The Weeknd is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer whose real name is Abel Makkonen Tesfaye. He first gained attention with his mixtapes, released anonymously on the internet, before signing with a record label and achieving mainstream success.
The Weeknd’s music often blends elements of R&B, pop, and electronic music, with themes of love, heartbreak, and hedonism. His distinctive falsetto vocals, atmospheric production, and introspective lyrics have earned him critical acclaim and a large fan base.
Some of The Weeknd’s most popular songs include “Blinding Lights,” “Can’t Feel My Face,” “Starboy,” “The Hills,” and “Earned It.” He has released several successful albums, including “Beauty Behind the Madness,” “Starboy,” and “After Hours.”
In addition to his solo work, The Weeknd has collaborated with various artists and producers, and he has won numerous awards, including Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and Juno Awards. He is recognized as one of the leading figures in contemporary R&B and pop music.
1. Blinding Lights
“Blinding Lights” is a song by Canadian singer The Weeknd, released in 2019 as the lead single from his fourth studio album, “After Hours.” The song is an upbeat synth-pop track with 1980s influences, characterized by its catchy melody and pulsating beat.
In “Blinding Lights,” The Weeknd sings about longing and nostalgia, with lyrics that describe the feeling of being lost in the bright lights of a city at night. The song’s lyrics convey a sense of urgency and yearning, with The Weeknd expressing a desire to be with someone he loves.
The song’s music video features The Weeknd wandering through the streets of a city at night, with the neon lights and cityscape reflecting the song’s themes of isolation and longing. The video’s visuals and The Weeknd’s performance helped make it a hit with fans.
“Blinding Lights” was a commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in multiple countries and earning critical acclaim for its infectious melody and The Weeknd’s vocal delivery. The song remains one of The Weeknd’s most popular and successful songs, and is often cited as a standout track in his discography.
2. Starboy (feat. Daft Punk)
“Starboy” is a song by Canadian singer The Weeknd, featuring French electronic music duo Daft Punk. It was released in 2016 as the lead single from The Weeknd’s third studio album of the same name, “Starboy.”
The song is a blend of R&B, pop, and electronic music, with a dark and atmospheric sound. “Starboy” features The Weeknd singing about his rise to fame and success, with lyrics that convey a sense of confidence and swagger.
The collaboration with Daft Punk adds a futuristic and experimental element to the song, with the duo’s signature electronic sound complementing The Weeknd’s vocals.
The music video for “Starboy” features The Weeknd destroying his past persona and belongings, symbolizing his transformation into a new, more confident artist. The video’s dark and surreal visuals helped enhance the song’s themes of reinvention and self-discovery.
“Starboy” was a commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in several countries and earning critical acclaim for its innovative production and The Weeknd’s vocal performance. The song remains one of The Weeknd’s most popular and successful songs, and is often cited as a highlight of his career.
3. The Hills
“The Hills” is a song by Canadian singer The Weeknd, released in 2015 as the lead single from his second studio album, “Beauty Behind the Madness.” The song was written by The Weeknd, Ahmad Balshe, Emmanuel Nickerson, and Carlo Montagnese.
“The Hills” is an atmospheric and moody R&B track with dark and brooding production. The song’s lyrics explore themes of excess, hedonism, and the emptiness of fame and wealth. The Weeknd sings about navigating the highs and lows of a tumultuous relationship, as well as grappling with his own inner demons.
The song’s music video, directed by Grant Singer, features The Weeknd stumbling through a surreal and hallucinatory landscape, encountering various unsettling and surreal scenes. The video received praise for its artistic direction and visual storytelling.
“The Hills” was a commercial success, topping the charts in several countries and becoming one of The Weeknd’s biggest hits. It received critical acclaim for its atmospheric production, haunting vocals, and introspective lyrics. The song further solidified The Weeknd’s status as a leading figure in contemporary R&B and pop music.
4. Can’t Feel My Face
“Can’t Feel My Face” is a song by Canadian singer The Weeknd, released in 2015 as the third single from his second studio album, “Beauty Behind the Madness.” The song was written by The Weeknd, Max Martin, Savan Kotecha, Ali Payami, and Peter Svensson.
“Can’t Feel My Face” is an uptempo pop and disco-influenced track with funky guitar riffs and a catchy melody. The song’s lyrics depict a passionate and intense love affair, with The Weeknd singing about the euphoria and exhilaration of being with his lover. The title “Can’t Feel My Face” is a metaphor for the numbness and tingling sensation that accompanies intense emotions and sensations.
The song’s music video, directed by Grant Singer, features The Weeknd performing in a dimly lit nightclub, with scenes of the audience reacting to his electrifying performance. The video received praise for its stylish visuals and The Weeknd’s charismatic presence.
“Can’t Feel My Face” was a commercial success, topping the charts in several countries and becoming one of The Weeknd’s biggest hits. It received critical acclaim for its infectious beat, catchy chorus, and The Weeknd’s soulful vocals. The song further solidified The Weeknd’s crossover appeal and helped him gain mainstream recognition.
5. Save Your Tears
“Save Your Tears” is a song by Canadian singer The Weeknd from his fourth studio album, “After Hours,” released in 2020. The song is a synth-pop and disco-pop track with a catchy melody and a danceable beat.
In “Save Your Tears,” The Weeknd sings about heartbreak and regret, with lyrics that convey a sense of longing and sadness. The song’s lyrics tell the story of a failed relationship and the pain of watching someone you love move on.
The song’s music video features The Weeknd wearing his “After Hours” character’s red suit and bloody makeup, performing in front of a masked audience. The video’s visuals and The Weeknd’s performance add to the song’s emotional impact and help convey its themes of loneliness and despair.
“Save Your Tears” was a commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in several countries and earning critical acclaim for its catchy hooks and The Weeknd’s vocal delivery. The song remains one of the standout tracks from “After Hours” and is often cited as a fan favorite.
6. Earned It
“Earned It” is a song by Canadian singer The Weeknd, released in 2014 as the lead single from the soundtrack album for the film “Fifty Shades of Grey.” The song was written by The Weeknd, Stephan Moccio, Jason Quenneville, and Ahmad Balshe.
“Earned It” is a slow-tempo R&B and soul ballad with sensual and seductive vibes. The song’s lyrics depict themes of desire, passion, and intimacy, with The Weeknd singing about the intense connection between two lovers. The title “Earned It” refers to the idea of deserving love and pleasure through hard work and dedication.
The song’s music video, directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, features The Weeknd performing the song in a dimly lit theater, interspersed with scenes from the “Fifty Shades of Grey” film. The video received praise for its elegant and visually stunning imagery, as well as The Weeknd’s captivating performance.
“Earned It” was a commercial success, reaching the top 10 on charts in several countries and earning critical acclaim for its atmospheric production, haunting vocals, and sensual lyrics. The song received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song and won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance. It further solidified The Weeknd’s status as a leading figure in contemporary R&B and pop music.
7. I Feel It Coming (feat. Daft Punk)
“I Feel It Coming” is a song by Canadian singer The Weeknd, featuring French electronic music duo Daft Punk. It was released in 2016 as the second single from The Weeknd’s third studio album, “Starboy.” The song was written by The Weeknd, Thomas Bangalter, Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, Eric Chedeville, and Martin McKinney.
“I Feel It Coming” is a disco and funk-inspired track with a smooth and atmospheric vibe. The song features The Weeknd’s signature falsetto vocals, layered over Daft Punk’s retro-futuristic production. The lyrics convey themes of love, desire, and anticipation, with The Weeknd singing about feeling a deep connection with his partner and sensing that something special is about to happen.
The song’s music video, directed by Warren Fu, features The Weeknd performing on a desolate alien planet, surrounded by mysterious landscapes and celestial phenomena. Daft Punk make cameo appearances as hooded figures observing The Weeknd’s performance. The video received praise for its visually stunning imagery and sci-fi aesthetics.
“I Feel It Coming” was a commercial success, reaching the top 10 on charts in several countries. It received critical acclaim for its infectious groove, catchy melody, and retro-inspired sound. The collaboration between The Weeknd and Daft Punk showcased their combined talents and further solidified The Weeknd’s status as one of the most innovative and exciting artists in contemporary music.
8. Call Out My Name
“Call Out My Name” is a song by The Weeknd from his EP “My Dear Melancholy,” released in 2018. The song is a ballad with a haunting melody and emotional lyrics.
In “Call Out My Name,” The Weeknd sings about a past relationship and the pain of heartbreak. The song’s lyrics convey a sense of longing and betrayal, with The Weeknd expressing his feelings of being used and unappreciated in the relationship.
The song’s production is minimalistic, with a focus on The Weeknd’s vocals and the emotional depth of the lyrics. The song builds to a powerful climax, with The Weeknd’s vocals reaching a raw and passionate intensity.
“Call Out My Name” received critical acclaim for its emotional depth and The Weeknd’s vocal performance. The song remains one of The Weeknd’s most popular and critically acclaimed songs, and is often cited as a standout track from “My Dear Melancholy.”
9. Heartless
“Heartless” is a song by The Weeknd, released in 2019 as the lead single from his fourth studio album, “After Hours.” The song is an upbeat track with a dark and moody vibe, featuring The Weeknd’s signature falsetto vocals.
In “Heartless,” The Weeknd sings about his feelings of emptiness and numbness, with lyrics that convey a sense of disillusionment and detachment. The song’s lyrics reflect The Weeknd’s experiences with fame and the toll it can take on personal relationships.
The song’s music video features The Weeknd in various surreal and psychedelic settings, including a casino and a desert, reflecting the song’s themes of excess and emotional turmoil. The video’s visuals and The Weeknd’s performance helped make it a hit with fans.
“Heartless” was a commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in several countries and earning critical acclaim for its dark and atmospheric production. The song remains one of The Weeknd’s most popular and successful songs, and is often cited as a highlight of “After Hours.”
10. Often
“Often” is a song by Canadian singer The Weeknd, released in 2014 as a single from his second studio album, “Beauty Behind the Madness.” The song was written by The Weeknd, Ali Payami, Savan Kotecha, Peter Svensson, and Max Martin.
“Often” is an R&B and electronic track with a seductive and atmospheric vibe. The song’s lyrics depict The Weeknd boasting about his promiscuous lifestyle and frequent encounters with different women. The Weeknd sings about his ability to attract women effortlessly and the pleasure he derives from living a hedonistic lifestyle.
The song’s music video, directed by Sam Pilling, features The Weeknd in various luxurious settings, surrounded by beautiful women and engaging in activities that reflect his lavish lifestyle. The video received praise for its stylish visuals and The Weeknd’s charismatic performance.
“Often” was a commercial success, reaching the top 40 on charts in several countries. It received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its infectious beat, smooth production, and The Weeknd’s confident vocals. The song further solidified The Weeknd’s status as a leading figure in contemporary R&B and pop music.
Edward Tomlin is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
