Format Digital download Length 4:38 | Genre EDM Label Heads
PRMD | |
Released November 17, 2014 (2014-11-17) Writer(s) Magnus Lidehäll
Salem Al Fakir
Vincent Pontare | ||
"Divine Sorrow" is a song by Haitian hip hop recording artist Wyclef from his upcoming seventh studio album Clefication. Credited with the mononym Wyclef on the official cover of the single, it also features Swedish DJ and producer Avicii. The song was released as the lead single from the album on November 17, 2014. It was written by Magnus Lidehäll, Salem Al Fakir, and Vincent Pontare.
Contents
Background
Wyclef Jean recorded the song with Avicii in Stockholm, Sweden in the winter of 2013. The song was released on November 17, 2014 as part of the campaign "Share the Sound of an AIDS-Free Generation" by Product Red project (stylized as (RED) or as (PRODUCT)RED), a licensed brand that seeks to engage the private sector in raising awareness and funds to help fight spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa.
In case of this specific song, it is commissioned through (Coca-Cola)RED. Proceeds from the song will benefit the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Wyclef Jean said of the song: "The whole idea with the song is, it's a celebration song. No matter what you're going through today, you're going to overcome it tomorrow."
The song is written in the key of C Major at a tempo of 130 bpm.
Music video
A colourful lyrics music video was released on 17 November 2014 with the red colour prominent in the video symbolizing the red campaign. A full music video is yet to be released for the song.
Chart performance
"Divine Sorrow" debuted at number 12 on Billboard's Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart, becoming Avicii's 13th single on the chart. The song also debuted at number 3 on the Dance/Electronic Digital Songs chart, selling 29,000 copies in its first week.
In popular culture
Wyclef and Avicii performed the track for the first time on August 24, 2014 in Ushuaia Ibiza, Spain.
On November 23, 2014, Wyclef Jean also performed a few brief verses from "Divine Sorrow" during the 2014 American Music Awards as an intro to a duet with MAGIC! in latter's song "Rude". The medley was released on iTunes as a download under the title "Divine Sorrow/Rude (Medley) (2014 American Music Awards)".