Start All Over

Summary

"Start All Over" is a song recorded by American singer Miley Cyrus for her debut studio album Meet Miley Cyrus (2007). The song was written by Fefe Dobson, Anne Preven and produced by Annetenna.[2][3][4] It was released by Hollywood Records on March 11, 2008, as the second single from the album only in Australia. An accompanying music video, directed by Marc Webb was also released. A live version is available on Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert and as an instrumental in Cyrus's karaoke series. The song was originally recorded by Fefe Dobson, who passed the song to Cyrus, because she did not desire to include it on Sunday Love. The uptempo song is lyrically about having a second chance in a romantic relationship.

"Start All Over"
Single by Miley Cyrus
from the album Meet Miley Cyrus
ReleasedMarch 11, 2008 (2008-03-11) (Australia only)
GenreRock[1]
Length3:27
LabelHollywood
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Annetenna
Miley Cyrus singles chronology
"See You Again"
(2007)
"Start All Over"
(2008)
"7 Things"
(2008)
Music video
"Start All Over" on YouTube

The song reached its highest international peak in Australia at 41 and also charted in Canada and the United States at 68 and 91 respectively. The song was also certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipping over 500,000 copies. Cyrus performed the song in 2007 and 2008 the Best of Both Worlds Tour, as the opening number for her performances as herself. Cyrus again performed "Start All Over" once she embarked on the 2009 Wonder World Tour.

Background and composition edit

The song was written and recorded by Canadian recording artist Fefe Dobson for her unreleased second album Sunday Love.[5] Dobson explained on an August 2009 interview with MTV News,

"I wrote a song, she dug it, and she sang it. But I didn't want it for my record. It just wasn't right for me, and I just felt like it was better for someone else, and she does a great job on it. I was really impressed. She sounded great. I'm actually happier she did it than I did it."[5]

Dobson sings background vocals, along with Anne Preven, on Cyrus' version of the song.[6] Among other personnel are: Paul Bushnell for bass guitar, Scott Cutler and David Levita for electric guitar, Josh Freese for drums and Jeff Turzo for keyboard.[6] It is set in common time with a moderately fast tempo of 150 beats per minute.[7] The song is written in a key of G major. Cyrus' vocals spans one octave, from G3 to B4. The song has the following chord progression, Dm7–Am–G5.[7] In an interview with Access Hollywood on the set of the music video, Cyrus mentioned that the song was involved with romance and "the guy that I'm supposed to 'start all over'".[8] Lael Loewenstein, writing for Variety, stated that "Breakout" and "Start All Over" "touch on the theme of self-reinvention".[9][10]

Chart performance edit

"Start All Over"'s debut appearance on Hot Digital Songs led to charting in the Billboard Hot 100.[11][12] For the week ending January 18, 2008, "Start All Over" debuted and peaked in the Hot 100 at number 68.[11][12][13] That same week, the song debuted and peaked at number 57 on the discontinued Pop 100.[12] For the week ending January 26, the song ascended to number 50 on Hot Digital Songs, but failed to ascend in the Hot 100 and Pop 100; that week was its last on the three charts.[11] The song garnered similar commercial outcomes in other nations. For the week ending February 23, 2008, in the Canadian Hot 100, the song charted at number 93, falling from the chart the week after.[11][13] In the Australian Singles Chart, issue dated July 14, "Start All Over" debuted at number 50.[13] In its second week, ending August 11, 2009, the song moved up to number 41, where it peaked, and fell from the top 50 after five weeks.[13]

Music video edit

On an exclusive interview with Access Hollywood, Cyrus spoke in regards to the music video for the song, directed by Marc Webb. She said, "I wanted something crazy that no one else has done and like really random because this song is kinda random."[8][14] Shot on November 16, 2007, in a suburban area of Los Angeles, California, the video included fifty background dancers, such as a middle school teacher.[14] Cyrus said the concept was, "I'm singing and dancing and like rocking out and I have no idea where these people come from."[8][14] The portion of the music video in which she enters the "carnival-like" scene drew influences from the 1950s and Hairspray.[8] Another concept she further explained was the appearance of a man in a "prom-setting." Cyrus said, "Here it's gonna be the guy that I'm supposed to 'start all over' and we're at prom, so I'm just [...] not like in a dress or anything. So, it's random. It's like everything is happening all at once."[8] The ending of the music video, she explained, was when she went back to "where [she] belongs" after a day of "torture."[8]

The video commences with Cyrus, in pajamas, turning off a nightlight and falling asleep. When she wakes up, Cyrus finds herself on her bed, in a skate ramp; she is wearing a white T-shirt, a black vest, red pants and black boots. Meanwhile, skaters are using the ramp, Cyrus stands and performs the song in a confused manner. She then enters a school bus, occupied by businessmen and businesswomen, which she exits through the back emergency door. Throughout the rest of the video Cyrus is seen exploring a "carnival-like" setting, while dancing. Several random figures make appearances, such as astronauts, scuba divers, middle school teachers, and cowboys. A large star pattern falls and reveals a concert stage where Cyrus performs the song along with a band. In the conclusion of the video, Cyrus is woken up by an alarm clock and a printer prints stills from what occurred throughout the music video.[15] The music video to "Start All Over" was first seen on the Disney Channel on December 19, 2007.[citation needed] It became digitally available, via iTunes Store, on January 29, 2008.[16] In 2008, the video received a MuchMusic Video nomination for Best International Artist Video, but lost to Rihanna's video for "Don't Stop the Music."[17]

Live performances edit

 
Cyrus performing the song at the Wonder World Tour.

On December 31, 2007, Cyrus performed the song along with "G.N.O. (Girl's Night Out)" and "We Got the Party," a duet with the Jonas Brothers, on the 2008 episode special of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest.[18][19] "Start All Over" was then most notably performed on Cyrus' first headlining tour, the Best of Both Worlds Tour. On the tour, the song served as the opening number for the portion of songs that Cyrus performed as herself. The song was preceded by the interlude from the opening act: first leg by the Jonas Brothers, ("Year 3000") second leg by Aly & AJ ("Rush") and third leg by Everlife.[20] During the performances, Cyrus wore a gray metallic jacket, a white T-shirt and black leggings. It began with Cyrus emerging from the bottom of the stage and then roaming around the stage to perform the song. Cyrus' performance of "Start All Over" during the tour was received from mixed to average reviews by critics. Maitland McDonagh of TV Guide magazine stated that Cyrus' return after the Brothers was an up-beat "vague rocker-chick grab."[21] A promotional music video from these live performances were made to promote the Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert film.

On June 7, 2009, at the twentieth annual A Time for Heroes Celebrity Carnival, Cyrus performed the song, coupled with "7 Things," "Breakout," "The Climb," "The Driveway," "Fly on the Wall," "These Four Walls" and "See You Again."[22] Proceeded by "Breakout," it is second on the set list of her current and first international concert tour, the Wonder World Tour. In these performances, Cyrus wears black boots, skimpy black shorts and tank top.[23] Throughout most of "Start All Over," Cyrus maintains on the construction carts that were used on the end of opening number.[24][25]

Release history edit

Release dates and formats for "Start All Over"
Region Date Format
Australia[26] March 11, 2008 CD single

Charts edit

Weekly chart performance for "Start All Over"
Charts (2008) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[27] 41
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[28] 91
US Billboard Hot 100[29] 68

Certification edit

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[30] Gold 500,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References edit

  1. ^ "The 20 greatest Miley Cyrus singles ranked: From Disney teen to rock superstar". UK. April 6, 2022. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  2. ^ Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus (booklet). Hollywood. 2007.
  3. ^ "Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus". MusicBrainz. June 27, 2011. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  4. ^ "Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus". AllMusic. June 26, 2007. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Vena, Jocelyn (August 14, 2009). "Fefe Dobson 'Impressed' With Miley Cyrus' Take On Her Song". MTV News. Viacom. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  6. ^ a b "Start All Over > Credits". Allmusic. Macrovision Corporation. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  7. ^ a b "Digital sheet music - Miley Cyrus - Start All Over". Music Notes.com. Alfred Publishing Company. May 26, 2008. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  8. ^ a b c d e f "Access Extended: Miley Cyrus' Music Video". Access Hollywood. NBC Universal Television Distribution. Retrieved September 17, 2009.
  9. ^ Loewenstein, Lael (September 23, 2009). "Concert Review: Miley Cyrus". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved October 26, 2009.
  10. ^ "Artist Karaoke Series: Miley Cyrus". Walt Disney Records. The Walt Disney Company. Archived from the original on May 1, 2008. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  11. ^ a b c d "Start All Over". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  12. ^ a b c "Miley Cyrus > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Macrovision Corporation. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  13. ^ a b c d "Miley Cyrus - Start All Over - Music Charts". aCharts.us. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  14. ^ a b c "On-the-scene: Miley's First Official Music Video!". Access Hollywood. NBC Universal Television Distribution. Retrieved September 17, 2009.
  15. ^ Webb, Marc (Director) (2007). Start All Over (music video). Disney.com; Hollywood Records, Inc. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  16. ^ "iTunes Store - Miley Cyrus - Start All Over". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. January 2008. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  17. ^ "MMV08". MuchMusic Video Awards. CTVglobemedia. Archived from the original on May 4, 2009. Retrieved September 27, 2009.
  18. ^ "'New Year's Rockin' Eve' in Times Square, NYC". ABC News. The Walt Disney Company. December 28, 2007. Retrieved October 4, 2009.
  19. ^ "Carrie and Miley Join Ryan Seacrest to Rock New Year's Eve". Entertainment Tonight. CBS Television Distribution. December 13, 2007. Archived from the original on March 27, 2008. Retrieved October 4, 2009.
  20. ^ Nudd, Tim. "Miley Mania Continues: Cyrus Extends Her Tour". People. Time Warner Inc. Archived from the original on August 19, 2013. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  21. ^ McDonagh, Maitland. "Hannah Montana / Miley Cyrus: Best Of Both Worlds... : Review". TV Guide. OpenGate Capital. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  22. ^ "Miley Cyrus - A Time for Heroes Celebrity Carnival". InStyle. IPC Media. June 8, 2009. Archived from the original on June 12, 2009. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  23. ^ Thompsen, Melinda M. (September 15, 2009). "Review: Miley Cyrus Rocks the Rose Garden as She Kicks off Tour in Portland". The Oregonian. Advance Publications. Retrieved September 16, 2009.
  24. ^ Harrington, Jim (September 19, 2009). "Concert Review: Miley Cyrus Leaves Hannah Montana Behind at Oakland Show". Oakland Tribune. MediaNews Group. Retrieved September 27, 2009.
  25. ^ "Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert". Walt Disney Records. The Walt Disney Company. Archived from the original on March 19, 2008. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  26. ^ "Start All over".
  27. ^ "Miley Cyrus – Start All Over". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  28. ^ "Miley Cyrus Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  29. ^ "Miley Cyrus Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  30. ^ "American single certifications – Miley Cyrus – Start All Over". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 10, 2023.

External links edit