Power Is Power
"Power Is Power" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA, Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd, and American rapper Travis Scott. It was released as the lead single from the Game of Thrones companion soundtrack, For the Throne, on April 18, 2019.[1]
"Power Is Power" | ||||
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Single by SZA, the Weeknd, and Travis Scott | ||||
from the album For the Throne: Music Inspired by the HBO Series Game of Thrones | ||||
Released | April 18, 2019 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:31 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | ||||
SZA singles chronology | ||||
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The Weeknd singles chronology | ||||
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Travis Scott singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Power Is Power" on YouTube |
Background and release
In early April of that year, rumours regarding the possibility of a Game of Thrones inspired track by SZA, the Weeknd, and Travis Scott began to circulate around the web.[2] The artists' involvement on the For the Throne soundtrack was then later confirmed on April 8, via an announcement of the soundtrack by Columbia Records.[3] Following the release of the promotional singles "Kingdom of One" by Maren Morris and "Nightshade" by The Lumineers on April 12,[2] SZA then later shared the cover art and release date of the song, on her Instagram profile on April 16.[4]
Composition and lyrics
The title of the song is a line spoken by the character Cersei Lannister in the HBO TV series Game of Thrones, the song's lyrics however revolve around the character Jon Snow.[5] Writers at the time interpreted the lyrics as possibly foreshadowing the aforementioned character winning out the conclusion of the show.[6][7]
Music video
The official music video was first teased on April 20, 2019, and features a medieval theme, reminiscent of its source show Game of Thrones.[8] It was directed by Anthony Mandler and released on May 5, 2019.[9]
Charts
Chart (2019) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[10] | 30 |
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[11] | 10 |
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[12] | 9 |
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[13] | 50 |
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[14] | 49 |
China Airplay/FL (Billboard)[15] | 22 |
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[16] | 33 |
France Digital Tracks (SNEP)[17] | 140 |
Hungary (Single Top 40)[18] | 40 |
Hungary (Stream Top 40)[19] | 16 |
Ireland (IRMA)[20] | 31 |
Latvia (LAIPA)[21] | 23 |
Lithuania (AGATA)[22] | 13 |
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[23] | 3 |
Norway (VG-lista)[24] | 33 |
Portugal (AFP)[25] | 64 |
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[26] | 18 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[27] | 41 |
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[28] | 67 |
UK Singles (OCC)[29] | 45 |
Ukraine Airplay (TopHit)[30] | 6 |
US Billboard Hot 100[31] | 90 |
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[32] | 36 |
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[33] | 19 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA)[34] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
United States | April 18, 2019 | [35] | ||
April 23, 2019 | Contemporary hit radio | [36] | ||
Rhythmic contemporary | [37] | |||
Italy | May 3, 2019 | Contemporary hit radio | Sony | [38] |
References
- Zidel, Alex (April 16, 2019). "SZA Confirms Release Date For "GoT" Collab With Travis Scott & The Weeknd". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
- "The Weeknd, SZA and Travis Scott reportedly collaborated on a song for 'Game of Thrones'". The FADER. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
- Winkelman, Natalia (April 8, 2019). "Game of Thrones Season 8 Gets a New Song From The Weeknd, SZA, and Travis Scott". Slate Magazine. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
- "eavy is the crown…never for a queen. POWER IS POWER 4/18". April 16, 2019. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2019 – via Instagram.
- "SZA, The Weeknd & Travis Scott Unite For Epic 'Power Is Power' From 'Game Of Thrones' Compilation Album". Billboard. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
- Holmes, Charles (April 18, 2019). "The Weeknd Sings About Snow (Not Cocaine) and the Iron Throne on 'Power Is Power'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
- Lindsay, Kathryn. "Wait, Is The New "Game Of Thrones" Song Full Of Spoilers?". www.refinery29.com. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
- "Travis Scott, The Weeknd & SZA Tease 'Game of Thrones'-Inspired 'Power Is Power' Video: See the Photos". Billboard. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
- "The Weeknd, SZA, and Travis Scott Take Westeros in "Power Is Power" Video". Complex. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
- "SZA, The Weeknd & Travis Scott – Power Is Power". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- "SZA, The Weeknd & Travis Scott – Power Is Power" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
- "SZA, The Weeknd & Travis Scott – Power Is Power" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
- "SZA Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
- "The Weeknd Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
- "China Airplay Chart/Foreign Language - 06/05/2019". Billboard China (in Chinese). Archived from the original on May 18, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
- "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 201917 into search. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
- "Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles Téléchargés". SNEP - Syndicat Nation de l'Edition Phonographique (in French). April 26, 2019. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
- "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved May 24, 2019.
- "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
- "Mūzikas Patēriņa Tops/ 17. nedēļa" (in Latvian). LAIPA. Archived from the original on October 10, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
- "Savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. April 26, 2019. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
- "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 29, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
- "SZA, The Weeknd & Travis Scott – Power Is Power". VG-lista. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
- "SZA, The Weeknd & Travis Scott – Power Is Power". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201917 into search. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
- "SZA, The Weeknd & Travis Scott – Power Is Power". Singles Top 100. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
- "SZA, The Weeknd & Travis Scott – Power Is Power". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- "Ukraine Airplay Chart for 2019-05-20." TopHit. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
- "SZA Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
- "SZA Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
- "SZA Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
- "American single certifications – SZA & The Weeknd & Travis Scott – Power Is Power". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
- "Power is Power". iTunes Store. April 18, 2019. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
- "Top 40 Future Releases". All Access. All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on April 22, 2019. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
- "Top 40/M Future Releases". All Access. All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on April 22, 2019. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
- "SZA "Power Is Power" | (Radio Date: May 3, 2019)". radiodate.it. Retrieved July 14, 2019.