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Primadonna (Marina and the Diamonds song)

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"Primadonna"
Song

"Primadonna" is a song by Welsh recording artist Marina and the Diamonds from her second studio album, Electra Heart (2012). It was released on 20 March 2012 as the album's official lead single.[1][2] It was an international success, reaching the top five in Austria, Ireland and New Zealand.

Background and concept

Diamandis came up with the title for the track in July 2011.[3] Recorded in October 2011, Primadonna was the last song to be recorded for Electra Heart and in her words, 'picked itself as the first single off the album.'[3]

Diamandis has said of the song:

"It's about not needing anybody when it comes to love—your raison d'etre is to live for adoration. Girls usually feel like this when they are not appreciated in a relationship. The inspiration for the song came from an ex-boyfriend. He thought it was funny that I was a mega drama queen always talking 'global love' this, 'global love' that! He called me a prima donna. I love it but I also kind of hate it. Like they say, 'You only hate in others what you hate in yourself', so I thought I'd channel this well-known but kind of undesirable character type into a pop song. As the saying goes (that I just made up): You've either been one or dated one at least once in your life."[4]

Critical reception

Robert Copesy of Digital Spy rated the track four out of five stars, writing that in the line "Got you wrapped around my finger babe/You can count on me to misbehave", Diamandis "play[s] out one of many female archetypes that feature on her forthcoming LP—though we suspect it's one she identifies with best."[5] Sam Lansky of MTV Buzzworthy described it as "a monster song" and "a muscular uptempo joint", concluding, "Evoking Kate Bush on the high notes and then cascading down to the gravelly tones of her lower register, Marina's voice packs the track with verve and personality."[6] Katherine St Asaph of Popdust gave the song three-and-a-half stars "edging toward 4", referring to it as "a big ball of irony sprinkled with mockery and shoved beneath a blonde wig, roots be damned".[7] On the other hand, Luke Turner of the NME wrote that in the wake of Madonna's contributions, "plonkers like Marina have got empowerment wrong, coming up with this: Europop fart beats and cloying vocals. Marina would do well to learn that ego needs something to back it up, which you won’t find in this giant guff of saccharine nothing."[8] Also, Elizabeth McGeown, writing for Ireland's State dismissed Primadona as "wannabe feminist anthems disguised in a Mean Girls-esque dialogue. Admittedly, it doesn’t take itself seriously. Heavily pop culture laden, it contains a tongue-in-cheek superficiality. Pretending towards philosophy for today it reads like a teenage diary".[9]

"Primadonna" was well received within the first hours of its release to radio by fans and new listeners alike, especially on social networking site Twitter where it was a worldwide trending topic.[10]

Commercial performance

On 22 April 2012, "Primadonna" debuted at number eleven on the UK Singles Chart, selling 25,337 copies, giving Diamandis her highest-charting single in the UK to date. The following week it slipped to number thirteen but in its third week the single climbed to number eleven, its second week at that position. "Primadonna" became Diamandis's first single to spend five consecutive weeks inside the UK top twenty. In its third week on the Irish Singles Chart, "Primadonna" rose to a new peak of number three, becoming Diamandis's highest-charting single in Ireland as well. In Ireland on the end of year chart of 2012 "Primadonna" was the 20th biggest selling single in the country. The song has peaked at number four in New Zealand, her first single to chart in that country.

"Primadonna" also enjoyed success on pop radio formats in the United States, bubbling under the respective Billboard Pop Songs chart.[11] The song also enjoyed a certain amount of club play, almost charting on the Billboard Dance/Club Songs chart.[11]

Music video

The music video was directed by Casper Balslev and shot in Copenhagen.[12] It serves as the fourth part of the Electra Heart series, for which Balslev also directed the videos for part 1 ("Fear and Loathing") and part 2 ("Radioactive"). The video premiered on 12 March 2012, the same day as the song's release to UK radio.[13] Two days prior to the video's release, Diamandis released a fifteen-second preview of the video.[14]

Acoustic version

On 20 April 2012, Diamandis offered for download an acoustic version of "Primadonna" and two other acoustic song versions, packaged as a digital EP.[15] Earlier she released a video on her YouTube channel featuring an acoustic version.

Track listing

  1. "Primadonna" – 3:41
  2. "Primadonna" (Kat Krazy Remix) – 3:39
  3. "Primadonna" (Walden Remix) – 6:21
  4. "Primadonna" (Burns Remix) – 4:29
  • Digital remix EP[17]
  1. "Primadonna" – 3:41
  2. "Primadonna" (Benny Benassi Remix) – 7:05
  3. "Primadonna" (Riva Starr Remix) – 5:45
  4. "Primadonna" (Burns Remix) – 4:29
  5. "Primadonna" (Evian Christ Remix) – 3:44
  • US digital remix EP[18]
  1. "Primadonna" (Walden Remix) – 6:20
  2. "Primadonna" (Benny Benassi Remix) – 7:05
  3. "Primadonna" (Kat Krazy Remix) – 4:52
  4. "Primadonna" (Burns Remix) – 4:29
  5. "Primadonna" (Evian Christ Remix) – 3:44
  6. "Primadonna" (Riva Starr Remix) – 5:45
  7. "Primadonna" (Until the Ribbon Breaks Remix) – 3:47
  • Exclusive acoustic EP (MP3)[15]
  1. "Primadonna" (acoustic)
  2. "Starring Role" (acoustic)
  3. "Lies" (acoustic)

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[36] Platinum 70,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[37] Platinum 30,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[38] Platinum 15,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[39] Silver 200,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Country Date Label Format
United States[40] 20 March 2012 Atlantic Records Digital download
Australia[41] 6 April 2012 Warner Music
United Kingdom[17][42] 15 April 2012 679 Artists, Atlantic Records
16 April 2012 CD single
Sweden[43] Warner Music Digital download
Germany[44] 18 May 2012 CD single

References

  1. ^ "Marina And The Diamonds debut new single 'Primadonna' online – listen". NME. IPC Media. 13 March 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
  2. ^ Thanh (19 June 2012). "Video Remake of Marina and the Diamond's "Primadonna" Featured on Perez Hilton". Elektra Records. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
  3. ^ a b "Cup Of Coffee: MARINA & THE DIAMONDS". YouTube. wotyougot. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  4. ^ Stern, Claire (19 April 2012). "Marina of Marina And The Diamonds Says New Album Personifies Heartbreak". Elle Girl. Hearst Corporation. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  5. ^ "Marina and the Diamonds: 'Primadonna' – Single review". Digital Spy. 4 April 2012. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  6. ^ Lansky, Sam. "New Video: Marina & The Diamonds, 'Primadonna'". MTV Buzzworthy. MTV Networks. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  7. ^ St Asaph, Katherine (12 March 2012). "Marina And The Diamonds' "Primadonna" Isn't Really A Pop Song — It Just Sounds Like One". Popdust. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  8. ^ Turner, Luke. "Marina And The Diamonds - 'Primadonna'". NME. IPC Media. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
  9. ^ McGeown, Elizabeth (3 May 2012). "Marina & The Diamonds – Electra Heart". State. Retrieved 18 June 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ Renshaw, David (12 March 2012). "Marina and The Diamonds Premiere New 'Primadonna' Video". Entertainment Wise. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  11. ^ a b http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/record-labels/bubbling-under-marina-the-diamonds-shine-1007273752.story
  12. ^ Knight, David (14 March 2012). "Marina and the Diamonds 'Prima Donna' by Casper Balslev". Promo News. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  13. ^ Corner, Lewis (12 March 2012). "Marina and the Diamonds premieres 'Primadonna' music video". Digital Spy. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
  14. ^ "Watch the trailer for Marina & The Diamonds' new single 'Primadonna' – video". NME. IPC Media. 10 March 2012. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
  15. ^ a b http://www.marinaandthediamonds.com/store/products,primadonna-exclusive-acoustic-ep-mp3_62.htm
  16. ^ http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280;0;-1;-1;-1&sku=671190
  17. ^ a b "Primadonna (Remixes) – EP by Marina & the Diamonds". iTunes Store UK. Apple Inc. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  18. ^ http://www.amazon.com/Primadonna/dp/B008FNRQ24/
  19. ^ "Marina and the Diamonds – Primadonna". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 16 Sept2012.
  20. ^ "Marina and the Diamonds – Primadonna" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  21. ^ "Marina and The Diamonds - Primadonna – Croatia's Radio Airplay Chart". Croatian Radiotelevision. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  22. ^ "Marina and the Diamonds – Primadonna". Tracklisten.
  23. ^ "Marina & The Diamonds – Primadonna EURODS". Billboard. Retrieved 23 maggio 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  24. ^ "Marina & The Diamonds – Primadonna EURODT". Billboard. Retrieved 23 maggio 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  25. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  26. ^ "Chart Track: Week 20, 2012". Irish Singles Chart.
  27. ^ "Marina and the Diamonds – Primadonna" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  28. ^ "Marina and the Diamonds – Primadonna". Top 40 Singles.
  29. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  30. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201221 into search.
  31. ^ "Marina and the Diamonds – Primadonna". Swiss Singles Chart.
  32. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  33. ^ "MAHASZ Rádiós TOP 100 – radios" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  34. ^ "Best of 2012 – Top 20 Singles". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
  35. ^ "Top Selling Singles of 2012". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
  36. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2012 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  37. ^ "Marina and the Diamonds "Primadonna" (WMG)" (in Danish). IFPI Denmark. 20 December 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  38. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Marina and the Diamonds – Primadonna". Recorded Music NZ. {{cite web}}: line feed character in |title= at position 54 (help)[dead link‍]
  39. ^ id MUST BE PROVIDED for UK CERTIFICATION.
  40. ^ "Primadonna – Single by Marina & the Diamonds". iTunes Store US. Apple Inc. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  41. ^ "Primadonna (Remixes) – EP by Marina & the Diamonds". iTunes Store Australia. Apple Inc. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
  42. ^ "Marina & The Diamonds: Primadonna: Hmv Exclusive". HMV. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  43. ^ Persson, Malin (13 March 2012). "Marina and The Diamonds tillbaka med nytt album, Electra Heart släpps den 2 maj" (in Swedish). MyNewsdesk. Warner Music Sweden AB. Retrieved 3 April 2012.
  44. ^ "Marina And The Diamonds – Veröffentlichungen" (in German). Warner Music Germany. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
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