"Haunted Heart"
Single by Christina Aguilera
from the album The Addams Family (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
ReleasedSeptember 27, 2019 (2019-09-27)
Genre
Length2:46
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Rock Mafia
Christina Aguilera singles chronology
"Like I Do"
(2018)		 "Haunted Heart"
(2019)		 "Fall on Me"
(2019)
Music video
"Haunted Heart" on YouTube

"Haunted Heart" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Christina Aguilera, taken from the soundtrack to the 2019 computer-animated black comedy film The Addams Family. The song was written by Aguilera, Antonina Armato and Tim James, and produced by the latter two (comprising the duo Rock Mafia). It was released as a single on September 27, 2019, by RCA Records.

A fusion of pop, jazz and soul, the song tells the story of a passionate romantic relationship. It is a retro-style recording, reminiscent of songs from Aguilera's Back to Basics album, and dedicated to a gothic icon — Morticia Addams. "Haunted Heart" was praised by music critics, who complimented its production and Aguilera's soulful vocal delivery, and it also received a nomination for the Hollywood Music in Media Award for Best Original Song in an Animated Film.[1]

Background and release

On September 10, 2019, it was announced that Christina Aguilera, Snoop Dogg, and Migos would be featured on the soundtrack for the animated film The Addams Family.[2][3] Jonathan Glickman, MGM's Motion Picture Group President, said that: "Christina Aguilera, Migos, (...) and Snoop Dogg are all powerhouse talents. We could not have asked for a better lineup of global superstars to help audiences embrace the weird and celebrate the absurd with two brand-new songs that perfectly compliment this fresh fun take on MGM's beloved franchise, just in time for Halloween."[3]

The soundtrack for MGM's The Addams Family was promoted by two singles; the first of them was "My Family" performed by Migos, Karol G, Rock Mafia, and Snoop Dogg.[4] "Haunted Heart" was then released as a second single from the film.[3] It was made available for streaming and digital download on September 27, 2019.[5] Three days ahead of the single's release Aguilera tweeted: "I’m so excited be a part of this iconic favorite creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky fam."[6][7] In 2021, she also contributed to The Addams Family 2 soundtrack, and recorded a new version of the franchise's classic musical theme.[8]

Composition

"Haunted Heart" is a torch song which tells the story of a gothic love story,[9] and mainly incorporates pop,[10] soul[11][12] and jazz genres,[12][13][10] as well as elements of blues and R&B.[14][10] Some music critics noted that "Haunted Heart" was in style with Aguilera's fifth studio album Back to Basics (2006).[15][14] Among the instruments used during the recording sessions were baritone saxophones,[16] muted jazz-styled drums,[16] and horns,[17][18] and the track itself opens with the sound of a siren.[16] Aguilera revealed that the song "resonated" with her because it gave her the opportunity to portray a certain character.[17][18] She was also captivated by its retro style and soulful convention.[17] While recording "Haunted Heart," Aguilera was inspired by the work of Billie Holiday and Screamin' Jay Hawkins, as well as their "predatory" vocal style.[12][19][17][18][20]

Screaming Jay Hawkins in 1979
Billie Holiday in 1949
The song was partially inspired by the work of Screamin' Jay Hawkins and Billie Holiday.

The song was written by Aguilera, Antonina Armato, and Tim Jones (comprising the duo Rock Mafia), and the two latter are responsible for the production.[21][22] It is dedicated to a character from The Addams Family film, Morticia Addams, and is used in the opening scene, introducing the animation. The song follows the convention of a love ballad and portrays Morticia as a strong and intimidating woman, and as a gothic icon.[9] In the context of the movie, the song also tells the story of a passionate relationship between Morticia and Gomez Addams.[23] In the song, the singer warns her lover, saying: "My heart is a haunted house; once you're in, you ain't getting out. It's the trap you've been waiting for; ain't no windows, ain't no doors."[16][15]

The song's lyrics are filled with eerie metaphors (e.g. "Whisper low in my ears; before you try to get your hooks in me"),[24] referencing the macabre, which was hyperbolized in the original Addams Family comics.[25]

Critical reception

Several critics applauded the song for its "Back to Basics vibe".

The song received critical acclaim. Althea Legaspi of Rolling Stone called it a "romantically foreboding", "fittingly haunting, dramatic track", and noted that it was "soulfully" sang by Aguilera.[26] Billboard lauded the song as "sassy" and "brassy", and opined that Aguilera sings it "with all the heart and soul we expect from the pop superstar".[27] Julie Muncy from io9/Gizmondo described "Haunted Heart" as a "badass song" and praised Aguilera's "crisp" vocals.[9] E! Online editor Billy Nilles complimented the track's "jazzy instrumentals" and its "Back to Basics vibes", as well as Aguilera's vocal delivery.[15] The reviewer added: "One listen and you'll find yourself under her [the singer's] spell".[15]

Mike Wilton of All Hallow's Geek believed that "the track deviates a bit from the singer's traditional pop and R&B sound and harkens back to 1950s". He also compared "Haunted Heart" to "I Put a Spell on You" — a song composed and recorded by Screamin' Jay Hawkins.[19] Michiel Vos from A Bit of Pop Music wrote that "Haunted Heart" is "theatrical", "suspenseful" and "freakishly catchy".[10] He applauded its "more than decent hook and production" and Aguilera's "expressive", "slightly creepy vocal performance".[10] Stephanie Tzogas (Harlequin.com) praised the song's lyrics and Aguilera's singing, noting that she "kills it with her incredible voice".[28]. Mike Nied of the Idolator magazine called "Haunted Heart" "seriously catchy", and praised its "supersized, jazzy instrumentals", as well as its Back to Basics-like production. He was also impressed with Aguilera's strong singing voice, writing that "Christina was not playing games with the vocals on this one".[29]

In her article for PopSugar UK Angela Law considered the song a possible "Halloween anthem of 2019",[30] and All-Noise named it a catchy, "creepy bop".[31] Consequence's Nina Corcoran complimented the song's lyrics and sound, noting that "it’s just the right amount of eerie without being a full-blown scary song."[16] Additionally, she lauded Aguilera's "dramatic" vocals and the track's fitting, "retro pop style".[16] Writing for StyleCaster, Brandy Robidoux called "Haunted Heart" "seductive", and ranked it at number ten on the list of "haunting pop songs that will immediately get you in the spooky spirit".[32] Michele Mendez from Elite Daily placed it at number four on her list of the best Halloween songs,[33] and Lauren Miolene ranked it on a similar list for The Bash.[34]

Accolades

Awards and nominations for "Haunted Heart"
Year Award Category Result Ref.
2019 Hollywood Music in Media Award Best Original Song in an Animated Film Nominated
Iconic Award Best Single by a Foreign Artist Nominated

Music video and promotion

Promotional lyric video for "Haunted Heart" premiered on Aguilera's official YouTube channel on September 27, 2019, two weeks before the film was theatrically released.[27][36][37] It features scenes from The Addams Family, especially those with the animated Morticia, as well as shots from the recording studio where Aguilera sings in front of a microphone.[27][25] Three days later, the video was uploaded to the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's YouTube channel as well.[38]

On September 12, 2019, Aguilera was a guest at the 31 Nights of Halloween Fan Fest event organized by Freeform. She performed the song in front of an audience for the first time. It aired on television on October 5, 2019.[39][40] Lauren Piester of E! Online called the performance "delightfully spooky".[39] Aguilera also promoted the song during her interviews at The Kelly Clarkson Show,[41][42] and at Andy Cohen's Deep & Shallow radio show for Sirius XM.[43][44]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal[22] and Discogs.[21]

Charts

Chart (2019) Peak
position
France (SNEP)[45] 109
US Kid Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[46] 1

Release history

Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various September 27, 2019 RCA [5]

References

  1. 1 2 Harris, LaTesha (November 5, 2019). "'Joker', 'Lion King' Lead Hollywood Music in Media Awards Nominees". Variety. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  2. ↑ Gwee, Karen (September 11, 2019). "Christina Aguilera, Migos, Snoop Dogg will appear on 'The Addams Family' soundtrack". NME. Bandlab Technologies. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 "The Addams Family to Feature Original Music From Christina Aguilera, Migos, Karol G, Rock Mafia & Snoop Dogg". BroadwayWorld. September 10, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  4. ↑ Smith-Engelhardt, Joe (September 14, 2019). "'The Addams Family' soundtrack gets first single with Snoop Dogg, more". Alternative Press Magazine. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  5. 1 2 "Haunted Heart – Single by Christina Aguilera on Apple Music". Apple Music. Apple Inc. Archived from the original on June 21, 2020. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  6. ↑ Christina Aguilera (September 24, 2019). "My new song #HauntedHeart for The Addams Family animated film drops this Friday!! (...)". Archived from the original on October 11, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023 – via Twitter.
  7. ↑ Squires, John (September 27, 2019). "'Haunted Heart': Listen to the New Song Christina Aguilera Recorded for 'The Addams Family'!". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Megan Thee Stallion and Snoop Dogg join 'The Addams Family 2' soundtrack". NME. September 28, 2021. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  9. 1 2 3 Muncy, Julie (September 28, 2019). "Christina Aguilera's Song for Morticia in the New Addams Family Totally Slaps, Actually". io9/Gizmondo. Archived from the original on October 1, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Vos, Michiel (September 27, 2019). "Single Review: Christina Aguilera – Haunted Heart". A Bit of Pop Music. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Christina Aguilera regresa a la música con 'Haunted Heart' para la película de 'La Familia Addams'" (in Spanish). Europa FM. Atresmedia. September 29, 2019. Archived from the original on October 1, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  12. 1 2 3 Nowicki, Albert (September 25, 2021). "Christina Aguilera recorded the musical theme for 'The Addams Family 2' – listen to a snippet of the song". Prime Movies. Archived from the original on October 9, 2023. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Christina Aguilera lança o jazz sombrio 'Haunted Heart'". TecoApple (in Portuguese). September 27, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  14. 1 2 "'Haunted Heart' – Confira a canção de Christina Aguilera para a animação 'A Família Adams'". Stereo Pop (in Portuguese). September 27, 2019. Archived from the original on August 15, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  15. 1 2 3 4 Nilles, Billy (September 27, 2019). "The MixtapE! Presents Christina Aguilera, Maluma, J Balvin and More New Music Musts". E! Online. E!. NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment Group. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Corcoran, Nina (September 27, 2023). "Christina Aguilera warns lovers of her 'Haunted Heart' on new song: Stream". Consequence. Consequence Media. Archived from the original on October 11, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  17. 1 2 3 4 "The Addams Family 2019 Movie − Exclusive Christina Aguilera − Celebrity Interview − 5 Mins 24s". YouTube. Alphabet Inc. October 1, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  18. 1 2 3 "Addams Family Movie – Celebrity Interview Christina Aguilera & Chloe Grace Moretz". Epic Heroes. Growth Hacking Agency. October 1, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  19. 1 2 Wilton, Mike (September 28, 2019). "Listen to Christina Aguilera's 'Haunted Heart' from 'The Addams Family' Soundtrack". All Hallows Geek. Archived from the original on October 9, 2023. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Christina Aguilera's Haunted House". SoulBowl. October 1, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  21. 1 2 "Christina Aguilera – Haunted Heart". Discogs. Zink Media, Inc. Archived from the original on October 9, 2023. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  22. 1 2 "Haunted Heart − Christina Aguilera − Tidal". Tidal. Aspiro. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  23. ↑ Bogaev, Barbara (October 7, 2019). "Hip-hop and Christina Aguilera: Music for animated 'Addams Family'". KCRW. Archived from the original on October 9, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Christina Aguilera – Haunted Heart Lyrics". Genius. MediaLab AI, Inc. Archived from the original on November 6, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  25. 1 2 Stone, Sam (October 27, 2019). "The Addams Family: Christina Aguilera Drops New Single, Haunted Heart". Comic Book Resources. Valnet Inc. Archived from the original on October 4, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  26. ↑ Legaspi, Althea (September 27, 2019). "Hear Christina Aguilera's Romantically Foreboding New Song 'Haunted Heart'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 27, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  27. 1 2 3 "Christina Aguilera Drops 'Haunted Heart' Song From 'Addams Family' Soundtrack: Stream It Now". Billboard. September 27, 2019. Archived from the original on June 11, 2020. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  28. ↑ "Prepare to Party with 20 of Harlequin's Favorite Halloween Tunes!". Harlequin Enterprises. October 27, 2022. Archived from the original on October 9, 2023. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  29. ↑ Nied, Mike (September 27, 2019). "Christina Aguilera Welcomes Us Into Her 'Haunted Heart'". Idolator. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  30. ↑ Law, Angela (September 27, 2019). "Christina Aguilera Released a Spooky Halloween Single Titled 'Haunted Heart'". PopSugar UK. Vox Media. Archived from the original on October 11, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  31. ↑ "Music Review: 'Haunted Heart' By Christina Aguilera". All-Noise. September 25, 2019. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  32. ↑ Robidoux, Brandy (October 22, 2019). "13 Haunting Pop Songs That Will Immediately Get You In The Spooky Spirit". StyleCaster. SHE Media. Archived from the original on October 9, 2023. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  33. ↑ Mendez, Michele (September 9, 2021). "15 Halloween Songs For Your Party Playlist That'll Spook Your Friends". Elite Daily. Bustle Digital Group. Archived from the original on October 9, 2023. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  34. ↑ Miolene, Lauren (October 21, 2021). "120 Spooky Songs for Your Halloween Party Playlist". The Bash. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  35. ↑ "Iconic Awards 2019 – Best Single by a Foreign Artist". Facebook. Meta Platforms. November 16, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  36. ↑ "The Addams Family – Music Video – Christina Aguilera 'Haunted Heart'". Comics2Film. Robot Monkey Worx. October 1, 2019. Archived from the original on October 11, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  37. ↑ "Christina Aguilera's Original Song 'Haunted Heart' from 'The Addams Family' Released". Film Music Reporter. October 27, 2019. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  38. ↑ "The Addams Family – Christina Aguilera 'Haunted Heart' Official Music Video – MGM". YouTube. Alphabet Inc. October 1, 2019. Archived from the original on October 11, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  39. 1 2 Piester, Lauren (October 2, 2019). "Christina Aguilera Gets Delightfully Spooky Performing at Freeform's Halloween Fan Fest". E! Online. E!. NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment Group. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  40. ↑ "Full schedule: 31 Nights of Halloween on Freeform". ABC 7 News/KGO-TV. August 29, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  41. ↑ "Christina Aguilera Tells Kelly They Are 'Twins Separated At Birth' – The Kelly Clarkson Show". YouTube. Alphabet Inc. September 16, 2019. Archived from the original on October 12, 2023. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  42. ↑ "Kelly Clarkson irá entrevistar Christina Aguilera em talk show". Exitoína (in Portuguese). Editorial Perfil. September 12, 2019. Archived from the original on October 12, 2023. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  43. ↑ Deep & Shallow Interviews: Christina Aguilera (radio show). Sirius XM Satellite Radio. Liberty Media Corporation. September 16, 2019.
  44. ↑ "Christina Aguilera on Deep & Shallow Interviews – New Dates The Xperience – Haunted Heart and more!". YouTube. Alphabet Inc. September 17, 2019. Archived from the original on October 12, 2023. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  45. ↑ "Christina Aguilera – Haunted Heart (Single)" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  46. ↑ "Kid Digital Song Sales − The week of October 12, 2019". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Archived from the original on October 9, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
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