Demi Lovato surprise-released a new song last night, "Commander in Chief," with lyrics targeted directly to the U.S.'s 45th president, Donald Trump and his response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the California
wildfires, Black Lives Matter movement, police brutality, and racial injustice in the U.S.
As Lovato put it to CNN, "There's been so many times that I've wanted to write the President a letter or sit down with him and ask him these questions. And then I thought, I don't really actually want to do that and I thought one way that I could do that is writing a song and releasing it for the whole world to hear and then he has to answer those questions to everyone and not just me."
Lovato wrote on her Instagram that while she is aware of the backlash she's getting for getting political in her music, she doesn't regret the choice, even if it's career-ruining.
"You do understand as a celebrity I hav a right to political views as well?" she wrote to one fan who said her music would alienate fans who don’t share her political beliefs. "Or did you forget that we aren’t just around to entertain people for our entire lives…that we are citizens of the same country and we are humans with opinions as well? The difference between me and the type of artist you WANT and EXPECT me to be (but I’m sorry honey that will never BE me ?) I literally don’t care if this ruins my career. This isn’t about that. My career isn’t about that. I made a piece of art that stands for something I believe in. And I’m putting it out even at the risk of losing fans. I’ll take integrity in my work over sales any day. As mochas I would like to be sad that I disappointed you, I’m too busy being bummed that you expect me, a queer Hispancic woman, to silence my views/beliefs in order to please my audience i.e. your family. ?"
Lovato added in a second Instagram Story, "Music is art. Art is expression meant to create conversation. We are heading into the most important election of our lives. This song isn’t about division. This is about finding answers from our sitting President. So please, debate, and talk about voting. That’s what this is all about."
Here, the lyrics via Genius. You can listen to the song below:
Verse 1
Were you ever taught when you were young
If you mess with things selfishly, they're bound to come undone?
I'm not the only one
That's been affected and resented every story you've spun
And I'm a lucky one
'Cause there are people worse off that have suffered enough
Haven't they suffered enough?
But you can't get enough of
Shuttin' down systеms for personal gain
Fightin' fires with flyers and prayin' for rain
Do you gеt off on pain?
We're not pawns in your gameChorus
Commander in Chief, honestly
If I did the things you do
I couldn't sleep, seriously
Do you even know the truth?
We're in a state of crisis, people are dyin'
While you line your pockets deep
Commander in Chief, how does it feel to still
Be able to breathe?Verse 2
We were taught when we were young
If we fight for what's right, there won't be justice for just some
Won't give up, stand our ground
We'll be in the streets while you're bunkering down
Loud and proud, best believe
We'll still take a knee while you're
Chorus
Commander in Chief, honestly
If I did the things you do
I couldn't sleep, seriously
Do you even know the truth?
We're in a state of crisis, people are dyin'
While you line your pockets deep
Commander in Chief, how does it feel to still
Be able to breathe, breathe?
Be able to breatheBridge
Won't give up, stand our ground
We'll be in the streets while you're bunkering down
Won't give up, stand our ground
We'll be in the streets while you'reChorus
Commander in Chief, honestly
If I did the things you do
I couldn't sleep, seriously
Do you even know the truth?
We're in a state of crisis, people are dyin'
While you line your pockets deep
Commander in Chief, how does it feel to still
Be able to breathe?
Able to breathe