Scared to Live

"Scared to Live" is a song by Canadian singer the Weeknd from his fourth studio album After Hours.[1] It debuted on March 8, 2020, during a Saturday Night Live performance with The Weeknd and Oneohtrix Point Never.[2] The Weeknd wrote and produced the song with its producers Max Martin and Oscar Holter, with Belly, Oneohtrix Point Never, Elton John, and Bernard Taupin receiving additional writing credits as well, with the latter two being credited due to the track's interpolation of "Your Song" by Elton John.[3] The SNL version of the song was officially released alongside the deluxe edition of its parent album on March 23, 2020.[4]

"Scared to Live"
Song by the Weeknd
from the album After Hours
Studio
  • Conway, MXM (Los Angeles, California)
  • Jungle City (New York, New York)
  • House Mouse Studios, MXM (Stockholm, Sweden)
Genre
Length3:11
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Max Martin
  • Oscar Holter
  • The Weeknd

Background and promotion

In early February 2020, SNL confirmed that it was going to have the Weeknd as a musical guest on March 7, 2020.[5] Then on that aforementioned date, Tesfaye 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.[6] The studio version of the song was then released on March 20, 2020, alongside the rest of the album.[7]

In an interview with Variety, Elton John shared, "Abel has his own unique artistic voice — that's the hallmark of a genuinely great, long-term artist. I'm utterly thrilled that the DNA for 'Your Song' has found its way into 'Scared to Live'. It's the greatest compliment a songwriter can ever receive."

Lyrics and composition

The lyrics of the song reference the on-and-off relationship Tesfaye has with model Bella Hadid.[8][9] In the track, the Weeknd sings to his partner that they shouldn't be afraid to move on from the past and find love again, with him also mentioning that he still yearns for the connection that they once had.[10]

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".[11]

Critical reception

The song received widespread critical acclaim and was noted as a being a highlight from the album by critics, with the ballad's minimalistic nature, sincere lyrics, and Tesfaye's vocals receiving particular praise.[12] Journalists also noted the track's lyrics as being more mature than previous efforts by The Weeknd, with others noting the song's sound as being reminiscent of ballads performed by Phil Collins in the past.[13][14] 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”. [15]

"'Scared to Live' 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," commented Slant writer Seth Wilson.[16] "The breakup ballad is a clear standout on the album, with some of the entertainer's strongest vocals to date," asserted US Magazine journalist Nicholas Hautiman.[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.com 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] "'Scared to Live' 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," remarked Slant Magazine’s Seth Wilson.[21]

Commercial performance

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]

Live performances

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]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Genius.[27]

  • The Weeknd – songwriting, vocals, production, keyboard
  • Max Martin – songwriting, production, keyboard, programming, bass, drums, guitar
  • Oscar Holter – songwriting, production, keyboard, programming, bass, drums, guitar
  • Belly – songwriting
  • Oneohtrix Point Never – songwriting, synthesizer programming (SNL Live)
  • Elton John – songwriting
  • Bernard Taupin – songwriting
  • Dave Kutch – mastering
  • Kevin Peterson – mastering
  • Shin Kamiyama - engineering
  • Sam Holland - engineering
  • Michael Ilbert - engineering
  • Serban Ghenea - mixing engineer
  • John Hanes - mixing engineer

Charts
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
Italy (FIMI)[34] 64
Lithuania (AGATA)[35] 32
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[36] 3
Norway (VG-lista)[37] 33
Portugal (AFP)[38] 37
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[39] 23
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[40] 34
UK Streaming (OCC)[41] 40
US Billboard Hot 100[42] 24
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[43] 12
US Rolling Stone Top 100[44] 9

Release history
Region Date Format Label(s) Ref.
Various March 20, 2020
[45]

References
  1. "The Weeknd Reveals 'After Hours' Tracklist". Rap-Up. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  2. Young, Alex (March 8, 2020). "The Weeknd debuts new song on SNL, appears in "On the Couch" sketch: Watch". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  3. "Scared to Live Lyrics". Genius.com. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  4. "The Weeknd Shares Deluxe Version of After Hours: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  5. "The Weeknd & David Byrne to Perform on 'Saturday Night Live'". Billboard. February 6, 2020. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  6. "Watch The Weeknd Perform "Blinding Lights" and "Scared to Live" on 'SNL'". Complex. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  7. "The Weeknd's 'After Hours' Track List: See Here". Billboard. March 17, 2020. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  8. "Twitter Is Convinced The Weeknd's 'Entire' New Album Is About Bella Hadid". March 20, 2020. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  9. Boren, Jason Brow,Jade (March 20, 2020). "The Weeknd's Fans Are Convinced That He Drops Multiple References To Bella Hadid In New Album". Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  10. Bailey, Alyssa (March 20, 2020). "The Weeknd's 'Scared to Live' Lyrics Are His Heartfelt Open Letter to Bella Hadid Post-Breakup". ELLE. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  11. Kellman, Andy (March 20, 2020). "After Hours Review". Allmusic. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  12. "Album review: The Weeknd authentically portrays heartache over past heartbreak in 'After Hours'". Daily Bruin. March 20, 2020.
  13. Phillips, Yoh (March 20, 2020). "The Weeknd 'After Hours' Album Review". DJBooth.
  14. Cragg, Michael (March 20, 2020). "The Weeknd: After Hours review – agile blend of usual sex and self-hate". The Guardian.
  15. Riedy, Jack (March 24, 2020). "The Narcotic Odyssey Of The Weekend's 'After Hours'". Vibe. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  16. Wilson, Seth (March 28, 2020). "MUSICReview: The Weeknd's After Hours Is a Triumphant Depiction of Heartbreak". Slant Magazine.
  17. Hautiman, Nicholas (March 20, 2020). "The Weeknd Finds Clarity in Heartbreak on 'Moody' and 'Sharply Produced' New Album 'After Hours': Review". US Magazine. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  18. Peters, Micah (March 25, 2020). "Abel Tesfaye's 'After Hours' is his most accomplished and coherent project to date—and something to project your basest desires onto". The Ringer.
  19. Richard, Will (May 31, 2020). "Watch The Weeknd debut new song 'Scared To Live' on SNL". NME.
  20. Jenkins, Craig (May 31, 2020). "The Best Albums of the Year (So Far)". Vulture.com.
  21. Wilson, Seth (March 28, 2020). "Review: The Weeknd's After Hours Is a Triumphant Depiction of Heartbreak". Slant Magazine. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  22. Zellener, Xander (March 30, 2020). "Every Song From The Weeknd's 'After Hours' Is on the Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  23. "Watch The Weeknd Perform New Song "Scared to Live" on "Saturday Night Live"". Spin. March 8, 2020. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  24. Haylock, Zoe (March 9, 2020). "The Weeknd and His Bloody-Nose Debut 'Scared to Live' on SNL". Vulture. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  25. "'Saturday Night Live' recap: Craig, Daniel Craig". EW.com. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  26. "The Weeknd on 'SNL': Why 'Uncut Gems' Fans Were Stoked About His Performance". Music. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  27. "Scared to Live". Genius (website). Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  28. "The Weeknd Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  29. "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.
  30. "Danishcharts.com – The Weeknd – Scared to Live". Tracklisten. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  31. 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.
  32. "Top Singles (Week 13, 2020)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  33. "IFPI Charts Digital Singles Chart (International) Week 13 2020". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on April 9, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  34. "Italiancharts.com – The Weeknd – Scared to Live". Top Digital Download. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  35. "2020 13-os savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  36. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. March 30, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  37. "Norwegiancharts.com – The Weeknd – Scared to Live". VG-lista. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  38. "Portuguesecharts.com – The Weeknd – Scared to Live". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  39. "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.
  40. "Swedishcharts.com – The Weeknd – Scared to Live". Singles Top 100. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  41. "Official Audio Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  42. "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  43. "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  44. "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  45. "Listen to the Weeknd's New Album After Hours". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
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