Disaster (song)

"Disaster"
Single by JoJo
Released September 6, 2011 (2011-09-06)
(see release history)
Format Digital download
Recorded 2011
Genre Pop rock, R&B, power pop
Length 3:37
Label Interscope, Blackground
Writer(s) Joanna Levesque, Gino Barletta, Mario Marchetti, Marc Himmel
Producer(s) Mario Marchetti
JoJo singles chronology
"Anything"
(2007)
"Disaster"
(2011)
"When Love Hurts"
(2015)

"Disaster" is a song recorded by American recording artist JoJo and released as a buzz single initially for her third studio album. The song was written by Gino Barletta, along with JoJo, Marc Himmel, and Mario Marchetti. The song was Produced by Mario Marchetti. "Disaster" premiered on US radio on August 29, 2011 via Interscope Records and it was made available for digital download on September 6, 2011.

Musically, "Disaster" is a mid-tempo pop ballad with R&B and pop rock influences. The song's lyrics describe a relationship that has gone from happy and blissful to tumultuous and disastrous. The song received generally positive reviews from contemporary music critics, who noted its similarities to JoJo's 2006 single, "Too Little Too Late", and Jordin Sparks's "Battlefield". However, the song was also criticized for not showing any progression after a five-year hiatus. The single debuted at number 87 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving JoJo her first charting single since "Too Little Too Late". The single also charted on the Billboard Pop Songs, peaking at number 29.

The song's accompanying music video was directed by Benny Boom and shot in downtown Los Angeles. It premiered on JoJo's official website on November 1, 2011, and made available for viewing on VEVO on November 2, 2011[1] JoJo performed "Disaster" for the first time on Good Day Dallas on September 29, 2011. A digital remixes EP containing 5 official remixes of the song was released on March 13, 2012.[2]

Background and development

JoJo's third studio album has been delayed for more than five years due to issues with her record label, Da Family Entertainment, and the sorting out of distribution for the album. The album was reported finalized in June 2009, but more recording sessions were done for the album up until January 2011. Her debut mixtape Can't Take That Away from Me was released on September 7, 2010 through Rap-Up.com as a prelude to her third album. "The Other Chick" was initially announced as the album's lead single. However, after JoJo went back in the studio and recorded more songs for the album, the label decided to release one of the new recordings as the lead single instead, with "The Other Chick" serving as a buzz single. Jojo commented, "It’s something cool that’ll introduce people to a more mature me, I suppose. It’s edgy, but it’s a buzz single."[3]

"Disaster" was announced as the lead single from JoJo's third studio album, which was titled Jumping Trains at the time, in August 2011. JoJo described the song being about "a relationship, this young passionate love that takes a turn for the worst. This thing you once held in your hand just slips out of your control and turns into a disaster, but what I love about this song is that there's the sense at the end there's a whole world out there to explore, just because a relationship is over doesn't mean that your world is over. There's that light at the end of the tunnel and the song is just more aggressive than the pop records I've come out with before."[4] It premiered on US radios on August 29, 2011, through Interscope Records. A week later, on September 6, 2011, the song was released to digital retailers.[5]

Release and remix

Disaster: Remixes EP Cover.

JoJo revealed the cover artwork and iTunes release date for "Disaster" via Rap-Up.com on August 26, 2011. The song was sent to US radio on August 29, 2011. Two days before its release, JoJo performed the song for the first time at Perez Hilton's second annual VMA pre charity event One Night In… Los Angeles event.[6][7][8][9] The single had its radio premiere on August 29, 2011. It was made available for purchase as a digital download on September 6, 2011. In support of the single, JoJo was the supporting act for the Joe Jonas & Jay Sean Tour from September 6, 2011 through October 6, 2011.[10][11]

A physical version of the new single was released to radio stations in the United States and was sold in concerts during the Joe Jonas & Jay Sean Tour. The disc includes an acoustic version of "Too Little Too Late".[12] It officially impacted U.S. Top 40/Mainstream radio on October 25, 2011.[13]

On January 13, 2012 JoJo released a new remix version of "Disaster" featuring Jorj n Andy.[14] Disaster (Remixes) was released on March 13, 2012 through Interscope, Blackground and Streamline Records.[15] The maxi single is composed of five remix versions of the song.[16] JoJo performed the Jorj N Andy Remix version of "Disaster" live during an appearance at Club Krave in Las Vegas on January 14, 2012.[17]

Composition and lyrical interpretation

JoJo – "Disaster"

Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Disaster" is a pop rock[18] ballad written by Gino Barletta, JoJo, Mario Marchetti, and Marc Himmel and produced by Mario Marchetti. The song was described by Barletta as an "edgy power pop song" with "a huge chorus".[19] Backed by a drum and acoustic guitar, JoJo sings of a relationship turned sour, "I'm trying not to pretend/That it won't happen again and again like that Never thought it would end/Cause you got up in my head/In my head like that."[20][21] According to JoJo, the song's lyrics are "basically about how sometimes you get so deep into a relationship, and it gets progressively horrifying and real disastrous, whether it be emotional abuse or another type of abuse, it's like, 'How did I end up in this storm?' So it's an emotional record, but it's definitely resilient in the end."[22]

Reception

Critical reception

"Disaster" was compared to the Jordin Sparks song "Battlefield".

"Disaster" received generally positive reviews from contemporary music critics, who noted its similarities to a previous JoJo hit, "Too Little Too Late", and Jordin Sparks's "Battlefield", however the song was also criticized for not showing any progression after a five-year hiatus. Scott Shetler of PopCrush reviewed JoJo's song, claiming "JoJo doesn’t appear to be jumping on the synthpop bandwagon like so many other pop stars, but the flipside of that independence is that her music doesn’t necessarily sound current. 'Disaster' has the same basic pop-rock feel of JoJo’s last big hit, 2006's 'Too Little Too Late'. We’d like to see a little more artistic growth in five years, although JoJo is still just 20 years old, so she has plenty of time to figure out where she wants to take her sound as an adult."[23] Katharine St. Asaph of Popdust rated the song three out of five stars, noting its similarities in composition to that of American Idol winner Jordin Sparks' song "Battlefield". Asaph favored "Disaster" over "Battlefield" because of JoJo's vocal dexterity on the bridge of the song.[24] Bradley Stern of MuuMuse rated the song 4.5 out of five stars, also noting its similarities to "Battlefield" while praising "The crashing drums, dramatic strings and triumphantly marching mega-beat" and her "growth as both a vocalist and an individual."[18]

Chart performance

"Disaster" debuted at number 87 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.[25] It also debuted on the Billboard Pop Songs chart in the week of January 2, 2012 at number 38, making it her first single to chart in this category since 2007.[26] It has since peaked at number 29. According to Nielsen SoundScan, "Disaster" has since sold 160,000 downloads to date.[27]

Live performance

JoJo announced on August 19, 2011 that she would be joining the Joe Jonas and Jay Sean Tour where she performed the song for the entire duration of the tour.[28] She made her debut performance of the song at Perez Hilton's second annual VMA pre charity event One Night In… Los Angeles event two days before its radio debut.[29] On a tour stop in Philadelphia JoJo gave a short acoustic Studio performance of the song with Q102 radio.[30] She then performed the song on San Francisco’s NOW! 99.7 FM studio Lounge on September 19, 2011. She made her first TV performance of the song on Good Day Dallas on September 29, 2011.[31] This was her first live TV performance in almost four years. JoJo also performed "Disaster" on 93.3 music radio station studio in Florida.[32] She then made her second TV performance of the song on KTLA LA morning show on October 11, 2011.[33][34] JoJo appeared at the 107.9 years end 2011 Jingle Ball on December 1 where she perform the song at the end of the show.[35] Philadelphia’s Q102 hosted its annual Jingle Ball on December 7, 2011 where had performed the song.[36] She also performed at the K104.7 Not so Silent Night on December 5, 2011.[37] She has also performed the song on Boston's Fox News morning show on October 28, 2011.[38]

Music video

Background

My personal experience definitely has lent itself to not only this song but you know this whole album. I kind of like snapped in the recording process, I kinda lost my mind but it was great it was perfect, it was exactly what needed to happen. I was frustrated I was going through stuff and it was my outlet.
 JoJo on the set of "Disaster" music video[39]

The music video for "Disaster" was directed by Benny Boom and English actor, Rafi Gavron was chosen to portray her love interest. The video was shot on September 14, 2011 in downtown Los Angeles. In an interview with Idolator.com she said that she "...wanted to show young, crazy love and how passionate it can be — how you get wrapped up in it, and it’s awesome and it’s fun and sexy...This video is a little rock and roll. It’s colorful".[40] On October 11, 2011 JoJo previewed the video in and interview with FuseTV where we see her performing the song with her band and close up shots of her performing the song in a warehouse type location.[41]

JoJo as she is performing with her band in the music video for "Disaster"

Release

A sneak peek teaser clip of was shown on MTV '10 On Top.' on October 29, 2011 four days before the videos release.[42] The full video premiered on JoJo's official website on November 1, 2011[1] and was made available to VEVO on November 2.

When speaking on how she picked her on-screen love interest, Rafi Gavron. “In choosing our leading man, I wanted it to be someone that was genuinely a rough-around-the-edges kinda guy,” she said. “I had seen Rafi Gavron in Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist and thought he was a great actor and a natural choice for me. He embodied the edge and rugged sexiness that I wanted my guy to have. I wanted him to feel a bit like a bad boy from Boston, and although Rafi is from the UK, he pulled it off perfectly.”[43] On February 23, 2012 an extended version of the original music video was released with additional scenes including the motorcycle stunt that was cut out from the original video.[39] and it is accompanied by a remixed version of the song by DJ Kue.[2]

Track listings

*Digital download
No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "Disaster"  Joanna Levesque, Gino Barletta, Mario Marchetti, Marc HimmelMario Marchetti 3:37
*Tour Promo Single[44]
No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "Disaster"  Levesque, Barletta, Marchetti, HimmelMarchetti 3:37
2. "Too Little Too Late" (Acoustic Version)Billy Steinberg, Josh Alexander, Ruth-Anne CunninghamVincent Herbert, Alexander, Steinberg 3:31
*Disaster (Remixes)[15]
No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "Disaster" (DJ Kue Remix)Levesque, Barletta, Marchetti, HimmelDJ Kue 4:15
2. "Disaster" (Sidney Samson Remix)Levesque, Barletta, Marchetti, HimmelSidney Samson 4:42
3. "Disaster" (Baggi Begovic Remix)Levesque, Barletta, Marchetti, HimmelBaggi Begovic 6:32
4. "Disaster" (Ming + 2 Beeps Remix)Levesque, Barletta, Marchetti, HimmelMing + 2 Beeps 5:09
5. "Disaster" (Jorj n Andy Remix)Levesque, Barletta, Marchetti, HimmelJorj n Andy 6:27

Credits and personnel

Charts

Chart (2011–12) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[45] 87
US Billboard Pop Songs[46] 29

Release history

List of release dates with formats and record labels
Country Release date Format Label
United States [47] August 29, 2011 Radio premiere Blackground, Interscope Records
Australia September 5, 2011 Contemporary hit radio
United States [48] September 6, 2011 Digital download
Canada [49] Universal Music
Mexico [50] Blackground/Interscope
Australia [51] September 9, 2011
Belgium[52]
Denmark [53]
Finland [54]
France [55]
Japan [56]
Netherlands[57]
New Zealand [58]
Norway [59]
Sweden [60]
United States October 25, 2011 Top 40/Mainstream radio[13]
March 13, 2012[15] Remix's EP (Digital download)

References

  1. 1 2 ""Disaster" Music Video Premiere". Facebook. Retrieved 2012-02-28.
  2. 1 2 Jayvee (2012-02-23). "JoJo's "Disaster" Gets Remixed by DJ Kue + EP News | The Round Table". Theroundtableonline.com. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  3. "Jumping Trains with JoJo at the Girls Who Rock 2011 Benefit Concert". MuuMuse. Retrieved 2011-09-16.
  4. "New Top 20 Page Player". Player.theplatform.com. Retrieved 2012-02-28.
  5. "iTunes - Music - Disaster - Single by JoJo". iTunes. 2011-09-06. Retrieved 2011-09-16.
  6. "One Night In… Los Angeles!". PerezHilton.com. Retrieved 2011-09-16.
  7. "The Full Schedule Is HERE! One Night In… Los Angeles!". PerezHilton.com. 2011-08-26. Retrieved 2011-09-16.
  8. "JoJo Is Back!". PerezHilton.com. Retrieved 2011-09-16.
  9. "JoJo - "Disaster" (Live)". YouTube. 2011-08-28. Retrieved 2011-09-16.
  10. "JoJo Joins Joe Jonas and Jay Sean Tour". Rap-Up.com. 2011-08-19. Retrieved 2011-09-16.
  11. "Joe Jonas Plots U.S. Tour with Jay Sean". Billboard.com. 2009-09-14. Retrieved 2011-09-16.
  12. "Versão física do novo single, "Disaster". on Twitpic". Twitpic.com. Retrieved 2011-09-16.
  13. 1 2 "Top 40/M Future Releases | Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release Dates". Allaccess.com. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  14. "Excluusive: JoJo – "Disaster (Jorj N Andy Remix)"". MuuMuse. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  15. 1 2 3 "Disaster (Remixes): Jojo: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  16. "JOJO 107.9 the end sacramento interview". YouTube. 2012-02-20. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  17. "JoJo Performing Sexy To Me Live at Club Krave". YouTube. 2012-02-07. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  18. 1 2 "JoJo: Disaster (Single Review)". MuuMuse. 2011-08-29. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
  19. "Sugarloaf native pens radio hit for songstress". Citizen's Voice. 2011-09-01. Retrieved 2011-09-11.
  20. "New Song: JoJo, 'Disaster' » MTV Buzzworthy Blog". Buzzworthy.mtv.com. 2011-08-30. Retrieved 2011-09-16.
  21. "JoJo: Disaster (single review)". MuuMuse. Retrieved 2011-09-16.
  22. Latifah Muhammad (2011-08-30). "JoJo Readies Grown-Up New Album - AOL Music Blog". Blog.music.aol.com. Retrieved 2011-09-16.
  23. "JoJo, ‘Disaster’ – Song Review". PopCrush. 2011-09-06. Retrieved 2011-09-11.
  24. "The Singles Bar: JoJo, ‘Disaster’ – Popdust". Popdust. 2011-08-29. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
  25. "JoJo: Disaster (single review)". Yahoo. 2011-09-14. Retrieved 2011-09-14.
  26. "Chart Highlights: JoJo Jumps Back To Pop Songs". Billboard.com. January 3, 2012. Retrieved 2012-02-28.
  27. "JoJo's Comeback: Why Her R&B Makeover Is Worth Watching". Billboard.com. 2009-09-14. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  28. "JoJo Joins Joe Jonas and Jay Sean Tour". Rap-Up.com. 2011-08-19. Retrieved 2012-02-28.
  29. "One Night In… Los Angeles!". PerezHilton.com. Retrieved 2012-02-28.
  30. "JoJo Disaster". Q102. 2011-03-26. Retrieved 2012-02-28.
  31. "Jojo Performs on Good Day!". Myfoxdfw.com. 2011-09-29. Retrieved 2012-02-28.
  32. "JoJo singing at a 93.3 interview!". YouTube. 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2012-02-28.
  33. "KTLA- JoJo talks her new single \"Disaster\" and upcoming album". ktla.com. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  34. "JoJo Performs ‘Disaster’ on KTLA [Video]". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  35. "107.9 The END's Jingle Ball 2011". Kdnd.radiotown.com. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  36. "Q102's Jingle Ball 2011 - Q102 - All The Hits". Q102. 2011-03-26. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  37. http://web.archive.org/web/20120425123455/http://www.k104online.com/page/Not_So_Silent_Night/90. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved October 31, 2011. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  38. "Disaster 28/10/11". Twitvid.com. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  39. 1 2 "Jojo "Disaster" Music Video BTS - HipHollywood.com". YouTube. 2011-09-23. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  40. Robbie Daw. "JoJo Interview: The "Disaster" Singer Answers Our Questions And Yours | Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on". Idolator.com. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  41. "JoJo on the set of "Disaster"". 2011-10-11. Retrieved 2011-10-11.
  42. "Wall Photos". Facebook. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  43. "JoJo’s "Disaster" Video: Love, Loss And Motorcycles | Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on". Idolator.com. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  44. "JoJo Too Little Too Late Acoustic Version 2011 [HQ". YouTube. 2011-09-14. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  45. "Week Ending Sept. 11, 2011. Songs: The Voices - Chart Watch". New.music.yahoo.com. 2011-09-11. Retrieved 2011-09-16.
  46. "Music Chart Analysis, Artist Spotlights, Music Insider, Chart Beat & News". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  47. "iTunes - Music - Disaster - Single by JoJo". Itunes.apple.com. 2011-09-06. Retrieved 2011-09-17.
  48. "iTunes - Music - Disaster - Single by JoJo". Itunes.apple.com. 2011-09-06. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  49. "iTunes - Music - Disaster - Single by JoJo". Itunes.apple.com. 2011-09-06. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  50. "iTunes - Música - Disaster - Single de JoJo". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  51. "iTunes - Music - Disaster - Single by JoJo". Itunes.apple.com. 2011-09-06. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  52. "iTunes - Muziek - 'Disaster - Single' van JoJo". Itunes.apple.com. 1990-12-20. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  53. "iTunes - Music - Disaster - Single by JoJo". Itunes.apple.com. 2011-09-06. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  54. "iTunes - Music - Disaster - Single by JoJo". Itunes.apple.com. 2011-09-06. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  55. "iTunes - Musique - Disaster - Single par JoJo". Itunes.apple.com. 2011-09-06. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  56. "iTunes - Music - Disaster - Single by JoJo". Itunes.apple.com. 2011-09-06. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  57. "iTunes - Music - Disaster - Single by JoJo". Itunes.apple.com. 2011-09-06. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  58. "iTunes - Music - Disaster - Single by JoJo". Itunes.apple.com. 2011-09-06. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  59. "iTunes - Music - Disaster - Single by JoJo". Itunes.apple.com. 2011-09-06. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  60. "iTunes - Musik - Disaster - Single av JoJo". Itunes.apple.com. 2011-09-06. Retrieved 2012-08-03.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Wednesday, March 02, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.