Jump to content

Sacrifice (The Weeknd song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Sacrifice"
Single by the Weeknd
from the album Dawn FM
ReleasedJanuary 7, 2022 (2022-01-07)
StudioMXM (Los Angeles and Stockholm)
Genre
Length3:09
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
The Weeknd singles chronology
"Poison"
(2021) 		"Sacrifice"
(2022) 		"Out of Time"
(2022)
Music video
"Sacrifice" on YouTube

"Sacrifice" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd. It was released on January 7, 2022, through XO and Republic Records, alongside his fifth studio album, Dawn FM, as that album's second single. The song was written by the Weeknd, Max Martin, Oscar Holter, Carl Nordström and Swedish House Mafia; with Kevin McCord receiving songwriting credits for the sampling of the 1981 track "I Want to Thank You", performed by Alicia Myers.[1] Production was handled by the Weeknd, Martin, Holter, Swedish House Mafia and Carl Nordström.

Background and promotion

[edit]

At the end of the Weeknd's music video for Dawn FM's lead single "Take My Breath", a snippet of "Sacrifice" is heard. It was released alongside its parent album on January 7, 2022, and was sent to American contemporary hit radio stations on January 11 as the second single from the album.[2][3] In 2022, "Sacrifice" served as the official theme song for WWE's WrestleMania 38, marking the third straight year in a row that a Weeknd song served as the theme song for the annual event. It is also the first song from the Dawn FM album to be used as a WrestleMania theme.

Lyrics and composition

[edit]

"Sacrifice" has been described by music critics as a post-disco[4] and electro[5] track that details the Weeknd's hedonistic lifestyle.[6]

Critical reception

[edit]

Critics noted "Sacrifice" as being a standout track from the album, with the Weeknd's vocals and production being highlighted.[7][8][9] Mankaprr Conteh from Rolling Stone compared the Weeknd's performance on the song to that of Michael Jackson's on his 1983 single "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" and his 1979 single "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough", putting emphasis on the similar sounding vocal melodies and guitar riffs.[10] Heran Mamo of Billboard agreed, adding that the song is "the closest thing to a Michael Jackson record in the 21st century," claiming that it "resurrects the period-appropriate disco-funk".[9] Mary Siroky in her review for Consequence of Sound highlighted that the song "is more of the irresistible fare for which The Weeknd has become known", praising his "wavy vocals" that "sound right at home here" and the production for being "bouncy and bright, making 'Sacrifice' stand out in an album packed with earworms."[8]

The song won the Juno Award for Single of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2023.[11]

Music video

[edit]

The music video for "Sacrifice", directed by Cliqua, was released alongside the song and parent album on January 7, 2022,[12][13] and serves as the sequel to the music video of "Take My Breath". It begins with the Weeknd, who is dazed and confused, being brought towards a theoretical light at the end of a tunnel; while a snippet of Dawn FM's title track, featuring narration by actor Jim Carrey, is played in the background. He then wakes up out of breath as a result of the events that occurred in the "Take My Breath" music video. As he tries to catch his breath, he is abducted by a hooded cult and tied to a wheel-like contraption to be used for a human sacrifice. As the cult members gather around him, a veiled female figure in a red cloak appears and takes his soul away. A series of psychedelic-hued visuals, strobe lighting and dance numbers are then showcased. The Weeknd is then seen singing into a microphone while holding the stand with metal gauntlets. As the sacrifice continues, his hands become horrifically scarred, with the red-cloaked female having stolen his youth. The Weeknd is then seen giving his own variation of Michael Jackson's foot shuffle before the cult members disperse and The Weeknd tumbles out in a fading shot.[14][15]

Credits and personnel

[edit]
  • The Weeknd – vocals, songwriting, production, programming, keyboards
  • Max Martin – songwriting, production, programming, keyboards
  • Oscar Holter – songwriting, production, programming, keyboards
  • Swedish House Mafia – production
  • Carl Nordström – songwriting
  • Kevin Duane McCord – songwriting
  • Serban Ghenea – mixing
  • John Hanes – mix engineering
  • Dave Kutch – mastering
  • Kevin Peterson – assistant mixing
  • Shin Kamiyama – engineering

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for "Sacrifice"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[81] Platinum 70,000‡
Belgium (BEA)[82] Gold 20,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[83] 3× Platinum 120,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[84] Gold 45,000‡
France (SNEP)[85] Platinum 200,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[86] Gold 50,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[87] Gold 25,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[88] Gold 30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[89] Silver 200,000‡
Streaming
Sweden (GLF)[90] Gold 4,000,000†

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release history and formats for "Sacrifice"
Country Date Format Label Ref.
France January 7, 2022 Radio airplay
[91]
Italy Universal [92]
United States January 11, 2022 Contemporary hit radio
  • XO
  • Republic
 [2]
Rhythmic contemporary radio [93]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Weeknd Releases Music Video for "Sacrifice"". HYPEBEAST. January 7, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Top 40 Mainstream Songs and Release Dates". All Access. Archived from the original on January 7, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  3. ^ Kaufman, Gil (January 5, 2022). "The Weeknd Reveals Tracklist For 16-Song 'Dawn FM' Album". Billboard. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  4. ^ Jenkins, Craig (January 7, 2022). "The Weeknd Knows No Bounds". Vulture. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  5. ^ DeVille, Chris (January 7, 2022). "Review: The Weeknd's 'Dawn FM' Is An Art-Damaged Dancefloor Opus Inspired By Pandemic Purgatory". Stereogum. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  6. ^ Aniftos, Rania (January 7, 2022). "The Weeknd Begins to Escape the Darkness in 'Sacrifice' Music Video". Billboard.
  7. ^ "Song of the Week: The Weeknd Struggles With a "Sacrifice"". Yahoo. January 7, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Song of the Week: The Weeknd Struggles With a "Sacrifice"". Consequence of Sound. January 7, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  9. ^ a b Mamo, Heran (January 7, 2022). "Every Song on The Weeknd's 'Dawn FM' Album, Ranked: Critic's Picks". Billboard. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  10. ^ Conteh, Mankaprr (January 7, 2022). "Five Things We Learned from the Weeknd's 'Dawn FM'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  11. ^ Benchetrit, Jenna; Patel, Arti (March 11, 2023). "The Weeknd picks up 4 wins on Junos 2023 opening night". CBC News.
  12. ^ Callas, Brad (January 7, 2022). "Watch The Weeknd's New Video for "Sacrifice"". Complex. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  13. ^ Torres, Eric (January 7, 2022). "The Weeknd Shares New Video for "Sacrifice"". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  14. ^ DeVille, Chris (January 7, 2022). "The Dawn FM Saga Continues In The Weeknd's Creepy New "Sacrifice" Video". Stereogum. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  15. ^ Blistein, Jon (January 7, 2022). "The Weeknd Accepts His New Fate With a Dancefloor Ritual in 'Sacrifice' Music Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  16. ^ "The Weeknd – Chart History (Argentina Hot 100)" Billboard Argentina Hot 100 Singles for The Weeknd. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  17. ^ "The Weeknd – Sacrifice". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  18. ^ "ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. January 17, 2022. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  19. ^ "The Weeknd – Sacrifice" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  20. ^ "The Weeknd – Sacrifice" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  21. ^ "The Weeknd – Sacrifice" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  22. ^ "Top 100 Brasil" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Crowley Broadcast Analysis. Archived from the original on May 26, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2022. Note: In "SEMANA REFERÊNCIA" select 21/03/2022 - 25/03/2022. To access the full Top 100, click on "VER TOP 100 COMPLETO" and enter your name and email. Then enter the code you received by email.
  23. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  24. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  25. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  26. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
  27. ^ "The Weeknd pjesmom Sacrifice predvodi Airplay Radio Chart". HRT (in Croatian). February 15, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  28. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 26. týden 2022 in the date selector. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  29. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 2. týden 2022 in the date selector. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  30. ^ "The Weeknd – Sacrifice". Tracklisten. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  31. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Euro Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  32. ^ "The Weeknd: Sacrifice" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  33. ^ "The Weeknd – Sacrifice" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  34. ^ "The Weeknd – Sacrifice" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  35. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  36. ^ "Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Week: 2/2022". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on January 24, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  37. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
  38. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  39. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  40. ^ "Tónlistinn – Lög" [The Music – Songs] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on January 15, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  41. ^ "Top 20 Charts". Indian Music Industry. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. January 17, 2022. Archived from the original on January 17, 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  42. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  43. ^ "The Weeknd – Sacrifice". Top Digital Download. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  44. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  45. ^ "The Official Lebanese Top 20 – The Weeknd". The Official Lebanese Top 20. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  46. ^ "2022 2-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. January 14, 2022. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  47. ^ "#RIMChart Top 20 Most Streamed International + Domestic song Week 2 (07/01/2022 to 13/01/2022)". Facebook. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  48. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Mexico Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  49. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 5, 2022" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  50. ^ "The Weeknd – Sacrifice" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  51. ^ "The Weeknd – Sacrifice". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  52. ^ "The Weeknd – Sacrifice". VG-lista. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  53. ^ "The Weeknd – Sacrifice". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  54. ^ "Top 50 – Radio San Marino RTV – 22/04/2022" (in Italian). San Marino RTV. April 22, 2024. Archived from the original on April 22, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  55. ^ "RIAS International Top Charts". Recording Industry Association Singapore. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  56. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 6. týden 2022 in the date selector. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  57. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 2. týden 2022 in the date selector. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  58. ^ "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100 Week 02-2022". The Official South African Charts. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  59. ^ "Digital Chart – Week 3 of 2022". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  60. ^ "The Weeknd – Sacrifice" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  61. ^ "The Weeknd – Sacrifice". Singles Top 100. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  62. ^ "The Weeknd – Sacrifice". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  63. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  64. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  65. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  66. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  67. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  68. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  69. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  70. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  71. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  72. ^ "Billboard Vietnam Hot 100: Week of January 22, 2022". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 3, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  73. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2022" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  74. ^ "Rapports annuels 2022" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  75. ^ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  76. ^ "Croatia ARC Top 100 2022" (PDF). HRT. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 14, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  77. ^ "Top de l'année – Top Singles – 2022" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP). Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  78. ^ "Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  79. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2022" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  80. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  81. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  82. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2022". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  83. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – The Weeknd – Sacrifice" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  84. ^ "Danish single certifications – The Weeknd – Sacrifice". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  85. ^ "French single certifications – The Weeknd – Sacrifice" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  86. ^ "Italian single certifications – The Weeknd – Sacrifice" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  87. ^ "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 4, 2023. Click "TYTUŁ" and enter Sacrifice in the search box.
  88. ^ "Spanish single certifications – The Weeknd – Sacrifice". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  89. ^ "British single certifications – Weeknd – Sacrifice". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
  90. ^ "Sverigetopplistan – The Weeknd" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  91. ^ "The Weeknd choisit le dansant "Sacrifice" comme nouveau single de l'album "Dawn FM"". Pure Charts. January 7, 2022. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  92. ^ "THE WEEKND "Sacrifice" | (Radio Date: January 7, 2022)". radiodate.it. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  93. ^ "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Released". All Access. Archived from the original on January 10, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
Retrieved from "https://wiki.riteme.site/w/index.php?title=Sacrifice_(The_Weeknd_song)&oldid=1260025831"