The Weeknd continues the rollout for his fourth album, After Hours—and he just debuted “Scared to Live” on Saturday Night Live.
Produced by Oneohtrix Point Never—who scored the Weeknd-starring Uncut Gems—the album cut fits neatly into the ‘80s pastiche that’s defined the LP thus far. On the synth-pop ballad fit for a slow dance, the Canadian artist offers a tender send-off to a former flame:
When I saw the signs, I shoulda let you go
But I kept you beside me
And if I held you back, at least I held you close
Should have known you were lonely
I know things will never be the same
Time we lost will never be replaced
I’m the reason you forgot to love
He sung the bulk of the track live, but one sped-up refrain recalls a 1970 hit by Elton John:
I hope you know that (Oh), I hope you know that (Oh)
The Rocket Man’s “Your Song” employs a similar cadence on this recurring line:
I hope you don’t mind, I hope you don’t mind
The ‘70s tune has also been interpolated on Aloe Blacc’s “The Man,” T.I.’s “Wonderful Life,” and Moulin Rouge’s “Elephant Love Medley.”
As for The Weeknd’s styling, he returns with the bandaged nose and red blazer that have come to define the aesthetics of the After Hours era. He previously arrived on the set of Jimmy Kimmel Live! with blood-soaked costuming:
Elsewhere on the program, he performed his previous single, “Blinding Lights.”
Beyond music performances, he flexed his comic chops in a skit called “On the Couch,” while he made a cameo on the aptly titled “Weeknd Update.”
This is the third time The Weeknd appeared as the musical guest on SNL—and the long-running sketch show offered a rundown of his “Weeknd Update” slots:
After Hours is set to arrive on March 20, and he’s already dropped “Heartless.”
Read all the lyrics to “Scared to Live” on Genius now.
