Demi Lovato reveals the singer who inspired Trump-bashing song “Commander in Chief”

Demi Lovato first debuted her anti-Trump song “Commander in Chief” last month at the Billboard Music Awards, and on Late Night With Seth Meyers Tuesday night, she revealed he singer who inspired the controversial song. Lovato said that she changed her approach to songwriting after looking around at what’s happening in the world, and making the decision to look outside herself when writing songs. She also said that unlike in the sixties and seventies, there aren’t a lot of songs about what’s happening politically in this country right now. But for “Commander in Chief,” Lovato only had to look back 14 years to Pink’s 2006 scathing rebuke of former President George W. Bush. Lovato said she wanted to make a newer version of Pink’s hit, and she succeeded. Both songs strike a dark, ominous tone, while the singers beautifully lament the respective presidents.

Video Transcript

DEMI LOVATO: I was thinking about the music that's out there right now, and I was like, why isn't anyone talking about what's happening? And you know, in the '60s and '70s, like this-- when anything political would happen, music was such a key element to help people process it and get through it.

KYLIE MAR: Demi Lovato appeared on Late Night with Seth Meyers Tuesday night, where she discussed her anti-Trump song "Commander in Chief" and the singer who inspired it with her message to President George W Bush nearly 15 years ago.

DEMI LOVATO: One of the songs that we came up with was "Commander in Chief." And it was inspired by Pink's "Dear Mr. President," you know, and back however many years ago that came out. And I wanted to do like a newer version.

KYLIE MAR: While it may have been Pink's 2006 hit "Dear Mr. President" that inspired "Commander in Chief," Lovato said everything going on in the world right now caused her to look outside herself when writing songs.

DEMI LOVATO: I was like, you know, I really need to step up my lyrics and make it about something other than just my life. And so I started making more music that is less about me and more about the broad scope of what's going on in the world.

KYLIE MAR: Lovato also spoke about the moment she learned that Joe Biden won the 2020 election.

DEMI LOVATO: It was the best news. I cried. I sobbed. I mean, it was just an emotional day overall for me. Because I identify as queer, and so for me, having somebody in the Oval Office that is supportive of that meant a lot to me.

KYLIE MAR: And though the US continues to be divided, Lovato believes there will eventually be unity.

DEMI LOVATO: I am also a firm believer in feeling like the country will be united after, you know, some time goes by. But I think that we're on the right path. And yeah, I'm very, very excited.