Demi Lovato, ‘Skyscraper’ – Song Review

The teen pop world is watching every move that formerly embattled singer Demi Lovato makes, simply because pop culture loves a comeback and Lovato is on that trail with her new single, 'Skyscraper.' The song is her first piece of new music since emerging from rehab earlier this year.

The song's opening is incredibly breathy, as Lovato's voice carries over a key melody. It's darkly pretty, sort of like the singer herself. Lovato is not the best singer in the world, but it would stand to reason that her voice is best to serve as the centerpiece of the song, since she has been the focal point of tabloid attention since her personal dramas unfolded. It's as though the song is a defiant answer to the scrutiny she was under and she doesn't back down, which we like about her.

It's the lyrics that are like an open book confession, as well. Lovato croons, "You can take everything I have / You can break everything I am / Like I'm made of glass / Like I'm made of paper / Go on and try to tear me down / I will be rising from the ground / Like a skyscraper."

The song is clearly autobiographical, given the very public meltdown and rehab that she went through last fall. It's brave of Lovato to lay her plight out there in full view and to empower other teenage girls with her message of strength. That's the most critical element of an otherwise haunting pop song.

Overall, 'Skyscraper' is a fragile, vulnerable and ultimately empowering song, not a dance anthem. It encourages you to have strength and to stand tall in the face of all odds, especially during the last 30 seconds, when Lovato's voice elevates and roars. The song certainly shows her strength.

You can nab the song here.

Listen to Demi Lovato, 'Skyscraper'