"Prisoner"
Song by the Weeknd featuring Lana Del Rey
from the album Beauty Behind the Madness
ReleasedAugust 28, 2015 (2015-08-28)
StudioConway (Hollywood)[1]
Genre
Length4:34
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Audio
"Prisoner" on YouTube

"Prisoner" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd, featuring American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey, from the former's second studio album Beauty Behind the Madness (2015). They co-wrote the song with Illangelo, who co-produced it with the Weeknd. It is the first of the four collaborations between the two artists, being followed by "Party Monster", from the Weeknd's third studio album Starboy (2016).[2]

Commercial performance

"Prisoner" debuted at number 47 on the Billboard Hot 100 with 51,291 copies sold in its first week.[3] The song also accrued 3.7 million US streams.[4]

Live performances

Del Rey and the Weeknd performed the song live together for the first time on December 9, 2015, at the Forum in Inglewood, California.[5]

Critical reception

Alex Kritselis of Bustle wrote, "The mid-tempo duet sounds exactly how you'd expect it to sound: dark, tortured, and a little bit over-the-top. Depending on how you feel about The Weeknd and Del Rey — two artists who share a flair for the dramatic — this either makes the track absolutely perfect or absolutely unlistenable. Personally, I'm digging it."[6] In his review of the album, Rolling Stone's Jon Dolan described the song as "a summit of luxuriant sadness" and "quite the slow-burning pity party".[7] Chris DeVille of Stereogum called "Prisoner" "the most intriguing part" of Beauty Behind the Madness, and said the song "feels like an old Weeknd mixtape track, but with touches of Del Rey’s doomed noir glamor".[8] Vulture's Dee Lockett wrote, "Lana, the tortured lover, and the Weeknd, the addict, sound exactly as you’d expect on this bombastic morbid-pop-meets-lusty-R&B ballad. They croon about their respective sorrows: Lana wonders if Hollywood has poisoned her, while the Weeknd comes to grips with falling in love. For most people, that last one would be a relief, but for someone who previously bragged, “I just fucked two bitches before I saw you,” it’s like living out a horror film. But they each agree that whatever pain they’re in, they brought it on themselves: “I’m addicted to a life that’s so empty and so cold / I’m a prisoner to my decisions,” they whine in tandem. Of course, it ends with a Lana soliloquy."[9]

In 2019, Billboard's Kirsten Spruch included "Prisoner" in her list of Del Rey's best collaborations.[10] In his 2019 list of "Every Lana Del Rey Song, Ranked", Richard S. He of Billboard ranked the song number 75.[11]

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[20] Gold 35,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[21] Gold 40,000‡
United States (RIAA)[22] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ "Prisoner and Angel liner notes". Genius.com. August 28, 2015.
  2. ^ Davis, Sarah (April 19, 2017). "Lana Del Rey and The Weeknd reunite on "Lust For Life" — listen". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
    - "The Weeknd Starboy Album Credits" (PDF). Cache.umusic.com. November 28, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  3. ^ "Hot 100 Chart Moves: The Weeknd Debuts With 'Can't Feel My Face'". Billboard. September 9, 2015. Retrieved September 9, 2015.
  4. ^ "The surging R&B/pop star makes history on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, among other chart feats, including on the Hot 100, all powered by the monster start of his new album, "Beauty Behind the Madness."". Billboard. September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  5. ^ "The Weeknd and Lana Del Rey perform "Prisoner" together live for the first time -- watch". Consequence of Sound. December 10, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
    - "The Weeknd Performs 'Prisoner' With Lana Del Rey in Los Angeles". Spin. December 10, 2015. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
    - "The Weeknd and Lana Del Rey Perform "Prisoner"". Pitchfork. December 10, 2015. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  6. ^ "Lana Del Rey & The Weeknd's "Prisoner" Lyrics Are Dark, Tortured & Exactly What You'd Expect". Bustle. August 21, 2015. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  7. ^ Dolan, Jon (September 10, 2015). "The Weeknd 'Beauty Behind the Madness' Album Review". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  8. ^ "The Weeknd – "Prisoner" (Feat. Lana Del Rey)". Stereogum. August 21, 2015. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  9. ^ Lockett, Dee (August 21, 2015). "The Weeknd and Lana Del Rey Make the Perfect Self-Loathing Pair on New Duet 'Prisoner'". Vulture. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  10. ^ Spruch, Kirsten (July 8, 2019). "Lana Del Rey's Best Collabs: The Weeknd, Stevie Nicks, A$AP Rocky & More". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  11. ^ He, Richard S. (March 31, 2021). "Every Lana Del Rey Song, Ranked: Critic's List". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  12. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  13. ^ "The Weeknd feat. Lana Del Rey – Prisoner" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  14. ^ "The Weeknd feat. Lana Del Rey – Prisoner". Singles Top 100. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  15. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  16. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  17. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  18. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  19. ^ "Hot R&B Singles: Year-End 2015". Billboard. Billboard.com. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  20. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  21. ^ "Canadian single certifications – The Weeknd – Prisoner". Music Canada. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  22. ^ "American single certifications – The Weeknd – Prisoner". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
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