"Heartless" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by the Weeknd | ||||
from the album After Hours | ||||
Released | November 27, 2019 | |||
Studio |
| |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:18 [2] | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
| |||
The Weeknd singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Heartless" on YouTube |
"Heartless" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd. It was released on November 27, 2019, through XO and Republic Records as the lead single from his fourth studio album, After Hours (2020). [3] [4] [5] The Weeknd wrote and produced the song alongside Metro Boomin, Illangelo, and Dre Moon. [6] [7] The song combines R&B and trap with elements of electroclash.
"Heartless" received acclaim from critics, praising it for its production, catchiness and the Weeknd's vocals. It peaked at number three on the Canadian Hot 100. Elsewhere, the song topped the US Billboard Hot 100, giving the Weeknd his fourth number-one song on the chart, and also has figured within the record charts in other 28 countries and was the last new number one single of the 2010s. A vaporwave remix of the song featuring American rapper Lil Uzi Vert was released alongside the deluxe edition of its parent album on March 23, 2020. [8] On April 3, 2020, an extended and normal-pitched version of the Lil Uzi Vert remix was released alongside the parent album's accompanying remix EP. [9]
The Weeknd first teased that he was working on a new album in November 2018, via a performance in which he told the crowd that "Chapter VI was coming soon." [10] Following a trio of collaborative singles throughout 2019, on August 6, he further reassured fans that he was working on his fourth studio album. [11] Then after a period of silence, on November 24 the single "Blinding Lights" was revealed through a Mercedes-Benz television commercial, [12] with reports of "Heartless" surfacing a day later, [13] along with its leaked cover art. [14] It then premiered on the seventh episode of the Weeknd's Beats 1 radio show Memento Mori on November 27, 2019. [15] In an interview with CR Men, the Weeknd confirmed that "Heartless" was the first song that he wrote for After Hours after the release of his 2018 EP My Dear Melancholy . [16]
Lyrically, "Heartless" sees the Weeknd returning to his infamous party and playboy lifestyle after his disappointment with previous relationships. Throughout the song, he presents himself as a "heartless" person who engages in promiscuity and over-indulgence in drugs and alcohol. [17] [18] The song's chorus references the Weeknd's collaboration with American rapper Future on the latter's "Low Life" with the lyrics "Low life for life 'cause I'm heartless". [19]
The song received critical acclaim. Many praised its production, catchiness and the Weeknd's vocals. It was ranked as the 39th best song of 2019 by Complex . On a statement discussing the single's position on the list, Jessica McKinney complimented the song's production and its unique vibe. [20] On March 6, 2020, Entertainment Weekly named "Heartless" the Weeknd's 11th best single, stating that "everything about the song is colossal". [21]
Year | Awards | Category | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | American Music Awards | Favorite Song – Soul/R&B Song | Won | [22] |
2021 | ASCAP Pop Music Awards | Award Winning Songs | Won | [23] |
"Heartless" entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 32 on the issue dated December 7, 2019, becoming the highest-debuting single of the week. [24] The following week, it jumped 31 positions to the number one position on the chart, becoming the Weeknd's fourth number-one single in the United States. [25] Christmas songs began overtaking the upper half of the chart on the issue dated December 21, 2019, causing "Heartless" to drop sixteen places to number 17. It became the biggest drop from the number-one spot in the chart's 61-year history. [a] The song later returned to the top ten (at number four) after the release of After Hours on the issue dated April 4, 2020, its first week in the top ten since December 2019. [28] On April 5, 2022, "Heartless" was awarded a 3× Platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling two million units in the United States. [29] It was the final new number one single of the 2010s in the United States.
On the Rolling Stone Top 100 Songs chart, the song debuted at number fourteen, lodging 11.1 million streams after two days of tracking. [30] In its second week, The song ascended at number one, becoming the Weeknd's first number-one song on the chart. [31]
In the singer's native Canada, "Heartless" reached number three on the Canadian Hot 100. In the United Kingdom, the song reached number ten, becoming the Weeknd's seventh top-10 hit in the country.
An official vertical lyric video for the song was released on December 2, 2019. The video was shot in the Plaza Hotel and Casino [32] [33] in Las Vegas, Nevada; and Caesars Palace and Flamingo Las Vegas in Paradise, Nevada. The official music video for "Heartless" was released on December 3, 2019. The clip was also shot in Las Vegas, and stars the Weeknd and Metro Boomin. [34] The video follows the two as they drunkenly explore casinos and parties, with the Weeknd later hallucinating after licking a frog. [35] The video ends with the Weeknd running down Fremont Street and vomiting. [36] It was directed by Anton Tammi and inspired by the cult film Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas . [37] An official music video for the Lil Uzi Vert remix of the song was released on April 14, 2020, and it featured a montage of warped FHS footage and an anime version of the Weeknd throughout the visual. [38]
The debut live performance for "Heartless" occurred on December 5, 2019, on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The performance saw the Weeknd descend into the backstage corridors of the Ed Sullivan Theater as the walls of the building bend and shift around him. [39] A performance of "Blinding Lights" occurred the day after on the same show. [40]
The song's first official remix features rapper Lil Uzi Vert and is titled "Heartless (Vapor Wave Remix)". The Weeknd's vocals are chopped and screwed on the remix, while Lil Uzi's high-pitched vocals are also distorted. [41] Complex's Jessica McKinney said of the collaboration, "After dropping two of the biggest albums of the year so far, it's clear both the Weeknd and Lil Uzi Vert are on a winning streak." [41] A second non-vaporwave and extended version of the remix was released on April 3, 2020, alongside the remix EP After Hours (Remixes). [42]
Credits adapted from the Weeknd's official website and Tidal. [6] [7]
Weekly charts | Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [94] | 3× Platinum | 210,000‡ |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [95] | 3× Platinum | 120,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada) [96] | 3× Platinum | 240,000‡ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [97] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
France (SNEP) [98] | Gold | 100,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI) [99] | Gold | 50,000‡ |
New Zealand (RMNZ) [100] | Platinum | 30,000‡ |
Norway (IFPI Norway) [101] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
Poland (ZPAV) [102] | Platinum | 50,000‡ |
Portugal (AFP) [103] | Platinum | 10,000‡ |
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [104] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [105] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
United States (RIAA) [106] | 3× Platinum | 3,000,000‡ |
Streaming | ||
Greece (IFPI Greece) [107] | Platinum | 2,000,000† |
Sweden (GLF) [108] | Platinum | 8,000,000† |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Various | November 27, 2019 | [109] | ||
Canada | Contemporary hit radio | Republic | [110] | |
Italy | November 29, 2019 | Radio airplay | Universal | [111] |
United States | December 3, 2019 |
|
| [112] [113] |
Canadian singer-songwriter The Weeknd has released five studio albums, one live album, three compilation albums, three mixtapes, nine extended plays, 79 single releases and seven promotional singles. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), he has accumulated 20.5 million certified album-equivalent units and 132 million certified digital single units in the US, based on sales and on-demand streaming, as of December 2024.
"The Hills" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd. It was released on May 27, 2015, as the second single from his second studio album, Beauty Behind the Madness (2015). The song was written by the Weeknd alongside producers Emmanuel "Mano" Nickerson and Illangelo, with Belly receiving additional writing credits.
"Often" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd. It was released on July 31, 2014, as the lead single from his second studio album, Beauty Behind the Madness (2015). The song contains a sample from "Ben Sana Vurgunum" by Turkish singer Nükhet Duru.
Symere Bysil Woods, known professionally as Lil Uzi Vert, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, they gained initial recognition following the release of the commercial mixtape Luv Is Rage (2015), which led to a recording contract with Atlantic Records, to whom they signed under DJ Drama's Generation Now imprint.
The discography of American rapper and singer Lil Uzi Vert includes four studio albums, nine extended plays (EPs), four mixtapes, and 54 singles. Lil Uzi Vert first gained recognition with their commercial mixtape Luv Is Rage (2015), which led to a recording contract with Atlantic Records under DJ Drama's imprint, Generation Now. A standout track from the mixtape, "7AM", spent ten weeks on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart, peaking at number five as of August 6, 2016. Their breakthrough came with the release of the mixtape Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World (2016), which peaked at number 37 on the US Billboard 200 and spent a total of 55 weeks on the chart. The mixtape also reached number 18 on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and was eventually certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for combined sales and album-equivalent units of over 1,000,000 in the United States. The mixtape produced three singles: "Money Longer", "Ps and Qs", and "You Was Right", with the first two entering the US Billboard Hot 100. Both "Money Longer" and "You Was Right" have been certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Their fourth mixtape, The Perfect LUV Tape (2016), debuted at number 55 on the US Billboard 200. In February 2018, the mixtape was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), signifying combined sales and album-equivalent units of 500,000. The mixtape was supported by singles "Seven Million" and "Erase Your Social". Lil Uzi Vert also released a collaborative EP with Gucci Mane titled 1017 vs. the World (2016).
"Bad and Boujee" is a song by American hip-hop group Migos featuring American rapper Lil Uzi Vert. Written alongside producer Metro Boomin and co-producer G Koop, it was originally released to the Quality Control Music YouTube channel on August 27, 2016 before being officially released on October 28 by Quality Control Music, 300 Entertainment, and Atlantic Records as the lead single from the group's second studio album Culture (2017).
"Die for You" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd, from his third studio album, Starboy (2016). The song was sent to US rhythmic contemporary radio on September 19, 2017, as the seventh single from the album. It was written by the Weeknd, Doc McKinney, Cirkut, Prince 85, Cashmere Cat, Dylan Wiggins, and Billy Walsh, and produced by the former five.
"XO Tour Llif3" is a song by American rapper Lil Uzi Vert from the EP Luv Is Rage 1.5 (2017) and debut album Luv Is Rage 2 (2017). It was released on SoundCloud on February 26, 2017, and later on all music streaming platforms on March 24, 2017. The track was produced by TM88, with co-production by JW Lucas. It peaked at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Lil Uzi Vert's highest-charting single as a solo artist until the release of "Futsal Shuffle 2020", which peaked at number five. It was also their second top 10 entry overall after their feature on "Bad and Boujee" by Migos. It is Lil Uzi Vert's most popular song, and has amassed over two billion streams on Spotify. On December 10, 2024, the song was certified RIAA Diamond selling over 14 million copies, giving them their first Diamond certification and making it the best-selling emo rap song of all time, and also one of the best-selling digital singles of all-time. A sequel to the song, titled "P2" was included on Lil Uzi Vert's second album Eternal Atake (2020). The song has since come to be regarded as Lil Uzi Vert's signature song.
Luv Is Rage 2 is the debut studio album by American rapper and singer Lil Uzi Vert. It was released through Generation Now and Atlantic Records on August 25, 2017. The album features guest appearances from The Weeknd, Oh Wonder, and Pharrell Williams. Production was handled by a variety of record producers, including Lil Uzi Vert themself, Cubeatz, Don Cannon, Honorable C.N.O.T.E., Illmind, Maaly Raw, Metro Boomin, Pharrell Williams, The Weeknd, Pi'erre Bourne, TM88, WondaGurl, and among others. The album serves as a successor to their third extended play, Luv Is Rage 1.5 (2017), and their debut commercial mixtape, Luv Is Rage (2015). Luv Is Rage 2 was supported by three singles: "XO Tour Llif3", "The Way Life Goes" and "Sauce It Up".
"The Way Life Goes" is a song by American rapper Lil Uzi Vert featuring British indie pop group Oh Wonder from the former's debut album Luv Is Rage 2 (2017). According to Uzi, the song was meant for people that were going through hard times. It has been streamed over 1 billion times on Spotify. The song was released as the album's second single to urban contemporary radio on October 3, 2017. The track, produced by Don Cannon and Ike Beatz, samples vocals from Oh Wonder's 2015 song "Landslide". It would debut at number 39 on the Billboard Hot 100, with the YouTube visual gaining over 138 million views as of April 2023.
The discography of Canadian rapper Nav consists of four studio albums, one reissued album, three mixtapes, and 27 singles.
"Old Town Road" is the debut mainstream single by American rapper Lil Nas X, first released independently in December 2018. After gaining popularity, the single was re-released by Columbia Records in March 2019. The rapper also recorded a remix with American country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, which was released on April 5, 2019. Both were included on Lil Nas X's second EP, 7 (2019).
"Sanguine Paradise" is a song by American rapper Lil Uzi Vert. It was initially recorded for their second studio album Eternal Atake. It was released as the first of two singles on the same day through Atlantic Records, Warner Music and WEA, on April 9, 2019. The song was produced by Brandon Finessin and Oogie Mane.
"Blinding Lights" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd, from his fourth studio album, After Hours (2020). The song was released through XO and Republic Records on November 29, 2019, as the album's second single. The Weeknd wrote the song with Max Martin, Oscar Holter, Belly, and DaHeala, with the former three producing the song. It is a synth-pop, electropop, new wave, and synthwave track, which lyrically addresses the importance of a partner, and the desire to see them at night.
"Futsal Shuffle 2020", or simply titled "Futsal Shuffle" is a song by American rapper Lil Uzi Vert. It was released through Generation Now and Atlantic Records as the lead single from their second studio album, Eternal Atake on December 13, 2019. The song features three sound clips, including two of their interviews with Nardwuar during Breakout Winter Festival and Rolling Loud Festival in Vancouver, British Columbia and Miami, Florida, respectively, as well as from Tyler, the Creator's performance of "Boredom" at the 2019 Camp Flog Gnaw. The song debuted at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, outpeaking "XO Tour Llif3" as Vert's highest-charting single on the chart as a solo artist. The song itself has also inspired a dance based on the song with the same title.
"Baby Pluto" is a song by American rapper Lil Uzi Vert. It was released on March 6, 2020, as the first track on their second studio album Eternal Atake. The track peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Save Your Tears" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd from his fourth studio album, After Hours (2020). It was released to Dutch contemporary hit radio on August 9, 2020, as the album's fifth and final single. The song was written and produced by the Weeknd, Max Martin, and Oscar Holter, with Belly and DaHeala receiving additional writing credits.
"Party Girl" is a song by American rapper StaySolidRocky, originally self-released on September 12, 2019, and then re-released by Columbia Records on April 21, 2020, as his third career-single. The song went viral on video-sharing app TikTok and became StaySolidRocky's first charting single. It was written by the rapper and its producer Nashi. The track was later included on his debut EP Fallin', released July 17, 2020. A remix with rapper Lil Uzi Vert was released on July 10, 2020.
"Just Wanna Rock" is a song by American rapper Lil Uzi Vert. It was released as the lead single for their third studio album Pink Tape (2023) through Atlantic Records and Generation Now on October 17, 2022. Uzi wrote the song with producers MCVertt and Synthetic. They previously teased it on the video-sharing app TikTok, where the song gained over 500 million views.
"Watch This" is an unreleased song by American rapper Lil Uzi Vert produced by Kado and Philadelphian producer Forza. It was initially previewed on an Instagram livestream on March 12, 2019, and thought to appear on their second studio album Eternal Atake. In November 2019, Lil Uzi Vert publicly accused Forza of selling their unreleased material, prompting Forza to be removed from producer collective Working on Dying and the song to remain unreleased.