Entertainer

## *Icarus Falls* Chronology

**Entertainer** is a song by singer-songwriter Zayn Malik from his second studio album, *Icarus Falls*. It is the ninteenth track of the album.

It was written by Zayn himself along with Iliana Nedialkova, Henrique Andrade and Alexandre Bursztyn, being the latter two also the producer and co-producer respectively.

The track was released by RCA Records on May 23, 2018, as the second single from the album.

## Background

Malik debuted "Entertainer" on Zane Lowe’s World Record show on Beats 1 on Apple Music, where he hinted at details about his new album and performances.

“It’s all very under wraps at the minute. I’m trying to keep it as mysterious as possible, but there’s a plan with the roll out,” Zayn said in the interview. “It’s going to be different than anything anyone has done before. It’s going to be interesting to see how the audience reacts to this kind of release. I wanted to try something different, I think it’s all going to make sense in the end when the album finally drops.”

## Lyrics

**[Verse 1]**

You thought you had me, didn't you?

When you lied to my face, I could see the truth

Every step with the way I knew

How you fooled me, boo

**[Pre-Chorus]**

Guess you didn’t know that

You were my favorite entertainer

I watch you, and laugh with, and fuck with you

Don't you take me for a fool

In this game, I own the rules

You were my favorite entertainer

I watch you, I laugh with, with fake it too

Don't you take me for a fool

I'ma show you a thing or two

**[Chorus]**

Never seen you comin', I'll turn you down

When you need me the most, I will turn you

When you need me the most, I will turn you down

Never seen me comin', I'll turn you down

When you need me the most, I will turn you

When you need me the most, I will turn you down

**[Verse 2]**

Thought that you were smarter, I'm ashamed for you

I knew it right away when you stopped lovin' me

It happened when your touch wasn't enough for me

**[Pre-Chorus]**

Thought that you should know that

You were my favorite entertainer

I watch you, and laugh with, and fuck with you

Don’t you take me for a fool

In this game, I own the rules

You were my favorite entertainer

I watch you, I laugh with, with fake it too

Don’t you take me for a fool

I'ma show you a thing or two

**[Chorus]**

Never seen you comin’, I'll turn you down

When you need me the most, I will turn you

When you need me the most, I will turn you down

Never seen me comin', I'll turn you down

When you need me the most, I will turn you

When you need me the most, I will turn you down

**[Bridge]**

Know it’s harder to take, and let's face it

No one's playing your games, let's face it

I'm bein' straight up

I know fake love when I see it anyway

Imma turn you down when you need me anyway

Anyway, anyway

**[Chorus]**

Never seen you comin', I'll turn you down

When you need me the most, I will turn you

When you need me the most, I will turn you down

Never seen me comin', I'll turn you down

When you need me the most, I will turn you

When you need me the most, I will turn you down

**[Outro]**

I know you need me the most

The most, the most

One more time

## Music Video

The song's music video continues a storyline from "Dusk Till Dawn" and "Let Me". The music video features Cuban-American actor Steven Bauer and instagram model Sofia Jamora.

### Synopsis

Set in a gentleman’s club, the visual show Zayn falling for a dancer who tantalizes him in and out of the club, but is ultimately out of his reach.

Malik is seeing going to a strip club, where he spots his love interest. The two spend a sensual night together. But when his lady love disappears in the morning, Zayn returns to the club to track her down.

 **Length**
 **Director**

## Release

Zayn teased the song the day before its official release with a cryptic teaser from the video uploaded on his Twitter account. Later on, an official Malik update account tweeted a gif from the video and the indication to Shazam Malik's previous single "Let Me" to unlock an exclusive teaser of the video before its official premiere.

A day after, on May 23, 2018 the single was released along with its music video. The track debuted on Zane Lowe’s Apple Music radio show Beats 1 as the day's World Record. He also talked about his upcoming second studio album and shows.

## Reception

Lauren O'Neill of *Noisey* gave the song a positive review, stating that Zayn "finally leans into his potential" and the song "feels like a subtle arrival for someone who hadn't quite nailed down his sound." She said the laid-back synths suit Zayn's personality, the chorus "has a bit of a fire underneath" it, and Zayn vocally "has one of the best falsetto ranges" in pop music.

## References

1. ↑ Zayn Releases New Video ‘Entertainer,’ Teases Upcoming Album
2. ↑ Zayn Malik Teases 'Entertainer' Video: Watch
3. ↑ Zayn Drops Epic New Song & Video For 'Entertainer': Watch
4. ↑ ZAYN Finally Leans Into His Potential on "Entertainer"