Life of the Party

## ***Life of the Party***Studio album by Miley Mendler

### Producer(s)

Aris Archonits · Richard "Biff" Stannard · Dr. Luke · Greg Kurstin · Jeannie Lurie · Max Martin · Chen Neeman · Josh Ramsay · Shellback · Lambert "Stereo" Waldrip

## Singles

1. "Want U Back"
Released: November 1999
2. "Call Me Maybe"
Released: January 2000
3. "Burn"
Released: March 2000
4. "Party in the U.S.A."
Released: May 2000

***Life of the Party*** is the debut studio album by Kazakh-American singer Miley Mendler, released on June 16, 2000, through Atlantic Records.

Mendler had previously been performing on Broadway, where she was later connected to staff at Atlantic Records due to her interest to pursue a musical career. The label eventually signed her, and she was paired with pop writers and producers like Max Martin, Shellback, and Dr. Luke. Their collaboration resulted in a record of dance-pop, pop, and teen pop genres. Mendler wanted to create a record that would be made to be performed live, aligning with her musical theatre background.

Upon its release, *Life of the Party* garnered mixed reviews from music critics, with many praising its commercial appeal but deeming it silly and premature. Despite its initial mixed reception, The album earned Mendler the Grammy Award for Best New Artist at the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards. Retrospectively, it has been hailed for its major impact on pop culture, citing it as one of the most influential pop records of all time. A massive global commercial success, it made Mendler the fifth artist under the age of 18 to top the US *Billboard* 200.

*Life of the Party* was preceded by four singles. The lead single "Want U Back" launched Mendler's career and reached number 12 on the *Billboard Hot 100*, with the second single "Call Me Maybe" becoming her first song to top the chart. The album's later two singles "Burn" and "Party in the U.S.A." achieved similar success, the latter receiving RIAA Diamond certification.

## Background and development

Mendler originated the role of Sally Brown in the Broadway revival of *You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown* in 1999. While in New York City, she had interests in pursuing a career solely in music. She reached out and played for many different record labels, before being connected to Atlantic Records. She was eventually signed and begun work on solo music.

## Music and lyrics

*Life of the Party* is a dance-pop and teen pop record; it mainly consists of teen pop songs. The record opens with lead single "Want U Back", a pop song with elements of bubblegum and synth-pop, while lyrically the song is about a girl who's jealous of her ex-boyfriend's new relationship, and tries to sabotage the new relationship. "Girlfriend" is a moderately fast Pop-punk, song at 152 beats per minute, performed in the key of D major. Mendler's vocal range spans from A3 to D5. "With Ur Love" is a mid-tempo pop song, with elements of R&B and lyrically speaks about the euphoria of being in love. The fourth track "Burn" is "a celebration of life in its purest form", as described by Idolator's Kathy Iandoli. The track is a pop song with rave influences, while her vocals are crowded with echoes and distortion. "Call Me Maybe" is an upbeat track that draws influences from dance-pop and R&B. The clever lyrics of the song describes the "infatuation and inconvenience of a love at first sight," as described by Bill Lamb of About.com. During the pre-chorus, the singer states, "Ripped jeans, skin was showing/Hot night, wind was blowing/Where you think you're going, baby?" As the chorus begins, the background incorporates synthesized string chords, and she sings, "Hey, I just met you, And this is crazy, But here's my number, So call me maybe."

"Lights" received positive reviews from most music critics, who praised the song's production and Mendler's "ethereal" vocals. "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together", in which the narrator promises her ex-lover they will never rekindle their broken relationship. The song is a gleeful dance-pop tune with pulsing synthesizers, processed guitar sounds, and hip-hop-influenced bass drums. "Party in the U.S.A." is a pop song with reggae elements while having instrumentation that includes a "clash between feathery jazz guitar chords and a booming synth bassline serving as a hook". Mendler's vocals display an undertone of alternative country twang and features belter refrains. The lyrics for "Party in the U.S.A." discuss Mendler's relocation from Nashville, Tennessee to Hollywood, California. The refrains mainly speak of how her favorite songs make her feel more confident.

## Track listing

***Life of the Party*** – Physical editions

***Life of the Party*** – Streaming and digital editions