Lovato announced this song's release on June 29, 2016, through Twitter, writing that she only recorded the song "a couple weeks ago" but wanted to release it "right away" as a promotional single for her tour with Nick Jonas, the Future Now Tour.[5][6] She teased the song on social media by posting nude and semi-nude, black-and-white photos from the single cover's photo shoot on Instagram accompanied by lyrics from the track.[7] It was then released on July 1, 2016, as a streaming exclusive on Apple Music, Google Play, Spotify and Tidal.[1] "Body Say" was serviced to contemporary hit radio in the United States on July 12, 2016, through Republic Records.[8][9] The song was released to iTunes on July 15, 2016.[4]
Composition
"Body Say" is a dance ballad with an R&B beat,[5][10] and explores themes of sexuality and self-confidence.[11] Lovato co-wrote the track with Simon Wilcox and its producer Sir Nolan.[12] The song employs "slinky", synth-y "bedroom beats" behind lyrics,[13][6] which Zach Johnson of E! News deemed "sexier" than her past single, "Cool for the Summer", that discuss all the things Lovato would do to a lover if her "body had a say."[12] Critics have also made note of the sexual nature of the song given Lovato's recent (at the time of the song's release) breakup with long-term boyfriend, Wilmer Valderrama.[12] Lovato's vocal range on the track spans from the low note of F3 to the high note of F5.
Live performances
Lovato debuted the song on the first night of the Future Now Tour in Atlanta on June 29, 2016; it became part of a rotating setlist intended to introduce fans to her single.[14] On September 6, 2016, she performed "Body Say" as well as her song "Confident" at the Made for History Fashion Show, a fashion fundraiser hosted by Anna Wintour for Hillary Clinton.[15]
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 37. týden 2016 in the date selector. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 30. týden 2016 in the date selector. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 48. týden 2016 in the date selector. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201638 into search. Retrieved September 26, 2016.