"Stone Cold"
Money
Single by Demi Lovato
from the album Confident
ReleasedMarch 21, 2016 (2016-03-21)[1]
StudioMXM Studios (Los Angeles)
GenreSoul[2][3]
Length3:11
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Laleh Pourkarim
Demi Lovato singles chronology
"Irresistible"
(2015)		 "Stone Cold"
(2016)		 "Without a Fight"
(2016)
Music video
"Stone Cold" on YouTube

"Stone Cold" is a song by American singer Demi Lovato for her fifth studio album Confident (2015). The song was co-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 8, the song was sent to hot adult contemporary radio.[6]

A power 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 drew comparisons to Lovato's 2011 single "Skyscraper" and the works of Adele.[7][9] The song has over 500 million streams on Spotify.

Composition

"Stone Cold" is a soul 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 the low note of F3 to the 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 breakup 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 2011 single "Skyscraper" and the works of 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 praised Lovato's vocals, claiming that she had "reached new heights" on the song, as well as her emotional delivery.[12]

Music videos

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. The music video was shot in Park City, Utah.[18]

The music video shows Lovato at various locations, such as snowy mountains and a bathtub clothed, singing in a depressive manner. The video ends with a shot of Lovato in the snow.[19]

Live performances

Lovato debuted the song on September 29, 2015, during her performance at the Highline Ballroom in New York City.[20] 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][21] Furthermore, "Stone Cold" was a part of Lovato's setlist at the 2015 106.1 KISS FM Fall Ball on November 14, 2015.[22] 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.[23] Lovato also included the song in her setlist during the 2015 Jingle Ball Tour.[24] On February 10, 2016, she performed the song on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.[25] Lovato performed "Stone Cold" on American Idol on March 3, 2016, and on The Late Late Show on March 16, 2016.[26][27] On April 2, 2016, she performed the song at the 27th GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles where she received the GLAAD Vanguard Award.[28] The next day, she gave another rendition of the song at the 3rd iHeartRadio Music Awards joined by Brad Paisley on guitar.[29] On May 14, 2016, Lovato performed "Stone Cold" as a part of her setlist at the 2016 edition of Wango Tango.[30] 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.[31]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Confident.[32]

Recording

  • Recorded at MXM Studios, Los Angeles, United States
  • Mixed at MixStar Studios, Virginia Beach, United States
  • Mastered at Sterling Sound, New York City, United States

Management

  • Published by Ddlovato Music (ASCAP) and MXM (ASCAP)
  • All rights administered by Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP)

Personnel

  • 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

Charts

Chart performance for "Stone Cold"
Chart (2015–2016) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[33] 27
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[34] 79
Israel (Media Forest TV Airplay)[35] 3
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[36] 2
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[37] 36

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[38] Platinum 70,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[39] Gold 45,000‡
Norway (IFPI Norway)[40] Gold 30,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[41] Gold 10,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[42] Gold 30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[43] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[44] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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

Other appearances

References

  1. 1 2 3 Sources regarding the contemporary hit radio release:
    • Trust, Gary (March 16, 2016). ".@ddlovato's "Stone Cold" goes to mainstream & adult top 40 radio Monday (March 21) ..." Billboard. Twitter. Archived from the original on April 6, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
    • "Demi Lovato "Stone Cold"". Republic Playbook. Republic Records. Archived from the original on March 22, 2016. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Watch Demi Lovato's Chilling, Cathartic 'Stone Cold' Video". Rolling Stone. October 8, 2015. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  3. ↑ 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 October 31, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 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. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  8. 1 2 3 "Demi Lovato "Stone Cold" Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc. October 16, 2015. 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. March 8, 2016. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  15. ↑ DemiLovatoVEVO (October 7, 2015). "Demi Lovato - Stone Cold (Live In Studio)". YouTube. 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. ↑ Schillaci, Sophie (February 23, 2016). "EXCLUSIVE: Demi Lovato Reveals Why 'Stone Cold' Was 'the Hardest Music Video I've Ever Shot'". ET Online. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  19. ↑ DemiLovatoVEVO (February 23, 2016). "Demi Lovato - Stone Cold (Official Video)". YouTube. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  20. ↑ 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.
  21. ↑ Kreps, Daniel (October 18, 2015). "See Demi Lovato's Confident 'SNL' Performances". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Archived from the original on October 18, 2015. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  22. ↑ "106.1 KISS FM's Fall Ball 2015". 106.1 KISS FM. November 14, 2015. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  23. ↑ Lee, Ashley (December 11, 2015). "Demi Lovato Performs 'Stone Cold,' Accepts Rulebreaker Honor at Billboard Women in Music 2015". Billboard. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
  24. ↑ 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.
  25. ↑ 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.
  26. ↑ 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.
  27. ↑ 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.
  28. ↑ The Hollywood Reporter (April 4, 2016). "Demi Lovato, Caitlyn Jenner Receive 2016 GLAAD Media Awards". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  29. ↑ "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.
  30. ↑ "Demi Lovato Opens Wango Tango With Powerhouse 'Confident' Performance". On Air with Ryan Seacrest. May 14, 2016. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  31. ↑ "Demi Lovato & Nick Jonas Carpool Karaoke". The Late Late Show with James Corden. YouTube. May 16, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  32. ↑ Confident (CD liner notes). Demi Lovato. Hollywood Records/Island Records/Safehouse Records. 2015.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  33. ↑ "Demi Lovato – Stone Cold" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved March 03, 2016.
  34. ↑ "Demi Lovato Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  35. ↑ "מדיה פורסט - לדעת שאתה באוויר". Mediaforest.biz. May 8, 2016. Archived from the original on September 10, 2017. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  36. ↑ "Demi Lovato Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
  37. ↑ "Demi Lovato Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
  38. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  39. ↑ "Danish single certifications – Demi Lovato – Stone Cold". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  40. ↑ "Norwegian single certifications – Demi Lovato – Stone Cold" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  41. ↑ "Portuguese single certifications – Demi Lovato – Stone Cold" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  42. ↑ "Awards Record – Demi Lovato – Stone Cold". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  43. ↑ "British single certifications – Demi Lovato – Stone Cold". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
  44. ↑ "American single certifications – Demi Lovato – Stone Cold". Recording Industry Association of America.
  45. ↑ "Stone Cold (Demi Lovato) - cover by Teodora Sava la Next Star Romania". youtube.com. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
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