"Rock Bottom" is a song by American actress and singer Hailee Steinfeld,released as the third track to her debut extended play,Haiz (2015),through Republic Records. The song,a pop record,was written by fellow American singers Justin Tranter and Julia Michaels,alongside the song's producers,Mattman &Robin. The song was originally released as the third track to the EP on the 13th of November,2015. Upon the release of Haiz,the song was received positively by music critics,who praised the track for its upbeat sound.
On the 26th of November,2016,a remix featuring the Joe Jonas-fronted group DNCE was released as a single through both Republic and Universal Records. It would later be included on reissues of the EP,including its Japanese edition. Upon its release,the song was a modest success,peaking within the top 10 of both the New Zealand Heatseekers Chart and the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart,charting at number 3 on both charts. The song was also certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). A music video would later be released of the song,directed by Malia James.
Background
In an interview with People's Jeff Nelson,Steinfeld said "[Rock Bottom] epitomizes me in every damn relationship. I've experienced that relationship in its entirety. I do feel like there are some songs that really represent a relationship for a relationship,and then when you hear it,you think about that specific relationship,and I have that when I hear 'Rock Bottom'."[1]
She would later cover the group's signature hit,"Cake by the Ocean" in 2017 as "Emily Junk",for the movie Pitch Perfect 3 (2017),as a part of the fictional group "The Bellas". It was later included on the album's soundtrack,released on the 15th of December,2017. The movie itself was released on the 30th of November that same year.
Release
The original version of "Rock Bottom" was released on the 13th of November,2015,as the third track to Steinfeld's debut extended play (EP),Haiz. In the weeks prior to Haiz's release,"Hell Nos and Headphones" was being touted as the EP's second single,but "You're Such A" was chosen instead,and was set to impact Top 40 radio on February 9,2016.[2][3] However,the release of "You're Such A" was scrapped in favor of the new version of "Rock Bottom" featuring DNCE.[4][5]
On the EP's first digital reissue (which doubled as the standard CD release),the original version of the song was replaced by the DNCE remix. On the second digital reissue,the original version was added back into the track listing,although it was placed at the end of the project. On the third digital reissue,the song was moved to be the third track,with the DNCE remix following right afterwards. On the Japanese edition,the original version of the song was positioned to be the sixth track,following right after "Starving".
Critical reception
Access Hollywood deemed the song "a stylistic,upbeat jam full of swagger and soul."[2] Jeff Nelson of People said "a poppy,effervescent jam,'Rock Bottom' chronicles the highs and lows of young love that keep a couple 'coming back for more'."[1] Mike Wass of Idolator called "Rock Bottom" "the best song on the EP."[6]
In Australia,the single peaked at number 39 on the ARIA Charts. Although the song did not chart in Brazil,it was still certified Gold by Pro-Música Brasil (PMB) for equivalent sales of 30,000 units in the country. In Canada,the single charted at number 39 on the Canadian Hot 100,its lowest position on any chart,and peaked at number 47 on the Hot AC chart in the same country. The single was also certified Gold by Music Canada (MC) for equivalent sales of 40,000 units in the country.
In the Czech Republic,the single charted at number 46 on the Singles Digital Top 100. In New Zealand,the single charted at number 3 on the New Zealand Heatseekers chart and was certified Platinum by Recorded Music New Zealand (RMNZ) for equivalent sales of 30,000 units in the country. In Slovakia,the single charted at number 50 on their version of the Singles Digital Top 100. In the United Kingdom,although the song did not chart,it was certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for equivalent sales of 200,000 units in the country.
Music video
Original version
The original version of the song had an animatedmusic video. The video,directed by Breech Harani,features a relationship between a couple of paper-made individuals and their trials and tribulations through life. The video was released on the 5th of February,2016,as part of a series of animated music videos for the songs on Haiz,and currently has over 850,000 views and 25,000 likes as of September 11,2025.
Remix
The music video for the remix,directed by Malia James,was released on March 25,2016.[7]Rolling Stone's Brittany Spanos described the music video:"In the clip,Steinfeld struggles with a tumultuous relationship. The singer and her boyfriend,played by model John Economou,shift dramatically between fighting and joking around,which culminates at a show Steinfeld performs at with DNCE. Economou walks out during the performance,and a distraught Steinfeld leaves to find him,where they kiss and make up."[8] The music video currently has over 170,000,000 views and 1,200,000 likes as of September 11,2025.
↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 15. týden 2016 in the date selector. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201616 into search. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
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