Many believe that the reason his After Hours performances have featured him heavily bandaged and bloodied is actually a warning against the dangers of driving drunk. The most explicit explanation of the song's meaning came in The Weeknd's Esquire cover interview, where he indicated that parts of the lyrics were actually connected to the feeling of driving while intoxicated.
"I’ve learned to balance thanks to touring.” It doesn’t consume my life but occasionally helps me open up my mind, especially when I’m creating, but when I perform I’m completely sober and try not to even drink," he said. "I have an off-and-on relationship with it. In an interview with CR Fashion Bookduring the After Hours press cycle, The Weeknd talked about his current relationship with substances, something that was particularly present on his early work like "High for This." There's been further speculation that "Blinding Lights" is actually about drug use, inspired in part by its video, which depicts the singer on something of a Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas-style bender. There isn’t any chance of them getting back together right now, but Bella never wants to have any anger or resentment towards anyone.” A spokesperson for The Weeknd later told People “they just attended as friends.”Īnd it's these lyrics that potentially address that event: "I'm just walking by to let you know (By to let you know) / I can never say it on the phone (Say it on the phone) / Will never let you go this time (Ooh)." There is no bad blood between the two and they are on good terms right now. A source told E!, " did reach out to Bella during the day to wish her a ‘Happy Birthday’ and they have been in touch. E! reported that he wished her a happy birthday and they eventually met in New York. "Blinding Lights" includes the following lyrics: “The city’s cold and empty / No one’s around to judge me / I can’t see clearly when you’re gone.” Those words are clearly about experiencing heartbreak while lamenting what could have been with someone.Ī post shared by Bella ? in the song, there's a possible reference to the time they spent together during Hadid's birthday in October 2019. It's a synth-centric pop record that'll make you think of '80s new wave or the Stranger Things soundtrack, and while it doesn't appear in the series, a talented fan made a great mashup video using its stars.
And if we take a quick peek at his dating history, it's apparent the R&B singer-born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye-may be subtly referring to his on-again, off-again relationship with model Bella Hadid. Specifically, the mega hit "Blinding Lights," from his 2020 album After Hours points to a love that got away. and his native Canada with moody songs about lost relationships and lifestyle excess. Over the last decade, he's gone from a mysterious viral sensation to a bona fide pop superstar topping charts in the U.S.
When The Weeknd takes the stage for the 2021 Super Bowl halftime show, he's likely to put some of his past heartbreaks on display for the massive TV audience.