Demi Lovato in 10 Songs

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The post Demi Lovato in 10 Songs appeared first on Consequence.

Ever felt intimidated by a musician’s extensive back catalog? Been trying to get into a band, but you just don’t know where to begin? In 10 Songs is here to help, providing a clearcut entry point into the daunting discographies of iconic artists of all genres. This is your first step toward fandom — now all you have to do is take it.


For pop culture enthusiasts of a certain age, it’s becoming hard to remember a time when Demi Lovato wasn’t part of the conversation. It was Disney Channel Original Movie Camp Rock that launched Lovato directly into the realm of teen stardom in 2008, but OG fans saw something special the first time she sang on the House of Mouse miniseries As the Bell Rings. (Sure, some fans might be able to recall her appearances on Barney as a child, but that’s a bit of a stretch.)

Among the many teen stars launched by Disney, Demi Lovato is equipped with a truly unbelievable voice. Her vocal prowess cemented the Jonas Brothers project Camp Rock as an instant DCOM classic, but Lovato quickly established herself as an incredibly talented artist — even during the days when she was still officially working with Disney.

In the years since, Lovato has remained a fixture of the music landscape, persevering through times of great personal hardship and struggles with addiction. With each new album and each new era, she’s honored different parts of herself and her identity: some that she knows deeply, some that took great courage to lay on the table, and some that she’s still in the process of discovering herself.

Her eighth studio album, HOLY FVCK, is set to arrive this Friday, August 19th. With new music on the way, we’ve taken a look at Lovato’s discography so far and pinned down 10 of the songs that highlight her story so far. They might not necessarily be the same as her 10 best songs (justice for “Daddy Issues!), but these 10 tracks can act as chronological highlights from the many albums and eras she’s shared with us.

In 2017, Lovato titled her album as a request — Tell Me You Love Me — and it’s safe to say that many Lovatics can say they love the artist now as they did the first time they heard her sing. This is real, this is Demi.

Check out Demi Lovato in 10 Songs below, and scroll to the end for a playlist of all 10 tracks.


She’s Really Good: “This Is Me”

If there’s one way to burst onto the scene, it’s with a spotlit finale duet with mid-2000s era Joe Jonas (the best Jonas, argue with the wall). “This Is Me” works so well for Demi, and holds up as decently as it does to this day, because her voice has always thrived when paired with more rock-tinged music. It’s the grand conclusion this silly, wonderful, endlessly meme-able, and all-around modern classic DCOM deserves.

Baby, That’s Just Me: “La La Land”

While Lovato was still very much in the Disney machine when “La La Land” dropped — the music video is populated by her costars from the show she fronted, Sonny With A Chance — this song showed that she wasn’t going to be silenced by anyone, and she was going to make a bop while doing it. “Who says I can’t wear my converse with my dress?” We would never dream of it, Demi.

“La La Land” serves as the opening to her fantastic 2008 album, Don’t Forget, one of the best projects produced by a Disney star who was still very much in their prime on the channel. It’s an anthem to independence and remaining true to yourself in an industry that far too often demands otherwise.

Closer to the Clouds: “Skyscraper”

As the lead single to Unbroken, “Skyscraper” marked an important moment for Lovato. She recorded the track through heavy emotions in 2010 — those who were present on the day of the initial recording recount the artist singing through tears, at points nearly doubled over to get through the song — and shortly thereafter, she checked herself into treatment for an eating disorder.

Despite the fact that the song was re-recorded the following year after treatment, Lovato ended up keeping the original cut of the song. As part of her first album officially outside of a Disney contract, “Skyscraper” is an anthemic, powerful display of both her vocal prowess and willingness to be vulnerable with her listeners.

The Pop Girlies Just Aren’t Doing It Like This Anymore: “Heart Attack”

Who was giving this level of smoky eye in 2013 while also giving us this addictive a chorus? According to an interview with MTV, the high notes towards the end were Lovato’s own idea. As anyone who has seen the artist in concert can attest, she can in fact hit them live, too.

“Heart Attack” is jam-packed with emotions — it’s clear that’s not a rarity when it comes to Lovato’s discography — and producer Jason Evigan later revealed that the track initially had a dubstep breakdown built into the middle. (Did we mention this song was recorded in 2013?) Thanks to the fact that Lovato’s voice already contains such depth for storytelling, the folks in the studio decided that with a few riffs, the track would be perfect as-is.

Give Us Everything: “Give Your Heart a Break”

Not only was this song a danceable, explosive pop offering, the music video gave us everything. We had Demi rocking some perfect ombre hair, a love interest in a beanie and a leather jacket, an appropriate amount of drama, and acting. If you take a look at the YouTube comment section for “Give Your Heart a Break,” it’s a lot of the same — people miss this vibe on the radio, they love the song to this day, and they concur that it doesn’t get old.

Step Into Your Power: “Confident”

When producer Max Martin comes into the room, it usually means things are about to get really good. The big, brassy horns, combined with the perfectly placed snaps at the start of the chorus and the repetitive question — “What’s wrong with being confident?” — are truly a recipe for success.

Lovato has dealt with plenty of unfair vitriol being in the public eye as long as she has, while also not always fitting the mold for a pop artist. “Confident” was a true reclamation of power, and it’s one that leaves the listener feeling just a bit better than before hearing the song to this day.

Stay Cool: “Cool for the Summer”

If “Confident” was Lovato dipping a toe in the water of sexy energy, “Cool for the Summer” is the artist diving in headfirst. A rightfully inescapable anthem for summer 2015, this vibrant, colorful, and absurdly catchy ode to loving and exploring reunited Lovato with superproducer Max Martin. It’s a song all about honoring our own desires, and the neon-drenched music video boasted Lovato with an incredible chopped haircut and an even more incredible bodysuit.

For the TikTok generation, the song caught on recently in March of 2022, yielding a pleasantly surprising second life for the song. Many things have changed since the song’s initial release in 2015, but with Demi, the summer is as cool as ever.

Vocals for Days: “Stone Cold”

As Demi has proven time and time again that she can slay a pop anthem, “Stone Cold” acted as a more stripped-down reminder that she can give us soulful ballads, too. While the introspective music video is great, it’s her performance of the track on SNL that cements the song as essential to really getting to know her, her story, and her personal voice. You can physically see her stepping into her confidence and power over the course of the song, where she’s backed only by a pianist.

The Anthem of All Anthems: “Sorry Not Sorry”

All right, let’s get into it. “Sorry Not Sorry” is the pop anthem we all needed in 2017. It was Lovato’s first track to enter the top 10 in the Billboard Hot 100 since 2013’s “Heart Attack,” and rightfully so. It’s a song that simply never gets old. Feeling bummed? Turn on “Sorry Not Sorry” and suddenly things won’t seem so bleak. Been ghosted? Turn on “Sorry Not Sorry” and you’ll be ready to get back out there. Worried you messed up at work? Let “Sorry Not Sorry” spin a few times and it’ll all fade away, baby. The song has over a billion streams on Spotify, and this writer would rather not say how many she personally contributed to that cause.

Back In Action: “SKIN OF MY TEETH”

It goes without saying that the past few years haven’t necessarily been easy for Demi. With this new era, though, she’s leaning all the way back into the edgier roots that she played around with in the early days. The rollout has been dramatic and fun — she announced a funeral for the death of her pop music era on social media, and debuted the pop-punk, rock era in full swing. As she continues to unpack her experience with addiction and rehab, “SKIN OF MY TEETH” kicked the door down and began the new time for Demi with an appropriate bang.


Demi Lovato in 10 Songs Playlist:

Demi Lovato in 10 Songs
Mary Siroky

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