Global InformationList of songs recorded by the Weeknd information
The Weeknd is a Canadian singer-songwriter who has recorded material for five studio albums, one soundtrack album, one live album, three mixtapes and nine extended plays (EP), as well as contribute to other artist's respective albums. He began his recording career in 2009 by anonymously releasing music on YouTube. Two years later, he co-founded the XO record label and released his first three mixtapes House of Balloons, Thursday and Echoes of Silence.[1] He collaborated with different producers, primarily Doc McKinney and Illangelo.[2]
The alternative R&B projects were met with widespread acclaim for its dark lyrical content that explored the Weeknd's drug usage and romantic experiences.[3] They were also praised for its diverse musical styles, which incorporated elements of soul, trip hop, hip hop, dream pop, indie rock, downtempo and post-punk.[4][5]
After signing with Republic Records in 2012, the Weeknd re-released his three mixtapes in the compilation album Trilogy.[6] Preceding the album was the release of his debut single "Wicked Games", an alternative R&B and quiet storm track that he co-wrote with McKinney and Illangelo.[7] Follow-up singles included "Twenty Eight" and "The Zone" featuring Drake.[8] The Weeknd's debut studio album Kiss Land was released in September 2013. It was supported by six singles, including the lead single of the same name and "Belong to the World".[9] Primarily a R&B and dark wave album, the Weeknd worked with new collaborators for Kiss Land such as Belly, DaHeala and DannyBoyStyles.[10]
The Weeknd's second studio album Beauty Behind the Madness was released in August 2015.[11] He reunited with Belly, DaHeala, DannyBoyStyles and Illangelo, and worked with new collaborators such as Max Martin and Kanye West. The album was supported by five singles, including "The Hills", an alternative R&B and trap song that incorporates Amharic lyricism,[12] and "Can't Feel My Face", a pop, disco and funk track.[13] Both singles reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100.[14] Beauty Behind the Madness featured guest appearances from Ed Sheeran, Labrinth and Lana Del Rey. In November 2016, the Weeknd released Starboy,[15] a R&B, pop and trap record that included the lead single of the same name and "I Feel It Coming", with both singles featuring first-time collaborators Daft Punk.[16][17] The album featured guest appearances from Kendrick Lamar, Future and Lana Del Rey.
In March 2018, the Weeknd released his first EP My Dear Melancholy, which combined contemporary and alternative R&B with electropop.[18] Primarily produced by Frank Dukes, the EP contained contributions from Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, Mike Will Made It, Starrah and Skrillex.[19] It was supported by one single, "Call Out My Name",[20] and featured a guest appearance from Gesaffelstein. In March 2020, the Weeknd released his fourth studio album After Hours, which served as a re-introduction of new wave and dream pop sounds combined with electropop and synth-pop sounds.[21] The album was supported by four singles, including "Heartless" and "Blinding Lights". Both singles reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, with the latter becoming the longest-charting single in the chart's history at the time of its release.[22][23] Lyrically, After Hours contains themes of promiscuity, overindulgence and self-loathing. In January 2022, the Weeknd released his dance-pop inspired fifth studio album Dawn FM.[24]
In addition to his studio work, the Weeknd has recorded songs for film soundtracks, including featuring on Sia's single "Elastic Heart" from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013),[25] "Earned It", a chamber pop and R&B track from Fifty Shades of Grey (2015),[26] and "Pray For Me", a pop-rap track with Kendrick Lamar for Black Panther (2018).[27]
- ^ Wood, Mikael (November 7, 2012). "First listen: The Weeknd's deceptively lovely new songs". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ The Weeknd - Trilogy, November 9, 2012, retrieved July 5, 2023
- ^ "The Weeknd's 'House Of Balloons' Launched A Pop Career Shrouded In Mystery on MTV". MTV.
- ^ Matt Carney, "New Music Tuesday: 'House of Balloons' by The Weeknd," Archived November 5, 2013, at the Wayback Machine The Oklahoma Daily, April 19, 2011.
- ^ "'House of Balloons' Turns 10: How the Weeknd Beat the Odds and Turned R&B on Its Head | Exclaim!". exclaim.ca. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ Hampp, Andrew (November 12, 2012). "The Weeknd & Reps Talk Clearing Samples, Touring For 'Trilogy' Release". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 6, 2013. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ "The Weeknd Shares Haunted 'Wicked Games' Video, 'Trilogy' Track List | Videos". Spin. October 18, 2012. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ Lewis, Brittany (January 25, 2012). "The Weeknd & Drake Shooting A Video For "The Zone" (DETAILS)". Global Grind. Archived from the original on May 10, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ "Listen: The Weeknd "Kiss Land"". Complex. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ "The Weeknd Unveils 'Kiss Land' Release Date & Cover Artwork". idolator. July 22, 2013. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith (September 6, 2015). "The Weeknd's 'Beauty Behind the Madness' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ Lockett, Dee. "The Weeknd Returns With 'The Hills,' Which Probably Isn't About Lauren Conrad". Vulture. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ Kreps, Daniel (June 8, 2015). "Hear the Weeknd's Funky New Song 'Can't Feel My Face'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ Trust, Gary (August 10, 2015). "The Weeknd Tops Hot 100 With 'Can't Feel My Face,' One Direction Debuts at No. 3". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ "The Weeknd Announces New Album Starboy". Pitchfork. September 21, 2016. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ "The Weeknd Is Reportedly Working With Daft Punk". Complex. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ "Hear the Weeknd's new track with Daft Punk, Starboy". the Guardian. September 22, 2016. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ "The Weeknd Is Surprise Releasing a New Album Tonight". SPIN. March 29, 2018. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ McKinney, Jessica (March 28, 2018). "The Weeknd Could Be Dropping A New Album This Week". VIBE.com. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ "The Weeknd teases new song release". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ Brandle, Lars (February 19, 2020). "The Weeknd Sets 'After Hours' Release Date, Shares Dark Title Track: Listen". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ Trust, Gary (December 9, 2019). "The Weeknd's 'Heartless' Hits No. 1 on Hot 100, Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' Returns to No. 3 High". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ Trust, Gary (August 16, 2021). "The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' Spends Record-Breaking 88th Week on Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ Holiday, Harmony (January 14, 2022). "On 'Dawn FM,' The Weeknd is both suffering and saved". NPR. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
- ^ Hakimian, Rob (November 19, 2013). "Album Review: Various Artists – The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Soundtrack". Consequence. Archived from the original on November 28, 2013. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ Vineshv (December 23, 2014). "Listen To The Weeknd's New Single "Earned It" Featured On The "Fifty Shades of Grey" Soundtrack". The Source. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ Madden, Sidney (February 2, 2018). "Kendrick Lamar And The Weeknd Team Up For 'Pray For Me'". NPR. Retrieved December 16, 2021.