| "Comeback" | |
|---|---|
| Promotional single by JoJo | |
| from the album Good to Know | |
| Released | May 1, 2020 |
| Studio |
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| Genre | |
| Length | 2:55 |
| Label | |
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Official music video | |
| "Comeback" on YouTube | |
"Comeback" is a song by American R&B singer and songwriter JoJo. The song was released in two parts consisting of the main version which was only made available digitally features American rapper Tory Lanez and producer 30 Roc, in addition to the solo version which was included on the physical and deluxe version's of the album. It was released on May 1, 2020, as the second promotional single from JoJo's fourth studio album, Good to Know (2020) and was written by JoJo, Lauren LaRue, Daystar Peterson, Adarius Morgane and Samuel Gloade, while the latter handled the songs production alongside DatBoiSqueeze and JoJo vocally producing the song. Lyrically the song describes hooking with an ex lover for the first time since the releationship ended.
The song samples “Some Cut” by Trillville & an contains an interpolation of “The Take” by Tory Lanez. The song's accompanying music video premiered on JoJo's official YouTube channel on May 8, 2020, featuring spying security system them. It was directed by Santiago Salviche and filmed in JoJo's very own home while in quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The song received positive reviews from contemporary music critics, with many praising the song's sound, being similar to JoJo's second mixtape Agápē (2012).
Background
edit"Comeback" was originally set to be the only promotional single released from the album.[1] During a live stream interview with Entertainment Weekly JoJo stated that the single released version of the song would include a male feature.[2] On April 20, 2020, JoJo joined a live stream with singer Tory Lanez and the singers both confirmed they had a song in the works together. Two days later JoJo officially announced that "Comeback" would no longer serve as a promotional single from the album due to the late addition of a new feature and would be released alongside the album.[3] "Lonely Hearts" was the officially released on April 24, 2020, in lieu of the song as the only promotional song released to promote the album.[4][5] JoJo said the song "continues on the journey of self love that I've been on... how temptation and doubt arise... but at the end of the day how choosing self preservation over toxic relationships is the vibe right now".[3][6]
Development
editJoJo camped out at House of Balloons in Toronto, Canada with songwriters Lowell and Doc McKinney during early writing sessions for the song.[7][8] The song was written from a place of self reflection and truly being happy with being on your own.[7] JoJo stated "I knew the importance of being on my own for a solid year because I had never really been single. I had jumped up from relationship to relationship and I started dating with [sic]? I was 14. I knew I had to go through this uncomfortable experience of sitting with my thoughts, being lonely and getting to know myself. I wasn't sure what my boundaries were and what was truly important to me independent of anybody else".[7] JoJo continued: "I had just recycled relationships, gone back and kept doors open. I always had a comfort zone to go back to because I felt so much unpredictably in my personal life that I loved the predictability in my personal life. I realized I was doing something myself a disservice. That's where "Lonely Hearts" came from".[7][9] The song began as a freestyle with JoJo singing it with a 90s R&B melody in mind for the song. JoJo concluded, "I started thinking about how I love the idea about being able to have casual sex, but it's never ends up being that casual. I can't have any of these types of friends and I just need to be by myself fully. That's where it came from".[7]
Composition
edit"Lonely Hearts" was written by Elizabeth Lowell Boland, Martin McKinney, Merna Bishouty, Dylan Wiggins and JoJo for her fourth studio album Good to Know (2020).[10] It was produced by Doc McKinney, who worked alongside Dylan Wiggins on production.[10] The track was recorded with guidance by Ryan Gladieux.[10] The mixing of "Man" was done by Tony Maserati with assistance for the songs mixing engineering by Najeeb Jones and eventually, the mastering was done by Dale Becker. Merna Bishouty served as the vocal producer for the song.[10]
Critical reception
edit"Lonely Hearts" received positive reviews from contemporary music critics, with many praising its honed R&B and hip hop infused sound alongside its confessional commentary. Ykigs from YouKnowIGotSoul praised the urban direction the song takes, stating "The smooth R&B record is what many have been wanting from JoJo for years and she delivers here".[7] Mike Wass of Idolator called the song a "soulful gem".[5] Madeline Roth from MTV News provided a positive review for continuing "her self-love chronicles", praising the songs content for being centered around the question that every person that struggles with codependency should ask themselves as shown in the chorus "How can I work on me, if I'm working on your body?". Roth concluded by calling the song "a soulful slow jam that shines as bright as the highlighter on her cheek in the single's artwork".[11]
https://www.idolator.com/7910058/jojo-tory-lanez-team-up-for-steamy-comeback?edg-c=1&Exc_D_LessThanPoint002_p1=1 https://www.idolator.com/7910104/album-review-jojos-sleek-soulful-good-to-know?view-all&edg-c=1
https://www.idolator.com/7910430/interview-jojo-talks-good-to-know-personal-growth?view-all&edg-c=1
It’s funny to hear that people were shocked. I wasn’t clutching my pearls, but my jaw dropped the first time I heard “Comeback.”
When I was writing that I was like, “Am I about to say dick on a song? Am I really going to say it?” But then I was like, “Why not? This is the way I talk. This is who my friends know I am. This is what I talk about with my girlfriends.” We’re savages. We’re classy, bougie, ratchet I’m like, “Let me not hide any parts of myself.” It’s funny that I was not having sex while I was making this album and yet it’s such a horny album, but I guess that’s how it goes.
https://music.apple.com/us/album/good-to-know/1500962957
JoJo's later career has come to be defined by a seven-year battle with her label which all but halted her momentum—in 2004, she was then the youngest singer to ever top the Hot 100—and kept her from releasing a proper album for a decade. In 2017, she created her own imprint, Clover Music, and good to me marks the first full-length of this brave new chapter, as much a rebirth as a reintroduction.
The singer's maturation, even from her 2016 release Mad Love., is evident, but she carries it without a hint of reticence. When she sings of the nuances of heartache—trying to move on, establishing boundaries—sincerity penetrates her every lyric. “For the first time, I finally believe we're done,” she belts at the peak of the piano-driven closer, “Don't Talk Me Down,” wounded grit bleeding into her tone. Throughout the album, she also expands to showcase a bit of her range in both subject and sound: “Pedialyte” is an anthemic ode to partying and forgotten nights, while “Small Things” is a graceful acoustic ballad about pretending to be okay that doubles as a flooring display of her vocal prowess. Elsewhere, the sexy slow jams “So Bad” and “Comeback” are executed with aplomb. No matter the subject matter, JoJo overarchingly sounds like a woman liberated, finally ready to find her voice anew.
Live performances
editIn support with the America Food Fund in raising funds for the COVID-19 epidemic, JoJo performed the song live for the first time from her home.[12][13]
Music video
editJoJo came up with the idea of the music video and contacted actress and personal friend Zelda Williams to direct the video. Wiliams is known for her directorial debut on JoJo's own "Save My Soul" music video in 2015.[14] JoJo left her home and recorded the video in the front yard of director Williams' home due to quarantine restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[15] The music video was filmed in April 2020, and was originally planned to be shot at the Roosevelt hotel as mentioned in the songs lyrics. [16]
The synopsis of the video takes place as a behind the scenes look of a photoshoot with JoJo in various set ups and looks.[17] It was inspired by photographer Herb Ritts who was known for his take on black and white nude photography, while also channeling 1993 sports illustrated model Kathy Ireland. Williams stated she "had to figure out how to strip back everything and make something small scale look purposeful and sexy".[18][19] The music video premiered on April 27, 2020 through JoJo's Official YouTube Channel.[20] In a statement following the videos release, JoJo explained: "SO THANKFUL to have such talented friends to make things with. She stayed wearing a mask literally the whole time and made a very odd experience seriously fun".
Credits and personnel
editCredits adapted from the liner notes of Good to Know.[10]
Personnel
- JoJo – vocals, writing
- Merna Bishouty - vocal production, writing
- Elizabeth Lowell Boland - writing
- Martin McKinney - writing
- Tony Maserati – mixing
- Najeeb Jones – assistant mixing engineer
- Ryan Gladieux - recording
- Doc McKinney – producer
- Dylan Wiggins – producer, writing
- Dale Becker – audio mastering
- Gita Willams – management
- Katie Gallagher – management
- Chris Smith – management
Release history
edit| Country | Date | Format | Version | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | May 1, 2020 |
|
[21] | ||
|
[22] | ||||
| July 31, 2020 |
|
[23] |
References
edit- ^ TV News Desk (April 24, 2020). "JoJo Shares New Track 'Lonely Hearts'". BroadwayWorld.
- ^ Luin, Iv (April 25, 2020). "JoJo: This is their new single "Lonely Hearts"". Law & Crime News.
- ^ a b "JoJo. on Instagram: some of you may have heard, but there's now a feature on my song "Comeback" so we're putting on the finishing touches (get the towel...)". Instagram.com. April 20, 2020. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
- ^ Nilles, Billy (April 24, 2020). "The MixtapE! Presents Keith Urban, JoJo and More New Music Musts". Retrieved April 27, 2020.
- ^ a b Mike Wass (April 20, 2020). "JoJo Preps "Lonely Hearts" As Next 'Good To Know' Cut". Idolator. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
- ^ Ellwood-Hughes, Pip (April 24, 2020). "JoJo shares new track Lonely Hearts ahead of new album good to know next week". Entertainment Focus. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f "New Music: JoJo - Lonely Hearts". YouKnowIGotSoul.com. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
- ^ "JoJo Interview: New Album "Good To Know", Progressing Her Sound & Creative Process". YouKnowIGotSoul.com. 2020-04-20. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
- ^ Hrishikesh Bhardwaj. "JoJo is back (although it never was)". Playcrazygame.com. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
- ^ a b c d e Good to Know (inlay cover). JoJo. Clover Music/Warner Records. 2020.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Roth, Madeline. "JoJo Chooses Herself Over A Toxic Partner On 'Lonely Hearts'". MTV. Retrieved 2020-04-24.
- ^ "American Eagle Launches Virtual Concert Series for COVID-19 Relief". Complex. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
- ^ Jojo | Come Together: At Home with AE - YouTube
- ^ https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6836397/jojo-save-my-soul-video-zelda-williams-directed
- ^ https://www.instagram.com/p/B_fjS_2jVgT/?igshid=18j4emkt8ky7l
- ^ https://celebmix.com/jojo-lonely-hearts-stripped-back-music-video/
- ^ https://etcanada.com/news/633771/jojo-releases-new-video-for-her-song-lonely-hearts/amp/
- ^ https://www.twitter.com/zeldawilliams/status/1254907333399834625
- ^ https://www.instagram.com/p/B_fjS_2jVgT/?igshid=18j4emkt8ky7l
- ^ http://www.mtv.com/news/3164686/jojo-lonely-hearts-video/
- ^ "Comeback - Track by JoJo". TIDAL (US). Aspiro. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
- ^ "Comeback - Track by JoJo". TIDAL (US). Aspiro. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
- ^ "Comeback (Acoustic) - Track by JoJo". TIDAL (US). Aspiro. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
Category:2020 songs Category:2020 singles Category:Clover Music singles Category:JoJo (singer) songs Category:Songs written by JoJo (singer) Category:Warner Records singles