"Sacrifice" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter
the Weeknd. It was released on January 7, 2022, through
XO and
Republic Records, as the second single from his fifth studio album Dawn FM. The song was written by the Weeknd,
Max Martin,
Oscar Holter, Carl Nordström and
Swedish House Mafia; with
Kevin McCord receiving songwriting credits for the sampling of the 1981 track "I Want to Thank You", performed by
Alicia Myers.[1] Production was handled by the Weeknd, Martin, Holter, Swedish House Mafia and Carl Nordström.
Background and promotion
At the end of the Weeknd's music video for Dawn FM's lead single "
Take My Breath", a snippet of "Sacrifice" is heard. It was released alongside its parent album on January 7, 2022, and was sent to American
contemporary hit radio stations on January 11 as the second single from the album.[2][3]
Critics noted "Sacrifice" as being a standout track from the album, with the Weeknd's vocals and production being highlighted.[7][8][9] Mankaprr Conteh from Rolling Stone compared the Weeknd's performance on the song to that of
Michael Jackson's on his 1983 single "
Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" and his 1979 single "
Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough", putting emphasis on the similar sounding vocal melodies and guitar riffs.[10] Heran Mamo of Billboard agreed, adding that the song is "the closest thing to a Michael Jackson record in the 21st century," claiming that it "resurrects the period-appropriate disco-funk".[9] Mary Siroky in her review for Consequence of Sound highlighted that the song "is more of the irresistible fare for which The Weeknd has become known", praising his "wavy vocals" that "sound right at home here" and the production for being "bouncy and bright, making 'Sacrifice' stand out in an album packed with earworms."[8]
The music video for "Sacrifice", directed by Cliqua, was released alongside the song and parent album on January 7, 2022,[12][13] and serves as the sequel to the music video of "
Take My Breath". It begins with the Weeknd, who is dazed and confused, being brought towards a theoretical light at the end of a tunnel; while a snippet of Dawn FM's title track, featuring narration by actor
Jim Carrey, is played in the background. He then wakes up out of breath as a result of the events that occurred in the "
Take My Breath" music video. As he tries to catch his breath, he is abducted by a hooded
cult and tied to a wheel-like contraption to be used for a
human sacrifice. As the cult members gather around him, a veiled female figure in a red cloak appears and takes his soul away. A series of
psychedelic-hued visuals,
strobe lighting and dance numbers are then showcased. The Weeknd is then seen singing into a microphone while holding the stand with metal
gauntlets. As the sacrifice continues, his hands become horrifically scarred, with the red-cloaked female having stolen his youth. The Weeknd is then seen giving his own variation of
Michael Jackson's foot shuffle before the cult members disperse and The Weeknd tumbles out in a fading shot.[14][15]
Credits and personnel
The Weeknd – vocals, songwriting, production, programming, keyboards
Max Martin – songwriting, production, programming, keyboards
Oscar Holter – songwriting, production, programming, keyboards
^"Top 100 Brasil" (in Brazilian Portuguese).
Crowley Broadcast Analysis.
Archived from the original on May 26, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2022. Note: In "SEMANA REFERÊNCIA" select 21/03/2022 - 25/03/2022. To access the full Top 100, click on "VER TOP 100 COMPLETO" and enter your name and email. Then enter the code you received by email.
^"
ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 202226 into search. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
^"
ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 20222 into search. Retrieved January 17, 2022.