After Hours (The Weeknd song)

Last updated

"After Hours"
Single by the Weeknd
from the album After Hours
Released
  • February 19, 2020 (promotional)
  • February 25, 2020 (radio)
Recorded2019
Studio
  • Conway (Los Angeles, California)
  • Malibu Blue Studio (Malibu, CA)
Genre
Length6:01
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • The Weeknd
  • Illangelo
  • DaHeala
  • Mario Winans
The Weeknd singles chronology
"Blinding Lights"
(2019)		"After Hours"
(2020)		"In Your Eyes"
(2020)
Audio
"After Hours" on YouTube

"After Hours" is the title track by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd, from his fourth studio album of the same name. The penultimate track, it was originally released as a promotional single from the album on February 19, 2020 before being sent to US rhythmic radio through XO and Republic Records as its third single six days later. The Weeknd wrote and produced the song with Illangelo, DaHeala, and Mario Winans, with Belly receiving additional writing credits.

Contents

Background and release

On February 13, 2020, the Weeknd announced the title of the parent album of the same name as After Hours, [1] following the release of the commercially successful singles "Heartless" and "Blinding Lights". Five days later on February 18, he announced the release date of the promotional single "After Hours" and then revealed the cover art of its parent album. [2] Upon the release of "After Hours" on February 19, 2020, the release date of its parent album was also revealed. [3]

As of August 2025, the audio of the song on YouTube has over 255 million views.

Composition and lyrics

"After Hours" is a "dark, swirling" and "ominous" electro and house composition. [4] According to Sheldon Pearce of Pitchfork , the track "opens with his old signature style - falsetto, echoes, and recurrent tones - until suddenly it erupts into dance production". [5]

The lyrics of the song discuss the Weeknd's regret of ending a relationship with a former lover, and his desire for them to reconcile and to have children. [6] The song proceeds to hear Weeknd taking responsibility for the relationship's demise, promising that if his former lover were to return to him, he would not disappoint her again. [7]

Critical reception

Critics compared its sound to the Weeknd's early Trilogy material. [8] [9] Fan reaction was also favorable. [8] In a weekly round up review, the staff from the music news website BrooklynVegan , described the song as being a "four-on-the-floor banger." [10] Shaad D'Souza of The FADER placed the song on his list of "The 20 best pop songs right now", stating "Abel Tesfaye takes a dip into Trilogy territory with this dank and depressive sex fantasy. I love it!" [11]

Commercial performance

"After Hours" entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 77 on the issue dated February 29, 2020, after two days of tracking. [12] The following week it climbed 57 spots up to number 20 on the chart. [13]

On the Rolling Stone Top 100 Songs chart, the song debuted at number 43 on the week ending on February 20, 2020. [14] It later rose to number five on the chart, the following week, on the tracking period ending on February 27, 2020.

In the singer's native country of Canada, "After Hours" reached number 14 on the Canadian Hot 100. In the United Kingdom, the song reached number 20, becoming the Weeknd's 19th top 40 hit in the nation. [15]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal. [16]

Charts

Chart (2020)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [17] 11
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) [18] 33
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [19] 43
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia) [20] 20
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [21] 14
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100) [22] 9
Denmark (Tracklisten) [23] 17
Estonia (Eesti Tipp-40) [24] 4
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) [25] 11
France (SNEP) [26] 44
Germany (GfK) [27] 35
Greece International (IFPI) [28] 5
Iceland (Tónlistinn) [29] 14
Ireland (IRMA) [30] 14
Italy (FIMI) [31] 36
Lithuania (AGATA) [32] 5
Malaysia (RIM) [33] 11
Mexico Airplay ( Billboard ) [34] 31
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [35] 27
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [36] 29
Norway (VG-lista) [37] 14
Portugal (AFP) [38] 18
Scotland (OCC) [39] 87
Singapore (RIAS) [40] 17
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100) [41] 6
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [42] 84
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [43] 10
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) [44] 16
UK Singles (OCC) [45] 20
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC) [46] 9
US Billboard Hot 100 [47] 20
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [48] 10
US Rhythmic ( Billboard ) [49] 34
US Rolling Stone Top 100 [50] 5

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [51] 2× Platinum140,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [52] 2× Platinum80,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [53] Gold45,000‡
France (SNEP) [54] Platinum200,000‡
Italy (FIMI) [55] Platinum100,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ) [56] Platinum30,000‡
Norway (IFPI Norway) [57] Gold30,000‡
Poland (ZPAV) [58] Platinum50,000‡
Portugal (AFP) [59] Platinum10,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [60] Gold30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [61] Platinum600,000‡
United States (RIAA) [62] Platinum1,000,000‡
Streaming
Greece (IFPI Greece) [63] Platinum2,000,000†

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabel(s)Ref.
VariousFebruary 19, 2020 [64]
United StatesFebruary 25, 2020 Rhythmic radio [65]

References

  1. ↑ Peacock, Tim (February 15, 2020). "The Weeknd Reveals Title Of His Upcoming Album, After Hours" . Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  2. ↑ Aswad, Jem (February 13, 2020). "The Weeknd Drops Teaser for New Album, 'After Hours' (Watch)" . Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  3. ↑ "The Weeknd Announces Release Date for New Album 'After Hours' and Drops Title Track". Complex. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  4. ↑ Breihan, Tom (February 19, 2020). "The Weeknd Announces New Album 'After Hours', Shares Dark & Pulsing Title Track: Listen". Stereogum . Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  5. ↑ Pearce, Sheldon (February 19, 2020). ""After Hours" by The Weeknd Review". Pitchfork . Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  6. ↑ O'Malley, Katie (February 19, 2020). "The Weeknd Sings About Wanting Children And Breaking Hearts In New Track Following Bella Hadid Split". ELLE. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  7. ↑ Dupre, Elyse (February 19, 2020). "The Weeknd Sings About Having Sex and Wanting Kids in New Song "After Hours"". E! News. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  8. 1 2 "The Weeknd "After Hours" Single Has Fans Hitting Repeat". HotNewHipHop. February 19, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Listen to "After Hours" by The Weeknd" . Retrieved February 20, 2020– via pitchfork.com.
  10. ↑ "22 New Songs Out Today". BrooklynVegan. February 20, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  11. ↑ D'Souza, Shaad (March 2, 2020). "The 20 best pop songs right now". The FADER . Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Billboard Hot 100 Chart (February 29, 2020)". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  13. ↑ Trust, Gary (March 2, 2020). "BTS Sets New Career Best on Hot 100 as 'On' Blasts in at No. 4; Roddy Ricch's 'The Box' Rules For Eighth Week". Billboard. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Rolling Stone Top 100 (February 14, 2020 - February 20, 2020)". Rolling Stone. February 20, 2020. Archived from the original on February 24, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  15. ↑ "The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights" Reclaims Number 1 on the Official Singles Chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  16. ↑ "After Hours / The Weeknd – Tidal". Tidal . Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  17. ↑ "The Weeknd – After Hours". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  18. ↑ "The Weeknd – After Hours" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  19. ↑ "The Weeknd – After Hours" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  20. ↑ "The Weeknd – After Hours" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  21. ↑ "The Weeknd Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  22. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 09. týden 2020 in the date selector. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Track Top-40 Uge 8, 2020". Hitlisten . Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  24. ↑ Nestor, Siim (March 3, 2020). "Eesti Tipp-40 Muusikas: Uku Suviste on kaugel olemast number üks lugu vabariigis... hämmar!!!". Eesti Ekspress (in Estonian). Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  25. ↑ "The Weeknd: After Hours" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Top Singles (Week 9, 2020)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Archived from the original on March 22, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  27. ↑ "The Weeknd – After Hours" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  28. ↑ "IFPI Charts Digital Singles Chart (International) Week 13 2020". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on April 9, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Tónlistinn – Lög" [The Music – Songs] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on April 1, 2020. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  30. ↑ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  31. ↑ "Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 13" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana . Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  32. ↑ "2020 13-os savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA . Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  33. ↑ "Top 20 Most Streamed International & Domestic Singles In Malaysia". Recording Industry Association of Malaysia . Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  34. ↑ "The Weeknd Chart History (Mexico Airplay)". Billboard . Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  35. ↑ "The Weeknd – After Hours" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  36. ↑ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. March 2, 2020. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  37. ↑ "VG-lista – Topp 20 Single uke 9, 2020". VG-lista . Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  38. ↑ "The Weeknd – After Hours". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  39. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  40. ↑ "RIAS International Top Charts Week 13". Recording Industry Association (Singapore). Archived from the original on April 3, 2020.
  41. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 09. týden 2020 in the date selector. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  42. ↑ "Top 100 Canciones: Semana 9". Productores de Música de España . Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  43. ↑ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 9". Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  44. ↑ "The Weeknd – After Hours". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  45. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  46. ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  47. ↑ "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  48. ↑ "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  49. ↑ "The Weeknd Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  50. ↑ "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on March 3, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  51. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  52. ↑ "Brazilian single certifications – The Weeknd" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil . Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  53. ↑ "Danish single certifications – The Weeknd – After Hours". IFPI Danmark . Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  54. ↑ "French single certifications – The Weeknd – After Hours" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique . Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  55. ↑ "Italian single certifications – The Weeknd – After Hours" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana . Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  56. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – The Weeknd – After Hours". Radioscope. Retrieved December 23, 2024.Type After Hours in the "Search:" field.
  57. ↑ "Norwegian single certifications – The Weeknd – After Hours" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  58. ↑ "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved July 5, 2023. Click "TYTUŁ" and enter After Hours in the search box.
  59. ↑ "Portuguese single certifications – The Weeknd – After Hours" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa . Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  60. ↑ "Spanish single certifications – The Weeknd – After Hours". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España . Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  61. ↑ "British single certifications – The Weeknd – After Hours". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  62. ↑ "American single certifications – The Weeknd – After Hours". Recording Industry Association of America. March 9, 2021.
  63. ↑ "IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Εβδομάδα: 42/2022" (in Greek). IFPI Greece . Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  64. ↑ "The Weeknd Sets 'After Hours' Release Date, Shares Dark Title Track: Listen". Billboard. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  65. ↑ "A Recap of Radio Add Recaps". Hits . February 25, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
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