Stone Cold (Demi Lovato song)

"Stone Cold"
Single by Demi Lovato
from the album Confident
Released March 21, 2016 (2016-03-21)[1]
Format Digital download
Recorded MXM Studios (Los Angeles)
Genre
Length 3:11
Label
Writer(s)
Producer(s) Laleh Pourkarim
Demi Lovato singles chronology
"Irresistible"
(2015)		 "Stone Cold"
(2015)		 "Without a Fight"
(2016)
Music video
"Stone Cold" on YouTube

"Stone Cold" is a song co-written and recorded by American singer Demi Lovato for her fifth studio album, Confident (2015). The song was written by Lovato with Laleh Pourkarim, who also served as the song's producer, and Gustaf Thörn. It was released to digital retailers on October 9, 2015 through Hollywood Records and Island Records as the first and only promotional single off the album, one week prior to the album's release.[4] The song was initially premiered on radio via 97.1 FM on February 6, 2016.[5] It was sent to contemporary hit radio on March 21, 2016 as the third and final single from the album.[1] On April 4, the song was sent to hot adult contemporary radio.[6]

A ballad, "Stone Cold" discusses the pain of watching an ex move on and be happy with someone else.[7] The song incorporates pop and soul influences, and is centered on a piano melody, with a stripped down production aimed at highlighting Lovato's vocals.[8] Some critics compared "Stone Cold" to Lovato's 2011 single "Skyscraper" and the work of English singer Adele.[7][9]

Composition

"Stone Cold" is a pop[3] and soul sentimental ballad.[7][10] It was written by Lovato, Laleh Pourkarim and Gustaf Thörn. According to the digital sheet music published by Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc., "Stone Cold" was originally composed in the key of F minor with a "moderately fast" tempo of approximately 144 BPM.[8] Lovato showcases a vocal range on the track, alternating between belting the verses and delivering other lines such as "I'm happy for you" softly,[7] and spans from a low note of F3 to a high note of G#5.[8] The song features a stripped down production style that focuses primarily on piano and vocals.[11]

The song's lyrics portray the pain of watching an ex move on after a break-up and trying to be happy for them once they find happiness with someone else.[12][13] A writer from Billboard compared the song to Lovato's own "Skyscraper" (2011), and to Adele.[7][9] During an interview with Ryan Seacrest, Lovato stated, "This song is your heartbreak song. I wanted to have a song that people can listen to when they're going through it, or they're thinking about a time they were heartbroken." She also added that "Stone Cold" "is the type of song that I wanted people to feel in their hearts and ripped their guts out."[14]

Critical reception

Christina Garibaldi of MTV complimented Lovato's vocals, claiming that they have "reached new heights" on the song, as well as her emotional delivery.[12]

Music video

A video featuring a "live in studio" rendition of the song was uploaded to Lovato's Vevo account on October 7, 2015 in promotion of the song's release.[9][12][15] On February 19, 2016, Lovato revealed a teaser video for the song's official music video on Twitter.[16][17] The full music video, directed by Patrick Ecclesine, was released via her Vevo channel on February 23, 2016.

Synopsis [18]

The music shows Lovato at various locations such as snowy mountains, a bathtub, etc singing in a depressive manner. The video ends with a shot of Lovato in the snow.

Live performances

Lovato debuted the song on September 29, 2015 during her performance at the Highline Ballroom in New York City.[19] On October 17, 2015, she performed "Stone Cold", as well as a medley of "Cool for the Summer" and "Confident" on Saturday Night Live during the series' forty-first season.[13][20] Furthermore, "Stone Cold" was a part of Lovato's setlist at the 2015 106.1 KISS FM Fall Ball on November 14, 2015.[21] On December 11, 2015, she performed the song at Billboard Women in Music 2015 event in New York City where she was honored with the first Rulebreaker Award.[22] Lovato also included the song in her setlist during the 2015 Jingle Ball Tour.[23] On February 10, 2016, she performed the song on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.[24] Lovato performed "Stone Cold" on American Idol on March 3, 2016 and on The Late Late Show on March 16, 2016.[25][26] On April 2, 2016, she performed the song at the 27th GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles where she received the GLAAD Vanguard Award.[27] The next day, she gave another rendition of the song at the 3rd iHeartRadio Music Awards joined by Brad Paisley on guitar.[28] On May 14, 2016, Lovato performed "Stone Cold" as a part of her setlist at the 2016 edition of Wango Tango.[29] She performed the song on The Late Late Show with James Corden for the second time, during the Carpool Karaoke segment, which appeared online on May 16, 2016.[30]

Cover versions

Credits and personnel

Recorded at MXM Studios, Los Angeles, United States.

  • Demi Lovato – lead vocals, songwriter, piano, background vocals
  • Laleh Pourkarim – songwriter, producer, engineering, cello arranging, drum programming, piano, synth, bass, background vocals
  • Gustaf Thörn – songwriter, engineering assistant, string arranging, synth, piano, background vocals
  • Eru Matsumoto – cello, drum programming
  • Serban Ghenea – mixing
  • Tom Coyne – mastering

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Confident.[34]

Chart performance

Chart (2015–16) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[35] 27
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[36] 79
US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100[37] 2
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[38] 36

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/Sales
United States (RIAA)[39] Golddagger 500,000^

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
double-daggersales+streaming figures based on certification alone

dagger Since May 9, 2013, RIAA certifications for digital singles include on-demand audio and/or video song streams in addition to downloads.[40]

Release history

Region Date Format Label
United States October 9, 2015[4] Digital download – Promotional single
March 21, 2016[1] Contemporary hit radio
April 4, 2016[6] Hot AC radio

References

  1. 1 2 3 Sources regarding the contemporary hit radio release:
  2. ↑ "Watch Demi Lovato's Chilling, Cathartic 'Stone Cold' Video". Rolling Stone. October 8, 2015. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  3. 1 2 Menyes, Carolyn (February 24, 2016). "Demi Lovato's 'Stone Cold' Music Video Is Incredibly Dramatic". Music Times. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  4. 1 2 "Demi Lovato – Stone Cold". Allmusic. Archived from the original on 31 October 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  5. ↑ Sources regarding the Stone Cold radio premiere:
  6. 1 2 "Demi Lovato "Stone Cold"". Republic Playbook. Republic Records. Archived from the original on March 1, 2016. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Johnston, Maura (October 16, 2015). "Demi Lovato Lays It All Bare on 'Confident': Album Review". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  8. 1 2 3 "Demi Lovato "Stone Cold" Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  9. 1 2 3 Mcrady, Rachel (October 8, 2015). "Demi Lovato's "Stone Cold" Is Her Best Emotional Ballad Since "Skyscraper" -- Watch the Live Studio Session!". Us Weekly. Wenner Media. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  10. ↑ "The Yin and Yang of Post-Disney Pop Stars". The Atlantic. October 8, 2015. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  11. ↑ Coggan, Devan (October 18, 2015). "Demi Lovato performs 'Cool for the Summer,' 'Confident,' 'Stone Cold' on SNL". Entertainment Weekly. Wenner Media. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  12. 1 2 3 Garibaldi, Christina (October 8, 2015). "Demi Lovato's Vocals Have Reached New Heights On Her Emotional 'Stone Cold' Track". MTV. Viacom Media Networks. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  13. 1 2 Lipshutz, Jason (October 18, 2015). "Demi Lovato's 'Saturday Night Live' Performances: Watch 'Stone Cold,' 'Confident'". fuse. Fuse Media, Inc. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Demi Lovato Explains Emotional 'Stone Cold' Lyrics, Talks Interactive 'Future Now Tour'". On Air with Ryan Seacrest. 8 March 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  15. ↑ DemiLovatoVEVO (October 7, 2015). "Demi Lovato - Stone Cold (Live In Studio)". YouTube. Google. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  16. ↑ Demi Lovato (February 19, 2016). "Can't wait to share this special video with you all. #StoneColdVideo premiere February 23 ❤️". Twitter. Archived from the original on February 20, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  17. ↑ Lauletta, Tyler (February 19, 2016). "DEMI LOVATO'S 'STONE COLD' VIDEO TEASER RECALLS ADELE'S 'HELLO': WATCH". fuse. Fuse Networks, LLC. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  18. ↑ DemiLovatoVEVO (February 23, 2016). "Demi Lovato - Stone Cold (Official Video)". YouTube. Google. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  19. ↑ Malach, Maggie (September 30, 2015). "Demi Lovato "Stone Cold" Lyrics Will Give You Chills For All The Right Reasons — VIDEO". Bustle. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  20. ↑ Kreps, Daniel (October 18, 2015). "See Demi Lovato's Confident 'SNL' Performances". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  21. ↑ "106.1 KISS FM's Fall Ball 2015". 106.1 KISS FM. November 14, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  22. ↑ Lee, Ashley (December 11, 2015). "Demi Lovato Performs 'Stone Cold,' Accepts Rulebreaker Honor at Billboard Women in Music 2015". Billboard. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
  23. ↑ Michele Amabile Angermiller (December 12, 2015). "Jingle Ball NYC 2015: Demi Lovato Slays, Charlie Puth Home for Christmas & Fetty Wap Plays Santa". Billboard. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
  24. ↑ Daw, Robbie (February 10, 2016). "Demi Lovato Performs "Stone Cold" On 'Ellen', Is Ready To Be Engaged To Wilmer Valderrama: Watch". Idolator. Gawker Media. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
  25. ↑ Michele Amabile Angermiller (March 3, 2016). "Watch Demi Lovato's 'Confident' Performance With 'American Idol' Top 10". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  26. ↑ Konerman, Jennifer (March 16, 2016). "James Corden Brings 'Late Late Show' to Fan's House for One-Year Anniversary". The Hollywood Reporter. Guggenheim Media. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  27. ↑ The Hollywood Reporter (April 4, 2016). "Demi Lovato, Caitlyn Jenner Receive 2016 GLAAD Media Awards". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  28. ↑ "Demi Lovato Performs 'Stone Cold' With Surprise Guest Brad Paisley at iHeartRadio Music Awards". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. April 3, 2016. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  29. ↑ "Demi Lovato Opens Wango Tango With Powerhouse 'Confident' Performance". On Air with Ryan Seacrest. May 14, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  30. ↑ "Demi Lovato & Nick Jonas Carpool Karaoke". The Late Late Show with James Corden. YouTube. May 16, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  31. ↑ "'The Voice's' Alisan Porter owns the stage with Demi Lovato's 'Stone Cold'". Screener TV. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
  32. ↑ "Demi Lovato - Stone Cold - X FACTOR 7". Music-Me. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
  33. ↑ "Cristopher Clark, roqueiro de 43 anos, vence 1ª edição do "X Factor Brasil"". UOL. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
  34. ↑ Confident (CD liner notes). Demi Lovato. Hollywood Records/Island Records/Safehouse Records. 2015.
  35. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Demi Lovato – Stone Cold" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved March 03, 2016.
  36. ↑ "Demi Lovato – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for Demi Lovato. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  37. ↑ "Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 1, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
  38. ↑ "Demi Lovato – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for Demi Lovato. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
  39. ↑ "American single certifications – Stone Cold". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 30, 2016. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
  40. ↑ "RIAA Adds Digital Streams To Historic Gold & Platinum Awards". Recording Industry Association of America. May 9, 2013. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
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