Rotten to the Core (song)
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| "Rotten to the Core" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Dove Cameron, Cameron Boyce, Booboo Stewart and Sofia Carson | |
| from the album Descendants | |
| Recorded | 2015 |
| Genre | Dance-pop |
| Length | 2:42 |
| Label | Walt Disney |
| Songwriter(s) | |
| Producer(s) | Twin |
"Rotten to the Core" is a song from Disney Channel's 2015 television film Descendants, whose music and lyrics were composed by Joacim Persson, Shelly Peiken and Johann Alkenas. The song was performed in its original show-tune version in the film by the main cast – Dove Cameron, Cameron Boyce, Booboo Stewart and Sofia Carson – in their vocal roles as Mal (daughter of Maleficent), Carlos (son of Cruella de Vil), Jay (son of Jafar) and Evie (daughter of The Evil Queen). The song peaked at number 38 in the Billboard Hot 100.[1] A second version, performed by actress and singer Sofia Carson, was released as a single on December 18, 2015. For the release of the third movie, the song was remixed.
A midtempo dance-pop song, "Rotten to the Core" exhibits elements of pop, dubstep and hip hop.[2] Built on a beat, multi-tracked harmonies, the song's instrumentation includes slow-bouncing synthesizer tones and keyboard.[3] The song was written by Joacim Persson, Shelly Peiken and Johann Alkenas and produced by the duo Twin.[4] Cameron's vocals span from the low note of F3 and Carson's vocals span from the high notes of F5. The song introduces the four villainous offspring in the film.[5] Gary Wright of Rotoscopes noted that part of the song is spoken, whispered, reflecting an ominous tone to the voices, while only the chorus is sung.[2] Lyrically, the song talks about the feelings of the villains, who are evil and wicked, but they like to be just like this ("Who's the baddest of them all? / Welcome to my wicked world, wicked world").[6] The stanzas and chorus are sung also among the four artists, while the pre-chorus is only performed by Cameron and Carson.[2][7]
Critical reception
The song has received mixed reviews from music critics. KidsWorld Magazine believed that "Rotten to the Core" was the best song on the album.[8] Chuck Campbell of Knoxville News Sentinel described the song as "surprisingly bold".[9] Daynah of Disney Geek commented that the song had an addictive melody with good sound effects.[3]
Marshal Knight of Laughing Place was more negative, describing "Rotten to the Core" as "disjointed" and the worst song created for a Disney Channel Original Movie, analyzing that Booboo Stewart "saying the same phrase over and over with a rasp that wasn't necessary".[10] Gary Wright of Rotoscopes said that the song is a "ridiculously cheesy song" that "fails to hit the right notes," believing that it "[made] the movie so bland and forgettable".[2] Common Sense Media believed that the song should not be introduced for children under 6 years, stating that the movie scene where the song is featured has Evie "[drawing] one boy in to kiss her in a very seductive scene and wants to land a prince with money and a big castle".[11] Ryan Clavin of WDW Info said that the song was "meh" and "a bit too on the nose," which he found to be the case with many other songs from Disney Channel Original Movies.[12]
Charts
| Chart (2015) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[13] | 66 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[14] | 38 |
| US Kid Digital Songs (Billboard)[15] | 1 |
