Demi Lovato has had one hell of a roller coaster ride as far as being a pop star goes. During her decade-long career, she has done it all – the good girl on Disney, the edgy pop star, the vocal powerhouse and the vulnerable singer-songwriter. And, through it all, she has become a pop icon for our generation.
But, while Demi Lovato has countless chart-topping hits and commercial successes under her belt, there are some tracks that have gone unnoticed. Every singer has a sparkling B-Side to their dazzling A-Sides. And, trust us when we say: Demi is no stranger to some hidden gems. So, as we celebrate her birthday, we’re diving straight into some of her most underrated songs. And, these are must-listens that give you a whole new insight into the singer’s world of music.
1. La La Land
This track may not be unknown, considering how it was one of her first ever hit singles. But, it’s definitely gotten left behind in the wave of new Demi Lovato music. What makes this one so special is the unapologetic writing, characteristic of the pop singer’s personality.
Demi opens this song with the striking lines: “I am confident, but/ I still have my moments/ Baby, that’s just me.” And, if that doesn’t give you enough of a taste, the chorus is sure to blow your socks off. She sings, “Well, some may say I need to be afraid/ Of losing everything/ Because of where I/ Had my start and/ Where I made my name./But everything’s the same/ In a la la land machine.” Add to that the light rock arrangement and her powerful vocals, and you’ve got an absolute banger to rock out to, folks.
2. Catch Me
Demi Lovato is a powerhouse vocalist, no doubt. But, if there’s one thing more captivating than her pipes, it’s her stripped down vocals. And, ‘Catch Me’ from the 2009 album, “Here We Go Again” shows you just that. The vulnerable songwriting accompanied by the steady acoustic rhythm draws you right in.
And, then comes Demi’s sweet melodic tone. The song is a heartbreaking track about love, and sees Lovato singing: “Before I fall too fast/ Kiss me quick but make it last/ So I can see how badly this will hurt me when you say goodbye.” This stripped down, acoustic track is the definition of a hidden gem.
3. For The Love of a Daughter
Demi has never been one to shy away from letting people in. In fact, much of the singer’s work is a glimpse into her personal diary of life. She has let fans into her world of addiction, anxiety and depression. And, while those remain striking moments in the singer’s career, ‘For The Love of a Daughter’, takes vulnerability to new heights.
With this emotional pop ballad, Demi sings of her father’s struggle with alcoholism and how it affected her, both as a child and as a grown up. She sings, “You have a hollowed out heart but it’s heavy in your chest/ I tried so hard to fight it but it’s hopeless/ You’re hopeless/ Oh father, please father/ I’d love to leave you alone but I can’t let you go/ Oh father, please father/ Put the bottle down for the love of a daughter.” Lovato is a master of pop ballads, and that skill is evident here, more than ever.
4. Nightingale
With this track, Demi Lovato takes your classic lullaby and makes it a whole new treat for the ears. Lovato uses the metaphor of the nightingale and places it in the arms of a melodic, but powerful piano ballad. The singer explores themes of loneliness and longing. And, this is a beautiful look at Demi’s state of mind at the time.
She sings, “I never see the forest for the trees/ I could really use your melody/ Baby I’m a little blind/ I think it’s time for you to find me/ Can you be my nightingale?” If you have tears in your eyes, now, you’d better keep a box of tissues close by because this one is a tear-jerker.
5. Sober
In the crescendo to this hard-hitting list of hidden gems on Demi Lovato’s discography, the 2018 track, ‘Sober’, makes its way. The singer details her traumatic journey with addiction and substance abuse to the tune of a raw, powerhouse acoustic ballad. In addition, ‘Sober’ hits especially hard when you realise that the track released shortly before her accidental overdose in 2018.
Using the song as her way of confession, Demi sings: “Momma, I’m so sorry I’m not sober anymore/ And daddy, please forgive me for the drinks spilled on the floor/ To the ones who never left me/ We’ve been down this road before/ I’m so sorry, I’m not sober anymore.”
By: Ahalya Narayanan