"Divine Sorrow" is a song by Haitian hip hop recording artist Wyclef Jean from his EP J'ouvert.[1] 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 17 November 2014. It was written by Magnus Lidehäll, Salem Al Fakir, and Vincent Pontare.[2]

Background

Wyclef Jean recorded the song with Avicii in Stockholm, Sweden in the winter of 2013. The song was released on 17 November 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 the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa.

This specific song was commissioned through (Coca-Cola)RED. Proceeds from the song benefited 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."[3]

The song is written in the key of C Major at a tempo of 128 bpm.

Lyric Video

A colorful 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.[4]

Track listing

Digital download[5]
No.TitleLength
1."Divine Sorrow" (featuring Avicii)4:38
Digital download – Klingande Remix[6]
No.TitleLength
1."Divine Sorrow [featuring Avicii]" (Klingande Remix)4:28
Digital download – Remix Pack 1[7]
No.TitleLength
1."Divine Sorrow [featuring Avicii]" (Extended Mix)8:29
2."Divine Sorrow [featuring Avicii]" (GoldFish Remix)8:28
3."Divine Sorrow [featuring Avicii]" (NightRider Remix)4:41
Total length:21:38

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 the latter's song "Rude". The medley was released on iTunes as a download under the title "Divine Sorrow/Rude (Medley) (2014 American Music Awards)".

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2014) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[8] 23
Belgium Dance (Ultratop Flanders)[8] 29
France (SNEP)[9] 105
Norway (VG-lista)[10] 25
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[11] 38
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[12] 7
UK Dance (OCC)[13] 31
UK Indie (OCC)[14] 9
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[15] 174
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[16] 12

Year-end charts

Chart (2015) Position
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[17] 98
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[18] 64

References

  1. ^ "Exclusive: Wyclef Jean Announces 'Clefication' Album & Avicii-Assisted Single". Billboard. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  2. ^ "Divine Sorrow (feat. Avicii) - Wyclef Jean – Télécharger et écouter l'album". Qobuz. Xandrie SA. 24 November 2014. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  3. ^ Danton, Eric R. (17 November 2014). "Wyclef Jean, Avicii Team on 'Divine Sorrow' in Fight Against AIDS". Speakeasy. WSJ. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  4. ^ "Wyclef & Avicii Fight AIDS and Find Success on Hot Dance/Electronic Songs Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  5. ^ "Divine Sorrow (feat. Avicii) - Single by Wyclef Jean on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved 2017-02-09.
  6. ^ "Avicii, Wyclef Jean feat. Avicii New Releases: Divine Sorrow on Beatport". Beatport. Retrieved 2017-02-09.
  7. ^ "Wyclef Jean, Avicii New Releases: Divine Sorrow Remix Pack 1 on Beatport". Beatport. Retrieved 2017-02-09.
  8. ^ a b "Wyclef Feat. Avicii – Divine Sorrow" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  9. ^ "Wyclef Feat. Avicii – Divine Sorrow" (in French). Les classement single.
  10. ^ "Wyclef Feat. Avicii – Divine Sorrow". VG-lista. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  11. ^ "Wyclef Feat. Avicii – Divine Sorrow" Canciones Top 50.
  12. ^ "Wyclef Feat. Avicii – Divine Sorrow". Singles Top 100.
  13. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  14. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  15. ^ "CHART: CLUK Update 29.11.2014 (wk47)". zobbel.de. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  16. ^ "Wyclef Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard.
  17. ^ "Årslista Singlar – År 2015" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Swedish Recording Industry Association. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  18. ^ "Hot Dance/Electronic Songs : Year End 2015". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 20, 2016.