Prima Donna (—)

The term "Prima Donna" most commonly refers to the 1984 hit song by the American rock band Chicago, featured on their album "Chicago 17." The track was written by guitarist Terry Kath's successor, David Foster, and singer Peter Cetera. It tells the story of a woman rising from obscurity to fame, exploring the allure and isolation of stardom with the iconic chorus, "When you wanna, they treat you like a prima donna." The song became a major commercial success, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1985.

In the context of cinema, "Prima Donna" is not the title of a widely recognized mainstream English-language feature film released in recent years. However, the phrase has been used in various international productions, such as the 1960 Hong Kong musical "The Doctor and the Prima Donna," which explores the conflict between a dancer's career ambitions and her marriage to a physician. Additionally, the 2004 soundtrack for Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera" features the song "Notes / Prima Donna," highlighting the dramatic tensions within an opera house.

• Chicago's "Prima Donna" was one of three consecutive number-one hits from the album "Chicago 17," cementing the band's shift toward a softer, pop-rock sound.
• The music video for Chicago's version features scenes of glamour and backstage dynamics, visually reinforcing the lyrical themes of celebrity culture.
• The 1960 film "The Doctor and the Prima Donna" (starring Ma Mei) is a notable example of Cantonese-language cinema that blends medical drama with musical performance elements.
• David Foster's composition for Chicago's "Prima Donna" showcases his signature polished production style, which influenced many adult contemporary tracks of the 1980s.