 2014 | Digital download | Wideboys remix | Sony Music | |
Germany | |||||
Ireland | |||||
Album version | |||||
Netherlands | Wideboys remix | ||||
Australia | October 12, 2014 | Album version | |||
Brazil | |||||
Canada | |||||
France | |||||
Netherlands | |||||
United Kingdom | RCA Records | ||||
Germany | October 15, 2014 | Sony Music | |||
Nicole Scherzinger is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, actress, and television personality. She is a former member of the pop group and dance ensemble The Pussycat Dolls. With only two albums and over 55 million records sold worldwide, The Pussycat Dolls are one of the world's best-selling female groups of all time.
"Whatever U Like" is the debut solo single by American singer Nicole Scherzinger, featuring rapper T.I. and Sean Garrett. The trio, along with Polow da Don, composed the song for Scherzinger's planned debut studio album Her Name Is Nicole. "Whatever U Like" was released on July 28, 2007 on Interscope Records.
"Scream" is a song by American producer and rapper Timbaland, released as the fifth and final single from his second studio album Shock Value (2007). The song features vocals from American singer and songwriter Keri Hilson and the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls at the time Nicole Scherzinger. Mosley and Hilson co-wrote the song with American producer Danja, who co-produced the song with Timbaland. Mosley Music Group, in association with Blackground Records and Interscope Records, serviced the song to mainstream radios in the United States in December 2007.
"When I Grow Up" is a song by American girl group the Pussycat Dolls from their second studio album Doll Domination (2008). It was released by Interscope Records on May 27, 2008, as the lead single from the album. It was first written for Britney Spears, but was rejected. It was then considered and recorded for Nicole Scherzinger's planned solo project, Her Name Is Nicole, but after its cancellation and Scherzinger's return to the group, she felt that the song was better suited for the group. "When I Grow Up" was written by Theron Thomas, Timothy Thomas, and Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, who also produced the song. It is an uptempo electropop and R&B song, sampling the 1966 song, "He's Always There" by British rock band The Yardbirds. "When I Grow Up" speaks about the desire to be famous, and was described as being "autobiographical" by Scherzinger.
"Just Say Yes" is a song by Northern Irish alternative rock band Snow Patrol, released as the single to follow "The Planets Bend Between Us" in October–November 2009, depending on the region. The song, produced by Jacknife Lee, is one of the three new songs, and the lead single from the compilation Up to Now. The lyrics were written by Gary Lightbody and the music was composed by Snow Patrol. "Just Say Yes" has its origins as a song written for pop singer Gwen Stefani, who rejected it. Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls was then given permission by Lightbody to record it for her solo debut album, which was later shelved.
The Sound of Arrows are a Swedish electronic music duo originally from Gävle, and now based in Stockholm. The duo, consisting of Oskar Gullstrand and Stefan Storm, have remixed tracks for artists such as Lady Gaga, Alphabeat, The Naked and Famous, Natalia Kills and Nicole Scherzinger. They also produced the song "Shoot the Bullet" for electropop artist Queen of Hearts.
"Heartbeat" is a song by Spanish singer and songwriter Enrique Iglesias. The song was written by Iglesias, along with his long-term collaborators Jamie Scott and Mark Taylor, for his ninth studio album Euphoria (2010). The mid-tempo ballad, produced by Taylor, features guest vocals from American singer Nicole Scherzinger. The song has a melody based on futuristic piano sounds and incorporates elements of dance music. The Rudi Wells' Open Heart Remix of the song later appeared on Scherzinger's debut studio album Killer Love (2011).
"Don't Hold Your Breath" is a song by American singer Nicole Scherzinger, taken from her debut album, Killer Love (2011). The song began as a demo or reference track by American artists Timbaland and Keri Hilson, which leaked online in June 2010. It went through various iterations and versions which leaked ahead of its release in 2011. The final mixed and mastered version of "Don't Hold Your Breath" was released on March 10, 2011, through Interscope Records, preceding its parent album by one week. "Don't Hold Your Breath" was written by a trio of American songwriters: Josh Alexander, Toby Gad, and Billy Steinberg. It is an empowering independence anthem with lyrics that speak of rebuking the advances of an ex-lover, that features a pop and synth-pop production, with electro-pop beats and Eurodance stylings. Production was courtesy of Carl Falk, Rami and Steve Josefsson.
"Right There" is a song by American singer Nicole Scherzinger, from her debut studio album, Killer Love (2011). The song was released on May 17, 2011, as the third single from the album by Interscope and associated record labels. As the third single, a remix was recorded featuring American rapper 50 Cent. The song was originally intended to be the first single to precede the album in the United States. Written by Ester Dean, Frank Romano, Daniel Morris, and co-written and produced by Jim Jonsin, it is an island-flavored midtempo R&B-pop song that sees Scherzinger singing about her what she wants her lover to do and warning other suitors to back off.
"Criminal" is the fourth and final single from American singer Britney Spears' seventh studio album, Femme Fatale (2011). "Criminal" was written and produced by Max Martin and Shellback, with additional writing by Tiffany Amber. After Spears first listened to the song, she felt it was different and unlike anything she had heard before. She posted a snippet of it online on March 2, 2011, prior to the album's release. "Criminal" was chosen as a single by a poll on her Facebook page, as Spears explained it was a way to give back to her fans. The artwork for the single was released on September 14, 2011.
"Goin' In" is a song recorded by American singer Jennifer Lopez. The song features American rappers Flo Rida and Lil Jon, although the latter is uncredited for his part in the song. It was co-written by Joseph Angel, Tramar Dillard, David Quiñones, Sebastian Kole, Michael Warren and Jamahl "GoonRock" Listenbee, who also produced the song. It is featured on the soundtrack of the dance film Step Up: Revolution (2012) and on her first greatest hits album Dance Again... the Hits (2012). This is also the third song from the Step Up series to feature Flo Rida, after "Low" from Step Up 2: The Streets (2008) and "Club Can't Handle Me" from Step Up 3D (2010).
"Numb" is a song recorded by American singer Usher for his seventh studio album Looking 4 Myself (2012). Usher co-wrote it with Ryon Lovett and Terry Lewis, with production and additional writing provided by Swedish House Mafia, Alesso, and Klas Åhlund. After their joint performance at the 2010 American Music Awards, Usher and Swedish House Mafia managed to start working on recording sessions for Usher's seventh studio album in Atlanta. RCA Records solicited "Numb" to contemporary hit radio stations on August 21, 2012 in the US as fourth single from the album.
"Boomerang" is a song by American singer Nicole Scherzinger, originally intended for her then-upcoming second studio album. It was written by Azengo, Morgan Jackson, Danny Mercer, Anthony Preston, and Sandy Wilhelm, with production by Wilhelm under his production name of Sandy Vee, Preston, and will.i.am. The song was released as a single on March 8, 2013 by Interscope. It is a dance and pop song with uplifting lyrics that speak about coming back up when you get knocked down, with music critics drawing comparisons to "Stronger " by Kelly Clarkson. Critical reception of the former from critics was mixed, with criticism for the simple lyrics but praise for the chorus being catchy.
"Disco Love" is a song recorded by British-Irish girl group The Saturdays from their fourth studio album, Living for the Weekend (2013). Written and produced by Icelandic producers StopWaitGo, it was released on 4 October 2013 as the fourth single from the album. The song peaked at number five on the UK Singles Chart with first week sales of 51,690 copies.
"Saturday Night" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter Natalia Kills for her second studio album, Trouble (2013). It was exclusively released to online media retailers as the album's second single on 28 June 2013, following the release of the promotional single "Controversy" and the album's lead single "Problem". Written by Kills along with American record producer Jeff Bhasker, the song faces the themes of "squandered youth and disenchantment", and talks about moving on while going through a difficult time. Musically, it is a new wave-tinged, synth-based song.
"Your Love" is a song recorded by American singer Nicole Scherzinger for her second studio album Big Fat Lie (2014). It was written by Terius "The-Dream" Nash and C. "Tricky" Stewart and produced by the duo alongside Godz of Analog, with vocal production provided by Bart Schoudel. The song was released on May 30, 2014, by RCA Records as the lead single marking its first release since signing a deal with Sony Music Entertainment.
Big Fat Lie is the second studio album by American singer Nicole Scherzinger, released on October 17, 2014, by RCA Records. Scherzinger began working on the record in the summer of 2013, enlisting Terius "The-Dream" Nash and Christopher "Tricky" Stewart to executively produce the album with Felix Snow, Bart Schoudel, Chris "TEK" O'Ryan and Carlos "Los da Mystro" McKinney also contributing. The title track was inspired by Scherzinger's struggle with an eating disorder. It is Scherzinger’s last studio effort to date.
"Run" is a song recorded by American singer Nicole Scherzinger for her second studio album, Big Fat Lie (2014). It was written by Justin Tranter, Julia Michaels and Felix Snow of which the latter produced it alongside Chris "Tek" O'Ryan. The song was released on September 30, 2014, to contemporary hit radio by Epic Records in the United States as the lead single; however the release was never materialized. A piano-ballad which also includes dramatic strings, "Run" offers advice to the next broken heart.
"Bang" is a song recorded by American singer Nicole Scherzinger for her second studio album, Big Fat Lie (2014). The song was written by Terius "The-Dream" Nash and Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, with production from Stewart, The-Dream, and Godz of Analog. The R&B and pop song was vocally produced by Bart Schoudal. It was released as the fourth single from the album on December 14, 2014, for digital download and streaming.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)