Faith (The Weeknd song)

"Faith" is a song by Canadian singer the Weeknd from his fourth studio album After Hours.[1] 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 titled Album Title.[2] Its second verse and outro were teased on the album's self-titled short film, which was released on March 4, 2020.[3] The song was officially released on March 20, 2020, alongside the rest of its parent album.[4] The Weeknd co-wrote the song with Canadian rapper Belly and its producers Metro Boomin and Illangelo.[5]

"Faith"
Song by the Weeknd
from the album After Hours
ReleasedMarch 20, 2020 (2020-03-20)
StudioXO Studios (Hidden Hills, California)
Genre
Length4:43
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)

Background and release

In early February 2020, the Weeknd released the album teaser titled Album Title, which featured the intro to the album's eighth track "Faith".[6] Later on March 4, 2020, the album's self-titled short film was released, and it featured the second verse and outro of the aforementioned song.[7] The studio version of the song was then released on March 20, 2020, alongside the rest of the album.[8][9]

Lyrics

The lyrics of the song reference the on-and-off relationship Tesfaye has with model Bella Hadid.[10][11] In the track, the Weeknd sings about his struggles with drugs and his inability to love following the end of the relationship he had with his partner.[12] Tesfaye discusses in the song's lyrics that he wants no sympathy to be felt for him in his relapse and that he is losing faith in his religion because of his renewed drug usage, with him stating on the track that he rather choose Las Vegas' hedonism over salvation.[13][14] In the track, references to the hit singles "Purple Rain" by Prince, "Losing My Religion" by R.E.M., and "Sicko Mode" by Travis Scott are made as well.[15][16]

Critical reception

The song was noted as a being a highlight from the album by critics,[17] with Max Cea from GQ calling it one of his masterworks in the alternative R&B genre. In Cea's review of the song, he applauds the Weeknd's writing and singing, as well as the production of the track, giving praise the song's outro which directly leads into "Blinding Lights".[18] Jon Dolan from Rolling Stone also gave a positive review for the song, describing it as being magisterial and giving particular praise to Tesfaye's vocals and Metro Boomin's production.[19] The song's synthwave sound also received comparisons to the work done by Kavinsky on his debut single "Nightcall".[20]

Commercial performance

Following the releasing of its parent album, "Faith" debuted at number 45 on the US Billboard Hot 100 dated April 4, 2020. It was the twelfth highest charting track from After Hours.[21]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[5]

  • The Weeknd – vocals, songwriting, production
  • Metro Boomin – songwriting, production
  • Illangelo – songwriting, production
  • Belly – songwriting
  • Dave Kutch – mastering
  • Kevin Peterson – mastering

Charts
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[22] 43
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[23] 65
Estonia (Eesti Tipp-40)[24] 34
France (SNEP)[25] 85
Greece (IFPI)[26] 31
Italy (FIMI)[27] 90
Lithuania (AGATA)[28] 36
Portugal (AFP)[29] 56
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[30] 26
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[31] 81
UK Streaming (OCC)[32] 47
US Billboard Hot 100[33] 45
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[34] 24
US Rolling Stone Top 100[35] 17

Release history
Region Date Format Label(s) Ref.
Various March 20, 2020
[36]

References
  1. "The Weeknd Reveals 'After Hours' Tracklist". Rap-Up. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  2. Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (February 13, 2020). "The Weeknd Dramatically Announces His New Album". Popdust. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  3. Aswad, Jem (March 4, 2020). "Watch The Weeknd's Disturbing Short Film for 'After Hours'". Variety. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  4. Ingvaldsen, Torsten (March 20, 2020). "The Weeknd Is Hosting an 'After Hours' Listening Session on Spotify". Hypebeast. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  5. "After Hours / The Weeknd – Tidal". Tidal. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  6. Aswad, Jem (February 13, 2020). "The Weeknd Drops Teaser for New Album, 'After Hours' (Watch)". Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  7. "The Weeknd Shares 'After Hours' Short Film". Complex. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  8. "The Weeknd's 'After Hours' Track List: See Here". Billboard. March 17, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  9. Fitzgerald, Trent. "The Weeknd Drops After Hours Album: Listen to New Songs". XXL Mag. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  10. "Twitter Is Convinced The Weeknd's 'Entire' New Album Is About Bella Hadid". March 20, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  11. Brow, Jason; Boren, Jade (March 20, 2020). "The Weeknd's Fans Are Convinced That He Drops Multiple References To Bella Hadid In New Album". Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  12. "Album review: The Weeknd authentically portrays heartache over past heartbreak in 'After Hours'". Daily Bruin. March 20, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  13. "The Weeknd's Most Emotional Lyrics on 'After Hours'". Billboard. March 20, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  14. "How Las Vegas Shapes The Weeknd's 'After Hours'". Genius. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  15. "6 Takeaway From the Weeknd's New Album, After Hours". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  16. "Drake Shows Love to The Weeknd During Livestream". Rap-Up. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  17. "The Weeknd Is Losing His "Faith" On "After Hours": Listen". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  18. Cea, Max. "The Best Song on The Weeknd's New Album, 'After Hours,' Is…". GQ. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  19. Dolan, Jon (March 23, 2020). "The Weeknd Is Alone Again, Naturally, on 'After Hours'". Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  20. Peters, Micah (March 25, 2020). "'After Hours' Is the Weeknd's Most Accomplished Work Yet". The Ringer. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  21. Zellener, Xander (March 30, 2020). "Every Song From The Weeknd's 'After Hours' Is on the Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  22. "The Weeknd Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  23. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 202013 into search. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  24. Nestor, Siim (March 31, 2020). "Eesti Tipp-40 Muusikas: Selle nädala kangelased on The Weeknd ja AG". Eesti Ekspress (in Estonian). Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  25. "Top Singles (Week 13, 2020)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  26. "IFPI Charts Digital Singles Chart (International) Week 12 2020". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on April 9, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  27. "Italiancharts.com – The Weeknd – Faith". Top Digital Download. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  28. "2020 13-os savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  29. "Portuguesecharts.com – The Weeknd – Faith". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  30. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 202013 into search. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  31. "Swedishcharts.com – The Weeknd – Faith". Singles Top 100. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  32. "Official Audio Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  33. "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  34. "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  35. "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  36. "Listen to the Weeknd's New Album After Hours". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
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