Sober

Album: single release only (2018)
Charted: 63 47
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In late 2010, Demi Lovato entered a treatment facility for "physical and emotional issues," which included the use of prescription drugs, cocaine, and alcohol to numb her pain. The former Disney star's struggles with addictions continued to impact her ability to perform, until she finally went clean sober on March 15, 2012 . Exactly six years later, Lovato celebrated six years of sobriety, tweeting "So grateful for another year of joy, health and happiness. It IS possible."

    Lovato released this emotional piano ballad three months after her tweet in which she candidly confesses to facing challenges during her six-year sobriety.

    Momma, I'm so sorry, I'm not sober anymore
    And daddy, please forgive me for the drinks spilled on the floor
    To the ones who never left me
    We've been down this road before
    I'm so sorry, I'm not sober anymore


    It seems Lovato may have possibly relapsed in her battles with dependency, as she says sorry to her mom and stepdad for giving in to the temptation. She goes on to apologize to her fans for her setback.

    I'm sorry for the fans I lost, who watched me fall again
    I wanna be a role model, but I'm only human
  • Three weeks after dropping out of the Hot 100, there was renewed interest in this confessional song following Demi Lovato's hospitalization for an apparent narcotics overdose. "Sober" saw a 199% increase in US streams in the week after the event, returning it to the chart at a higher position than before of #55.
  • Demi Lovato revealed in the YouTube Originals docuseries Dancing with the Devil that after relapsing in April 2018, a dealer introduced her to heroin and crack cocaine. While on a trip to Bali, she realized she had a physical dependency on the hard drugs and wrote "Sober." Then, after returning to LA, Lovato began heavily using again. "That is one thing that I was very good at is hiding the fact that I was addicted to crack and heroin," the singer said.

Comments: 3

  • Nikki from LouisianaI know the struggle it's hard and nobody understands it. I'm battling with a meth addiction I've been battling it for a year now I'm now 5 days sober I started my sobriety September 7, 2022 don't give up your fight Demi Lovato the song you made sober I know how it feels when I'm not sober
  • #supportdemilovato from IrelandDemi we love you!
  • Liam O'grady from Brisbane, Queensland, AustraliaI love this song so much. It helps me to understand how Demi Lovato feels when she isn't SOBER
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Daryl Hall

Daryl HallSongwriter Interviews

Daryl Hall's TV show is a hit, and he's been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - only one of these developments excites him.

Booker T. Jones

Booker T. JonesSongwriter Interviews

The Stax legend on how he cooked up "Green Onions," the first time he and Otis Redding saw hippies, and if he'll ever play a digital organ.

Fire On The Stage

Fire On The StageSong Writing

When you have a song called "Fire," it's tempting to set one - these guys did.

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Randy Houser

Randy HouserSongwriter Interviews

The "How Country Feels" singer talks Skynyrd and songwriting.

Carol Kaye

Carol KayeSongwriter Interviews

A top session musician, Carol played on hundreds of hits by The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Frank Sinatra and many others.