“Prisoner” debuted during The Weeknd’s show in U.K. and was dubbed “Mood Music 2” (like “The Hills”, which was dubbed “Mood Music” when it debuted during SXSW 2015).
That first performance did not feature Lana Del Rey’s falsetto vocals. When the track listing for BBTM came out and people realized Lana would be putting her twist on it, “Prisoner” quickly became one of the record’s most anticipated tracks. Lana is the only woman featured on an otherwise completely male album (Maty Noyes does appear uncredited on the final track, “Angel”).
On this morbid-pop-meets-lusty-R&B track, the addict (Abel) and the tortured lover (Lana), respectively croon about their pains- Abel comes to grips with falling in love with fame, while Lana contemplates her relationship with Hollywood.
Lyrics of Prisoner
You bring good to my lonely life, honestly (honestly)
It's hard for me to look into your eyes
When I say that I would be nothing without your love
I feel the rush, and it's amazing
Maybe I've been always destined to end up in this place, yeah
I don't mean to come off selfish, but I want it all
Love will always be a lesson, let's get out of its way
'Cause I know, all I know, all I know
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
Woooo, woooo, woooo
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, mmm
Maybe I've been always destined to end up in this place, ah
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
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
Woooo, woooo, woooo
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
Woooo, woooo, woooo
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