Rotten to the Core (song)

"Rotten to the Core" is a song from Disney Channel's 2015 television film Descendants, whose music and lyrics were composed by Joacim Persson, Shelly Peiken and Johann Alkenas.

The song was performed in its original show-tune version in the film by the main cast – Dove Cameron, Cameron Boyce, Booboo Stewart and Sofia Carson – in their vocal roles as Mal (daughter of Maleficent), Carlos (son of Cruella de Vil), Jay (son of Jafar) and Evie (daughter of The Evil Queen).

[3] The song was written by Joacim Persson, Shelly Peiken and Johann Alkenas and produced by the duo Twin.

[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.

[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".

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.

[26] The official music video for the song directed by British directors Naren Wilks and Adam Santelli.