Boomerang (Nicole Scherzinger song)

Background and release

Following the international release of her debut studio album Killer Love (2011), Scherzinger began working on a US version of the album. The US edition was to include an alternate track listing, made up of "a mixture of strong dance anthems, urban twists and uplifting songs". After numerous pushbacks, the release was later cancelled in favor of a new studio album. In July 2012, Scherzinger began recording new material with will.i.am and Anthony Preston for the album. On November 29, 2012, Scherzinger took to her official Twitter page to unveil the title of a new single, "Boomerang". Several days later, a brief clip of Scherzinger on set of the video was shown during a video interlude as part of Scherzinger's judging duties on the ninth series of The X Factor (UK). On February 19, 2014, it was announced that Scherzinger had signed a multi-record album deal with RCA Records and Sony Music, bringing to the end her ten-year partnership with Interscope Records. Consequently, "Boomerang" is Scherzinger's final single with Interscope and did not make the cut of the new album.

Composition and lyrics

"Boomerang" is a pop song produced by Sandy Vee. It contains "great layers" of "Oh!"s on the chorus, which was described by Sam Lansky of Idolater as an "earworm". The "synth-spangled" song contains a "fuzzy, club-friendly" beat. Lyrically, "Boomerang" is about "not letting the haters keep you down", overcoming obstacles and "coming back even when people try to throw you out". Scherzinger sings about her ability to turn things around for the better. With "wide-eyed determination", she sings: "You can turn me down, you can throw me now/ The harder out, the harder I come back around". Of the song, Scherzinger said: "I love this track as I can really relate to the lyrics because I don't always feel on top of the world and fierce and fearless. I have my doubts and days where I wonder if I should just throw in the towel. This song uplifts me and gives me strength."

Critical reception

The song has received mixed reviews from music critics. Robert Copsey from Digital Spy praised the song awarding it four out of five stars. In his review, Copsey said "The metaphor's not without its confusing moments, but that's exactly what makes her so endearing." He went on to praise the song's overall production, "she sings with wide-eyed determination over a fuzzy, club-friendly beat courtesy of will.i.am - who for once supplies a relatively pop-by-numbers melody that grows on the ears." Idolator gave a mixed review stating: "Scherzinger is back with a new single, but despite the unholy union of Scherzinger and will.i.am, who produced the song, it’s actually pretty good!" Lansky later went on to praise the production, which "is taut and synth-spangled, and that chorus is an earworm." A review from the Daily Record said, "Boomerang is a brassy banger that will appeal to younger music fans but scratch the surface and there’s only limited shelf life to it."

Chart performance

Shortly after its radio premiere, "Boomerang" was snubbed by radio stations, BBC Radio 1 and Capital FM Radio "due to the amount of other important releases" that week which affected sales. However, after her midweek triumph, "Boomerang" was eventually added to Capital FM's playlist after triumphing in the midweek chart which she entered at number one. On March 14, 2013, "Boomerang" debuted on the Irish Singles Chart at number nine, underperforming Scherzinger's previous best of number seven with "Right There" (2011). It is Scherzinger's seventh top ten single, in Ireland, as a solo performer. On March 16, 2013, "Boomerang" entered the UK charts at number six selling 46,000 copies in its opening week. According to The Official Charts Company, the song climbed forty-nine places landing at number fifty on the Official Streaming Chart becoming that week's highest climber.

Music video

Scherzinger worked with director Nathalie Canguilhem on the music video for "Boomerang". It was filmed in London, UK, during the last week of November 2012, whilst Scherzinger handled her judging duties on ninth series of The X Factor. During the VT for one of Scherzinger's contestants James Arthur, Scherzinger is seen taking her finalists to the video shoot of her new single "Boomerang". On December 19, 2012, a brief 5 second preview of the video was released online, in the preview a kaleidoscope camera effect is used. The music video for the song was released on January 25, 2013. The video won the 'Music Award' at the Social TV Awards for scoring 6,147,811 views in two weeks after the debut. Accompanying promotional images for the single were released prior to the music video's release. Scherzinger wears a see-through black mesh dress with a light blue and pink patterned jacket with an elaborate chain necklace that covers her chest and metallic silver high-heeled shoes.

Live performances

"Boomerang" was performed for the first time on Let's Dance For Comic Relief on March 2, 2013. Scherzinger also performed the single at the benefit concert Give It Up For Comic Relief at Wembley Arena in London on March 6, 2013. The song was also performed on The Jonathan Ross Show on March 9, 2013, and it featured her band. She also gave an interview where she discussed The X Factor (UK), her upcoming studio album and her relationship to Lewis Hamilton. She later performed at G-A-Y on March 9, 2013. On March 11, 2013, she did an interview on Daybreak and a performance of the track.

Track listing

1. "Boomerang" - 3:18

1. "Boomerang" - 3:18
2. "Boomerang" (Mathieu Bouthier Remix) - 5:51
3. "Boomerang" (Ruff Loaderz Club Mix) - 6:25
4. "Boomerang" (Cahill Club Remix) - 5:35

Credits