What Other People Say
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Use Australian English|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox song
| name = What Other People Say
| cover = Sam Fischer and Demi Lovato - What Other People Say.jpeg
| type = single
| artist = Sam Fischer and Demi Lovato
| album = Dancing with the Devil... the Art of Starting Over and I Love You, Please Don't Hate Me
| released = {{Start date|2021|2|04|df=yes}}
| recorded =
| studio = Westlake Recording Studios (Hollywood, CA){{cite AV media notes|title=Dancing with the Devil... the Art of Starting Over|others=Demi Lovato|year=2021|publisher=Island Records}}
| genre=
| length = 3:14
| label =
| writer =
- Demi Lovato
- Geoff Warburton
- Ryan Williamson
- Sam Fischer
| producer = Rykeyz
| chronology=Sam Fischer
| prev_title = For Now
| prev_year = 2020
| next_title = Simple
| next_year = 2021
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = Demi Lovato
| type = single
| prev_title = Monsters
| prev_year = 2020
| title = What Other People Say
| year = 2021
| next_title = Dancing with the Devil
| next_year = 2021
}}{{External music video|{{YouTube|Uy4_C6Ev8S8|"What Other People Say"}}}}
}}
"What Other People Say" is a song by Australian singer-songwriter Sam Fischer and American singer Demi Lovato. It was released on 4 February 2021 by RCA and Island Records on digital download and streaming formats as the second single from Lovato's seventh studio album Dancing with the Devil... the Art of Starting Over and Fischer's debut studio album I Love You, Please Don't Hate Me. The song was written by both Lovato and Fischer alongside Geoff Warburton and Ryan Williamson.
The song became a top 40 hit in Fischer's home country of Australia in addition to New Zealand and The Netherlands. At the 2021 ARIA Music Awards, the song was nominated for Song of the Year.{{cite web |url=https://themusicnetwork.com/2021-aria-awards-nominees/ |title=ARIA Awards nominees revealed: Amy Shark & Genesis Owusu lead the charge |work=The Music Network |date=20 October 2021 |access-date=24 October 2021 |author=Kelly, Vivienne |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020000045/https://themusicnetwork.com/2021-aria-awards-nominees/ |archive-date=20 October 2021 |url-status=live}}
Background and composition
"What Other People Say" was announced via social media on 2 February 2021. Posting to Twitter, Lovato said "these lyrics are so special to my heart" and that they could not wait to share the track.{{cite tweet|last=Lovato|first=Demi|date=2 February 2021|user=ddlovato|number=1356650325613109249|title="WHAT OTHER PEOPLE SAY" OUT THURSDAYYY WITH @SamFischer 🖤💖 these lyrics are so special to my heart... I can't wait to share this one with you http://smfschr.com/wops.presave|access-date=26 February 2021}} Fischer later shared a snippet of the track via TikTok where the audio was used in over 15,000 videos before its official release.
Fischer wrote the song years ago, initially for another artist, and said in a statement that he always knew that the song was destined to be a duet.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9521036/demi-lovato-sam-fischer-what-other-people-say|title=Demi Lovato is Done Worrying What You Think On Sam Fischer's Moving 'What Other People Say'|first=Gil|last=Kaufman|magazine=Billboard|date=4 February 2021|access-date=13 February 2021|archive-date=13 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213211101/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9521036/demi-lovato-sam-fischer-what-other-people-say/|url-status=live}} Fischer said he was "blown away" when Lovato agreed to sing on the track with him, and added that the song is "a confession, realizing how far away you can get from who you are in an effort to be liked."{{Cite web|title=Demi Lovato Teams Up with Sam Fischer for Empowering New Song 'What Other People Say'|url=https://people.com/music/demi-lovato-sam-fischer-release-what-other-people-say/|access-date=7 February 2021|date=5 February 2021|work=People|first=Nicholas|last=Rice|archive-date=6 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206152726/https://people.com/music/demi-lovato-sam-fischer-release-what-other-people-say/|url-status=live}}
About his collaboration with Lovato, Fischer told Metro that Lovato was "incredible" and he was "honoured to have Lovato on ['What Other People Say'] and [...] connected deeply with the song".{{cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2021/02/02/sam-fischer-on-working-with-weapon-demi-lovato-for-new-single-14009088/|title=Sam Fischer on working with 'weapon' Demi Lovato and having Jennifer Love Hewitt as a fan|date=2 February 2021|access-date=3 February 2021|work=Metro|first=Louise|last=Griffin|archive-date=2 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202220741/https://metro.co.uk/2021/02/02/sam-fischer-on-working-with-weapon-demi-lovato-for-new-single-14009088/|url-status=live}} "What Other People Say" is about the "feeling of being alone and not wanting to let people down". Lovato said, "This song is a reflection on what it's like to lose who you truly are in an effort to please other people and society. It's why I wanted to make this song with Sam – ultimately it's about two humans coming together to connect and find solutions to their problems". Fischer described that the song as "about the pressures of society and how getting caught up with the wrong things can change you."{{cite web|url=https://www.list.co.uk/article/123390-sam-fischer-demi-lovato-is-one-of-the-bravest-people-i-know/|title=Sam Fischer: Demi Lovato is one of the bravest people I know|date=4 February 2021|access-date=4 February 2021|work=The List|archive-date=18 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218172140/https://www.list.co.uk/article/123390-sam-fischer-demi-lovato-is-one-of-the-bravest-people-i-know/|url-status=live}}
Critical reception
Upon the song's release, Jennifer Drysdale from Entertainment Tonight called the duet a "moving song" between Lovato and Fischer, and noted how Lovato was a "fitting duet partner" on the song.{{Cite web|url=https://www.etonline.com/demi-lovato-releases-moving-new-song-what-other-people-say-with-sam-fischer-160069|title=Demi Lovato Releases Moving New Song 'What Other People Say' With Sam Fischer|last=Drysdale|first=Jennifer|date=4 February 2021|access-date=10 February 2021|work=Entertainment Tonight|archive-date=8 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208092608/https://www.etonline.com/demi-lovato-releases-moving-new-song-what-other-people-say-with-sam-fischer-160069|url-status=live}} Danielle Pascual from Billboard ranked the song as one of Lovato's best collaborations in her entire discography, describing it as a "powerful emotional ballad" that "showcases her varied range while giving Fischer room to soar".{{cite magazine |last1=Pascual |first1=Danielle |title=Top 13 Demi Lovato Collaborations: Critic's Picks |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/top-demi-lovato-collaborations-songs/well-be-a-dream-with-we-the-kings/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=2 November 2022 |date=19 August 2022}}
Music video
The official music video was released on Lovato and Fischer's YouTube channels on 16 February 2021. It depicts the pair performing the song inside of and atop a moving train.
=Lyric video=
The lyric video, released on YouTube, shows Lovato and Fischer as cartoon characters in a Guess Who?-style board game, and the cartoons reflect the stereotypical labels society imposes on Lovato and Fischer, including "Angelic, Naughty, Scary, Aloof" for Lovato.{{Cite magazine|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|date=4 February 2021|title=Demi Lovato, Sam Fischer Team for New Song 'What Other People Say'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/demi-lovato-sam-fischer-what-other-people-say-1123571/|access-date=2021-02-07|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|archive-date=7 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207211402/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/demi-lovato-sam-fischer-what-other-people-say-1123571/|url-status=live}}
Track listing
- "What Other People Say" – 3:14
Digital download – Sam Feldt Remix{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/what-other-people-say-sam-feldt-remix-single/1554126870|title=What Other People Say (Sam Feldt Remix) – Single by Sam Fischer & Demi Lovato on Apple Music|website=Apple Music|access-date=26 February 2021|archive-date=29 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210329165518/https://music.apple.com/us/album/what-other-people-say-sam-feldt-remix-single/1554126870|url-status=live}}
- "What Other People Say" (Sam Feldt Remix) – 3:01
- "What Other People Say" (Stripped Version) – 3:28
Digital download – R3HAB Remix{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/what-other-people-say-r3hab-remix-single/1556097230|title=What Other People Say (R3HAB Remix) – Single by Sam Fischer & Demi Lovato on Apple Music|website=Apple Music|access-date=19 March 2021|archive-date=29 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210329165523/https://music.apple.com/us/album/what-other-people-say-r3hab-remix-single/1556097230|url-status=live}}
- "What Other People Say" (R3HAB Remix) – 2:34
Personnel
=Song credits=
Recording and management
- Recorded at Westlake Recording Studios (Los Angeles, California)
- Mixed at Henson Recording Studios (Los Angeles, California)
- Mastered at Sterling Sound Studios (Edgewater, New Jersey)
- Published by DDLovato Music/Universal Music Corp. (ASCAP), Sony/ATC Music Publishing, Geoff Warburton (SOCAN), Sony/ATV Ballad (BMI), Sam Fischer (SESAC)
Personnel
{{div col}}
- Sam Fischer – vocals, composition, choir
- Demi Lovato – vocals, composition
- Ryan "Rykeyz" Williamson – production, composition, programming, drums, bass, keyboards, percussion, vocal production, string orchestration, choir
- Geoff Warburton – composition
- Mitch Allan – vocal production
- Scott Robinson – recording
- Ryan Dulude – recording
- Josh Gudwin – mixing
- Heidi Wang – assistant mixing
- Pat McManus – guitar
- David Davidson – violin
- David Angell – violin
- Conni Ellisor – violin
- Karen Winkelmann – violin
- Jane Darnall – violin
- Monisa Angell – viola
- Elizabeth Lamb – viola
- Steve Epting – choir
- Vegaz Taelor – choir
- Chelsea "Peaches" West – choir
- Alexis James – choir
- Kaye Fox – choir
- Desiree "DeSz" Washington – choir
- Ayanna Elese – choir
- Erin Cafferky – choir
- Chris Gehringer – mastering
{{div col end}}
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Dancing with the Devil... the Art of Starting Over.{{cite AV media notes|title=Dancing with the Devil... the Art of Starting Over|others=Demi Lovato|year=2021|publisher=Island Records}}
=Music video credits=
Music video credits adapted from YouTube.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy4_C6Ev8S8|title=Sam Fischer, Demi Lovato - What Other People Say (Official Music Video)|via=YouTube|access-date=February 16, 2021|archive-date=16 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216224137/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy4_C6Ev8S8|url-status=live}}
- Dano Cerny – director
- Michelle Larkin – producer
- Missy Galanida – executive producer
- Isaac Rice – executive producer
- Nicholas Weisnet – director of photographer
- Elizabet Puksto – art director
- Jennifer Kennedy – editor
- Matt Osborne – colorist
- Ingenuity Studios – VFX
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
{{col-2}}
=Monthly charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Monthly chart performance for "What Other People Say" ! scope="col"| Chart (2024) ! scope="col"| Position |
| scope="row"| Estonia Airplay (TopHit){{cite web|url=https://tophit.com/chart/top/radio/hits/ee/monthly/202411|title=Top Radio Hits Estonia Monthly Chart: November 2024|publisher=TopHit|access-date=7 December 2024}}
| 46 |
|---|
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 2021 year-end chart performance for "What Other People Say" ! scope="col"| Chart (2021) ! scope="col"| Position |
| scope="row"| Australian Artist (ARIA){{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2021/australian-artist-singles-chart|title=ARIA Artists Top 50 Singles for 2021|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|access-date=15 January 2022}}
| 18 |
|---|
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 2024 year-end chart performance for "What Other People Say" ! scope="col"| Chart (2024) ! scope="col"| Position |
| scope="row"| Estonia Airplay (TopHit){{cite web|url=https://tophit.com/chart/top/radio/hits/ee/annual/2024|title=Top Radio Hits Estonia Annual Chart: 2024|publisher=TopHit|access-date=3 January 2025}}
| 59 |
|---|
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "What Other People Say"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2021|certyear=2022|access-date=7 February 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|title=What Other People Say|artist=Sam Fischer and Demi Lovato|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2021|certyear=2022|source=radioscope|access-date=21 December 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|title=What Other People Say|artist=Sam Fischer & Demi Lovato|type=single|award=Silver|relyear=2021|certyear=2024|access-date=16 October 2024|id=20416-6937-1}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true|noshipments=true}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+Release history for "What Other People Say" ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format ! scope="col"| Label ! scope="col"| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row"| Various
| 4 February 2021 | {{hlist|Digital download|streaming}} | {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/what-other-people-say-single/1548028024/|title=What Other People Say – Single by Sam Fischer & Demi Lovato on Apple Music|publisher=Apple Music|access-date=4 February 2021|archive-date=5 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205133506/https://music.apple.com/us/album/what-other-people-say-single/1548028024|url-status=live}} |
|---|
| scope="row"| Italy
| 12 February 2021 | Sony |
| scope="row"| United States
| 15 February 2021 | RCA |