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We Pray

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"We Pray"
Standard version cover[a]
Single by Coldplay featuring Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna and Tini
from the album Moon Music
Language
  • English
  • Arabic
  • Spanish
Released23 August 2024 (2024-08-23)
Recorded2023–2024
GenreAlternative hip hop[1]
Length3:53
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Max Martin
  • Daniel Green
  • Michael Ilbert
  • Ilya
  • Bill Rahko
Coldplay singles chronology
"Feels Like I'm Falling in Love"
(2024) 		"We Pray"
(2024)
Little Simz singles chronology
"Satellite Business 2.0"
(2024) 		"We Pray"
(2024)
Burna Boy singles chronology
"Higher"
(2024) 		"We Pray"
(2024)
Elyanna singles chronology
"Wala Ghalta"
(2024) 		"We Pray"
(2024)
Tini singles chronology
"Agua"
(2024) 		"We Pray"
(2024)

"We Pray" (stylised in all caps) is a song by British rock band Coldplay featuring British rapper Little Simz, Nigerian singer Burna Boy, Palestinian-Chilean musician Elyanna and Argentinian singer Tini. It was released on 23 August 2024, through Parlophone in the United Kingdom and Atlantic Records in the United States, being the second single from their upcoming tenth studio album, Moon Music.[2]

Background and release

[edit]

Following the live debut of the song with Little Simz at Coldplay's Glastonbury Festival set in June 2024, Variety reported that Burna Boy "has a verse" while Elyanna "assisted with vocals". The magazine further wrote that the chorus "prominently" contains the lyrics "and so we pray".[3] Variety and NME stated the song's rumored title as "Supernova"[4] while Vulture speculated it was titled "We Pray".[5] The collaboration was confirmed to be a track from the band's upcoming tenth studio album Moon Music (2024).[4]

On 6 August, the band announced "We Pray" via their social media as the second single from Moon Music, along with its release date.[6] Shortly after, a 30-second preview of the song—containing "part of [Little Simz's] verse] and [Chris Martin] singing the chorus"—was uploaded to their YouTube channel.[7] Another preview of Martin's verses being recorded in the studio was released as well.[8] "We Pray" was released for download and to streaming services on 23 August 2024.[9] "We Pray" was also issued via 12-inch recycled vinyl and eco CD—a CD majorly made of recycled polycarbonate—formats.[10] The physical release contains four alternative versions of the song, including separate versions featuring Tini and Elyanna, and an exclusive live rendition of the Glastonbury performance.[11][12] The version featuring Tini will be released digitally and for streaming on 6 September, followed by Elyanna's on 20 September.[11]

Critical reception

[edit]

Aaron Williams from Uproxx praised the song as an "operatic, epic-sounding anthem that finds [Coldplay and guest artists] reflecting on their hopes for the future and fears of the present, manifesting greatness amid adversity".[12] Writing for HotNewHipHop, Elias Andrews appreciated the collaborative nature of the song, set on "a warbling bass line underneath and a massive string section".[13] Ranking "We Pray" as one of the week's best releases, the New Zealand Listener called it "A life affirming chunk of memorable, lyrically catch-all pop which touches a lot of musical bases".[14]

Live performances

[edit]

Coldplay debuted the song during their Glastonbury Festival set on 29 June 2024.[4] Little Simz and Elyanna joined them onstage, while short clips of Burna Boy's verses were screened in the background.[15] The first performance with all collaborators together was held at Dublin's Croke Park on 29 August 2024.[16] A day before, however, they reunited to record a music video at Grafton Street.[16]

Track listing

[edit]
Digital download and streaming track listing
No.TitleLength
1."We Pray"3:53
CD and 12" track listing
No.TitleLength
1."We Pray" (album version)3:54
2."We Pray" (Tini version)3:53
3."We Pray" (Elyanna version)3:53
4."We Pray" (? version)3:53
5."We Pray" (live at Glastonbury Festival 2024)4:20

Notes

  • The "?" version features a blank second verse, which is meant "for your own inspiration", according to the band.[17]

Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the CD single liner notes.[18]

Band members

Additional personnel

  • Bill Rahko – producer, programmer
  • Daniel Green – producer, programmer, synthesiser
  • Ilya Salmanzadeh – producer, keyboards, percussion, programmer
  • Max Martin – producer, percussion, piano
  • Michael Ilbert – producer, mixer
  • Randy Merrill – masterer
  • Davide Rossi – string arranger

Additional vocals

Strings

  • Bruce White
  • Bryony James
  • Charles Jenson
  • Ellie Stanford
  • Emma Owens
  • Hetty Snell
  • James Douglas
  • Jenny Sacha
  • Jessie Ann Richardson
  • Jordan Bergmans
  • Kerenza Peacock
  • Martyn Jackson
  • Meghan Cassidy
  • Michael Trainor
  • Miles Brett
  • Natalia Bonner
  • Natalie Klouda
  • Patrick Kiernan
  • Richard Pryce
  • Rosie Danvers
  • Sarah Sexton
  • Stephen Morris
  • Tony Woollard
  • Victoria Harrild
  • Zahra Benyounes

Engineers

  • Bill Rahko
  • Daniel Green
  • Jake Jackson
  • Jed Rimell
  • Michael Ilbert
  • Rebecca Horden

Assistant engineers

  • Ashley Poh
  • Bella Corich
  • Bryant Tan
  • Eric Eylands
  • Francesca Edwards
  • Gianluca Massimo
  • Jed Rimell
  • Leonard Soosay
  • Maxx Iwamasa
  • Miguel Lara
  • Niamh O'Sullivan
  • Rennie Gomes
  • Tomas Crow
  • Wil Jones

Additional engineer

  • Tate McDowell

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for "We Pray"
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[19] 28
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[20] 18
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[21] 38
Germany (Official German Charts)[22] 60
Global 200 (Billboard)[23] 134
Ireland (IRMA)[24] 8
Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)[25] 11
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[26] 29
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[27] 63
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[28] 7
Portugal (AFP)[29] 189
San Marino (SMRRTV Top 50)[30] 17
South Korea BGM (Circle)[31] 95
South Korea Download (Circle)[32] 151
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[33] 79
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[34] 32
UK Singles (OCC)[35] 31
US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[36] 25
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[37] 27
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[38] 34

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "We Pray"
Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Italy 23 August 2024 Radio airplay Standard Warner [39]
Various
[40]
6 September 2024
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 Tini [10]
20 September 2024 Elyanna

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The Tini version cover features the same artwork, but in a blue colour instead of black.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Coldplay – We Pray, Lyrics and Meaning: Unpacking the Words Behind This Ensemble Hit". Magnetic. 29 August 2024. Archived from the original on 9 September 2024. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  2. ^ Chelosky, Danielle (23 August 2024). "Coldplay, Burna Boy, Little Simz, Elyanna, & Tini Share New Song "We Pray": Listen". Stereogum. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  3. ^ Shafer, Ellise (29 June 2024). "Michael J. Fox Joins Coldplay on Guitar During Glastonbury Headlining Set, Little Simz Makes Appearance to Debut New Song". Variety. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Burton, Poppy (30 June 2024). "Glastonbury 2024: Coldplay debut new song with Little Simz". NME. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  5. ^ Gularte, Alejandra (29 June 2024). "Coldplay Debuts New Song With Little Simz at Glastonbury". Vulture. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  6. ^ England, Adam (6 August 2024). "Coldplay announce new single 'We Pray' featuring Little Simz, Burna Boy and more". NME. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  7. ^ Skinner, Tom (7 August 2024). "Here's a snippet of Coldplay's new single 'We Pray' featuring Little Simz". NME. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  8. ^ Maglolia, Anna Sky (23 August 2024). "Coldplay release their brand new collab 'We Pray' with a backstage video". Hits Radio. Retrieved 26 August 2024 – via Rayo.
  9. ^ Aniftos, Rania (22 August 2024). "Coldplay Unveils 'We Pray' With Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna & TINI". Billboard. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Coldplay's "Pray" Boasts Burna, Little Simz". Hits. 14 August 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  11. ^ a b Zemler, Emily (23 August 2024). "Coldplay Tap Little Simz, Burna Boy for Hopeful Single 'We Pray'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  12. ^ a b Williams, Aaron (23 August 2024). "Coldplay's Operatic 'We Pray' Little Simz And Burna Boy Manifests Greatness In Adversity". Uproxx. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  13. ^ Andrews, Elias (24 August 2024). "Coldplay Brings Little Simz, Burna Boy And More Together For "WE PRAY"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  14. ^ "Listener's Songs of the Week: New Tracks by Coldplay, Jamie XX, Phoebe Rings and More". New Zealand Listener. 1 September 2024. Archived from the original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  15. ^ "Coldplay invites Palestinian Chilean star Elyanna on stage at Glastonbury Festival". Arab News. 30 June 2024. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  16. ^ a b "Coldplay, Croke Park Review: Stadium Rock Perfection". iNews. 30 August 2024. Archived from the original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  17. ^ "We Pray (? Version)". Coldplay Store EU. 23 August 2024. Archived from the original on 27 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  18. ^ Coldplay (2024). "We Pray" (CD liner notes). Europe: Parlophone. 5021732448880.
  19. ^ "Coldplay feat. Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna & Tini – We Pray" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  20. ^ "Coldplay feat. Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna & Tini – We Pray" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
  21. ^ "Coldplay, Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna, Tini: We Pray" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  22. ^ "Coldplay feat. Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna & Tini – We Pray" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  23. ^ "Coldplay Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  24. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  25. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of September 4, 2024". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  26. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 36, 2024" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  27. ^ "Coldplay feat. Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna & Tini – We Pray" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  28. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 2 September 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  29. ^ "Coldplay feat. Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna & Tini – We Pray". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  30. ^ "Top 50 – Radio San Marino RTV – 09/09/2024" (in Italian). San Marino RTV. 9 September 2024. Archived from the original on 9 September 2024. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  31. ^ "BGM Chart – Week 34 of 2024". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  32. ^ "Download Chart – Week 34 of 2024". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  33. ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 35". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  34. ^ "Coldplay feat. Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna & Tini – We Pray". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  35. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  36. ^ "Coldplay Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  37. ^ "Coldplay Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  38. ^ "Coldplay Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  39. ^ Fagioli, Roberto (23 August 2024). "Coldplay - WE PRAY (ft. Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna, TINI) (Radio Date: 23-08-2024)". EarOne (in Italian). Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  40. ^ "We Pray - Vinyl & CD Bundle". Coldplay Store UK. 8 August 2024. Archived from the original on 8 August 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
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