"Scared to Live" | |
---|---|
Song by the Weeknd | |
from the album After Hours | |
Released | March 20, 2020 |
Studio |
|
Genre | |
Length | 3:11 |
Label | |
Songwriter(s) | |
Producer(s) |
|
"Scared to Live" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd from his fourth studio album After Hours . [1] He performed the song for the first time on March 8, 2020, with American musician Oneohtrix Point Never, during an episode of Saturday Night Live . [2] The SNL version of the song was officially released alongside the deluxe edition of its parent album on March 23, 2020. [3] The Weeknd wrote and produced the song with Max Martin and Oscar Holter, writing credits also going to Belly and Oneohtrix Point Never. Elton John and Bernard Taupin received additional songwriting credits for the interpolation of John's 1970 single "Your Song".
In early February 2020, SNL confirmed that it was going to have the Weeknd as a musical guest on March 7, 2020. [4] During the episode, the Weeknd performed the comedic skit "On the Couch" with Kenan Thompson and Chris Redd, and two songs from his album After Hours: the single "Blinding Lights" and the previously unreleased "Scared to Live" with Oneohtrix Point Never. [5] The studio version of the song was then released on March 20, 2020, alongside the rest of the album. [6]
Elton John shared in an interview with New Zealand radio presenter Zane Lowe that he was happy with the interpolation of "Your Song" in Scared to Live, stating, “I’m so blown away, I mean, just to be part of his record, for someone my age and as someone who loves what he does, I’m so thrilled and I just love him. I just think … I was watching a couple of things this morning that were the same old stuff, the rap stuff and I was thinking, ‘Good old Abel, he’s making music. He’s making proper music.'” [7]
"Scared to Live" has been described as a synth-pop ballad [8] that maintains the strong traditional pop [9] and adult contemporary sonics of John's "Your Song". [10] Lyrically, it details the ending of a relationship the Weeknd had with a former lover that left them questioning if they could ever discover love again. The Weeknd encourages his past partner to move on from their past and find themselves, apologizing for the faults he made while still yearning for the connection that they once had. [11] [12]
The song received universal critical acclaim and was considered a highlight from its parent album, with the ballad's minimalistic nature, sincere lyrics, and the Weeknd's vocals receiving particular praise. [13] Journalists also commended the maturity in the song's lyrics, while noting its sound as being reminiscent of ballads performed by Phil Collins in the past. [14] [15] Vibe writer Jack Riedy complimented the imagery, “The listener can practically see the disco ball spinning over a gaggle of youths at their prom’s last dance as Tesfaye urges them don’t be scared to live again”. [16]
Seth Wilson of Slant wrote that the song "displays the grandeur of a pop ballad, with a swooning earworm of a chorus and lyrics that tenderly reflect on a past love, and with a maturity that comes only with hindsight. The song nearly edges into schmaltz, but it's full of surprises, including a nod to Elton John's 'Your Song' that's so well integrated into the chorus it's easy to miss." [17] Micah Peters from The Ringer called the composition "a soaring ballad in which The Weeknd expresses joy and pain where once there was crushing melancholy". [18] NME reviewer Will Richard named the piece a "shimmering, emotive ballad". [19] Craig Jenkins of Vulture praised the song's "glistening synths over trap drums with delightful deviations. The writing’s tight and there’s a cohesion of sound and vision". [20] In an AllMusic review, Andy Kellman states that "Scared to Live" is "so clean and down the middle that it resembles a box-office crossover bid from an artiste swallowing his pride to record a tame song. It is one of Tesfaye's best performances, his voice soaring and swooping, signifying numbness and codependency, sorrowful about wasted time while encouraging emotional convalescence". [21]
Following the releasing of its parent album, "Scared to Live" debuted at number 24 on the US Billboard Hot 100 dated April 4, 2020. It was the fifth highest charting track from After Hours. [22]
The song was first performed live on SNL alongside "Blinding Lights" on March 7, 2020. [23] The performance was introduced by Daniel Craig and featured the Weeknd wearing a bandaged, bloodied nose and red suit, as part of a persona portrayed in the art direction for the After Hours era. [24] [25] Oneohtrix Point Never accompanied him on the synthesizer. [26]
Credits adapted from Genius. [27]
Chart (2020) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [28] | 33 |
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100) [29] | 47 |
Denmark (Tracklisten) [30] | 29 |
Estonia (Eesti Tipp-40) [31] | 29 |
France (SNEP) [32] | 56 |
Greece (IFPI) [33] | 44 |
Iceland (Plötutíðindi) [34] | 26 |
Italy (FIMI) [35] | 64 |
Lithuania (AGATA) [36] | 32 |
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) [37] | 3 |
Norway (VG-lista) [38] | 33 |
Portugal (AFP) [39] | 37 |
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100) [40] | 23 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [41] | 34 |
UK Audio Streaming (OCC) [42] | 40 |
US Billboard Hot 100 [43] | 24 |
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [44] | 12 |
US Rolling Stone Top 100 [45] | 9 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [46] | Gold | 35,000‡ |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [47] | Gold | 20,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Date | Format | Label(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Various | March 20, 2020 | [48] |
Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, known professionally as the Weeknd, is a Canadian singer-songwriter. He is known for his unconventional musical production, artistic reinventions and use of the falsetto register.
"Love Me Harder" is a song by the American singer Ariana Grande and the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd. It was released by Republic Records on September 30, 2014 as the fourth single from Grande's second studio album, My Everything (2014). It was written by the Weeknd, Max Martin, Savan Kotecha, Peter Svensson, Ali Payami and Belly. The song was produced by Payami and Peter Carlsson, with Svensson serving as a vocal producer. Sonically, "Love Me Harder" is a pop, synthwave, synth-pop, R&B ballad with a "throbbing, electro-heavy chorus", a guitar riff and "big vacuum-esque synths". Lyrically, the song features double entendres about rough sex.
"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.
"Pray" is a song by English singer and songwriter Sam Smith. It was written by Smith, Larrance Dopson, Darryl Pearson, Timbaland, Jose Valasquez and Jimmy Napes, with production handled by Timbaland, Napes and Steve Fitzmaurice. The song was released on 6 October 2017 through Capitol Records, as a promotional single from Smith's second studio album, The Thrill of It All (2017). A new version of the song featuring American rapper Logic was released as the third single from the album on 29 March 2018.
"Pray for Me" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd and the American rapper Kendrick Lamar from the soundtrack album of the Marvel Studios superhero film Black Panther. The song was released by Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records on February 2, 2018, as the album's third and final single. It serves as the second overall collaboration between the two artists. The song appears in the movie during the scene where the titular hero along with his allies, Nakia and Okoye, enter a secret casino in Busan.
"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; 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.
"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). The Weeknd wrote and produced the song alongside Metro Boomin, Illangelo, and Dre Moon. The song combines R&B and trap with elements of electroclash.
"After Hours" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd, from his fourth studio album of the same name. Originally released as a promotional single from the album on February 19, 2020, it was 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.
"Until I Bleed Out" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd from his fourth studio album After Hours. It was released as the closing track from the album on March 20, 2020. It was written and produced alongside Metro Boomin, Oneohtrix Point Never, Prince 85, and Notinbed. A music video for the song was released on April 7, 2020.
"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.
"In Your Eyes" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd and the third single from his fourth studio album, After Hours (2020). The song was released to contemporary hit radio on March 24, 2020, by XO and Republic Records. It was originally released four days before, alongside the rest of its parent album. The Weeknd wrote and produced the song with Max Martin and Oscar Holter, with Belly receiving additional writing credits. The original studio recording of the track features Wojtek Goral on alto saxophone, while the live version and remix of the song features Kenny G on soprano saxophone.
"Faith" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd from his fourth studio album After Hours. The track was teased multiple times throughout the pre-release promotional material for the album, with the song's intro first being shown on February 13, 2020, through the After Hours teaser. Its second verse and outro were teased on the album's self-titled short film, which was released on March 4, 2020. The song was officially released on March 20, 2020, alongside the rest of its parent album. The Weeknd wrote and produced the song with Metro Boomin and Illangelo, with additional writing credits going to Canadian rapper Belly.
"Snowchild" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd from his fourth studio album After Hours. It was released on March 20, 2020, alongside the rest of its parent album. A music video for the song was released on July 22, 2020. The song was written and produced by The Weeknd, Illangelo, and DaHeala; with Belly receiving additional writing credits.
"Hardest to Love" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd from his fourth studio album After Hours (2020). The Weeknd wrote and produced the song alongside Max Martin and Oscar Holter.
"Too Late" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd from his fourth studio album After Hours (2020). It was released on March 20, 2020, alongside the rest of its parent album. A music video for the song was released on October 22, 2020. The Weeknd co-wrote the song with its producers, Illangelo, DaHeala, and Ricky Reed, with additional production credits going to Nate Mercereau.
"Alone Again" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd, from his fourth studio album, After Hours. It was released on March 20, 2020, alongside the rest of the album and serves as the opening track. The Weeknd wrote and produced the song with DaHeala, Illangelo and Frank Dukes.
"Repeat After Me (Interlude)" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd from his fourth studio album After Hours (2020), featuring vocals from the Australian musician Kevin Parker. The song was written by the Weeknd, along with its producers Oneohtrix Point Never and Parker. It was released on March 20, 2020, alongside the rest of its parent album.
"Escape from LA" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd from his fourth studio album After Hours. It was released on March 20, 2020, alongside the rest of its parent album as the sixth track. The Weeknd co-wrote and produced the song along with Carlo Montagnese and Leland Tyler Wayne, with Mike McTaggart also credited as a songwriter.
"Smile" is a song by American rapper and singer Juice Wrld and Canadian singer the Weeknd. It was released on August 7, 2020, as the sixth single from the former's posthumous third studio album Legends Never Die. On the day of the single's release, an updated version of the album featuring the song was released.
"How Do I Make You Love Me?" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd, and serves as the third track from his fifth studio album Dawn FM (2022). The song was written and produced by the Weeknd, OPN, Max Martin, Swedish House Mafia, Oscar Holter and Matt Cohn.