Prophet

## Music Video

"**Prophet**" is a song performed by King Princess. It is the second single of her upcoming debut album, *Cheap Queen*, on which it is featured as the seventh track, and her sixth single overall. It was released on July 19, 2019 through Zelig Records.

## Background

King Princess first performed this song on her Pussy Is God Tour and also confirmed that it will be featured on her debut album then.

In an episode of the *Nialler9* podcast on July 4, 2019 King Princess revealed that she is going to release the second single of her debut album soon and compared the release of "Prophet" to that of "1950" because both are "intense and heavy" songsand that "the feeling that she felt when putting out "Cheap Queen" is a lot lighter" .

On July 15, 2019 King Princess announced that "Prophet" was going to be released as the second single of her debut album on July 19, 2019. She also stated that "Prophet" is one of her favorite song's that she has ever written and that she is very excited to share it. King Princess released a snippet of the lyrics for the song on July 18, 2019.

A live version of this song was released on August 5, 2019 as part of the live EP, *Up Next Live from Apple Williamsburg*.

## Critical reception

The song was received very well by critics: *NPR* called this her "most nuanced song yet" and went on to talk about the song: "The artist submits to obsession. On top of an ongoing, plucky bass line and a series of deeply satisfying guitar riffs, she layers singing that toggles between grounded and breathy to build towards an impassioned, intensely craving vocal close". They also use "Prophet" as an example to praise King Princess' songwriting: "KP's lyrics in the song are minimal, their words deftly chosen to spin a web of wanting — wanting, that is, in both its greediest and most intimate form" while also praising the lyrics of this song in particular: "One lyric, in particular, sounds like King Princess singing into a dark reflecting pool. 'No apologies, twisting your words and your prophecies," she sings on the bridge. "And honestly, it's the price of the prodigy-wannabe.' At only 20 years old, and having already amassed a near-obsessive fanbase, the singer-songwriter is proving to be something of a prodigy herself".

*UPROXX* names "Prophet" her "best [song] yet: "KP just released the best single of her career so far, the slinky, dark “Prophet.” Ahead of the single’s release, Straus said that the song is 'one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written,' and it’s easy to see why. The lyrics are a puzzle, as Straus switches between 'prophet' and 'profit' to describe a hungry magnetism". *Billboard* calls this song a "slow-rolling, summery pop ballad". *Fader Magazine* referred "Prophet" to be "a laconic, summery pop track that features Straus flexing her vocal abilities while maintaining the sense of enviable cool that makes her so endearing".

## Chart performance

The song reached #17 on the Official New Zealand Music Chart.

## Music video

The music video was released on August 7, 2019. It was directed by Cody Critcheloe and creatively directed by Clare Gillen, a frequent collaborator of King Princess.

## Official versions

* *Cheap Queen* version — 4:10
* Live version — 4:06

## Lyrics

**[Verse 1]**

You call when you want it

Everyone wants something from your soul on the molly

Someone's friend is talking like they know, oh, you're on it

I just want to be your pretty girl, when you want it

**[Chorus]**

'Cause I can only think about you

And what it's like to walk around you

And why they like to talk about you

'Cause I can only think about you

**[Verse 2]**

You know what you want

It's only 'bout the money and control

Can't step off it, someone else will cop it

Like it's gold, you're a prophet

Someone's gonna profit

Don't you know I just want it

**[Chorus]**

'Cause I can only think about you

And what it's like to walk around you

And why they like to talk about you

'Cause I can only think about you

'Cause I can only think about you

And what it's like to walk around you

And why they like to talk about you

'Cause I can only think about you

**[Bridge]**

Oh, no apologies, twisting your word and your policies

Oh, and honestly, it's the price of the prodigy you wanna be

Oh, no apologies, twisting your word and your policies

Oh, and honestly

**[Chorus]**

I can only think about you

And what it's like to walk around you

And why they like to talk about you

'Cause I can only think about you

'Cause I can only think about you

And what it's like to walk around you

And why they like to talk about you

'Cause I can only think about you

**[Outro]**

Oh, think about you

(It's the price of the prodigy you wanna be)

Thinking about you

(Do-do-do)

Think about

(It's the price of the prodigy you wanna be)

Oh, thinking about you, oh

(It's the price of the prodigy you wanna be)

'Cause I can only think about you

(It's the price of the prodigy you wanna be)

Oh, I can only think about you, yeah

## Live performances

King Princess - Prophet LIVEKing Princess - Prophet live in Austin
## Trivia

* This song and "Do You Wanna See Me Crying?" are King Princess' favorite songs of the album.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 *Tumblr* - kingprincess69 (fan account) - "I was at the tour"
2. ↑ *Tumblr* - Picture of setlist
3. ↑ *Spotify* - "'Sick of the slick' with guests Wyvern Lingo & King Princess"
4. ↑ *Twitter* - @kingprincess69 - "Prophet is one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written. So excited to share with you all <3"
5. ↑ *Instagram* - "Guys....I’ve been making collages lately so here’s one I made for you including some lyrics from miss Prophet <3 out Friday"
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 *NPR* - "King Princess Shows What's To Come With 'Prophet' And Announces Her Debut Album"
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 *UPROXX* - "King Princess’ Dark, Enthralling New Single ‘Prophet’ Is Her Best Yet"
8. ↑ *Billboard* - King Princess Announces Debut Album 'Cheap Queen': Listen to 'Prophet' NOW"
9. ↑ *Fader* - "King Princess announces debut album, shares new song “Prophet”"
10. ↑ *YouTube* - "Sound Bites by Grubhub: King Princess"

 Released