"Prisoner" is a song by The Weeknd featuring Lana Del Rey, released on the former's second studio album, Beauty Behind the Madness, on August 28, 2015. It serves as the pair's very first collaboration.
Critical reception[]
Critics complimented The Weeknd and Del Rey's musical chemistry. Harley Brown of Spin stated that "[Del Rey] might be [The Weeknd]'s perfect partner...with her feathery, nicotine-lipped croon and penchant for men that aren't good for her", and also described the song as "blooming dark and sticky like spilled codeine over piercing snares".[1] Jon Dolan of Rolling Stone described their duet as "a summit of luxuriant sadness".[2]
Live performance[]
The Weeknd brought Del Rey out as a surprise guest to perform the song for the first and only time on December 9, 2015 at a sold-out show at The Forum, in Inglewood, California, as part of The Weeknd's The Madness Fall Tour.
Official versions[]
- Album version — 4:35
- Instrumental version — 4:34
Lyrics[]
[The Weeknd]:
You bring good to my lonely life, honestly (Honestly)
It's hard for me to look into your eyes
When I say (I say) that I would be nothing without your love ('out your love)
I feel the rush and it's amazing
Maybe I've been always destined to end up in this place (Up in this place), yeah
I don't mean to come off selfish, but I want it all (Want it all)
Love will always be a lesson, let's get out of its way (Out of its way)
'Cause I know, all I know, all I know
[The Weeknd & Lana Del Rey]:
I'm a prisoner to my addiction
I'm addicted to a life that's so empty and so cold
I'm a prisoner to my decisions
Woo, woo, woo
[Lana Del Rey & The Weeknd]:
(Ah)
I think I've been in Hollywood for too long (For too long)
'Cause I can feel my soul burning, feel it burning slow
But I would be nothing without the touch ('out the touch)
I feel the rush and it's amazing, hmm
Maybe I've been always destined to end up in this place (Oh, ohh)
I don't mean to come off selfish, but I want it all (Want it all)
Love will always be a lesson, let's get out of its way (Out of its way)
'Cause I know, all I know, all I know
[The Weeknd & Lana Del Rey]:
I'm a prisoner to my addiction
I'm addicted to a life that's so empty and so cold
I’m a prisoner to my decisions
Woo, woo, woo (Ohh)
I'm a prisoner to my addiction
I'm addicted to a life that's so empty and so cold
I'm a prisoner to my decisions
Woo, woo, woo
[Lana Del Rey]:
I don't know
I get so wrapped up in a world where nothing's as it seems
And real life is stranger than my dreams
Hmm, hmm, ohh, ahh
Credits[]
Personnel[a]
- The Weeknd — songwriting, co-production
- Illangelo — songwriting, production, recording, engineering, mixing
- Lana Del Rey — songwriting, vocals
- Joshua Smith — additional engineering
- Tom Coyne — mastering
Technical
- Recorded, engineered, and mixed at Conway Recording Studios, Los Angeles, California
- Mastered at Sterling Sound, Edgewater, New Jersey
Charts and certifications[]
Weekly charts[]
|
Year-end charts[]
|
Certifications[]
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[11] | Gold | 35,000 |
| Canada (Music Canada)[12] | Gold | 40,000 |
| United States (RIAA)[13] | Platinum | 1,000,000 |
References[]
- ↑ Brown, Harley (August 28, 2015). "Review: All Hail the King of P*ssy-Pop on the Weeknd’s 'Beauty Behind the Madness'". Spin. https://www.spin.com/2015/08/review-the-weeknd-beauty-behind-the-madness/. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
- ↑ Dolan, Jon (September 10, 2015). "The Weeknd 'Beauty Behind the Madness' Album Review". Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/beauty-behind-the-madness-126821/. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
- ↑ "The Weeknd Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- ↑ "The Weeknd feat. Lana Del Rey – Prisoner" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- ↑ "The Weeknd feat. Lana Del Rey – Prisoner". Singles Top 100. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- ↑ "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- ↑ "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- ↑ "Hot R&B Singles: Year-End 2015". Billboard. https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2015/hot-r-and-and-b-songs. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
- ↑ "Jan 2024 Single Accreds". Australian Recording Industry Association. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/k9o2q7p7o4awhqx/AACWCcZE90sw8zo9jhynnKd7a/Jan%202024%20Single%20Accreds.pdf?e=1&dl=0. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- ↑ "Canadian certifications – The Weeknd – Prisoner". Music Canada. https://musiccanada.com/gold-platinum/?_gp_search=Prisoner%20The+Weeknd. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- ↑ "American certifications – The Weeknd – Prisoner (feat. Lana Del Rey)". Recording Industry Association of America. https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=The+Weeknd&ti=Prisoner+%28feat.+Lana+Del+Rey%29&format=&type=#search_section. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
Notes[]
- ↑ Adapted from the album's liner notes.