After Hours (The Weeknd song)

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"After Hours"
Promotional single by the Weeknd
from the album After Hours
ReleasedFebruary 19, 2020 (2020-02-19)
Studio
  • Conway (Los Angeles, California)
  • Malibu Blue Studio (Malibu, CA)
Genre
Length6:01
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • The Weeknd
  • Illangelo
  • DaHeala
  • Mario Winans

"After Hours" is a song by Canadian singer the Weeknd.[1] It was released by XO and Republic Records as the first promotional single from his fourth studio album of the same name on February 19, 2020.[2] The Weeknd wrote and produced the song with its producers Illangelo, DaHeala and Mario Winans, with Belly receiving additional writing credits.[3] Snippets of the song were included on the parent album's self titled short film.[4] A remix of the song by the Blaze was released alongside the deluxe edition of its parent album on March 23, 2020.[5]

Background and release[]

On February 13, 2020, the Weeknd announced the title of the parent album of the same name as After Hours,[6] 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.[7] Upon the release of "After Hours" on February 19, 2020, the release date of its parent album was also revealed.[8]

Composition and lyrics[]

"After Hours" is a "dark, swirling" and "ominous" electro and house composition.[9] 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".[10] The lyrics of the song discuss the Weeknd's desire to have children and his wish to get back with an ex-girlfriend.[11] It also references the on-and-off relationship that Tesfaye has with model Bella Hadid.[12] Throughout the first part of the song, Tesfaye sings about missing his ex and his desire for them to reconcile.[13] In the second half of the song, he then proceeds to sing about the relationship's end being his fault and that if his former lover were to return to him, that he would not disappoint them again.[14]

Critical reception[]

Critics compared its sound to the Weeknd's early Trilogy material.[15][16] Fan reaction was also favorable.[15] 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."[17] 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!"[18]

Commercial performance[]

"After Hours" entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 77 on the issue dated February 29, 2020, after two days of tracking for the promotional single.[19] The following week it climbed 57 spots up to number 20 on the chart.[20]

On the Rolling Stone Top 100 Songs chart, the song debuted at number 43 on the week ending on February 20, 2020.[21] 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.[22]

Personnel[]

Credits adapted from Tidal.[3]

  • The Weeknd – vocals, songwriting, production, keyboards, programming
  • Belly – songwriting
  • DaHeala – songwriting, production, keyboards, programming
  • Illangelo – songwriting, production, keyboards, programming, engineering, mixing
  • Mario Winans – songwriting, production
  • Shin Kamiyama – engineering
  • Dave Kutch – mastering
  • Kevin Peterson – mastering

Charts[]

Chart (2020) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[23] 11
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[24] 33
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[25] 43
Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[26] 20
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[27] 14
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[28] 9
Denmark (Tracklisten)[29] 17
Estonia (Eesti Tipp-40)[30] 4
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[31] 11
France (SNEP)[32] 44
Germany (Official German Charts)[33] 35
Greece (IFPI)[34] 5
Iceland (Plötutíðindi)[35] 14
Ireland (IRMA)[36] 14
Italy (FIMI)[37] 36
Lithuania (AGATA)[38] 5
Malaysia (RIM)[39] 11
Mexico Airplay (Billboard)[40] 31
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[41] 27
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[42] 29
Norway (VG-lista)[43] 14
Portugal (AFP)[44] 18
Scotland (OCC)[45] 87
Singapore (RIAS)[46] 17
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[47] 6
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[48] 84
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[49] 10
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[50] 16
UK Singles (OCC)[51] 20
UK R&B (OCC)[52] 9
US Billboard Hot 100[53] 20
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[54] 10
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[55] 34
US Rolling Stone Top 100[56] 5

Certifications[]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[57] Platinum 70,000double-dagger
Norway (IFPI Norway)[58] Gold 30,000double-dagger
Poland (ZPAV)[59] Gold 10,000double-dagger
United Kingdom (BPI)[60] Silver 200,000double-dagger
United States (RIAA)[61] Platinum 1,000,000double-dagger

double-dagger Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history[]

Region Date Format Label(s) Ref.
Various February 19, 2020
[62]

References[]

  1. ^ "The Weeknd Details New Album, Shares New Song "After Hours"". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  2. ^ "The Weeknd Shares "After Hours" Album Cover, New Single Out Tonight". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "After Hours / The Weeknd – Tidal". Tidal. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  4. ^ @TheWeeknd (March 3, 2020). "Short Film... Tomorrow - The Weeknd" (Tweet). Retrieved March 3, 2020 – via Twitter.
  5. ^ "The Weeknd Shares Deluxe Version of After Hours: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  6. ^ Peacock, Tim (February 15, 2020). "The Weeknd Reveals Title Of His Upcoming Album, After Hours". Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  7. ^ Aswad, Jem (February 13, 2020). "The Weeknd Drops Teaser for New Album, 'After Hours' (Watch)". Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  8. ^ "The Weeknd Announces Release Date for New Album 'After Hours' and Drops Title Track". Complex. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  9. ^ Breihan, Tom (2020-02-19). "The Weeknd Announces New Album 'After Hours', Shares Dark & Pulsing Title Track: Listen". Stereogum. Retrieved 2020-03-02.
  10. ^ Pearce, Sheldon (February 19, 2020). ""After Hours" by The Weeknd Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ Bailey, Alyssa (February 19, 2020). "The Weeknd's 'After Hours' Lyrics Seem to Be About His Deep Regrets Leaving Bella Hadid". ELLE. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  13. ^ Bowenbank, Starr (February 19, 2020). "The Weeknd's "After Hours" Lyrics Shows How Much He Regrets Breaking Up with Bella Hadid". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ Jump up to: a b "The Weeknd "After Hours" Single Has Fans Hitting Repeat". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  16. ^ "Listen to "After Hours" by The Weeknd". Retrieved February 20, 2020 – via pitchfork.com.
  17. ^ "22 New Songs Out Today". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  18. ^ D'Souza, Shaad (March 2, 2020). "The 20 best pop songs right now". The FADER. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  19. ^ "Billboard Hot 100 Chart (February 29, 2020)". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  20. ^ 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.
  21. ^ "Rolling Stone Top 100 (February 14, 2020 - February 20, 2020)". Rolling Stone. February 20, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  22. ^ "The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights" Reclaims Number 1 on the Official Singles Chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  23. ^ "Australian-charts.com – The Weeknd – After Hours". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  24. ^ "Austriancharts.at – The Weeknd – After Hours" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  25. ^ "Ultratop.be – The Weeknd – After Hours" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  26. ^ "Ultratop.be – The Weeknd – After Hours" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  27. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  28. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 202009 into search. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  29. ^ "Track Top-40 Uge 8, 2020". Hitlisten. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  30. ^ 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.
  31. ^ "The Weeknd: After Hours" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  32. ^ "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.
  33. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – The Weeknd – After Hours" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  34. ^ "IFPI Charts Digital Singles Chart (International) Week 13 2020". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on April 9, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  35. ^ "Tónlistinn – Lög" [The Music – Songs] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on April 1, 2020. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  36. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  37. ^ "Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 13" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  38. ^ "2020 13-os savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  39. ^ "Top 20 Most Streamed International & Domestic Singles In Malaysia". Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  40. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Mexico Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  41. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – The Weeknd – After Hours" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  42. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. March 2, 2020. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  43. ^ "VG-lista – Topp 20 Single uke 9, 2020". VG-lista. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  44. ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – The Weeknd – After Hours". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  45. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  46. ^ "RIAS International Top Charts Week 13". Recording Industry Association (Singapore). Archived from the original on April 3, 2020.
  47. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 202009 into search. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  48. ^ "Top 100 Canciones: Semana 9". Productores de Música de España. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  49. ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 9". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  50. ^ "Swisscharts.com – The Weeknd – After Hours". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  51. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  52. ^ "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  53. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  54. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  55. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  56. ^ "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  57. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2021 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  58. ^ "Norwegian single certifications – The Weeknd – After Hours" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  59. ^ "Wyróżnienia - Złote płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2020 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  60. ^ "British single certifications – The Weeknd – After Hours". British Phonographic Industry. 12 February 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  61. ^ "American single certifications – The Weeknd – After Hours". Recording Industry Association of America. March 9, 2021.
  62. ^ "The Weeknd Sets 'After Hours' Release Date, Shares Dark Title Track: Listen". Billboard. Retrieved February 20, 2020.

External links[]

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