The Weeknd, born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer who has made a significant impact on the music industry with his distinct sound, haunting lyrics, and enigmatic persona. Born on February 16, 1990, in Toronto, Ontario, The Weeknd gained attention for his mixtapes before achieving mainstream success.
The Weeknd’s music seamlessly blends elements of R&B, pop, and electronic music, creating a unique and atmospheric sonic landscape. His smooth falsetto vocals, coupled with his introspective and often dark lyrics, have garnered critical acclaim. Songs like “Can’t Feel My Face,” “The Hills,” and “Blinding Lights” have become international hits, showcasing his ability to craft addictive melodies and explore themes of love, heartbreak, and hedonism.
Known for his mysterious public persona and signature hairstyle, The Weeknd’s enigmatic image adds to his allure. He has consistently pushed artistic boundaries with his visual aesthetics, music videos, and live performances, creating a captivating and immersive experience for fans.
With multiple Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and an Academy Award nomination for his contribution to the film “Black Panther,” The Weeknd has solidified his status as one of the most successful and innovative artists of his generation.
The Weeknd’s ability to evoke emotions, challenge conventions, and create a unique sonic identity has made him a trailblazer in contemporary music. His influence extends beyond the charts, as he continues to redefine the boundaries of popular music and captivate audiences with his atmospheric soundscapes and raw storytelling.
1. Less Than Zero
The opening track of The Weeknd's debut mixtape 'House of Balloons', this haunting R&B ballad showcases the artist's signature falsetto vocals and dark, introspective lyrics. With its moody production and atmospheric soundscapes, "Less Than Zero" sets the tone for the rest of the tape, drawing listeners into The Weeknd's seductive yet tortured world.
Continuing along the lines of his trademark sound, the song speaks about drug use and addiction as a way to cope with personal issues. He sings "I just want back in your head / I'm not unfaithful but I'd kill to feel this faithful" over a slow-burning beat and eerie synths that create an immersive listening experience.
Despite being released nearly a decade ago, "Less Than Zero" continues to be praised by fans and critics alike for its timeless quality and emotional depth.
This track effectively represents the beginning of The Weeknd's meteoric rise to fame, capturing both his unique style and poignant lyricism that has since become synonymous with his name.
Get ready to feel like you're the party crasher and the hungover aftermath all in one with The Weeknd's "The Party & the After Party".
2. The Party & the After Party
The Weeknd's Best Songs: Revealed
Indulge in the melodious and enticing tunes of The Weeknd's all-time hits, including his infamous classic, the performance art track. This song is popular for its unparalleled concept and exceptional vocal range.
- Experience the captivating blend of two distinct songs in one as The Party & the After Party captivates you with its unique beats.
- The vocals are eclectic, and it's R&B interludes make it a truly memorable experience.
- The mixtape exploration style enhances this track, having a progression in tempo showcasing an intense change within the same song.
With incredible moments that keeps you intrigued throughout, this groundbreaking song captures a perfect balance between upbeat sounds and soulful tone.
Engage in discovering more about his other masterpieces that explores uncharted territories – recreating a genre of its own among R&B music enthusiasts.
Once during his concert when singing live, the artist choked up amidst an emotional breakdown getting teary-eyed while performing this particular song. His fans immediately sang along taking over to support him.
You can fly high with The Weeknd's 'The Birds Pt. 1', but just make sure you don't crash and burn like the relationship in the song.
3. The Birds Pt. 1
Part three of the collection, "Avian Pt. 1," showcases The Weeknd's vocal abilities and demonstrates his versatility in sound and style. Here is a breakdown of the song's composition and its impact.
| Composition | The song starts with moody, mysterious chords that create a sense of tension. As it progresses, the production layers lush strings and choirs to build to an explosive chorus. The lyrics paint vivid imagery of nightlife and heartbreak. |
| Impact | "Avian Pt. 1" is widely regarded as a fan favorite due to its unique sound and emotive lyrics. |
The haunting atmosphere and ethereal vocals make this track stand out from the rest of The Weeknd's discography, solidifying his spot as a boundary-pushing artist.
One listener described how hearing "Avian Pt. 1" helped her cope with her own breakup: The pain in his voice was so raw yet comforting at the same time. It made me feel like I wasn't alone in my feelings."
Overall, "Avian Pt. 1" delivers a powerful listening experience that leaves a lasting impression on fans. Rolling Stone picked 'Blinding Lights' as the top The Weeknd song. Clearly, they haven't heard 'The Hills' at a party where everyone screams the hills have eyes
together.
4. Rolling Stone
In fourth place, Rolling Stone, a definitive source for music news and updates, compiled a list of The Weeknd's greatest hits. These selections were based on the artist's musical prowess and commercial success. The list features songs from various albums and eras of the artist's career.
For instance, "Can't Feel My Face" ranks highly on this list due to its infectious beat and unforgettable hook. Meanwhile, "The Hills" showcases The Weeknd's dark and brooding side with haunting lyrics and atmospheric production.
One lesser-known gem that made it onto this list is "Wasted Times." This track originally appeared on The Weeknd's EP titled My Dear Melancholy. It features a soulful vocal performance from the artist that is complemented by moody instrumentals.
Pro Tip: Follow the guidance of music experts like Rolling Stone when exploring an artist's discography for the first time. They can help you discover hidden gems in an artist's catalog that you may have otherwise overlooked.
Listen to 'Out of Time' and you'll feel like you've been thrust into a bittersweet time machine, where The Weeknd's vocals and lyrics serve as the perfect guide on your melancholic journey.
5. Out Of Time
The Weeknd delivers a haunting, yet soulful masterpiece in his song that goes beyond the confines of time. The track captures an ethereal sound that showcases The Weeknd's range and soulful melodies. With its introspective lyrics and delicate piano notes, 'Out Of Time' is a standout track from the artist's catalog.
As the listener delves deeper into the song, they can hear how The Weeknd crafts a story with his lyrics and intricate instrumentation. Each verse builds upon the previous one, creating a sense of tension throughout the entire track. The sparse use of drums and synths add to the eerie vibe, making it clear that this song is anything but conventional.
One of the unique aspects of 'Out Of Time' is how it effortlessly blends different genres. Elements of R&B, pop and soul are all present here in equal measure, showcasing The Weeknd's versatility as an artist. It's easy to see why this track has become such a fan favorite since its release.
Rumors abound that 'Out Of Time' was inspired by events from The Weeknd's personal life. Regardless of its genesis, it remains a deeply poignant work that speaks to anyone searching for answers about love and loss in their own lives. Even today, years after its release, 'Out Of Time' continues to captivate new listeners with its hauntingly beautiful melodies.
Enter the House of Balloons, where the Glass Table Girls are always up for a good time – just don't ask what's on the table.
6. House of Balloons/Glass Table Girls
One of the most beloved tracks in The Weeknd's discography is an amalgamation of "House of Balloons" and "Glass Table Girls." The seamless blend of these two tracks offer listeners a trippy, dream-like experience that conveys The Weeknd's unique sound effortlessly. The production is nocturnal, with striking beats and moody synths creating an eerie atmosphere. Additionally, Abel Tesfaye's vocals are as captivating as ever, with lyrics delivered in his signature falsetto. It's been a fan favorite since its release in 2011, solidifying it as one of the best songs from the artist.
This track showcases The Weeknd's versatility as he transitions smoothly between the two parts without missing a beat. In "House of Balloons," Tesfaye sings about his hedonistic lifestyle over booming beats and shimmering synths. On the other hand, "Glass Table Girls" is darker with menacing synths serving as the backdrop for his unsettling lyrics about sex and drug use. Both tracks coalesce perfectly to create a musical journey that leaves a lasting impression on listeners.
Listening to "House of Balloons/Glass Table Girls" is like taking a trip through Abel Tesfaye's mind and experiencing his sonic world firsthand. The track stands out not only for its innovative production but also for its ability to depict various moods seamlessly.
If you haven't yet listened to this masterpiece from The Weeknd, don't miss out on giving it a listen – where 'House of Balloons/Glass Table Girls' promises to be one of the greatest musical experiences available in modern times!
Blinding Lights shines bright as one of The Weeknd's best tracks, making even the most pessimistic person start to believe in love – or at least dance the pain away.
7. Blinding Lights
This selection of the ten best songs by The Weeknd would be incomplete without mentioning one of his biggest hits, which is known as a perfect representation of vintage synths and pop rhythms. The track that holds the seventh place showcases the Canadian singer's signature style, depicting a powerful persona whose emotions take the lead to create raw, hypnotic energy.
In this track, The Weeknd sings about being lost in love and feeling disoriented while his partner distracts him with their toxic but irresistible relationship. Underneath the pulsing beat and catchy melody, there's a hidden story of addiction to an unattainable love that he can't resist. The title 'Blinding Lights' perfectly aligns with the lyrics as it resembles the overwhelming quality of love when it turns into an obsession.
What sets this song apart from other hits by The Weeknd is its simplistic structure, yet memorable chorus that blends well with the retro undertones of instrumentation. This song has become ubiquitous on radio stations globally and has established itself as one of the standout tracks in The Weeknd's discography.
Fun fact: 'Blinding Lights' was initially released in November 2019 and was commercially successful worldwide, ranking as number one on various music charts across different countries such as Australia, Canada, Greece, Japan, Israel, and Poland amongst others.
Tell your friends to listen to this song, unless you want to keep The Weeknd's greatness all to yourself.
8. Tell Your Friends
The Weeknd's 'Tell Your Friends' is a soulful and captivating ode to making it big in life. The song, with its smooth vocals and powerful beats, has garnered widespread popularity amongst fans of the artist. Here are 5 points about this hit song:
- The Weeknd co-wrote the track with Kanye West, and the latter also served as one of its producers.
- The lyrics of 'Tell Your Friends' explore themes of ambition, success, and fame, reflecting The Weeknd's journey in the music industry.
- The song features samples from jazz musician Harry Fraud's track 'I Shot Ya', giving it a unique sound.
- 'Tell Your Friends' was released as a single in 2015 and received critical acclaim for its soulful vibe and excellent production value.
- The music video for the song was directed by Grant Singer and showcased The Weeknd driving around Los Angeles at night.
This memorable song puts into words the longing for success that lies within each of us. As stated by Billboard magazine in its review of 'Tell Your Friends', "The beautifully understated tune has got an old-school soul rhythm to it that feels fresh no matter how many times you listen to it." Get ready to wake up with 'The Morning' as The Weeknd delivers a dose of dark and dreamy vibes that'll have you hitting snooze on reality.
9. The Morning
This particular track from The Weeknd, a well-known singer-songwriter, captures the essence of his music and style. Its enigmatic and seductive beats coupled with his soulful voice make it one of his most popular songs to date. The Morning's lyrics revolve around unpredictable love affairs and the consequences of losing oneself in lustful pursuits.
Listeners have praised the song for its unique production techniques, an amalgam of atmospheric sounds with an electronic beat that sets an indelible mark on their minds. The Weeknd listens to the people's voices and writes a story on it.
Interestingly, The Weeknd has stated that this song was inspired by his own life experiences – the early days spent struggling to make ends meet while chasing his dreams. It is a testament to perseverance, commitment and consistency in pursuing one's passions even when faced with overwhelming adversities.
Overall, The Morning showcases The Weeknd's exceptional talent and unique ideas in full flow. It can be considered a pivotal moment in his career as he continues to take over the world of music with his distinctive voice and unmatched ability to connect with listeners through compelling musical pieces.
Drive through The Hills with The Weeknd and you might just end up burying a body or two.
10. The Hills
This entry on the list of "10 Best The Weeknd Songs of All Time" highlights the success and popularity of "The Hills." This track, released in 2015, blends dark and haunting instrumentals with The Weeknd's signature R&B vocals. With a music video depicting an eerie car ride through nighttime streets, "The Hills" has become iconic for its emotive lyrics and captivating sound. The song is praised for its seamless combination of genres, drawing in fans from both pop and alternative scenes.
"The Hills" was critically acclaimed for its moody production that drew comparisons to Michael Jackson's 1982 Thriller album. The song features somber synths over hard-hitting beats, contributing to its unique and unforgettable energy. Additionally, the song's relatable lyrics about finding comfort in toxic relationships added to its appeal amongst audiences in the mid-2010s.
What makes "The Hills" stand out on this list is its longevity as a fan favorite; five years after its release, it remains one of The Weeknd's most recognizable songs that still receives radio play. Its inclusion here confirms the influence the track had not only on pop culture but also on changing perceptions about genre boundaries in contemporary music.
An interesting fact about "The Hills" is that it was initially written as demo material for rapper Travis Scott before being offered to The Weeknd after a last-minute studio session change-up. This decision proved to be a defining moment in The Weeknd's career, propelling him further into mainstream fame and earning him three Grammy nominations for this particular song alone.
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.
