"I Was Never There" | |
---|---|
Song by the Weeknd and Gesaffelstein | |
from the EP My Dear Melancholy | |
Released | March 30, 2018 |
Genre | Alternative R&B |
Length | 4:01 |
Label | |
Songwriter(s) | |
Producer(s) |
"I Was Never There" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd and French DJ Gesaffelstein, from the former's first extended play, My Dear Melancholy (2018). [1] The song was written by the Weeknd, Gesaffelstein, and Frank Dukes, and was produced by the latter two. The song is the first of three collaborations between the two artists and the second of the songs to go viral on TikTok in the early 2020s, after "Lost in the Fire". [2] [3]
The song was met with widespread acclaim, with critics naming it the standout track of its parent EP. [4] The song was ranked the Weeknd's 33rd best song by Rolling Stone due to Gesaffelstein's production and Weeknd's emotional vocal delivery. [5]
The song's lyrics makes references to the Weeknd's previous relationships with model Bella Hadid and singer and actress Selena Gomez. [6]
The song debuted at number 35 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on the issue dated April 7, 2018. [7] Later on, throughout 2022, "I Was Never There" saw an increase in consumption as the song went viral on the social media platform TikTok alongside several other tracks by the Weeknd, which led to the song entering the Billboard Global 200 chart at 159 and eventually peaking at 119.
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [28] | 2× Platinum | 140,000‡ |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [29] | Diamond | 160,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada) [30] | Gold | 40,000‡ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [31] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
France (SNEP) [32] | Platinum | 200,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI) [33] | Gold | 50,000‡ |
Poland (ZPAV) [34] | Platinum | 50,000‡ |
Portugal (AFP) [35] | Platinum | 10,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [36] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
United States (RIAA) [37] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
Streaming | ||
Greece (IFPI Greece) [38] | 3× Platinum | 6,000,000† |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
The discography of Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd consists of five studio albums, nine extended plays, three mixtapes, three compilation albums, one soundtrack album, one live album, 75 single releases, and 13 promotional singles. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the Weeknd has accumulated 18.5 million certified album units and 113 million certified digital single units in the US, based on sales and on-demand streaming, as of January 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.
"In the Night" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd, from his second studio album, Beauty Behind the Madness (2015). The song was written by the Weeknd, Max Martin, Ali Payami, Savan Kotecha, Peter Svensson, and Belly. Martin and Payami produced the song with co-production from the Weeknd. The song was serviced to contemporary hit radio through XO and Republic Records on November 17, 2015, as the album's fourth single.
"Starboy" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd featuring the French electronic duo Daft Punk. It was released on September 21, 2016, through XO and Republic Records, as the lead single from his third studio album of the same name (2016). The artists wrote and produced the song with Doc McKinney and Henry "Cirkut" Walter, with Jason "DaHeala" Quenneville receiving additional credits. It is an R&B and electropop song that reflects themes of extravagance and celebrity life.
"Party Monster" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd, from his third studio album Starboy (2016). The song was released for digital download on November 17, 2016, as the album's fourth single. It was later sent to US urban contemporary radio on December 6, 2016. The song was written and produced by the Weeknd, Ben Billions, and Doc McKinney, with additional writing credits going to Belly and Lana Del Rey, the latter of which providing background vocals.
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"Stargirl Interlude" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd featuring American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey. Dubbed as an "interlude", the track comes from the Weeknd's third studio album, Starboy (2016). The track's title itself is a direct reference to the album's titular character, Starboy, with the lyrics focusing in on a female counterpart, named Stargirl. The song was written by the two artists alongside producers Martin "Doc" McKinney and Labrinth.
"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.
"Call Out My Name" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd from his debut extended play, My Dear Melancholy (2018). The song was co-written by the Weeknd and producer Frank Dukes, with musician Nicolas Jaar receiving writing credits for the sampling of his 2016 song "Killing Time". The song was sent to rhythmic contemporary radio on April 10, 2018, as the EP's only single.
"Wasted Times" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd, and serves as the third track from his debut EP, My Dear Melancholy, (2018). The song was written by the Weeknd, Brittany Hazzard, Sonny Moore and Adam Feeney, and was produced by Frank Dukes and Skrillex. It was later included on the Weeknd's 2018 greatest hits album, The Weeknd in Japan, and the deluxe version of his 2021 greatest hits album, The Highlights.
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"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 fourth 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.
"You Right" is a song by American rapper and singer Doja Cat and Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd, from Doja Cat's third studio album, Planet Her. It was released through Kemosabe and RCA Records on June 25, 2021 as the second single of the album, which was released on the same day. The song officially impacted American contemporary hit radio and rhythmic contemporary radio on June 29. The track received acclaim from music critics. Commercially, the song reached the top 15 in eleven countries and reached number 12 on the Billboard Global 200 chart.
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"One Right Now" is a song by American rapper and singer Post Malone and Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd. It was released through Republic Records on November 5, 2021 as the lead single from Malone's fourth studio album, Twelve Carat Toothache (2022). The artists wrote the song with Billy Walsh and producers Louis Bell, Brian Lee, and Andrew Bolooki. "One Right Now" is a synth-pop song that is set in the key of D♭ major.
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"Creepin'" is a song by American record producer Metro Boomin, Canadian singer the Weeknd, and British-American rapper 21 Savage. It was sent to Italian contemporary hit radio through Republic Records and Boominati Worldwide as the lead and only single from Metro's second studio album, Heroes & Villains, on January 27, 2023. It is a remake of "I Don't Wanna Know" (2004) by Mario Winans featuring Enya and P. Diddy, which is based on a sample of the Fugees' song "Ready or Not" (1996), and itself samples Enya's "Boadicea" (1987). Winans himself returned to contribute to the song as a backing vocalist along with Travis Scott. Diddy himself would also join the artists on a remix of the song on March 17, 2023.
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