Alone Again

Album: After Hours (2020)
Charted: 21
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The Weeknd kicks off his After Hours album by describing a personality disorder he is struggling with. The track hints the star's problem is connected with his fame and identity.

    Take off my disguise
    I'm living someone else's life
    Suppressing who I was inside


    Miserable and lonely, Abel pays for a prostitute. He wants her more for the company than the sex.

    So I throw two thousand ones in the sky
    Together we're alone


    The Weeknd has also resorted to taking hard drugs, and has concerns he has overdosed.

    Check my pulse for a second time
    I took too much, I don't wanna die


    He begs his lover to come and save his life and remind him of whom he is. Abel fears being on his own, as he's likely to overdose again.

    I don't know if I can be alone again
    I don't know if I can sleep alone again
  • The Weeknd wrote and produced the track with his go-to collaborators Illangelo and DaHeala. Also credited is Frank Dukes, who has worked with the likes of Drake ("0 to 100/ The Catch Up"), Camila Cabello ("Havana") and Post Malone ("Wow" and "Circles").
  • During this song and the next After Hours track, "Too Late," there's so much echo on The Weeknd's voice, it's difficult to understand what he's saying. Variety asked him if he is intentionally obscuring the lyrics.

    The Weeknd replied that he can't really explain some of the things he does - "it's just emotional." He added that on this song he doesn't want to listener to hear what he's saying; it's more about "the beat, the melody, the feeling, the sonics."

    Tesfaye continued that on After Hours' fourth track, "Scared To Live," and the next few songs, he does want the listener to hear what he's saying because he's telling a story.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Edie Brickell

Edie BrickellSongwriter Interviews

Edie Brickell on her collaborations with Paul Simon, Steve Martin and Willie Nelson, and her 2021 album with the New Bohemians.

Rick Astley

Rick AstleySongwriter Interviews

Rick Astley on "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Cry For Help," and his remarkable resurgence that gave him another #1 UK album.

Rick Springfield

Rick SpringfieldSongwriter Interviews

Rick has a surprising dark side, a strong feminine side and, in a certain TV show, a naked backside. But he still hasn't found Jessie's Girl.

George Harrison

George HarrisonFact or Fiction

Did Eric Clapton really steal George's wife? What's the George Harrison-Monty Python connection? Set the record straight with our Fact or Fiction quiz.

Hawksley Workman

Hawksley WorkmanSongwriter Interviews

One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.