"Damsel in Distress" is a song by Rufus Wainwright. On February 27, 2020,[1] the song was released as the second single for his ninth studio album Unfollow the Rules, released by BMG in April 2020.

"Damsel in Distress"
Single by Rufus Wainwright
from the album Unfollow the Rules
ReleasedFebruary 27, 2020 (2020-02-27)
Length4:42
LabelBMG
Songwriter(s)Rufus Wainwright
Rufus Wainwright singles chronology
"Trouble in Paradise"
(2019)
"Damsel in Distress"
(2020)
"Peaceful Afternoon"
(2020)

Composition

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Wainwright wrote the song to honor Joni Mitchell.[2] He said, "My husband and I now live in Laurel Canyon. I wasn't that familiar with Joni's music but Jörn [Weisbrodt] became obsessed and took me on a journey into her music. We ended up hanging out with her and I get now why she's one of the greats. So it's part Laurel Canyon, part a song about a personal relationship that I'm trying to come to terms with, but mostly my Mitchell virginity being broken."[3]

Music video

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The song's animated music video features "a woman in bellbottoms sauntering through landscapes with the song's lyrics displayed in the clouds".[3]

Track listing

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Stream[4]

  1. "Damsel in Distress" – 4:42
  2. "Trouble in Paradise" – 3:05

References

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  1. ^ Moore, Sam (February 27, 2020). "Rufus Wainwright announces new album 'Unfollow The Rules' and shares 'Damsel In Distress'". NME. Archived from the original on January 24, 2022. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  2. ^ Minsker, Evan (February 27, 2020). "Rufus Wainwright Announces New Album Unfollow the Rules, Shares New Song". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on February 27, 2020. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Martoccio, Angie (February 27, 2020). "Rufus Wainwright Pays Homage to Joni Mitchell in 'Damsel in Distress'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 27, 2020. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  4. ^ "Damsel in Distress / Trouble In Paradise". Spotify. Archived from the original on February 27, 2020. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
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