Prisoners was first released on the vinyl version of the Blood Red album in 2017. A reworked studio version was released on the album Sigma in 2019. This main post covers the Blood red version, see Other Studio Versions below for the Sigma version.
Running time: 3:51
Written By: Mike Peters
Musicians
Mike Peters – Vocals, Harmonica, Acoustic guitar, Electric guitar, E-bow and Electro harmonix Mel9
Smiley – Drums, Percussion and Backing vocals
James Stevenson – Bass guitar and backing vocals
Jules Jones Peters – Piano and backing vocals
George Williams – Keyboards and Bass guitar
Recorded at Bethel Chapel Studios, Wales, Doghouse studios, Bethel On Thames UK, Parr Street Studio A, Liverpool UK
Produced and mixed by George Williams. Engineered by Mark Warden. Mastered by Sean Magee at Abbey Road Studio, London
Song Notes
Other Studio Versions of the Song – reworked Sigma studio version
Running time: 3:54
Musicians:
Mike Peters: Vocals, Harmonica, Baritone, Acoustic and electric guitars
Smiley: Drums, Percussion and Backing vocals
James Stevenson: Acoustic guitar, Electric guitar, Slide guitar, Bass guitar and backing vocals
Jules Jones Peters: Piano and backing vocals
George Williams: Keyboards and Bass guitar
Recorded at Bethel Chapel studios, Wales, Parr Street studis A and C, Liverpool, The Doghouse studios, Henley on Thames, Monnow Valley, South Wales, Elevator Studios, Liverpool
Produced and mixed by George Williams. Engineered by Mark Warden (Bethel Chapel and The Doghouse), Tony Draper (Parr Street) and Matt Glasbey (Monnow Valley), Tom Roche (Elevator)
Album Appearances and discography
Worldwide release:
Blood Red version: 2017 – Blood Red (catalogue number 21C085LP (vinyl)
Sigma version: 2019 – Sigma (catalogue number 21C103 (CD), 21C104 (vinyl))
Single Appearances and discography
Live Recordings
Acoustic Recordings
Blood red in session acoustic version (2017) released on Blood red in session cd (catalogue number 21C088). Running time 2:04.
Lyrics
[Verse 1] Some things in life, I can't believe Some things I wish I'd never seen If I was a bird, I would fly in the sky so high, high [Verse 2] Sharp scratch as it penetrates your skin Now I can see deep within If I meet your soul, I will tell you that I love you so [Chorus] We are prisoners locked behind a wall With no way out, no way out Without love, prisoners Oh, ooh-ooh-ooh [Verse 3] Lying back on a radiation machine Ultrasound pushing through your dreams If I was a spirit, I would break in and set you free [Chorus] We are prisoners of our own device With no way out, no way out Without love, prisoners Oh, ooh-ooh-ooh [Verse 4] Take this hand I offer you Everything will be renewed If I have a dream, I will send you the power to heal [Chorus] We are prisoners locked behind a wall There's no way out, no way out We are prisoners of our own free will There's no way out, no way out Without love, prisoners We are prisoners, without love We are prisoners Ooh-ooh-ooh Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh Prisoners