A midtempodance-pop song, "Rotten to the Core" exhibits elements of pop, dubstep and hip hop.[2] Built on a beat, multi-tracked harmonies, the song's instrumentation includes slow-bouncing synthesizer tones and keyboard.[3] The song was written by Joacim Persson, Shelly Peiken and Johann Alkenas and produced by the duo Twin.[4] Cameron's vocals span from the low note of F3 and Carson's vocals span from the high notes of F5. The song introducing the four villainous offspring in the film.[5] Gary Wright of Rotoscopes noted that part of the song is spoken, whispered, reflecting an ominous tone to the voices, while only the chorus is sung.[2] Lyrically, the song talks about the feelings of the villains, who are evil and wicked, but they like to be just like this ("Who's the baddest of them all? / Welcome to my wicked world, wicked world").[6] The stanzas and chorus are sung also among the four artists, while the pre-chorus is only performed by Cameron and Carson.[2][7]
Critical reception
The song has received mixed reviews from music critics. KidsWorld Magazine believed that "Rotten to the Core" was the best song on the album.[8] Chuck Campbell of Knoxville News Sentinel described the song as "surprisingly bold".[9] Daynah of Disney Geek commented that the song had an addictive melody with good sound effects.[3]
Marshal Knight of Laughing Place was more negative, describing "Rotten to the Core" as "disjointed" and the worst song created for a Disney Channel Original Movie, analyzing that Booboo Stewart "saying the same phrase over and over with a rasp that wasn't necessary".[10] Gary Wright of Rotoscopes said that the song is a "ridiculously cheesy song" that "fails to hit the right notes," believing that it "[made] the movie so bland and forgettable".[2]Common Sense Media believed that the song should not be introduced for children under 6 years, stating that the movie scene where the song is featured has Evie "[drawing] one boy in to kiss her in a very seductive scene and wants to land a prince with money and a big castle".[11] Ryan Clavin of WDW Info said that the song was "meh" and "a bit too on the nose," which he found to be the case with many other songs from Disney Channel Original Movies.[12]
A second version of "Rotten to the Core", performed by Sofia Carson (who portrays Evie in the film), was released as single on December 18, 2015 by Walt Disney Records.[18] The decision to release the song was made to promote the animated short-form series Descendants: Wicked World, of which Carson's version is the opening theme.[19] The song was included in the soundtrack to the Disney Channel Original MovieDescendants (2015).
The official music video for the song directed by British directors Naren Wilks and Adam Santelli.[27] It was recorded on July[28] and premiered on Disney Channel on August 23, 2015 after Best Friends Whenever.[29] The video uses a 3D green screen cylinder, an illusionary technique that capturing a kaleidoscope-like effect onscreen.[27] The video begins with Carson dressed as a princess in an explosion of fireworks, when she picks up the mirror of the Evil Queen and recites: "Mirror, mirror in the night, show a girl a little light".[30] A trail of light transports her to a black-and-white scene, where she begins to sing while it multiplies. In another scene, Carson sings to six mirrors, where each reflects her dancing different from the others. In a third scene, she sings alone on a purple background with lights. Various effects for the video and multiply Carson.[31] In the end, she leaves the mirror and recites: "Mirror, mirror, what does our future hold? Show me what happens when our stories unfold".[32]
