Happy Ending (Demi Lovato song)

Last updated

"Happy Ending"
Happy Ending - Demi Lovato (Official Live Performance).png
Vevo "Official Live Performance" cover
Song by Demi Lovato
from the album Holy Fvck
ReleasedAugust 19, 2022 (2022-08-19)
Length3:49
Label Island
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Oak
  • Alex Niceforo
  • Keith "Ten4" Sorrells
  • Mitch Allan
Visualizer
"Happy Ending" on YouTube

"Happy Ending" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Demi Lovato for her eighth studio album, Holy Fvck , released on August 19, 2022, through Island Records. The seventh track on the record was written by Lovato along with Laura Veltz, Jordan Lutes, and its producers Warren "Oak" Felder, Keith "Ten4" Sorrells, Alex Niceforo, and Mitch Allan.

Contents

The song was received with positive reviews from music critics, with praise towards its lyrics, highlighting it as a standout in Lovato's music catalog. A live performance music video for "Happy Ending" was released on September 15, 2022. Lovato included it on the set list of her seventh concert tour, the Holy Fvck Tour (2022).

Background and release

Demi Lovato started teasing new music in 2022 by ensuring a "funeral" for her former pop music on social media and sharing videos singing along unreleased songs, including the then-unnamed "City of Angels" and "Happy Ending". [1] On June 6, she announced her eighth studio album, Holy Fvck , along with its cover art, release date, and with a link to her official store where fans could order physical copies of the record, but did not immediately reveal the tracklist. [2] It was marketed as a return to her rock "roots" that she experimented with her first two albums, Don't Forget (2008) and Here We Go Again (2009). On July 14, she confirmed the track listing of the album, in which "Happy Ending" appears as the seventh song. [3]

Holy Fvck was released by Island Records on August 19, 2022. "Happy Ending" was included on the set list of Lovato's seventh concert tour, the Holy Fvck Tour, which took place between August and November 2022. [4] The official Vevo live performance of the song was released on September 15, 2022. [5] [6] It followed the videos for "Freak", "Eat Me", and "29", all directed by Micah Bickham. [7]

Composition and lyrics

"Happy Ending" has a duration of three minutes and 49 seconds. It was written by Lovato, Laura Veltz, Jordan Lutes, Mitch Allan, Keith "Ten4" Sorrells, Warren "Oak" Felder, and Alex Niceforo, and produced by the latter four. The producers are also credited for background vocals and programming, while Allan and Caleb Hulin played guitar, Felder played keyboards and drums, and Sorrells played drums and bass guitar. The track was mixed by Neal Avron and mastered by Chris Gehringer. [8]

Lovato affirmed that "Happy Ending" was written while she was "fresh out of treatment" and it affected the song's creation. She further explained: "New sobriety can be really challenging for people, and it was really challenging for me." [6] Lovato was also struggling with depression at the same time. [9] On the song's lyrics, the singer "wonders what it will take for them to find joy since they definitively know what [has not]". [9] "Happy Ending" was described by Mark Beaumont of The Independent as "a rousing slab of grunge pop soul-searching" with Lovato confessing: "I miss my vices [...] demons are calling and tearing me to shreds". [10] According to The Fader , she "confronts her own mortality, wondering what will remain of their authenticity if they [do not] set the narrative straight while they can". [11]

Critical reception

Upon release, "Happy Ending" received positive reviews from music critics. Stephen Daw for Billboard ranked it as the best track on Holy Fvck, considering that the song "grabs hold of your heart with a gut-punch of an opening line, and progressively squeezes tighter with every proceeding line". The critic followed by saying: "Anyone with experience in recovering from addiction, firsthand or otherwise, will feel this song on a level that's almost uncomfortable in its raw honesty". [12] Riff Magazine's Mike DeWald dubbed "Happy Ending" as one of the strongest tracks on the album, and "not as heavy" as other songs. [13] For Insider Inc., Callie Ahlgrim ranked "Happy Ending" as the second best song on Holy Fvck, adding that it boasts the "most vivid and heart-wrenching" lyrics in Lovato's music catalog. [14]

Personnel

Obtained from Lovato's official website. [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demi Lovato</span> American singer (born 1992)

Demetria Devonne "Demi" Lovato is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. After appearing on the children's television series Barney & Friends (2002–2004), she 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 U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heart Attack (Demi Lovato song)</span> 2013 single by Demi Lovato

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cool for the Summer</span> 2015 single by Demi Lovato

"Cool for the Summer" is a song by American singer Demi Lovato. It was released as the lead single from her fifth studio album Confident (2015) on July 1, 2015, by Hollywood Records and Island Records, and premiered on radio on the same date via Republic Records. Lovato co-wrote "Cool for the Summer" with Alexander Erik Kronlund, Savan Kotecha, and its producers Max Martin and Ali Payami. It is a pop and pop rock song with an electronic instrumental arrangement, a synthesized beat and an electric-guitar riff during the chorus.

<i>Confident</i> (album) 2015 studio album by Demi Lovato

Confident is the fifth studio album by American singer Demi Lovato. It was released on October 16, 2015, by Hollywood, Island and Safehouse Records. While Lovato co-wrote most of the songs on the album, she worked with writers and producers such as Max Martin, Ryan Tedder, Steve Mac, Rami and Stargate, among others. Musically, Confident is primarily a pop, dance, electropop, and power pop record with influences of R&B, soul, EDM and urban. The album features guest appearances from Australian rapper Iggy Azalea and American rapper Sirah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sorry Not Sorry (Demi Lovato song)</span> 2017 single by Demi Lovato

"Sorry Not Sorry" is a song by American singer Demi Lovato. She co-wrote the song with Sean Douglas, Trevor Brown, William Zaire Simmons and its producer Oak Felder. It was released on July 11, 2017, through Island Records, Republic Records, Hollywood Records, and Safehouse Records, as the lead single from her sixth studio album, Tell Me You Love Me. It's been described as a pop and R&B song. An acoustic version of the song is included on the deluxe version of the album. A re-recorded version featuring British-American guitarist Slash was released on July 14, 2023, and was included on her first remix album Revamped.

<i>Tell Me You Love Me</i> (album) 2017 studio album by Demi Lovato

Tell Me You Love Me is the sixth studio album by American singer Demi Lovato. It was released on September 29, 2017, by Island, Hollywood, and Safehouse Records. The album serves as her final project to be released through Hollywood Records, with whom she released six studio albums. Primarily a pop record, the album also incorporates elements of R&B. Lovato described the album as having a more "soulful" side than her previous work, and named Christina Aguilera, Aretha Franklin, and Kehlani as its major influences. Contributions to the album's production came from several producers, including Mitch Allan, David Massey, Oak Felder, Stint, and John Hill.

"Sexy Dirty Love" is a song recorded by American singer Demi Lovato for her sixth studio album, Tell Me You Love Me (2017). It was released on September 22, 2017, by Hollywood, Island and Safehouse Records as the third promotional single from the record, following "Tell Me You Love Me" and "You Don't Do It for Me Anymore". "Sexy Dirty Love" is featured on the set list of Lovato's 2018 Tell Me You Love Me World Tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eat Me (song)</span> 2022 song by Demi Lovato

"Eat Me" is a song by American singer-songwriter Demi Lovato featuring guests vocals from American singer-songwriter Royal & the Serpent, taken from Lovato's eighth studio album, Holy Fvck (2022). The artists wrote the song along with Laura Veltz, Keith "Ten4" Sorrells, Warren "Oak" Felder, and Alex Niceforo, with the latter three producing it. "Eat Me" was included on the set list of Lovato's seventh concert tour, the Holy Fvck Tour (2022). A live performance music video of the track was released on September 1, 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Love Me (song)</span> 2020 single by Demi Lovato

"I Love Me" is a song by American singer Demi Lovato. It was released on March 6, 2020. The track was written by Lovato alongside Anne-Marie, Jennifer Decilveo, Sean Douglas, Alex Niceforo, Keith Sorrells and Warren "Oak" Felder, with production being handled by the latter three. It is an midtempo pop and R&B song, with lyrics about struggles with self-image. The song was originally intended to be the lead single off of Lovato's seventh studio album Dancing with the Devil... the Art of Starting Over, but was removed from the final tracklist. The song was later included on the digital expanded edition of the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monsters (All Time Low song)</span> 2020 single by All Time Low featuring Blackbear

"Monsters" is a song by rock band All Time Low featuring Blackbear. The song was written by FRND, Kevin Fisher, Jack Barakat, Alex Gaskarth, Blackbear and Demi Lovato, and produced by Zakk Cervini and Gaskarth. The song was originally released on April 3, 2020, by Fueled by Ramen, as part of the band's eighth studio album Wake Up, Sunshine. Following 11 weeks at number one on Billboard's Alternative Airplay chart, the song was re-released with vocals by Demi Lovato on December 4, 2020. It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 88 and peaked at number 55.

<i>Dancing with the Devil... the Art of Starting Over</i> 2021 studio album by Demi Lovato

Dancing with the Devil... the Art of Starting Over is the seventh studio album by American singer Demi Lovato. It was released on April 2, 2021, by Island Records, and was recorded alongside a docu-series by YouTube Originals, titled Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil, which documents her recovery and self-discovery. It follows a reformative period in the singer's life and career, after being hospitalized for a drug overdose in 2018. The lyrics of the album emphasize on Lovato's journey through her hurdles and self-empowerment.

"Melon Cake" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Demi Lovato for her seventh studio album, Dancing with the Devil... the Art of Starting Over (2021). It was released through Island Records as the album's eighth track on April 2, 2021. Lovato wrote it along with Julia Michaels, Justin Tranter, and its producers Eren Cannata, Warren "Oak" Felder, and Keith "Ten4" Sorrells. Alex Nice also provided production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skin of My Teeth</span> 2022 single by Demi Lovato

"Skin of My Teeth" is a song by American singer Demi Lovato. It was released on June 10, 2022, by Island Records, as the lead single from her eighth studio album Holy Fvck (2022). She co-wrote the song with Oak Felder, Alex Niceforo, Keith "Ten4" Sorrells, Laura Veltz, and Lil Aaron, while its production was handled by the former three. An accompanying music video, directed by Nick Harwood and Nick Vernet, was released alongside it.

<i>Holy Fvck</i> 2022 studio album by Demi Lovato

Holy Fvck is the eighth studio album by American singer Demi Lovato. It was released on August 19, 2022, through Island Records. Primarily a pop-punk and hard rock record, Lovato conceived it as a return to the early rock-influenced roots from her first two studio albums, Don't Forget (2008) and Here We Go Again (2009), while also containing glam rock and heavy metal elements. Its lyrical themes explore religious undertones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">29 (Demi Lovato song)</span> 2022 single by Demi Lovato

"29" is a song by American singer Demi Lovato from her eighth studio album, Holy Fvck (2022). Island Records released the song on August 17, 2022, as the third single from the album. It was written by Lovato along with Oak Felder, Alex Niceforo, Keith Sorrells, Laura Veltz and Sean Douglas. Produced by Felder, Niceforo and Sorrells, "29" is a rock song with lyrics about age gaps in relationships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Substance (song)</span> 2022 single by Demi Lovato

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holy Fvck Tour</span> 2022 concert tour by Demi Lovato

The Holy Fvck Tour was the seventh concert tour by American singer Demi Lovato in support of her eighth studio album Holy Fvck (2022). The tour, consisting of 34 dates, began on August 13, 2022, in Springfield, Illinois, and ended on November 10, in Rosemont, Illinois. Through its three legs, the tour visited both North and South America, with support acts including Dead Sara and Royal & the Serpent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swine (Demi Lovato song)</span> 2023 song by Demi Lovato

"Swine" is a song by American singer-songwriter Demi Lovato. It was released as a charity single through Island Records on June 22, 2023. The song was written by Lovato along with Laura Veltz, Upsahl and its producers Warren "Oak" Felder, Alex Niceforo and Keith "Ten4" Sorrells. A music video directed by Meriel O'Connell was released alongside it.

<i>Revamped</i> 2023 remix album by Demi Lovato

Revamped is the first remix album by American singer Demi Lovato. It was released on September 15, 2023, through Island Records. Produced entirely by Warren "Oak" Felder, Alex Niceforo, and Keith Sorrells, the album comprises ten re-recorded rock versions of songs from her previous albums.

References

  1. Dailey, Hannah (April 22, 2022). "Demi Lovato Teases New Album: It's 'So Representative of Me'". Billboard . Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  2. Strauss, Matthew (June 6, 2022). "Demi Lovato Announces New Album Holy Fvck". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on June 9, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  3. Dalley, Hannah (July 14, 2022). "Demi Lovato Says 'Holy Fvck' 'Takes Me Back To My Roots' & Unveils Tracklist". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 14, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  4. Stossel, Jared (September 23, 2022). "Demi Lovato Rages at "Holy Fvck" Tour Stop in Sacramento: Review, Photos and Setlist". Consequence . Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  5. Major, Michael (September 15, 2022). "Demi Lovato Releases Vevo Official Live Performance of 'Happy Ending'". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  6. 1 2 "Demi Lovato unleashes "HAPPY ENDING" video, watch the powerful trailer for the Whitney Houston biopic and more". Alt Press. September 15, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  7. Françoza, Douglas (September 1, 2022). "Demi Lovato libera performance de "Eat Me" com Royal & the Serpent". Popline (in Portuguese). Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  8. 1 2 "Holy Fvck Credits". Demi Lovato. Archived from the original on August 31, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  9. 1 2 Kaplan, Ilana (August 22, 2022). "Demi Lovato's hard-won journey back to their rock roots". Alt Press. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  10. Beaumont, Mark (August 19, 2022). "Demi Lovato review, Holy Fvck: A hard rock, horny rebirth album". The Independent . Archived from the original on August 18, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  11. Paul, Larisha (September 15, 2022). "On Holy Fvck, Demi Lovato sounds like herself". The Fader. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  12. Daw, Stephen (August 19, 2024). "Every Song Ranked on Demi Lovato's 'Holy Fvck': Critic's Picks". Billboard . Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  13. DeWald, Mike (August 18, 2022). "ALBUM REVIEW: Demi Lovato finds an edge on 'HOLY FVCK'". Riff Magazine. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  14. Ahlgrim, Callie (August 19, 2022). "Every song on Demi Lovato's new album 'Holy Fvck,' ranked from worst to best". Insider. Retrieved May 4, 2024.