I Don't Care (Cheryl song)

"I Don't Care" is a song recorded by English recording artist Cheryl Cole for her fourth studio album, Only Human (2014). The song was co-written by Jocke Åhlund, Bonnie McKee, John Newman and Cheryl, and was produced by Åhlund and Oliver "Oligee" Goldstein. It was released on 2 November 2014 through Polydor Records as the second single from the album. "I Don't Care" is a pop and dance song, which features breezy synthesizers and pumping bassline and lyrically sees Cheryl taking on a dismissive attitude to former lovers and critics.

"I Don't Care"
Single by Cheryl Cole
from the album Only Human
Released2 November 2014 (2014-11-02)
Recorded2014
StudioApmammann Studio, Stockholm
GenreDance-pop
Length4:00
LabelPolydor
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Jocke Åhlund
  • Oligee
  • Red Triangle
  • Mellatron
Cheryl singles chronology
"Crazy Stupid Love"
(2014)		 "I Don't Care"
(2014)		 "Only Human"
(2015)

Upon its release, "I Don't Care" received positive reviews from contemporary music critics, who praised the song's production and commended Cheryl's choice to departure from overproduced songs. The song became a commercial success, debuting at number one on the UK Singles Chart, giving Cheryl her fifth number-one single as a solo artist, and making her the first British female solo artist to do this, overtaking then current record sharers Geri Halliwell and Rita Ora. Additionally, it is the ninth number-one single of her entire career, including those from when she was part of Girls Aloud.

An accompanying music video for "I Don't Care" was directed by past collaborator Colin Tilley in August 2014 in Málaga, Spain. The video depicts Cheryl on the beach, dancing on a cliff top and on a luxury boat. The music video was met with mixed reviews, with some calling it fearless and others calling Cheryl's attitude disappointing. To further promote the single, Cheryl performed it on The X Factor eleventh series' results show on 2 November 2014; the performance was questioned by fans and critics, who accused Cheryl of miming.

Background
"It was potentially going to be the first track but I didn't want to open it with it because of how it can be taken. I mean, of course I care about things - you know people and stuff - but it was more I didn't want to open the album with that message".

Cheryl explaining why she was worried on the carefree nature of "I Don't Care".[1]

Following the release of Cheryl's third studio album, A Million Lights, in June 2012 and embarking on her debut solo headlining tour, Cheryl confirmed that a Girls Aloud's reunion would occur in November 2012.[2][3] The group released their second greatest hits compilation, Ten on 26 November 2012 and In 2013, the group embarked on Ten: The Hits Tour.[4] In March 2013, following the completion of the tour, Girls Aloud released a statement via their official Twitter to confirm that they were splitting permanently.[5][6]

On 30 September 2014, Cheryl announced that "I Don't Care" would receive its radio debut on the following day, 1 October on Capital FM, serving as the second single from her fourth studio album Only Human. That same day, she revealed the single's artwork through Instagram; it sees Cheryl with her head in her hand and laughing while sat on a chair.[7] It also gave a glimpse of her rose tattoo.[8] While being interviewed by Capital FM, Cheryl told that "A lot of the time I'm on set, so I had a lot of freedom. [...] ['I Don't Care'] it sums up pretty much how I feel right now. [It's] very pop, but fun pop!"[9] "I Don't Care" was officially released as the second single from Only Human on 2 November 2014.[10]

Composition

"I Don't Care" is a pop and dance song which lyrically finds Cheryl singing "It feels so fucking good to say, I swear that I don't care".[11][12] Idolator website editor Bianca Gracie noted that the song carries "an 80s carefree vibe to it, thanks to the breezy synths and pumping bass line", and in contrast to her other songs like "Ghetto Baby", there are no "massive bass drops or an in-your-face dance theme".[11] According to journalist Harriet Gibsone from The Guardian, the song had the same energy as Erasure's song "A Little Respect" (1988).[13] EntertainmentWise commented that "I Don't Care" "sums up the underlying message of the whole project quite nicely".[14] According to Lewis Corner from Digital Spy, the song showcases Cheryl's new-found "F-You" attitude in a "spectrum of rasping electronics, jump-around beats and a massive middle-finger chorus". He considered that the lyrics were directed "at a collective of former love rats, keyboard warriors and sensationalised headlines".[15] Songwriter Bonnie McKee has revealed the song, originally titled “Waking Up Diagonal” after the opening lyric, had been originally written for herself to perform, given the lyrics drew from McKee's life experiences. Along the way, Cheryl and songwriters changed some lyrics and changed the title to "I Don't Care.[16]

Critical reception

"I Don't Care" received mostly positive reviews from contemporary music critics. Harriet Gibsone, while writing for The Guardian newspaper called it a "bombastic pop blast teetering on the edge of ridiculousness. [...] Song of the year".[13] While reviewing Only Human for the same publication, Caroline Sullivan also gave a positive review and described it as an "actual radio-ready chorus to I Don't Care [which has] a jaunty bit of Casio-pop".[17] Bianca Gracie from Idolator website gave a positive review for the song, stating that on the current "haze of over-produc[ed songs], it's actually quite refreshing", and emphasising that Cheryl's vocals "shine" in the song.[11] Matthew Horton, while reviewing Only Human during its week of release for Virgin Media, commented that "the utterly addictive bounce of new single I Don't Care is an equally striking departure [from her previous releases], and not just because she's swearing her head off", in relation to its lyrics.[18]

Popjustice rated it eight stars, out of ten.[19] EntertainmentWise website noted that "I Don't Care" was a particular highlight from the album.[15] However, Edwin McFee from Hot Press gave a negative review for the album, and called "I Don't Care" a "club-tinged plastic pop song".[20] Bradley Stern of MuuMuse said that the song "undeservedly stole the crown from Geri Halliwell" for most British female number-one singles.[21] Kim Gregory from Now magazine wrote a negative review for the song, criticizing the Auto-Tune usage and repetition of the line "I don't care".[22]

Chart performance

In the United Kingdom, "I Don't Care" debuted at number one with 82,000 sales in its first week of release, as predicted by mid-week sales data. In doing so, Cheryl achieved her ninth number-one single (including those from Girls Aloud), and fifth as a solo artist, therefore becoming the British female artist with the most solo UK number ones at the time, overtaking previous record sharers Geri Halliwell, Rita Ora and herself.[23][24] It additionally peaked at number one in Scotland.[25] "I Don't Care" debuted at number 92 on Flanders' Ultratip chart in Belgium on the issue dated 8 November 2014. The next week, it reached number 82.[26]

Music video
Cheryl mouthing "zero fucks given" during the music video.

The accompanying music video for "I Don't Care" was directed by Colin Tilley in August 2014 in Málaga, Spain. The pair had previously collaborated on previous single "Crazy Stupid Love".[27] The same month, the singer teased her followers on social media with pictures from the video.[28] It starts with a honey-skinned Cheryl skipping around a beach with long locks and smiling, wearing oversized wooly jumper. In another scene, Cheryl is on a luxury boat with a group of friends in a white crop-top, denim shorts and bright pink sunglasses. During the video she also dances in a yellow crop-top, while shots of her on top of a cliff are also shown. At one point, the singer is in a bed wearing nothing but a white shirt and smudged eyeliner, with glimpses of black, lace underwear underneath, and looks directly into the camera and mouthing "zero fucks given".[22]

The music video received mixed reviews from critics. Kim Gregory from Now magazine provided a negative review for the video, pointing out her "dodgy" outfits and makeup, and stating she was disappointed with Cheryl's entire attitude in the video.[22]

Live performance

Cheryl performed "I Don't Care" on The X Factor eleventh series' results show on 2 November 2014, where she is also a judge.[29] Following the performance, fans and critics alike accused the singer of miming during her set.[30] Reportedly, the 3,300 lights used as a backdrop during the performance caused a 66-year-old viewer to have an epileptic seizure.[31]

Remixes

One Direction member Liam Payne remixed "I Don't Care" under his DJ alter ego Payno. Cheryl publicly thanked the singer for the remix version, and it was included on "I Don't Care"'s remix EP, under the title "Payno Vs. Afterhrs Remix". Four other remixes were available through the EP.[32][33]

Track listing
  • Digital download[34]
  1. "I Don't Care" – 4:00
  • Digital download – The Remixes[33]
  1. "I Don't Care" – 4:03
  2. "I Don't Care" (Payno Vs. Afterhrs Remix) – 3:58
  3. "I Don't Care" (Sonic Matta Club Edit) – 5:38
  4. "I Don't Care" (Cahill Club Mix) – 6:33
  5. "I Don't Care" (TIEKS Remix) – 5:42
  6. "I Don't Care" (Clutch Real Club Mix) – 6:28

Credits and personnel

Credits are taken from the Only Human liner notes.[35]

Locations

Personnel

  • Cheryl Tweedy — vocals, writing
  • Jocke Åhlund — writing, production, recording, original vocal production, synthesizer, programming
  • Bonnie McKee — writing
  • John Newman — writing
  • Oligge — co-production, programming, additional synthesizer
  • Figge Bostrǒn — recording
  • Red Triangle — vocal recording, vocal production
  • Mellatron — original vocal production,
  • Maegan Cottone — backing vocals
  • George Tizzard — backing vocals
  • Rick Parkhouse — backing vocals
  • Serban Ghenea — mixing
  • John Hanes — mixing

Charts
Chart (2014) Peak
position
scope="row"Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[26] 82
scope="row"Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[36] 19
scope="row"Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100)[37] 30
scope="row"Ireland (IRMA)[38] 4
Romania (Airplay 100)[39] 81
scope="row"Scotland (Official Charts Company)[25] 1
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[40] 58
scope="row"UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[41] 1

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[42] Silver 200,000

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

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See also

References
  1. Dorken, Joanne (31 October 2014). "Cheryl: 'It's A Good Time To Be Woman In Your 30s'". MTV UK. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  2. "Cheryl Cole announces comeback single, new album 'A Million Lights'". Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  3. "Cheryl Cole confirms Girls Aloud Reunion will be in November 2012". Music Eyz. Archived from the original on 3 August 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  4. Savage, Mark (19 October 2012). "Girls Aloud reveal reunion plans". BBC News. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  5. Guadian Music (21 March 2013). "Girls Aloud split after final UK show". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
  6. Lachno, James (21 March 2013). "Girls Aloud split up after last night of tour". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
  7. Corner, Lewis (8 September 2014). "Cheryl unveils new single 'I Don't Care' artwork". Digital Spy. Hearst Corporation. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  8. Bacon, Lucy (30 September 2014). "Cheryl Reveals 'I Don't Care' Single Artwork". MTV UK. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  9. "Cheryl Tells Us ALL About Her New Song 'I Don't Care'... And Teases The Video". Capital FM. 28 August 2014. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  10. "Cheryl Fernandez-Versini interview: 'I've developed a F-You attitude'". Digital Spy.
  11. Garcie, Bianca (1 October 2014). "Cheryl Cole Is Unbothered On "I Don't Care": Listen To Her New Single". Idolator. Buzz Media. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  12. Bagwell, Matt (1 October 2014). "Cheryl Cole 'I Don't Care': Listen To 'X Factor' Star's Sweary New Single". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  13. Gibsone, Harriet (31 October 2014). "Cheryl's I Don't Care, this week's best new track". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  14. Kitchener, Sarah (8 November 2014). "REVIEW: Cheryl Makes Herself Heard On New Album 'Only Human'". EntertainmentWise. Archived from the original on 13 November 2014. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  15. Corner, Lewis (8 November 2014). "Cheryl: Only Human album review - "Her most focused and cohesive LP"". Digital Spy. Hearst Corporation. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  16. Wass, Mike (1 July 2015). "Bonnie McKee Talks Starting Over, Her 'Bombastic' EP & The Weight Of Expectations: Idolator Interview". Idolator. SpinMedia. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  17. Sullivan, Caroline (6 November 2014). "Cheryl: Only Human review – Auto-Tuned screw-you pepperiness". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  18. "Cheryl: Only Human Album Review - Reviews - Music - Virgin Media".
  19. "Cheryl – 'I Don't Care'". Popjustice. 1 October 2014. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  20. "Cheryl 'Only Human' - Album Review - Music Review - Album - Hot Press".
  21. Bradley Stern. "'Only Human': Cheryl Should Probably Start Caring Again (Album Review)". MuuMuse.
  22. Gregory, Kim (3 October 2014). "What will Simon Cowell think? Cheryl Cole's new I Don't Care music video shows The X Factor judge's nasty side – and I don't like it". Now. IPC Media. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  23. Moss, Liv (5 November 2014). "Cheryl on track for fifth UK Number 1 with I Don't Care". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  24. "Cheryl scores record-breaking 5th Number 1 single with I Don't Care". Official Charts Company.
  25. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  26. "Ultratop.be – Cheryl – I Don't Care" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  27. "Cheryl 'I Don't Care' by Colin Tilley". Promonews.tv. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  28. Sitch, Daisy May (24 August 2014). "Cheryl Cole shares photos of her 'I Don't Care' music video on Instagram". My Daily. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  29. Dorken, Joanne (2 November 2014). "Cheryl Is A Bit Of All White For 'I Don't Care' X Factor Performance". MTV UK. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  30. Graham, Daniella (5 November 2014). "The X Factor 2014: Cheryl Cole hits back at miming accusations after I Don't Care performance". Metro. DMG Media. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  31. Duncan, Amy (5 November 2014). "X Factor fan claims 3,300 lights during Cheryl's I Don't Care performance sparked an epileptic fit". Metro. DMG Media. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  32. Bacon, Lucy (14 October 2014). "Listen To 1D's Liam Payne's Remix Of Cheryl's 'I Don't Care'". MTV UK. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  33. "iTunes - Music - I Don't Care (The Remixes) by Cheryl". Apple iTunes (UK).
  34. "iTunes - Music -I Don't Care - Single by Cheryl". Apple iTunes (UK).
  35. Only Human (inlay cover). Cheryl. Polydor Records. 2014. p. 10.CS1 maint: others (link)
  36. "Ultratop.be – Cheryl – I Don't Care" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  37. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 20153 into search. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  38. "Chart Track: Week 45, 2014". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  39. "Airplay 100 – 14 decembrie 2014" (in Romanian). Kiss FM. 14 December 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  40. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 20154 into search. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  41. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  42. "British single certifications – Cheryl Cole – I Don't Care". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type I Don't Care in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
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