1. Skyscraper
"Skyscraper" is the quintessential Demi Lovato song. Everything about it is a cut above the rest of her already compelling discography. Starting from a gentle piano backup with the nearly whispered lyrics she does so well, Lovato lays everything bare in this track. The metatext of the song is what makes it so rewarding; knowing the artist's struggles at such a young age give it emotional heft. The composition of "Skyscraper" is in an advanced class, as well. The subtle beat that accompanies the second verse is a perfect stepping stone to the pure triumph of the latter half. Lyrically, the song is honest without being blunt, navigating the central simile cleverly and landing some memorable lines along the way. The one that always stays in my memory is "As the smoke clears, I awaken/And untangle you from me/Would it make you feel better/To watch me while I bleed?" That's powerful stuff. What really solidifies "Skyscraper" as Demi's #1 for me is that she isn't just talking to one person; this is a song about everyone who didn't believe in her, and the media who treated her like another hopeless case. It lets them know that Demi Lovato is not going anywhere... she's only going to get better.