When the Show Goes On: Demi Lovato

Horrid reports detailed beloved singer/songwriter Demi Lovato's overdose. In the months following Lovato's rehabilitation, the singer opened up with Apple Music's Zane Lowe about the struggles that brought her to such a place. She conveys these emotions and experiences in her song "Anyone."

Lovato's interview with Lowe contextualizes the single that was later performed at the 2020 Grammys Awards. Lovato and Lowe discuss the singer's continuous utilization of art as a source of strength while undergoing personal turmoil. Despite the uplifting elements of music, "Anyone" articulates the opposite message for Lovato.

“However, for Lovato, ‘Anyone’ articulates the opposite message. The song serves as a turning point in her music, where comfort is stripped and confidence is shaken, delving into the unforgiving territory of substance abuse”

The song serves as a turning point in her music, where comfort is stripped, and confidence is shaken, delving into the unforgiving territory of substance abuse. The troubling words of the artist bleed out as she sings, "I tried to talk to my piano/ I tried to talk to my guitar/ Talk to my imagination/ Confided into alcohol." The meta-natured song states that she can no longer turn to music to articulate her pain or find the relief she craves. Nevertheless, to the singer's surprise, the song would do just that come this Grammys. 

"Anyone" is an artistic timepiece. The song signifies a painful period and the true embodiment of her emotion. She shares the extent of the song's authenticity as it was written and recorded just before her overdose. Lovato, as a proclaimed perfectionist, cringes at the recording's minor cracks. However, she accepts the imperfections as they contribute to the greater importance of the work as an evocation of her pain. 

In an additional interview with Ashley Graham, the singer gets candid about her struggles with body image. In a similar vein, Lovato indicates that she does not look in the mirror to praise her imperfections falsely. Instead, she accepts her body and remains grateful for her health as a young woman with value beyond aesthetics. Consistent with this sentiment, Lovato decided to avoid re-recording her single "Anyone," honoring the song's imperfections. 

The song's release also exhibits the growth she has made since her overdose. The impact of "Anyone" reaches full circle as Lovato tearfully sings alongside a minimal piano on the Grammys stage. Her powerful voice projects the song in a way that moves audiences to admire not only her talent but also her profound resilience. The performance, viewed by thousands, allows Lovato to reclaim her experience with substance abuse and gain strength through her art. Once again, she can use art as a vehicle to share her story and move her work, and herself, in a promising direction. The song's lyrics may also take on a multitude of meanings, depending on interpretation by either the artist herself or her fans. However, understanding the biography of an artist adds a layer of appreciation to their public persona.

Given context and understanding of an artist's personal life, songs may take on alternative meaning. In a similar vein, context impacts the significance of Mac Miller's album Circle, released two years following his death, consisting of songs recorded just before his passing. A standout song, arguably the most popular from the album, is "Good News." Similar to Lovato's single, the song's release date distinctly paints the lyrics. Perhaps, given a release date during his life, the lyrics would not be as troubling. Miller shares his feeling "down" laid on top of a lax melodic beat. The song articulates his former conflicted mental state, ping-ponging between depression and pessimistic acceptance. The song, however, is not strikingly dark, reaching a somewhat optimistic conclusion repetitively stating, "it ain't that bad." 

 However, one of the most salient lines in the song states, "there's a whole lot more waiting for me on the other side." This line resonates with the listener, given his current circumstance. The lyrics reveal that Miller formerly considered death and possibly the bliss attained in the afterlife or the "other side." But, on the other hand, the line could provide comfort for the listener as Miller shares his belief in a more significant destination that will potentially ease his afflictions.

Artistic production during periods of personal turmoil is a remarkable feat. Rather than halting their craft, artists such as Lovato and Miller manage to share their authentic experiences with fans. Often listeners appropriate their meaning to songs. However, understanding the song's context and meaning may shed light on a diverse perspective and allow one to relate to the artist profoundly.