Demi Lovato Opens Up About Relapse In Devastating New Single 'Sober'

21 June 2018, 16:51 | Updated: 26 July 2018, 14:35

By Sam Prance

This is so brave...

Demi Lovato may only have released her critically acclaimed sixth album, Tell Me You Love Me, at the end of September last year but she is already back with new music. The 'Cool for the Summer' superstar surprise released her new single 'Sober' today and it is without doubt one of her most striking and personal works to date.

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The 'Give Your Heart A Break' singer previously took to Twitter at the end of May to confirm that she was ending her most recent era to "begin talking about a new chapter in [her] life". She then sent Lovatics worldwide into fits of excitement by teasing the hashtags "#D7" and "#newmusiccomingsoon". Today she unveiled 'Sober' with the caption 'My truth...".

My truth... https://t.co/tmDhhBGLNQ #sober out now pic.twitter.com/Uwfg6PFPk9
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) June 21, 2018

'Sober' sees the Camp Rock legend confront her demons and the ways in which her past alcoholism and substance abuse affected both herself and her friends, family and fans. The lyrics cover everything from withdrawal symptoms when she first quit drinking and drugs: "Call me when it's over // 'Cause I'm dying inside // Wake me up when the shakes are gone // And the cold sweats disappear", to the times she relapsed: "Momma, I'm so sorry I'm not sober anymore".

Demi even apologises to any Lovatics who felt like they couldn't support her anymore because of her addictions. "I'm sorry for the fans I lost // Who watched me fall again // I wanna be a role model // But I'm only human". Backed by an incredible sparse production, courtesy of M-Phazes, Tushar Apte and RØMANS, 'Sober' is an artistic triumph.

It is currently unclear whether or not Demi is referring to past relapses or more recent ones but either way we commend her on her honesty and hope that she is getting the help she needs. Our thoughts are with her.

Demi Lovato - Sober (Lyric Video)

In recent years, Demi has become extremely candid about her experiences with addiction and time spent in rehab. In her documentary Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated, she is refreshingly honest about the fact that she didn't manage to stay sober the first time that she came out of rehab. She also talks in depth about her experiences with bulimia, her music, her sexuality and so much more. It is a stunning film and a reminder that Demi is one of the most important stars of her generation.

With 'Sober' Demi brings her admirable transparency to her music. It's remarkable and worthy of the highest praise. 'Sober' follows Demi's recent duet with Christina Aguilera 'Fall In Line' and her chart-topping Clean Bandit collaboration 'Solo'.

Read the full lyrics to 'Sober' below:

VERSE 1
I got no excuses
For all of these goodbyes
Call me when it's over
'Cause I'm dying inside
Wake me up when the shakes are gone
And the cold sweats disappear
Call me when it's over
And myself has reappeard

PRE-CHORUS
I don't know, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know why
I do it every, every, every time
It's only when I'm lonely
Sometimes I just wanna cave
And I don't wanna fight
I try and I try and I try and I try
Just hold me, I'm lonely

CHORUS
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

VERSE 2
I'm sorry to my future love
For the man who left my bed
For making love the way I saved for you inside my head
I'm sorry for the fans I lost
Who watched me fall again
I wanna be a role model
But I'm only human