The Arms of Orion
"The Arms of Orion" | ||||||||||
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![]() US 7" single | ||||||||||
Single by Prince with Sheena Easton | ||||||||||
from the album Batman | ||||||||||
B-side | "I Love U in Me" | |||||||||
Released | October 16, 1989 | |||||||||
Format |
7" single 12" single CD single | |||||||||
Recorded | Paisley Park Studios, 1989 | |||||||||
Genre | Pop, orchestral | |||||||||
Length |
7" edit: 3:52 Album/12": 5:03 | |||||||||
Label | Warner Bros. | |||||||||
Writer(s) | Prince • Sheena Easton | |||||||||
Producer(s) | Prince | |||||||||
Prince with Sheena Easton singles chronology | ||||||||||
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"The Arms of Orion" is a slow, romantic duet written and performed by Prince and Sheena Easton from the 1989 Batman soundtrack.[1] Released as the third single from the soundtrack, the song was a top 40 hit in the US, peaking at No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 27 in the UK.
"The Arms of Orion" is a ballad that is accompanied mainly by the piano. Synthesizers also play a strong role throughout the song, programmed to emulate a string section. The track also uses a subdued drum machine loop, and samples of rain and thunder. The lyrics allude to the constellation of Orion, implying that the arms of the figure in the sky are wide enough to hold him and his lover together, although the lovers are far apart.
Prince had to surrender all publishing rights to the songs on the Batman album including "The Arms of Orion" to Warner Bros. as part of the deal to compose, perform, and produce the soundtrack.
Track listings
- 7" single
- "The Arms of Orion" (edit) – 3:52
- "I Love U in Me" – 4:12
- 12" single
- "The Arms of Orion" – 5:03
- "I Love U in Me" – 4:12
- "The Arms of Orion" (edit) – 3:52
Charts
Chart (1989) | Peak position |
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Australia (Australian Music Report)[2] | 88 |
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[3] | 33 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[4] | 13 |
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[5] | 44 |
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[6] | 27 |
US Billboard Hot 100[7] | 36 |
References
- ↑ "Prince - The Arms Of Orion at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 239. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ↑ "Ultratop.be – Prince & Sheena Easton – The Arms of Orion" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
- ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Prince & Sheena Easton – The Arms of Orion" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
- ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Prince & Sheena Easton – The Arms of Orion". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
- ↑ "Prince: Artist Chart History" Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
- ↑ "Prince – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Prince. Retrieved May 3, 2016.