Misery (Gwen Stefani song)

Immediately following the completion of "Make Me Like You", Stefani wrote "Misery" with Justin Tranter, Julia Michaels, Mattias Larsson, and Robin Frediksson; however, unlike the recording sessions for her previous albums, the songwriting process was significantly shorter, which she opined was because everything should be simple.[1] "Misery" was recorded by Mattias Larsson and Robin Frediksson of Mattman & Robin at Wolf Cousins Studios and Maratone Studios in Stockholm, Sweden, and at Interscope Studios in Santa Monica, California. Additional recording was handled by Juan Carlos Torrado and Noah Passovoy, while Serban Ghenea mixed the audio at Mixstar Studios in Virginia Beach, Virginia.[2]

In November 2015, Stefani reported "Misery" was the second single from her third studio album This Is What the Truth Feels Like (2016); however, "Make Me Like You" was released instead.[3][4] The singer revealed via Twitter that it would actually be serviced as a "buzz" single,[5] followed by her teasing a ten-second snippet of the finalized recording.[6] Interscope Records released the song for digital consumption on March 11, 2016,[7] before it was released to hot adult contemporary radio on May 23, 2016, as the album's third single.[8] On April 22 of the same year, Interscope issued a digital EP and included three remixes of "Misery" created by disc jockeys Lincoln Jesser, Steven Redant, and Division 4 accompanied by Matt Consola.[9]

"Misery" is an electropop song[10] that lasts three minutes and twenty-six seconds.[2] The upbeat composition is accompanied by a samba and heavy percussion, which was compared to the material on No Doubt's 2012 studio album, Push and Shove, by Sarah Grant from Rolling Stone.[11] As described by Dee Lockett of Vulture, "Misery" contains: "some synths, a funky bassline, and well-placed hand claps to disguise the pain."[12] Leoni Cooper of NME stated that "Misery" has "future-disco beats", and "captures the highs and lows of being "gobsmacked in love,"[13] using the metaphor that "a love is as irresistible as drugs."[14] Nicki Gostin, writing for the New York Daily News, questioned the song's subject matter, stating "it's not clear who she's crooning about — ex Gavin Rossdale or new love Blake Shelton."[15] Alexis Rhiannon of Bustle claimed that the song "give[s] an inside look to a painful past relationship."[16]

Lyrically, "Misery" details the feelings one receives following a new relationship.[17] Stefani sings: "Hurry up, come see me / Put me out of my misery", which shows the singer debating whether she wants to relive the pain or experience the pleasure.[18] Elsewhere, she compares her boyfriend to medications: "You're like drugs to me / You're like drugs to me",[18] and warns him that their newfound relationship is becoming a bit much: "You're in so much trouble / Yeah, you're in so much trouble".[19] Additionally, she requests that the lover should come visit her: "You're at the door / I'm thinking things I never thought before / Like what your love would taste like / Give me more".[20] Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine noted that Stefani's ex-husband Gavin Rossdale was not the track's subject, despite the misleading use of the word "Misery".[19]

Upon its release, "Misery" received a mixed to positive response from music critics. Thomas Hall of The Japan Times described "Misery" as "the type of anthem that could possibly provide Stefani with her comeback hit."[21] Slant Magazine's Cinquemani called the track a "standout" on the parent album,[19] and Mashable's Emily Blake agreed, challenging the listener to "try not to get hooked".[22] Nicholaus James Jodlowski of Reporter magazine claimed: "[...] you're immediately drawn into Gwen's voice. You can hear classic Gwen but a new side of her as well."[23] Similarly, Emilee Lindner of fuseTV complimented the singer for her "bouncy" vocals.[24] Daniel Kreps of Rolling Stone applauded the song's lyrics for being "addictive" and "catchy".[25] Regarding the same subject matter, Lucas Villa from AXS praised Stefani for: "continu[ing] her streak of solid pop tunes by turning her confessional lyrics into completely delectable hooks". He further stated that "if this is misery, sign us up for more of it please."[26] However, Amanda Bell of MTV News was confused by the lyrical meaning, finding it to be less "straightforward" than the lyrics of her previous single "Make Me Like You".[27]

Writing for Entertainment Weekly, Leah Greenblatt dubbed the single as a "come-on disguised as [a] caution". She also appreciated that it was ready to be played in clubs.[28] A group of critics from PopMatters reviewed the recording in their "Singles Going Steady" column, with the site's consensus reading: "'Misery' isn't a total misfire, but it's formulaic diva-pop effervescence does little to convince you that music's mainstream was missing Stefani." Chris Conaton from the publication enjoyed the single and its "big ass chorus [with] a strong hook", but Chris Ingalls disliked that it was "not breaking any new ground". Ingalls, however, congratulated it for being a "well-produced pop/dance song".[29] Adam Kivel of Consequence of Sound found the track to "lack an identifiable tone or feeling", but felt its overall sound was "effortless".[18] At the end of the year, Entertainment Weekly placed "Misery" at number 36 on their 100 Best Songs of 2016 list.[30]

Issued as a promotional single seven days before the release of This Is What the Truth Feels Like, "Misery" entered the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart, which serves as an extension to the Billboard Hot 100, at number eleven.[31] It entered the Digital Songs component chart as the forty-fifth most purchased download for the week ending April 2, 2016.[32] Outside the United States, it peaked at lower positions on various charts. In Australia, the single debuted and peaked at number 74, becoming the third consecutive entry from the parent album.[33] The track entered at number 177 on the UK Singles Chart,[34] and at number 83 on the UK Download component chart.[35] "Misery" did not peak on the Canadian Hot 100, but managed to take number 42 on the Canadian Digital Songs chart for the week ending April 2.[36] It also appeared on the record charts in both France and Scotland, peaking at numbers 127 and 72, respectively.[37][38] As of October 2016, "Misery" has sold 9,796 copies in France.[37]

When announced as the album's third official single in April 2016, "Misery" was shopped to hot adult contemporary radio, starting on May 23 of the same year.[8] The track debuted at number 38 on the Adult Top 40 for the week ending July 2, 2016, becoming her tenth entry as a solo artist on the chart.[39] On July 30, the single reached a new peak at number 34, her second lowest entry on the chart, behind 2005's "Luxurious" with American rapper Slim Thug.[40] It received 404 radio plays that week, reaching an audience of approximately 1.040 million in the United States.[41] The following week of August 6, "Misery" lost 16 points total for overall radio adds, but increased its audience to 1.104 million; it lasted six weeks on the chart, departing in its final position at number 38.[42]

Stefani performing "Misery" during the This Is What the Truth Feels Like Tour in 2016.

Stefani performed the track live during various public appearances. She performed it during her headlining tours, including the MasterCard Priceless Surprises Presents Tour (2015–16) and This Is What the Truth Feels Like Tour (2016). During the former promotional tour, "Misery" was only performed at the final show in Tokyo, Japan, before performances of "Cool" and "Make Me Like You". The choreography and costumes continued into these succeeding performances.[66] During the rendition, Stefani wore "red track pants" and a "red sequined cage top" that revealed a black bra underneath.[67] The promotional lyric video for "Misery" appeared as part of a backdrop for the performance, while an accompanying band provided live instrumentation. For the version on her This Is What the Truth Feels Like Tour, she wore a red corset designed by The Blonds, Mariel Haenn, and Rob Zangardi. The performance included the same visuals from her show in Tokyo, and contained similar choreography.[68]

Outside her promotional concert tours, Stefani sang "Misery" on numerous television programs. Its first televised performance occurred on Saturday Night Live, where her No Doubt bandmates Stephen Bradley and Gabrial McNair accompanied her. Her attire consisted of torn jeans and a high-waisted top, which is comparable to her clothing on previous performances.[69][70] On the April 19, 2016, episode of The Voice, the song was sung live by the singer, who created an Indian-inspired atmosphere. Backup singers and dancers, in addition to a "psychedelic lighting scheme", joined Stefani as she sang it in front a live audience. At the end of the performance, her boyfriend Shelton welcomed her with a standing ovation and continuous applause.[71] The single's most recent performance occurred on July 15, 2016, during Today, where she also sang her singles "Make Me Like You", "Hollaback Girl", and "The Sweet Escape".[72]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of This Is What the Truth Feels Like, Interscope Records.[2]

Recording

• Recorded at Wolf Cousins Studios, Stockholm, Sweden; Maratone Studios, Stockholm, Sweden; and Interscope Studios, Santa Monica, California

Personnel

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics