Million Dollar Baby (song)
"Million Dollar Baby" is a song by American singer Ava Max, released on September 1, 2022, through Atlantic Records as the second single from her second studio album Diamonds & Dancefloors (2023). The song was written by Max, Jessica Agombar, Michael Pollack, Diane Warren, Casey Smith, and the producers David Stewart, Cirkut and Lostboy. "Million Dollar Baby" is a pop and Eurodance song, with influences by music from the 2000s. It interpolates LeAnn Rimes' 2000 song "Can't Fight the Moonlight", with lyrics about empowerment. An accompanying music video was directed by Andrew Donoho and depicts Max witnessing herself perform at a nightclub.
"Million Dollar Baby" | ||||
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Single by Ava Max | ||||
from the album Diamonds & Dancefloors | ||||
Released | September 1, 2022 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:04 | |||
Label | Atlantic | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Ava Max singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Million Dollar Baby" on YouTube |
Background and composition
In August 2022, Max announced the title of "Million Dollar Baby" on TikTok and confirmed that an accompanying music video was filmed.[1] She stated that the song was recorded during a difficult time period, with the title and lyrics themed around "self-worth" and overcoming adversity.[2] On August 26, 2022, Max and American singer LeAnn Rimes appeared on several TikTok videos to promote "Million Dollar Baby" by re-enacting a tabletop dance scene from the 2000 musical film Coyote Ugly, and performing the film's soundtrack song "Can't Fight the Moonlight" (2000).[3][4] The cover art of "Million Dollar Baby" was revealed on Max's Instagram account on August 27, 2022.[5]
"Million Dollar Baby" was released as the second single from Max's second studio album Diamonds & Dancefloors on September 1, 2022.[2] The song was written by Max, Jessica Agombar, Michael Pollack, Diane Warren, Casey Smith, and the producers David Stewart, Cirkut and Lostboy.[6]
Musically, "Million Dollar Baby" is a pop[2][7][8] and Eurodance song,[9] inspired by music from the 2000s.[8] It is performed in the key of D minor with a tempo of 133 beats per minute, with Max's vocals ranging from A3 to A5.[10][11] It interpolates "Can't Fight the Moonlight" by LeAnn Rimes,[3][9][12] which serves as the Coyote Ugly theme song. The song name-drops the 2004 film of the same name, while Lindsay Zoladz of The New York Times noticed similarities with Lady Gaga's 2009 song "Bad Romance" in the bridge.[8] The lyrics are based on the theme of empowerment, which begins with grief and ends in emancipation.[12]
Reception
KIIS-FM writer Rebekah Gonzalez described "Million Dollar Baby" as "dancefloor-ready" and considered it to be a "song of the summer",[2] while Shaad D'Souza of Paper thought the song sounded "euphoric".[9] Writing for Los Angeles, Abigail Siatkowski opined that Max was inspired by Lady Gaga and developed "Million Dollar Baby" with her own "pop flare".[13] Zoladz complimented the song's "sleek [and] calisthenic" production, but believed Max was a pop "practitioner" without a "distinct persona".[8] Jenesaispop writer Jordi Bardají criticized "Million Dollar Baby" for containing a similar melody to "Can't Fight the Moonlight" and over-relying on interpolations, but stated that it is not "a bad song at all".[14]
Promotion
An accompanying music video for "Million Dollar Baby" was first teased by Max on her social media accounts.[1] The video was directed by Andrew Donoho, which was released alongside the song.[2][4] Max sports brunette hair as she enters a nightclub named Diamonds & Dancefloors, which references her second studio album title.[12] She witnesses a blonde version of herself perform onstage with a group of backup dancers.[2] Both versions eventually combine into a single dark-haired entity with a glittering dress after the former follows the latter backstage, where Max then performs onstage and vanishes.[12] Gonzalez considered the music video to be "stunning",[2] while Uproxx staff writer Adrian Spinelli wrote that it was "opulent".[15]
Max performed "Million Dollar Baby" atop a large diamond stage at the 2022 MTV Europe Music Awards on November 13, 2022.[16][17][18] The song is included on the 2022 rhythm game Just Dance 2023 Edition, with the choreography performed by Max herself as the coach.[19]
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal.[6]
- Amanda Ava Koci – vocals, songwriting
- Henry Walter – songwriting, production, programming
- David Stewart – songwriting, production, programming
- Lostboy – songwriting, production
- Jessica Agombar – songwriting
- Michael Pollack – songwriting
- Diane Warren – songwriting
- Casey Smith – songwriting
- Tom Norris – mixer
- Chris Gehringer – mastering
Charts
Weekly charts
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Monthly charts
Year-end charts
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Release history
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
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Various | September 2, 2022 | Atlantic | [2] | |
Italy | September 9, 2022 | Airplay | Warner | [59] |
United States | October 31, 2022 | Adult contemporary radio | Atlantic | [60] |
November 1, 2022 | Contemporary hit radio |
References
- "Music notes: Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Ava Max, Dove Cameron, Sara Bareilles, Madonna and more". WRMF. August 11, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
- Gonzalez, Rebekah (September 1, 2022). "Ava Max Is A 'Million Dollar Baby' On Sultry New Pop Anthem". KIIS-FM. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
- Atad, Corey (August 26, 2022). "LeAnn Rimes Gets Up On A Table To Recreate 'Coyote Ugly' Dance With Ava Max". Entertainment Tonight Canada. Archived from the original on August 26, 2022. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
- "エイバ・マックス、2ndアルバムからのシングルとなる「ミリオン・ダラー・ベイビー」をリリース" [Ava Max Releases 'Million Dollar Baby', A Single from Her 2nd Album]. CD Journal (in Japanese). September 2, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
- Rossini, Matteo (August 27, 2022). "Ava Max, il nuovo singolo è Million Dollar Baby" [Ava Max, the new single is Million Dollar Baby] (in Italian). Sky TG24. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
- "Million Dollar Baby - Credits". Retrieved June 2, 2022 – via Tidal.
- Rowley, Glenn (September 2, 2022). "From Ari Lennox to Romeo Santos, What's Your Favorite New Music Release of the Week?". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
- Zoladz, Lindsay (September 2, 2022). "Romeo Santos and Justin Timberlake's Team-Up, and 10 More New Songs". The New York Times. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
- D'Souza, Shaad (September 3, 2022). "Sound Off: 10 New Songs You Need to Hear Now". Paper. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
- Peter, Rycroft; Michael, Pollack; Amanda, Koci; Jessica, Agombar; David, Stewart; Casey, Smith; Henry, Walter; Diane, Warren; Ava, Max (January 16, 2023). "Million Dollar Baby". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
- "BPM and key for Million Dollar Baby by Ava Max | Tempo for Million Dollar Baby | SongBPM | songbpm.com". SongBPM. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
- "Ava Max debuts 'Million Dollar Baby' single and video". WRMF. September 1, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
- Siatkowski, Abigail (September 2, 2022). "Weekend Playlist: New Music From Kali Uchis, The 1975 and Arctic Monkeys". Los Angeles. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
- Bardají, Jordi (September 8, 2022). "Ava Max convence a medias en el pastiche de 'Million Dollar Baby'" [Ava Max convinces halfway in the pastiche of 'Million Dollar Baby'] (in Spanish). Jenesaispop. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
- Spinelli, Adrian (September 1, 2022). "Ava Max Drops The Opulent New Single 'Million Dollar Baby'". Uproxx. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
- Roxborough, Scott (November 13, 2022). "Taylor Swift, Harry Styles Win Big at 2022 MTV EMAs". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
- Dixon, Louise (November 13, 2022). "Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj, Harry Styles, more win big at 2022 MTV EMAs". USA Today. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
- Iasimone, Ashley (November 13, 2022). "Watch All the 2022 MTV EMA Performances: Muse, Gorillaz, Gayle & More". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
- Just Dance (November 16, 2022). "Just Dance 2023 Edition - Million Dollar Baby by Ava Max". Retrieved November 21, 2022 – via YouTube.
- "Top 20 Anglo Argentina – Del 3 al 9 de Octubre, 2022". Monitor Latino. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
- "Ava Max – Million Dollar Baby" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
- "Ava Max – Million Dollar Baby" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
- "Top 20 Anglo Bolivia – Del 24 al 30 de Octubre, 2022". Monitor Latino. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
- "PROPHON – Charts". PROPHON. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
- "Ava Max Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
- "Ava Max Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
- "Top 20 Anglo Chile – Del 3 al 9 de Octubre, 2022". Monitor Latino. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
- "Top Radio Hits CIS Weekly Chart: 23 December 2022 – 29 December 2022". TopHit. December 23, 2022. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
- "HRT Airplay Radio Chart No. 1051 - Issue Date: October 31st 2022" (PDF). Hrvatska Radiotelevizija. October 31, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
- "Top 20 Anglo Ecuador – Del 28 de Noviembre al 4 de Diciembre, 2022". Monitor Latino. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
- "Ava Max: Million Dollar Baby" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
- "Top Singles – Semaine du 2 décembre 2022" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
- "Airplay Charts Deutschland – Woche 46/2022" (in German). MusicTrace Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
- "Offizielle Download Charts Single" (in German). Official German Charts. September 19, 2022. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022. Note: The archived chart is for the week ending September 19, 2022, in which 'Million Dollar Baby' descended to number 81.
- "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
- "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
- "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
- "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 50, 2022" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- "Dutch Single Tip 26/11/2022". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved November 26, 2022.
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- "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
- "Russia Airplay Chart for 2023-01-13." TopHit. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
- "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 20231 into search. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
- "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 36". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
- "Schweizer Airplay Charts 45/22". hitparade.ch. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- "Download Chart – Week 37 of 2022". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved September 14, 2022.
- "Ukraine Airplay Chart for 2023-03-24." TopHit. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
- "Ava Max Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
- "Ava Max Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- "Ava Max Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
- "Top Radio Hits CIS Monthly Chart: December 2022". TopHit. December 1, 2022. Archived from the original on January 6, 2023. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
- "Top Radio Hits Russia Monthly Chart: December 2022". TopHit. December 1, 2022. Archived from the original on January 6, 2023. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
- "Top Radio Hits Ukraine Monthly Chart April 2023". TopHit. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
- "Jaaroverzichten 2022" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
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- "Elton John & Dua Lipa imaju najpopularniju stranu pjesmu u Hrvatskoj u 2022. godini" (in Croatian). Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT). January 11, 2023. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- "Top Radio Hits Russia Annual Chart – 2022". TopHit. Archived from the original on December 30, 2022. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
- Mompellio, Gabriel (September 7, 2022). "Ava Max - Million Dollar Baby (Radio Date: 09-09-2022)". Earone (in Italian). Retrieved September 26, 2022.
- "Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases". AllAccess. Archived from the original on October 25, 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
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