After Hours

Album: After Hours (2020)
Charted: 20 20
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Here, a torn up Weeknd addresses a former lover. He tells his ex he still misses her and regrets their relationship ending. The singer apologizes for his past wrong doings, which left the girl with a broken heart, and admits that it's his fault their romance didn't work out. The Weeknd pleads for another chance, promising to treat her better this time, as he now realizes "my heart belongs to you."
  • The Weeknd starts off the haunting track by detailing his nightmares that stem from his desperate heartbreak

    Thought I almost died in my dream again
    Fightin' for my life, I couldn't breathe again


    The singer has touched on themes of mortality several times previously, including on his Starboy tracks "Six Feet Under" and "Die For You."
  • The Weeknd wrote the song with:

    Frequent collaborator Belly. The Canadian rapper's previous writing credits include "Earned It," "The Hills" and "Blinding Lights."

    Canadian producer Illangelo. A long-term collaborator of The Weeknd, Illangelo helmed the entirety of The Weeknd's 2011 trilogy of mixtapes, several of his Beauty Behind The Madness tracks and After Hours' co-lead single "Heartless."

    Canadian producer DaHeala, whose other collaborations with The Weeknd include "Earned It," "Starboy," and "Blinding Lights."

    Bay Boy R&B singer-songwriter Mario Winans, who is best known for his 2004 single "I Don't Wanna Know."

    The Weeknd, Illangelo and DaHeala produced the track with additional production by Mario Winans.
  • Asked by Variety about the tune's title, The Weeknd explained the song "is absolutely my thoughts at 4 a.m., alone, after everything is done."

    He added that he named the record after this song as the tracks are "all emotions and thoughts and feelings that I had late at night."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song Spoofs

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song SpoofsSong Writing

When singers started spoofing their own songs on Sesame Street, the results were both educational and hilarious - here are the best of them.

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.

Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell NdegeocelloSongwriter Interviews

Meshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight.

Name the Character in the Song

Name the Character in the SongMusic Quiz

With a few clues (Works at a diner, dreams of running away), can you name the character in the song?

Janis Ian

Janis IanSongwriter Interviews

One of the first successful female singer-songwriters, Janis had her first hit in 1967 at age 15.

Steely Dan

Steely DanFact or Fiction

Did they really trade their guitarist to The Doobie Brothers? Are they named after something naughty? And what's up with the band name?