The Weeknd returns today with “Double Fantasy,” the lead single off the soundtrack of his highly anticipated HBO series The Idol. The track features a guest verse from frequent collaborator Future, who’s teamed with the Weeknd on four previous songs, the most recent being Future’s 2017 HNDRXX cut “Comin Out Strong.” Naturally, “Double Fantasy” shot straight to No. 1 on the Genius Top Songs chart.
The Idol stars The Weeknd—real name Abel Tesfaye—as a nightclub owner and cult leader who gets mixed up with a pop star played by Lily-Rose Depp. Produced by The Weeknd, Mike Dean, and Metro Boomin and written by all three alongside Future, the synth-drenched, sax-dusted “Double Fantasy” seemingly comes from the perspective of Tesfaye’s character. He’s a skeevy tempter who brings out the worst in the woman he’s serenading—pretty standard Weeknd stuff, in other words.
The song opens with the pre-chorus, where The Weeknd peers into his lover’s soul and discovers her corruptibility. He likes what he sees.
No need to fight it, no need to hide it
Now that I see what’s in your heart
Baby girl, I’m the only one who knows this side of you
And baby, you know that I can pull out what’s inside of you
Moving to the chorus, The Weeknd doesn’t even try to pretend there’s anything pure or decent about what they’re doing.
Even though it’s wrong
It’s wrong
Even though it’s wrong, baby
My girl
In the first verse, Tesfaye relishes the power he has over this other person. Whether she’s driven by lust or something more, she’s convinced herself that he’s a worthy companion, and nothing could be further from the truth.
Girl, when you ride it, see you decide it
Don’t say those words that you’ll regret
Baby girl, I can tell that you think that I’m right for you
I already know that it’s not true, but girl, I’ll lie to you
Future takes the second verse and describes this damaged relationship as slightly more symbiotic in nature.
You get the good out me when I perform
I know the bad in you, that’s what I want
And you a baddie, you turnin’ me on
Fiend for your demons, I know where this goin’
But still, sex and money seem to be the primary drivers of this affair.
Your legs on the bed, got your head on the floor
We go out shopping whenever we get bored
We get it popping, leave nothing in the store
“Double Fantasy”—which shares its title with a John Lennon and Yoko Ono album from 1980—arrives with a dark and sexy music video featuring clips from The Idol. Fans of the song can expect more in the same vein, as The Weeknd has produced a full album to accompany the series. Speaking recently with Interview, Tesfaye said he was influenced by classic Pink Floyd and Prince soundtrack records.
“I’ve been inspired by The Wall and Purple Rain,” he said. “But even films like Shaft, the music is literally telling the story of the film. But I want to take it to the next level. I want to challenge myself and I feel like, as a musician, I’m the best I’ve ever been. But I have ADD. I can’t focus on just that. It’s like, how do I throw a wrench in it?”
You can read all the lyrics to “Double Fantasy” on Genius now.
