Don't Pray for Me
"Don't Pray for Me" | ||||
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Single by Within Temptation | ||||
from the album Bleed Out | ||||
Released | 8 July 2022 | |||
Recorded | 2022 | |||
Genre | Gothic metal[1] | |||
Length | 3:41 | |||
Label | Force Music Recordings | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Within Temptation singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Don't Pray for Me" on YouTube |
"Don't Pray for Me" is a song recorded by Dutch symphonic metal band Within Temptation. It was released worldwide as a single on 8 July 2022 via digital download and streaming and as part of an EP containing the previous three independent singles released by the band and their respective instrumental versions. A limited edition on vinyl was also released on 15 July. The song was produced by their long-time producer Daniel Gibson, with Mathijs Tieken and Within Temptation serving as additional producers.
Background
After the band were forced to cancel the scheduled concerts for 2020 due to safety measures that had to be undertaken as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, they opted to release a series of standalone singles freshly created as a means of staying active and keeping in touch with their fans before the release of an entire album.[2] After the decrease of the pandemic and the relaxation of the safety measures, which allowed live concerts to happen again, the band opted to continue with this form of releasing songs as a way of leading up to their next studio album. The fourth of these singles, "Don't Pray for Me", was announced on 22 June 2022[3] and released on 8 July.[4] On the following week, a music video for the song was also released.[5] On 15 July, a 7" limited edition gold coloured vinyl was released by the specialized label Music on Vinyl as a result of their partnership with the band for the release of exclusive vinyl editions.[6] At first, lead vocalist Sharon den Adel stated that the upcoming album, scheduled for 2023, would feature the songs released during this period;[7] however, as the writing process for the album progressed, the singer commented that the band decided to pursue another direction which didn't fit those songs anymore.[8]
Writing and composition
Lyrically, the song addresses the forcing of one's own beliefs onto other people, who might not identify with or relate to them. According to den Adel, it is a song "about coming to terms with the fact that beliefs can be fluid, multiple or frankly: different".
Music video
The official music video for the song was released on 13 July 2022. It was directed by Jeb Hardwick.
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Don't Pray for Me" |
| 3:41 |
2. | "Shed My Skin" (featuring annisokay) |
| 4:30 |
3. | "The Purge" |
| 4:16 |
4. | "Entertain You" | 3:31 | |
5. | "Don't Pray for Me (Instrumental)" | 3:44 | |
6. | "Shed My Skin (Instrumental)" | 4:30 | |
7. | "The Purge (Instrumental)" | 4:21 | |
8. | "Entertain You (Instrumental)" | 3:31 | |
Total length: | 32:06 |
Personnel
Within Temptation
- Sharon den Adel – lead vocals
- Ruud Jolie – lead guitar
- Stefan Helleblad – rhythm guitar
- Jeroen van Veen– bass
- Martijn Spierenburg – keyboards
- Mike Coolen – drums
Additional personnel
- Christoph Wieczorek – clean vocals (track 2)
- Rudi Schwarzer – harsh vocals(track 2)
- Daniel Gibson – additional vocals (track 4)
- Ted Jensen – mastering
- Zakk Cervini – mixing
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Various | 8 July 2022 | Force Music Recordings | [18] | |
Various | 15 July 2022 | Music on Vinyl | [6] |
References
- ^ "The 10 best new metal songs you need to hear right now". Metal Hammer. 8 July 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ^ "Within Temptation Is 'Looking For The Right Time' To Release Another New Single". Blabbermouth.net. 18 February 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
- ^ "Within Temptation Announces 'Don't Pray For Me' Single". Blabbermouth.net. 22 June 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ "Within Temptation releases new song Don't Pray for Me". Metal Hammer. 8 July 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ a b "Watch Within Temptation's dramatic video for their towering new track Don't Pray for Me". Rock Sound. 14 July 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ a b "New MOV titles in stores July 15". Music on Vinyl.
- ^ "Within Temptation Vocalist Sharon den Adel Confirms New Album Will Be Released In 2023 (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 27 July 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
- ^ "Within Temptation's Sharon den Adel on the Iron Maiden seal of approval: "Steve Harris came and watched us every night"". Metal Hammer. 13 February 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
- ^ "Within Temptation Interview - Sharon On 'Don't Pray For Me', New Album & Worlds Collide Tour". Rock Sound. 21 November 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
- Kerrang. 8 March 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
- ^ "Sharon van Within Temptation over abortuswetgeving in Amerika: 'Het raakt mij echt'". NPO Radio 2 (in Dutch). 25 July 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ a b ""We plan on releasing the next Within Temptation album in 2023": Interview with Sharon den Adel". Chaozine. 25 July 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ "Festival Review: Tons of Rock 2022 – Day 3". The Moshville Times. 8 July 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ "Within Temptation fala sobre novo single e turnê com Iron Maiden e Evanescence". Rock on Board (in Portuguese). Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ "Entrevista con Sharon Den Adel de Within Temptation antes de tocar este viernes en Barcelona con Iron Maiden". Rafabasa (in Spanish). 27 July 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ "Within Temptation shares music video for new single Don't Pray for Me". Blabbermouth.net. 22 June 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ "Credits / Don't Pray For Me / Within Temptation – TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ "Don't Pray for Me by Within Temptation on Apple Music". Apple Music.