On the Rocks (song)

"On the Rocks" is a song recorded by American singer Nicole Scherzinger for her second studio album Big Fat Lie (2014). It was written by Terius "The-Dream" Nash, C. "Tricky" Stewart and Carlos "Los da Mystro" McKinney, while the song was produced by Godz of Analog, Stewart, Nash and McKinney, with vocal production from Bart Schoudel. The song was released on October 10, 2014, by RCA Records as the third single from the record. "On the Rocks" is an R&B ballad where the singer laments and gets over about a failed relationship by pouring up a stiff drink. "On the Rocks" received negative reviews from music critics, who described it as outdated and criticized the use of Auto-Tune. The accompanying music video premiered on September 5, 2014, on Vevo.

For other songs of this title, see On the Rocks (disambiguation).
"On the Rocks"
Single by Nicole Scherzinger
from the album Big Fat Lie
ReleasedOctober 10, 2014 (2014-10-10)
StudioContra Recordings (California)
GenreR&B
Length5:07
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Nicole Scherzinger singles chronology
"Run"
(2014)		 "On the Rocks"
(2014)		 "Bang"
(2014)

Background

On August 19, Scherzinger announced via her Instagram account, that her second single would be "On the Rocks".[1] Along with the announcement she posted the cover artwork which shows Scherzinger wearing "a plunging white dress" in provocative pose.[2] On August 26, Scherzinger appeared on The Radio 1 Breakfast Show hosted by Scott Mills to premiere the track on the radio program.[3]

Composition

"On the Rocks" is a power ballad further described as a "post-break up song".[4][5] The instrumentation includes of "sad piano and sparse drums."[5] Lyrically, addresses about a failed relationship and the way to get over it is by pouring up a stiff drink. At a part of the song she sings, "Let's take a shot, since you've been taking shots / And allow me to serve you this drink up on the rocks."[4]

Critical reception

Brad O'Mance, writing for Popjustice, wrote that "On the Rocks" was "by some distance the worst single of Nicole Scherzinger's entire career."[6] Melinda Newman of HitFix described the production as "slightly dated" that could "hamper its chances at radio in the U.S.".[7] Writing Digital Spy, Lewis Corner echoed Newman's comments adding "that zest teased with 'Your Love' quickly evaporated, leaving expectations for Big Fat Lie unbearably low.[8] Jacques Peterson from Pop Dust opined that "the lack of success for 'Your Love,' Nicole is now playing it way too safe with the generic follow-up single."[9] A writer for MuuMuse wondered if it's one of the strongest songs of the album and criticized the use of Auto-Tune noting Scherzinger as "a verifiably very good singer."[10] Writing for Idolator Bradley Stern also criticized the use of Auto-Tune and noted the song could serve as a B-side to Kelly Rowland's "Rose Colored Glasses" (2010).[11]

Music video
Scherzinger in the music video.

The accompanying music video for "On the Rocks" was shot in Los Angeles, California.[12] The visual was directed by Tim Mattia.[13] Scherzinger said that "On The Rocks" is her favorite video she has ever done stating, "I just wanted the video to not feel like a music video, just really authentic and really raw. It's very empowering. It's a very emotional and personal song for me."[14]

On the day the video premiered, a reviewer from Rap-Up described the video as "breathtaking".[15] Bradley Stern, writing for Idolator described it as "appropriately dramatic" and praised Scherzinger's ability for "conveying the emotion of her music.[16] Joanne Dorken from MTV UK classified the video as "sultry".[14] Jacques Peterson of Pop Dust described the video as a mix between Eminem's video Love the Way You Lie and an Armani commercial.[17]

Throughout the music video, Scherzinger is seen emoting towards her lover. Towards the end, Scherzinger finally leaves the toxic relationship with no feelings of regret.

Live performances

On October 22, 2014, Scherzinger performed "On the Rocks" at the MOBO Awards.[18] On November 7, Scherzinger performed an acoustic medley together with Sam Smith's "I'm Not the Only One" for SiriusXM Hits 1.[19]

Track listing

Digital download[20]

  1. "On the Rocks"  – 5:07

Digital download – Remixes[21]

  1. On the Rocks" (Wideboys Remix)  – 3:46
  2. On the Rocks" (Wideboys Club Remix)  – 6:23

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Big Fat Lie.[22]

Recording

Personnel

  • Josh Drucker – assistant mixing
  • Jordan Lewis – additional recording
  • Brandon Harding – assistant recording
  • Carlos "Los da Mystro" McKinney – producer, songwriter
  • Terius "The-Dream" Nash – producer, songwriter, sequencing, programming
  • Brian "B-Luv" Thomas – additional recording
  • Nicole Scherzinger – performer
  • Christopher "Tricky" Stewart – producer, songwriter, sequencing, programming
  • Bart Schoudel – engineer
  • Stevy Pyne – guitar
  • Andrew Wuepper – mixing

Charts
Chart (2014) Peak
position
Scotland (OCC)[23] 45
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[24] 90

Release history
Country Date Format Version Label Ref
Australia October 10, 2014 Digital download Wideboys remix Sony Music
[21]
Germany
[25]
Ireland
[26]
Album version
[20]
Netherlands Wideboys remix
[27]
Australia October 12, 2014 Album version
[28]
Brazil
[29]
Canada
[30]
France
[31]
Netherlands
[32]
United Kingdom RCA Records
[33]
Germany October 15, 2014 Sony Music
[34]

See also

References
  1. Harris, Jamie (August 18, 2014). "Nicole Scherzinger announces new single 'On The Rocks'". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  2. Wass, Mike (August 18, 2014). "Nicole Scherzinger Reveals Eye-Popping "On The Rocks" Single Cover". Idolator. Spin Media. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  3. "Scherzinger: I'm empowering". Belfast Telegraph. Independent News & Media. August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  4. "New Music: Nicole Scherzinger – 'On the Rocks'". Rap-Up. August 26, 2014. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  5. Cashin, Rory (October 22, 2014). "We listened to Nicole Scherzinger's new album so you don't have to". Entertainment.ie. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  6. O'Mance, Brad (August 27, 2014). "Nicole Scherzinger's 'On The Rocks' is now on the internet". Popjustice. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  7. Newman, Melinda (August 26, 2014). "Listen to Nicole Scherzingers latest tune, On The Rocks". HitFix. HitFix. Inc. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  8. Corner, Lewis (October 17, 2014). "Nicole Scherzinger: Big Fat Lie album review – Not quite so Schamazing". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  9. Peterson, Jacques (August 27, 2014). "Nicole Scherzinger Drops Underwhelming New Single 'On The Rocks'". Popdust. Popdust. Inc. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  10. "Nicole Scherzinger's "On the Rocks": How Did This Happen?". MuuMuse. August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  11. Stern, Bradley (August 26, 2014). "Nicole Scherzinger Premieres New Single, "On The Rocks": Listen". Idolator. Spin Media. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  12. Corner, Lewis (August 26, 2014). "Nicole Scherzinger premieres new single 'On The Rocks'". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  13. OB Management, Kim (August 26, 2014). "Nicole Scherzinger "On The Rocks" (Tim Mattia, dir.)". VideoStatic. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
  14. Dorken, Joanne (September 5, 2014). "Nicole Scherzinger Unveils Music Video For 'On The Rocks'". MTV UK. Viacom International Media Networks. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
  15. "Video: Nicole Scherzinger – 'On the Rocks'". VideoStatic. September 4, 2014. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
  16. Stern, Bradley (September 5, 2014). "Nicole Scherzinger Gets Dramatic In "On The Rocks" Video: Watch". Idolator. Spin Media. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
  17. Peterson, Jacques (September 5, 2014). "Nicole Scherzinger Releases Sexy Music Video For Boring New Single 'On The Rocks'". Popdust. Popdust. Inc. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
  18. Nicole Scherzinger | 'On The Rocks' live at MOBO Awards | 2014 | MOBO, retrieved December 20, 2022
  19. Sullivan, Lindsey (October 22, 2014). "Nicole Scherzinger just served up your new break-up anthem". SiriusXM Hits 1. Archived from the original on January 21, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  20. "Music – On the Rocks – Single by Nicole Scherzinger". iTunes Store (Ireland). Apple Inc. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  21. "Music – On the Rocks (Remixes) – Single by Nicole Scherzinger". iTunes Store (Australia). Apple Inc. October 10, 2014. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
  22. Big Fat Lie (Media notes). Nicole Scherzinger. RCA Records.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  23. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  24. "Official Singles Chart UK Top 100". Official Charts Company. October 19, 2014.
  25. "Musik – "On the Rocks (Remixes) – Single" von Nicole Scherzinger" (in German). iTunes Store (Germany). Apple Inc. October 10, 2014. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
  26. "Music – On the Rocks – Single by Nicole Scherzinger". iTunes Store (Ireland). Apple Inc. October 10, 2014. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
  27. "Muziek – 'On the Rocks (Remixes) – Single' van Nicole Scherzinger" (in Dutch). iTunes Store (Netherlands). Apple Inc. October 10, 2014. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
  28. "Music – On the Rocks – Single by Nicole Scherzinger". iTunes Store (Australia). Apple Inc. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  29. "Música – On the Rocks – Single de Nicole Scherzinger" (in Portuguese). iTunes Store (Brazil). Apple Inc. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  30. "Music – On the Rocks – Single by Nicole Scherzinger". iTunes Store (Canada). Apple Inc. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  31. "Musique – On the Rocks – Single par Nicole Scherzinger" (in French). iTunes Store (French). Apple Inc. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  32. "Musique – On the Rocks – Single par Nicole Scherzinger" (in Dutch). iTunes Store (Netherlands). Apple Inc. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  33. "Music – On the Rocks – Single by Nicole Scherzinger". iTunes Store (Great Britain). Apple Inc. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  34. "Musik – "On the Rocks – Single" von Nicole Scherzinger" (in German). iTunes Store (Germany). Apple Inc. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
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