Faith

Album: After Hours (2020)
Charted: 45
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • There is a loose theme running through After Hours of The Weeknd wanting to leave behind his hedonistic lifestyle. This song is his relapse moment on the album.

    I've been sober for a year, now it's time for me
    To go back to my old ways, don't you cry for me
    Thought I'd be a better man, but I lied to me and to you


    The Weeknd has lost faith in himself because of his return to drug abuse.
  • We hear sirens in the background near the end of the song; they signify that The Weeknd has either ended up in an ambulance because of an overdose, or the back of a police car due to his intake of illegal substances.
  • The Weeknd wrote and produced the song with Atlanta-based producer Metro Boomin and his long-term collaborator, Illangelo. Canadian rapper Belly also contributed to the writing of the track.
  • The Weeknd explained to Variety the song is "about the darkest time" of his entire life, back in 2013-13, during his "rockstar era." He got arrested in Las Vegas, and the sirens you hear at the end of the track is him in the back of the police car.

    The Weeknd added: "I wanted to go to Vegas and be this guy again, the 'Heartless' guy, the drug monster, the person who hates God and is losing his f-ing religion and hating what he looks like when he looks in the mirror so he keeps getting high, and hating to be sober because 'I feel the most lonely when I'm coming down' - that's who this song is."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Ian Gillan of Deep Purple

Ian Gillan of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan explains the "few red lights" in "Smoke On The Water" and talks about songs from their 2020 album Whoosh!

Ralph Casale  - Session Pro

Ralph Casale - Session ProSongwriter Interviews

A top New York studio musician, Ralph played guitar on many '60s hits, including "Lightnin' Strikes," "A Lover's Concerto" and "I Am A Rock."

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & Tears

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & TearsSongwriter Interviews

The longtime BS&T frontman tells the "Spinning Wheel" story, including the line he got from Joni Mitchell.

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," Kiss

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," KissSong Writing

After cutting his teeth on hardcore punk videos, Paul defined the grunge look with his work on "Hunger Strike" and "Man in the Box."

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?