Blinding Lights
"Blinding Lights" is a song by Canadian singer the Weeknd. It was released on November 29, 2019, through XO and Republic Records, as the second single from his fourth studio album, After Hours (2020).[4] The song was written and produced by the Weeknd alongside Swedish musicians Max Martin and Oscar Holter, with fellow Canadian musicians Belly and DaHeala receiving additional writing credits.[5][6] The song was met with widespread acclaim.
"Blinding Lights" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by the Weeknd | ||||
from the album After Hours | ||||
Released | November 29, 2019 | |||
Studio |
| |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:21 | |||
Label |
| |||
Songwriter(s) |
| |||
Producer(s) |
| |||
The Weeknd singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Blinding Lights" on YouTube |
In the United States, "Blinding Lights" topped the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks, and went on to set new records as the song with most weeks spent in the top 5 and top 10, as well as the first song to hold a spot in the top 10 on the chart for an entire year.[7][8] It is the longest charting song by a solo artist on the Hot 100 of all time, spending 90 weeks on the chart.[lower-alpha 1][10][11] The song finished 2020 as the year's top Billboard Hot 100 song.[12] The song also peaked at number one on the Canadian Hot 100, giving the Weeknd his fifth number-one hit on the chart. It topped the record charts in the United Kingdom and 36 other countries. On November 23, 2021, it was ranked as the #1 Greatest Hot 100 Hit of All Time by Billboard.[13]
The Weeknd's most successful single worldwide to date,[14][15] "Blinding Lights" was the best-performing global single of 2020, earning 2.72 billion subscription stream equivalents globally, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).[16] It was also the 8th best-performing global single of 2021 with 1.61 billion subscription stream equivalents.[17] The song was the fourth most played track of 2021 in the UK.[18]
On Spotify, it was the most-streamed song of 2020 with nearly 1.6 billion streams,[19] and is the second-most-streamed song of all time on the platform. "Blinding Lights" has three official remixes: one by electronic band Chromatics, one by electronic dance music group Major Lazer, and one featuring singer-songwriter Rosalía.[20][21][22]
Background and promotion
After a five-month social media hiatus, the singer-songwriter returned to Instagram on November 20, 2019, and posted six days later on November 26, 2019.[23][24] He previously announced a project referred to as Chapter VI in June 2019.[25] On November 24, 2019, a Mercedes-Benz commercial first aired on German TV featuring a clip of "Blinding Lights".[26] It shows the Weeknd driving a Mercedes-Benz EQC SUV and asking the system to play his new song.[27] The full-length version of the commercial premiered on November 29, alongside the single.[28] In the days after, he took to social media to announce his return to music with the captions "the fall starts tomorrow night" and "Tonight we start a new brain melting psychotic chapter! Let's go!".[29]
During an interview conducted by Jem Aswad from Variety magazine, the Weeknd discussed his experience working with Swedish songwriter-producer Max Martin, saying: "Max and I have become literally the best of friends, but I don't do that with many people. It's not that I can't, but a collaboration is a relationship, it's like a marriage, you've gotta build up to it."[30] In a Billboard interview, the Weeknd expressed his appreciation for music of the 1980s: "I've always had an admiration for the era before I was born. You can hear it as far back as my first mixtape that the '80s — Siouxsie and the Banshees, Cocteau Twins — play such a huge role in my sound. Sometimes it helps me create a new sound and sometimes it's just obvious. I'm just glad the world's into it now."[31]
Lyrics and composition
Throughout the song, the Weeknd sings about the rekindling of a relationship and the importance of his partner. The singer also mentions the city of Las Vegas, Nevada, where he refers to it by its nickname "Sin City" in the pre-chorus.[32] The Weeknd gave a little insight into what his hit is about. "'Blinding Lights' [is about] how you want to see someone at night, and you're intoxicated, and you're driving to this person and you're just blinded by streetlights," he explains in the profile. "But nothing could stop you from trying to go see that person, because you're so lonely. I don't want to ever promote drunk driving, but that's what the dark undertone is."[33]
The song is written in the key of F Dorian[34] with a tempo of 171 beats per minute. The Weeknd's vocal range spans from the low note of F3 to the high note of C5. From its scale-laddering verses to its tension-filled chorus, the song exhibits the polish and "melodic math" for which Max Martin is renowned, according to Chris Molanphy from Slate.[35] The Dorian structure provides a dreamy and euphoric nature to the song while still ultimately resolving to a minor chord. Exclusively in the music video, the song temporarily modulates to Eb Dorian as the beats per minute drops for 3 and a half measures.
Billboard staff writer Frank DiGiacomo assessed its qualities, "The opening drumbeat is a DeLorean back to Michael Jackson's 'Beat It'. The amphetamine synth conjures fond memories of leopard-print-era Rod Stewart's 'Young Turks' — or maybe that other guy with the avian hairdo, Mike Score from A Flock of Seagulls? And isn't that spooky B-movie organ from Rockwell's 'Somebody's Watching Me'? Abel Tesfaye's Drambuie-drenched vocals bathe you in euphoria as you bop around your home in an N-95 mask, punching your fist to the 'Hey!-Hey!-Hey!''s, making a magical and much-needed tonic for troubled times".[36]
Audio engineer Serban Ghenea says he loved working on the Weeknd's crisp-sounding "Blinding Lights". "It was crossing two worlds to make something new that fits today, sonically. The older folks like it because it's a throwback, and then the kids love it because it's a new thing that they never heard before."[37]
Critical reception
"Blinding Lights" received universal acclaim from critics.[38][39][40][41] It was named one of the best songs of 2020 by Billboard and the best song of 2020 by Consequence of Sound; the former highlighted its nostalgic appeal,[42] and the latter praised its "melodic romance waxed over a blockbuster riff".[43] Variety magazine named "Blinding Lights" the Record of the Year: "The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' is indisputably one of the landmark songs of 2020. The piece has a crystalline synth hook straight out of 1985. The record has come to symbolize strength and triumphing over adversity."[44] "Blinding Lights" was named one of the best songs of 2019 by Stereogum, where editor Chris DeVille complimented the song's '80s aesthetic and vibe, saying that "the '80s will never die—or, at least, the glamorous neon '80s of our collective imagination".[45]
Rolling Stone columnist Kory Grow named "Blinding Lights" one of the best songs of 2020: "With fuzzy synths and hopscotching drum-machine line, 'Blinding Lights' is the best new wave song this side of Duran Duran. In just three minutes, the Weeknd checks off any number of Eighties pop-song signposts—unanswered phone calls, driving fast just to feel something, lights representing loneliness—but the real magic is how his voice and the song's chiming keyboard line lingers in your head well after he injects new life into the greatest Eighties-steeped lyrical cliché of them all: 'I can't sleep until I feel your touch,'" and editor Jon Dolan praised the "europhile synth-pop-steeped" production, "Blinding Lights" evokes Depeche Mode and the Human League in its lonely-planet luster.[46][47] David Smyth of Evening Standard also praised the song, calling it a "glorious blast of air punching Eighties synth-pop".[48] Micah Peters from The Ringer selected it as one of the best on the album.[49] The New York Times journalist Lindsay Zoladz named "Blinding Lights" one of the best songs of 2020: "It's a propulsive, modernized bit of '80s pastiche. It's always a blessing when the year's most overplayed pop song happens to be one you wouldn't mind hearing a billion and one times anyway," and editor Jon Caramanica added that "'Blinding Lights' is a sterling song that evokes both an idyllic future and triggers aural sense memories of mega-pop's glory years. 'Blinding Lights' could have been lifted from a found Jazzercise tape from 1986, though the chilly synths have a slightly sinister tinge [and] says a lot about the durability of the Weeknd's early noir—the full commitment to the louche aesthetic he embodied—that even the raging centrist popularity of 'Blinding Lights' can't disinter it."[40][50][51]
Ben Beaumont-Thomas of The Guardian named "Blinding Lights" one of the best songs of 2020: "It's a titanic pop production from backroom genius Max Martin, who seems to pay homage to his fellow Scandinavians a-ha with the peppy gated drums. Abel Tesfaye himself shows he can slip between genres casually as he does the lovers in his songs, notching up another wedding disco classic."[39] When describing the Weeknd's ode to '80s music, Nick Levine of BBC News named "Blinding Lights" one of the best songs of 2020: "Co-written and co-produced with Swedish songwriting genius Max Martin, its synth-pop shimmer manages to feel retro and contemporary at the same time—a tricky thing to pull off. Still, the key to its enduring popularity could lie in its ambiguity. Though 'Blinding Lights'' explosive chorus is one of the year's most familiar and uplifting, there's a dash of darkness baked in that keeps things interesting."[52] Editor Makael Wood from Los Angeles Times named "Blinding Lights" one of the best songs of 2020: "The Weeknd's throwback synth-pop smash was so ubiquitous this year that you couldn't avoid hearing it even when you weren't going anywhere. One aspect that kept it from wearing out its welcome: a crisp tempo just a few ticks faster than you're always expecting."[53]
Year-end lists
Publication | List | Rank | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
Amazon Music | Best Songs of 2020 | 3 | [54] |
Apple Music | The 100 Best Songs of 2020 | Placed | [55] |
Atwood | Anthony Kozlowski's Best Songs of 2020 | 8 | [56] |
BBC News | The 7 Best Songs of 2020 | Placed | [57] |
Billboard | The 100 Best Songs of 2020 | 2 | [42] |
The 30 Best Pop Songs of 2020 | Placed | [58] | |
BuzzFeed | The Best Songs of 2020 | Placed | [59] |
The Citizen | The Best Songs of 2020 | Placed | [60] |
Consequence of Sound | The Top 50 Songs of 2020 | 1 | [61] |
The Diamondback | 20 Favorite Songs of 2020 | 5 | [62] |
Entertainment.ie | The 10 Best Songs of 2020 | 7 | [63] |
The Fader | The 100 Best Songs of 2020 | 26 | [64] |
Flood | The Best Songs of 2020 | 1 | [65] |
The Forty-Five | The 45 Best Songs of 2020 | 6 | [66] |
Gaffa | The 20 Best Songs of 2020 | 1 | [67] |
Glamour | The 63 Best Songs of 2020 | Placed | [68] |
The Guardian | The 20 Best Songs of 2020 | 6 | [69] |
The Houston Press | The Top 20 Songs of 2020 | 3 | [70] |
IZM | The 10 Best Songs of 2020 | Placed | [71] |
Los Angeles Times | The 50 Best Songs of 2020 | Placed | [72] |
New Straits Times | The 4 Best Songs of 2020 | Placed | [73] |
The New York Times | Lindsay Zoladz's Best Songs of 2020 | 7 | [74] |
Our Culture Mag | The 25 Best Songs of 2020 | 3 | [75] |
Pinkvilla | The 10 Best Songs of 2020 | Placed | [76] |
Pitchfork | The 100 Best Songs of 2020 | 23 | [77] |
Refinery29 | The 29 Best Songs of the Year | Placed | [78] |
Rolling Stone | The 50 Best Songs of 2020 | 4 | [79] |
Slate | Chris Molanphy's Best Songs of 2020 | 6 | [80] |
Spin | The 30 Best Songs of 2020 | 6 | [81] |
Spotify | The Best Pop Songs of 2020 | 1 | [82] |
Stereogum | The Top 40 Pop Songs of 2019 | 32 | [83] |
Uproxx | The 50 Best Songs of 2020 | 37 | [84] |
Music Critics Poll: The Best Songs of The Year | 3 | [85] | |
USA Today | The 10 Best Songs of 2020 | 5 | [86] |
Tidal | Songs of the Year 2020 | 6 | [87] |
Best Pop Songs of 2020 | 2 | [88] | |
WatchMojo | The Top 10 Best Songs of 2020 | 1 | [89] |
Grammys controversy
Despite having a successful year in 2020 with the critical and commercial success of "Blinding Lights" and its parent album, the Weeknd received zero nominations at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards on November 24, 2020. The gesture spawned much controversy and was a shock to critics, fans, and Tesfaye himself. He responded via social media calling the Grammys "corrupt" in popular social media posts.[90] Speculation arose that the announcement of his upcoming Super Bowl performance, as well as the confusion as to whether he should be nominated as pop or R&B, contributed to the snubs in all the categories that he was submitted to.[91] Harvey Mason Jr., interim president of the Recording Academy, responded to the backlash by saying:
We understand that The Weeknd is disappointed at not being nominated. I was surprised and can empathize with what he's feeling. His music this year was excellent, and his contributions to the music community and broader world are worthy of everyone's admiration. We were thrilled when we found out he would be performing at the upcoming Super Bowl and we would have loved to have him also perform on the Grammy stage the weekend before. Unfortunately, every year, there are fewer nominations than the number of deserving artists. But as the only peer-voted music award, we will continue to recognize and celebrate excellence in music while shining a light on the many amazing artists that make up our global community. To be clear, voting in all categories ended well before The Weeknd's performance at the Super Bowl was announced, so in no way could it have affected the nomination process. All Grammy nominees are recognized by the voting body for their excellence, and we congratulate them all.[92]
The Weeknd later made a statement addressing the infamous snub in January 2021, where he said that it felt like "an attack", saying "Look, I personally don't care anymore. I have three GRAMMYs (sic), which mean nothing to me now, obviously...It's not like, 'Oh, I want the GRAMMY!' It's just that this happened, and I'm down to get in front of the fire, as long as it never happens again. I suck at giving speeches anyways. Forget awards shows."[93]
Accolades
Year | Awards | Category | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | American Music Awards | Favorite Music Video | Nominated | [94] |
Favorite Song – Pop/Rock | Nominated | |||
Camerimage International Film Festival | Best Music Video | Nominated | [95] | |
Best Cinematography in Music Video | Nominated | |||
Danish Music Awards | International Hit of the Year | Won | [96] | |
LOS40 Music Awards | Best International Song | Nominated | [97] | |
Best International Video | Won | |||
MTV Europe Music Awards | Best Song | Nominated | [98] | |
Best Video | Nominated | |||
MTV Millennial Awards Brasil | Global Hit | Nominated | [99] | |
MTV Video Music Awards | Video of the Year | Won | [100] | |
Best Cinematography | Nominated | |||
Best Direction | Nominated | |||
Best Editing | Nominated | |||
Best R&B | Won | |||
Song of Summer | Nominated | |||
MTV Video Music Awards Japan | Best Male Video – International | Won | [101] | |
NRJ Music Award | International Song of the Year | Nominated | [102] | |
Video of the Year | Nominated | |||
E! People's Choice Awards | Music Video of the Year | Nominated | [103] | |
Rockbjörnen | International Song of the Year | Nominated | [104] | |
UK Music Video Awards[lower-alpha 2] | Best Pop Video – International | Won | [105] | |
Best Cinematography in a Video | Nominated | |||
Best Colour Grading in a Video | Nominated | |||
Best Live Video | Nominated | |||
Variety's Hitmakers | Record of the Year | Won | [44] | |
2021 | ASCAP Pop Music Awards | Award Winning Songs | Won | [106] |
Billboard Music Awards | Top Hot 100 Song | Won | [107] | |
Top Radio Song | Won | |||
Top R&B Song | Won | |||
Top Selling Song | Nominated | |||
Top Streaming Song | Nominated | |||
GAFFA Awards (Denmark) | International Hit of the Year | Nominated | [108] | |
GAFFA Awards (Sweden) | International Song of the Year | Won | [109] | |
iHeartRadio Music Awards | Song of the Year | Won | [110] | |
Titanium Song of the Year | Won | |||
Best Music Video | Nominated | |||
Best Lyrics | Nominated | |||
TikTok Bop of the Year | Won | |||
Juno Awards | Single of the Year | Won | [111] | |
Kids' Choice Awards | Best Song | Nominated | [112] | |
SOCAN Awards | Pop Music Award | Won | [113] | |
International Song Award | Won | |||
Swiss Music Awards | Best International Hit | Won | [114] | |
TEC Awards | Outstanding Creative Achievement – Record Production/Single or Track | Nominated | [115] |
Commercial performance
North America
"Blinding Lights" debuted at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 on the issue dated December 14, 2019,[10] but fell 41 places to number 52 in its second week.[116] In its 12th week on the chart, the song became the Weeknd's tenth top ten hit by rising to a new peak at number ten.[117] On the issue dated March 28, 2020, the song rose two places to reach number two.[118] The song reached number one on R&B/Hip-Hop Songs on April 4, 2020, leading for 11 non-consecutive weeks.[119] The song also reached number one on R&B Songs chart on March 7, 2020, where it became his seventh number one on the chart, making him the artist with the most number ones on the chart's history and also attaining a record-breaking reign of 48 weeks.[120] On March 30, 2020, the song rose to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, dethroning Roddy Ricch's "The Box" on the issue dated April 4, 2020.[121] The single kept at its peak position the following week, becoming the Weeknd's third multi-week leader after "The Hills", which topped the chart five years earlier.[122] "Blinding Lights" spent four weeks atop the Hot 100 and finished 2020 as the year's top Billboard Hot 100 song.[12] The following year, it ranked at number three on the year-end chart, becoming the first single to finish in the top three on two occasions.[123]
"Blinding Lights" spent 57 weeks in the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 and 43 weeks in the top five, breaking the record for the most time logged in the region over the chart's 62-year history.[124] On the Digital Song Sales chart, the song peaked at number one for the week of March 23, 2020, and became the Weeknd's fifth Digital Songs number one. The single reached a peak of number one on the Streaming Songs chart on March 30, becoming his first topper on the listing since "The Hills" led five years earlier.[125] On April 13, the song reached number one on Pop Songs chart, where it led for 6 non-consecutive weeks, as it slid to number two on the Hot 100.[126] It later rose back up to number one for the two following weeks.[127][7][128] On May 18, the song became his first number one on the Adult Pop Songs chart, leading for 20 non-consecutive weeks.[129] On November 7, "Blinding Lights" became his first number one on the Adult Contemporary chart, where it led for 35 non-consecutive weeks.[130][131] "Blinding Lights" topped Radio Songs for a record-breaking 26 weeks, passing Goo Goo Dolls' "Iris", which held the record as the longest-running chart-topper for almost 22 years.[132] [133] "Blinding Lights" fell out of the Hot 100 for the week dated January 2, 2021, but it re-entered at number 3 the next week, breaking the three-way tie for the highest song to re-enter the Hot 100.[134][135] Meanwhile, "Blinding Lights" tied for the most time totaled in the Hot 100's top three, 21 weeks, equaling the sums of The Chainsmokers' "Closer" and Mark Ronson's "Uptown Funk!".[124]
"Blinding Lights" is the longest running single in the history of the Hot 100 chart with a total of 90 weeks, surpassing Imagine Dragons' "Radioactive", which spent 87 weeks.[10][11] In the process, the song also attained the longest chart run of any Hot 100 chart-topper in Billboard history, surpassing the 68-week run by LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem" (2011–12).[136] On April 5, 2022, "Blinding Lights" was awarded a Diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling ten million units in the United States.[8]
"Blinding Lights" also became producer Max Martin's 23rd Hot 100 number one single as a writer, 21st as producer, and his first in both credits since Justin Timberlake's "Can't Stop the Feeling!" (2016). Martin has the third-most as writer, behind Paul McCartney (32) and John Lennon (26), and the second-most as producer, behind George Martin (23).[121] The Weeknd became the first artist to simultaneously lead Billboard's five primary charts on March 30, topping the Hot 100, Billboard 200, Artist 100, Hot 100 Songwriters and Hot 100 Producers.[137][138] The next week, he topped the Hot 100, Billboard 200 and Artist 100 once more, achieving the feat for a fourth time.[139]
On the Rolling Stone Top 100 Songs chart, the song debuted at number two, where it was blocked from the top spot by the Weeknd's own "Heartless". The song also became the Weeknd's second entry on the chart.[140] It later rose to number one on the chart following the release of After Hours.[141]
In the singer's native Canada, "Blinding Lights" debuted at number two on the Canadian Hot 100, one place higher than "Heartless". It later managed to reach number one after the release of its parent album on the issue dated April 4, 2020, becoming the Weeknd's fifth number-one single in the country. It spent seven weeks atop the chart, tying "Starboy" as his longest-running chart-topper.[142] In May 2021, "Blinding Lights" dropped off the Canadian Hot 100 after 75 weeks on the chart,[143] leaving it one week short of the all-time record set by "I Gotta Feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas in 2010.[144] For the first half of 2020, "Blinding Lights" was the top Canadian song overall, with 484,000 units.[145] It has been certified Diamond by Music Canada for selling 800,000 units.[146]
Europe, Oceania and Latin America
In the United Kingdom, "Blinding Lights" debuted at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart on December 6, 2019 – for the week ending date December 12, 2019. It eventually peaked at the top of the chart in February 2020, becoming the Weeknd's first number-one single in Britain.[147] After two weeks at number one, it dropped a place number two. However it rebounded to number one the week after, and remained there for three consecutive weeks. The week after it fell a place to number two and also stayed at the runner-up spot for another week. The following week, it once again rebounded to number one, and stayed there for another three consecutive weeks. Overall, the single spent eight non-consecutive weeks atop the singles chart.[15][148] It dropped to number two on April 24, 2020 – for the week ending April 30, 2020 – after the Weeknd used Twitter to ask people to support its close rival, a charity single, "You'll Never Walk Alone", by Michael Ball and Captain Sir Tom Moore, and make it number one for Moore's 100th birthday.[149][150] As a result, "Blinding Lights" dropped a place to number two and remained at number two the following week, behind another charity single, "Times Like These".[151][152] According to the Official Charts Company, "Blinding Lights" became Britain's biggest-selling song of 2020 with 2.2 million combined sales, including 250 million streams and 195,000 downloads.[153] "Blinding Lights" has been certified 6× Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry for selling 3,600,000 units.[154]
Elsewhere in Europe, the song topped the charts in Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Ireland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland. It also peaked within the top ten of the charts in Belarus, Hungary, Malta, North Macedonia, Russia, Romania, Spain, and Ukraine.
In Australia, it topped the ARIA Charts for eleven non-consecutive weeks. It is the sixth longest-running number-one of all-time in the country, tied with songs such as Spice Girls's "Wannabe", Drake's "God's Plan" and Bryan Adams' "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You", as well the fifth longest by a foreign act. "Blinding Lights" has been certified 13× Platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association for selling 910,000 units.[155]
In New Zealand, the song topped the New Zealand Singles Chart for four non-consecutive weeks.
In Latin America, "Blinding Lights" topped the charts in Bolivia and Mexico. It also reached the top 10 in Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Puerto Rico and Uruguay, as well as the top 20 in Argentina, Nicaragua, Paraguay and Peru. It also charted in Brazil and Colombia, peaking at numbers 51 and 66 respectively.
Music video
Development
The music video for "Blinding Lights" was directed by Anton Tammi, assisted by Kenneth Taylor, and filmed in Fremont Street, Las Vegas and Downtown Los Angeles, during a four-day shooting that took place until 6 AM every day.[156][157][158] It was produced by Sarah Parker and executive produced by Saskia Whinney for Somesuch, with production design by Adam William Wilson. Olliver Millar served as the director of photography, assisted by Devin "Daddy" Karringten on the second unit, Niels Lindelien on the steadicam operation, Nizzar Najm on the gaffer and Marlow Nunez on the key grip.[158] The video was edited by Janne Vartia and Tim Montana, and included VFX by Mathematic, post production surpervision by Alec Ernest, color by Nicke Jacobsson, sound design by Akseli Soini, title design by Aleksi Tammi and 3D effects by Oscar Böckerman.[158]
During the filming for the street scenes, the roads were not completely shut down, so random cars and pedestrians were passing by while the Weeknd danced in the street. Production was held up temporarily when somebody was arrested in the tunnel.[157] The shooting required at least three vehicles driving through the nighttime streets. The Mercedes-AMG GT roadster was a specially equipped towed vehicle that allowed the Weeknd to act and lip-sync inside the moving convertible without needing to drive, and a chase SUV with a crane camera strapped to the top.[159] Director of photography Oliver Millar said that he loves the music video format and talked about how intense it is to try and create iconic images during high-pressure shoots that don't last very long.[159] He said that since the Weeknd's previous videos had a dark and gritty vibe, he used generators powering banks of LED lights and a Sony Venice full-frame digital motion picture camera system to try to re-create the look, ending up with the video's vintage, 1980s style.[157]
Release and synopsis
On December 2, 2019, a commercial video containing footage from the Weeknd and Mercedes-Benz commercial, and the song's audio video, was released.[160] The lyric video for "Blinding Lights" was released on December 6, 2019.[161] Its official music video was released on January 21, 2020.[162] A behind-the-scenes music video for the song was released on February 28, 2020.[157] On May 5, 2020, a music video for the Chromatics remix of the song was released.[163]
The video follows the After Hours videos sequence, starting where the "Heartless" premise ended, and presents the Weeknd as a lonely and psychotic guy walking and driving with no destination around the streets in Las Vegas, and a passing resemblance to jazz musician Herbie Hancock, circa 1978's Sunlight.[164] The singer sports the same garb as the previous video, adopted for the album promotion, with a red suit, specific hairstyle, mustache and sunglasses.[164] The visual opens with the Weeknd laughing as blood drips down his face, then jumps back in time to show the mayhem that led to his gruesome end — the pop star speeding around a deserted city, dancing gleefully in the streets.[164] The visual follows the events of the music video for "Heartless" and sees the Weeknd go on a hallucinated joyride after waking from a trance. It concludes with the Weeknd having flashbacks to a club he attended earlier in the night, where he was serenaded by a mysterious woman, played by Japanese actress Miki Hamano and beat up by a duo of bouncers, uncredited, who had forced him to go on the run.[165] The video depicts the singer amid a story inspired by the films Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Joker, and Casino.[166]
Reception
Chase Ichiki from Revolt spoke highly of the music video, sharing that "the Weeknd crafts a world fans have eagerly waited for. Donning his staple red suit, he showcases his acting abilities in his latest video. Beginning with him hysterically laughing in a borderline psychotic way, then we see the Weeknd dance the pain away while wandering the city".[167] Michael Cube from Nylon magazine wrote that "the video for "Blinding Lights" is appropriately cryptic for the famously elusive artist", and praised the presentation's alluring mystique.[168] HITC columnist Christopher Weston assessed the film as "a burst of neon perfectly complimenting the gorgeous electronic sound. The 'Blinding Lights' visual accompaniment is one of the most stylish videos we've seen, packed with color, fast cars, nocturnal cityscapes and luxurious locations."[169] Insider editor Callie Ahlgrim praised the visual, "'Blinding Lights' embodies everything that's made the Weeknd's newest era so successful. The video maintains his mysterious, slightly menacing aura — yet manages to create a cinematic, retro, exhilarating experience that's unlike anything he's done before".[170] Bianca Gracie from Vulture named the music video one of the best of 2020: "It's a wild mix of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Casino, and Joker that only Abel could pull off".[171] USA Today editor Gary Dinges named the visual one of the best of 2020.[172] The clip was nominated for six MTV Video Music Awards, and won two including Best R&B Video & Video of the Year.[173] The visual was nominated for four UK Music Video Awards, and won Best Pop Video – International.[105]
Live performances
The Weeknd performed "Blinding Lights" for the first time on December 6, 2019, during The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, a day after he performed "Heartless" on the same show.[174] He brought a neon-lit cube with mirrored walls to the stage to sing through his brand new single. Filmed in black and white and from different perspectives on the stage, the Weeknd made the most of his mirror-cube before stepping outside of it to face the crowd.[175] They sang the chorus of the track back to him, and some members of the audience raised mirrors of their own to flash The Weeknd's glow right back on him.[176]
The song was performed on January 22, 2020, at Jimmy Kimmel Live!.[177] The performance picked up right where the "Blinding Lights" visual left off, as the Weeknd remained in the red suit and his face was still bloodied with a bandage over his nose from the beatdown he vaguely remembered in the music video. He bounced around the stage for the lively performance, as thunderbolts and lightning strikes at his back filled the darkness in the venue.[178] Appearing once again in a red suit, black gloves and bloody-faced with a bandage over his nose, he performed the single alongside "Scared to Live" on Saturday Night Live on March 7, 2020.[179]
"Blinding Lights" received a special performance during The Weeknd Experience, an augmented reality, interactive livestream held on TikTok on August 7, 2020. It featured 3D visuals and several interactive components, including virtual back-up dancers appearing behind the Weeknd, who also traveled through hyperspace in a red convertible, surrounded by lasers in the virtual world.[180] The Weeknd kicked off the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards with "Blinding Lights", described in advance as a "keyed-up, dazzling" showcase. He performed a rooftop version of his hit single from the observation deck at 30 Hudson Yards in Manhattan, New York City, complete with a background of fireworks.[181]
The single was also performed live in the 2020 Time 100 primetime event and the Z100 Jingle Ball of 2020.[182]
The Weeknd performed "Blinding Lights" as the closing track for the Super Bowl LV halftime show.[183] On the field, he was surrounded by hundreds of the Weeknd-alike dancers. In the beginning, he moved with them in lock step. But as the song swelled, and the dancers began to swarm in odd patterns, the Weeknd moved in his own rhythm, holding the camera's gaze, alone amid the chaos.[184]
Other versions
Remixes
The song's first official remix features vocals from Chromatics and is included in the original deluxe edition of After Hours and the remix EP After Hours (Remixes).[20] A second official remix by Major Lazer was released on April 15, 2020.[21] An unofficial remix by W&W was released on July 2, 2020.[185] A third official remix with Rosalía was released on December 4, 2020.[186]
Rosalía remix
"Blinding Lights (remix)" | |
---|---|
Promotional single by the Weeknd and Rosalía | |
Released | December 4, 2020 |
Recorded | October 2020 |
Length | 3:36 |
Label |
|
Songwriter(s) |
|
Producer(s) |
|
A remix of the song featuring Spanish singer and songwriter Rosalía was released on December 4, 2020, six hours after its announcement to celebrate the first year since the release of the solo version of the song, which was named "the best-selling song of the year" by Billboard the day before.[187][12] A lyric video featuring behind-the-scenes footage of the single's photoshoot was released the same day.
Starting from October, both artists started to comment on each other's social media posts. In November, some insiders reported that a "Save Your Tears" remix featuring the Spanish singer would be released on the 20th.[188] This, however, never happened. However, on December 1, another insider reported that a duet version of "Blinding Lights" would be released on December 4. Both artists shared a picture of them on set a couple hours prior to the single's release without specifying the project.[189]
Cover versions
YouTube metal cover artist, Leo Moracchioli, released a version in April 2020 playing all instruments and the vocals himself. On July 1, 2020, quintet vocalist group Pentatonix released a video for their rendition of "Blinding Lights." In the clip, the group is seen in their respective homes.[190] On July 3, 2020, Christine and the Queens released his studio cover of "Blinding Lights". "[His] version is an emotive yet airy rendition. The artist's pillowy voice glides effortlessly no matter the heights", Consequence of Sound editor Lake Schatz stated.[191] On August 21, 2020, Rainych Ran released a video for her rendition of "Blinding Lights" in Japanese version. Her Japanese version cover of "Blinding Lights" was earned praise by The Weeknd himself on his SNS.[192][193][194] In September 2020, London Grammar covered "Blinding Lights" at the BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge, backed by piano and guitar players.[195]
In January 2021 a bilingual (Welsh and Irish) version of Blinding Lights was released by Urdd Gobaith Cymru and TG Lurgan, 'Golau'n Dallu / Dallta ag na Soilse'. The project was hailed by First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford as a "symbol of the cultural ties that bind Ireland and Wales".[196][197] In November 2021, Canadian-American rock supergroup Saint Asonia released a Hard rock version of the song as a promotional single for their EP Introvert.[198]
American rock band All Time Low released a pop punk cover on June 6, 2022.
In popular culture
- The intro to "Blinding Lights" has been used in a TikTok choreographed dance challenge known as the "Blinding Lights Challenge".[199][200]
- It was used to promote Super Bowl LV, and featured as the theme song for WrestleMania 36.[201][202] "Blinding Lights" appears on the NBA 2K21 video game soundtrack.[203]
- The song is featured on the dance rhythm game, Just Dance 2021.[204]
- The song was featured on Fortnite's Joy Ride update via Fortnite Radio, as well as added as an icon series emote, complete with the original song.[205][206]
- Backstreet Boy AJ McLean and Cheryl Burke danced the jive to the song on the premiere of Dancing with the Stars.[207]
- A remix of the song is played in the trailer for the 2022 Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) Disney+ series Ms. Marvel.[208] It is also used in the opening scene of its pilot episode, "Generation Why".
- A Vietnamese singer named Jack-J97 has aroused controversy by allegedly plagiarizing from "Blinding Lights" with his latest song "Ngôi sao cô đơn". Jack's song and music video have the same style and "vibe" as The Weekend's, although widely different in execution. The song was set to be released at 20:09 pm on July 19 (Vietnam time). [209][210]
Personnel
Credits adapted from the Weeknd's official website and Tidal.[5][6]
- The Weeknd – songwriting, vocals, production, programming, keyboards, bass, guitar, drums
- Belly – songwriting
- Jason Quenneville – songwriting
- Max Martin – songwriting, production, programming, keyboards, bass, guitar, drums
- Oscar Holter – songwriting, production, programming, keyboards, bass, guitar, drums
- Shin Kamiyama – engineering
- Cory Bice – engineering assistant
- Jeremy Lertola – engineering assistant
- Sean Klein – engineering assistant
- Serban Ghenea – mixing
- John Hanes – engineering for mixing
- Dave Kutch – mastering
- Kevin Peterson – mastering
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Monthly charts
Year-end charts
All-time charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[389] | 13× Platinum | 910,000 |
Austria (IFPI Austria)[390] | 3× Platinum | 90,000 |
Belgium (BEA)[391] | 4× Platinum | 160,000 |
Canada (Music Canada)[392] | Diamond | 800,000 |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[393] | 5× Platinum | 450,000 |
France (SNEP)[394] | Diamond | 333,333 |
Germany (BVMI)[395] | 3× Platinum | 1,200,000 |
Italy (FIMI)[396] | 4× Platinum | 280,000 |
Mexico (AMPROFON)[397] | 3× Platinum | 180,000 |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[398] | 5× Platinum | 150,000 |
Norway (IFPI Norway)[399] | 5× Platinum | 300,000 |
Poland (ZPAV)[400] | 2× Diamond | 500,000 |
Portugal (AFP)[401] | 8× Platinum | 80,000 |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[402] | 7× Platinum | 280,000 |
United Kingdom (BPI)[403] | 6× Platinum | 3,600,000 |
United States (RIAA)[404] | Diamond | 10,000,000 |
Streaming | ||
Greece (IFPI Greece)[405] | 4× Platinum | 8,000,000 |
Japan (RIAJ)[406] | Gold | 50,000,000 |
Sweden (GLF)[407] | 11× Platinum | 88,000,000 |
Worldwide | — | 4,330,000,000[16][408] |
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Version | Label(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Various | November 29, 2019 | 7” Limited Edition | Original |
|
[409][27] |
Italy | December 13, 2019 | Contemporary hit radio | Universal | [410] | |
United Kingdom | December 20, 2019 |
|
[411] | ||
United States | January 6, 2020 | Hot adult contemporary | [412] | ||
January 7, 2020 | Contemporary hit radio | [413] | |||
United Kingdom | January 11, 2020 | Adult contemporary radio | [414] | ||
United States | February 4, 2020 | Rhythmic contemporary | [415] | ||
Various | March 31, 2020 |
|
Major Lazer remix | [416] | |
December 4, 2020 | Rosalía remix | [22] |
See also
- List of best-selling singles
- List of best-selling singles in Australia
- List of Billboard Hot 100 chart achievements and milestones
- List of airplay number-one hits in Argentina
- List of number-one singles of 2020 (Australia)
- List of number-one hits of 2020 (Austria)
- List of Ultratop 50 number-one singles of 2020
- List of Canadian Hot 100 number-one singles of 2020
- List of number-one hits of 2020 (Denmark)
- List of number-one singles of 2020 (Finland)
- List of number-one hits of 2020 (France)
- List of number-one hits of 2020 (Germany)
- List of number-one singles of 2020 (Ireland)
- List of number-one hits of 2020 (Italy)
- List of Dutch Top 40 number-one singles of 2020
- List of number-one singles from the 2020s (New Zealand)
- List of number-one songs in Norway
- List of number-one singles of 2020 (Poland)
- List of number-one singles of 2020 (Portugal)
- List of number-one songs of 2020 (Singapore)
- List of number-one singles of 2020 (Slovenia)
- List of number-one singles of the 2020s (Sweden)
- List of number-one hits of 2020 (Switzerland)
- List of UK Singles Chart number ones of the 2020s
- List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 2020
- List of Billboard Hot 100 top-ten singles in 2020
- List of Billboard Adult Contemporary number ones of 2020
- List of Billboard Adult Contemporary number ones of 2021
- List of Billboard Adult Top 40 number-one songs of the 2020s
- List of Billboard Digital Song Sales number ones of 2020
- List of Billboard Mainstream Top 40 number-one songs of 2020
- List of Radio Songs number ones of the 2020s
- List of Billboard Streaming Songs number ones of 2020
- List of most-streamed songs on Spotify
Notes
- From August 16, 2021 to October 17, 2022, "Blinding Lights" was the longest charting song of any artist on the Hot 100 of all time. Its record was surpassed by Glass Animals' "Heat Waves".[9]
- Director Anton Tammi and production company Somesuch also won awards for Best Directior and Best Production Company, respectively, for their works on the After Hours videos.[105]
References
- Rossignol, Derrick (November 29, 2019). "The Weeknd Goes Full Synthwave On The Yearning New Single 'Blinding Lights'". Uproxx. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
- Peacock, Tim (February 15, 2020). "The Weeknd Reveals Title Of His Upcoming Album, After Hours". uDiscover Music.
- "The Weeknd sets sights on dominating 2020 with swaggering 'Heartless' and 'Blinding Lights'". NME. November 29, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
- Saponara, Michael (November 26, 2019). "Hear New Music From The Weeknd in Mercedes-Benz Commercial: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
- "ALL | T H E W E E K N D S H O P". The Weeknd Shop. Archived from the original on December 3, 2019. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
- "Blinding Lights / The Weeknd – Tidal". Tidal. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
- Trust, Gary (April 27, 2020). "The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' Leads Hot 100 for 4th Week, DaBaby & Roddy Ricch's 'Rockstar' Launches in Top 10". Billboard. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
- Trust, Gary (March 9, 2021). "The Weeknd Talks Unprecedented Year in Hot 100's Top 10 With 'Blinding Lights': 'This Is Truly a Result of the Fans'". Billboard. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- Zellner, Xander (October 17, 2022). "Glass Animals' 'Heat Waves' Is Now the Longest Charting Hot 100 Song of All Time". Billboard. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
- "The Weeknd's Blinding Lights becomes longest charting Billboard Hot 100 song". CBC News. The Canadian Press. August 17, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
- Trust, Gary (August 16, 2021). "The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' Spends Record-Breaking 88th Week on Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
- Trust, Gary (December 3, 2020). "The Year in Charts 2020: The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' Is the No. 1 Hot 100 Song of the Year". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- Mamo, Heran (November 23, 2021). "The Greatest Hit: The New No. 1 Song of All Time". Billboard. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
- "The Weeknd Returns To #1 with Blinding Lights". ARIA Charts. April 18, 2020.
- Copsey, Rob (April 17, 2020). "The Weekend's Blinding Lights Scores Eighth Week At Number 1 On The Official Singles Chart". Official Charts. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- "IFPI Global Digital Single for Blinding Lights". IFPI. March 9, 2021.
- "The Weeknd Wins IFPI Global Digital Single Award for Save Your Tears". IFPI. February 28, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
- "Ed Sheeran was the UK's most-played artist of 2021". BBC News. June 20, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
- "The Trends That Shaped Streaming in 2020". Spotify. December 1, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
- "The Weeknd Shares Deluxe Version of After Hours: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
- Aswad, Jem (April 15, 2020). "The Weeknd Drops Video for 'Heartless' Remix, Major Lazer Re-Take on 'Blinding Lights'". Variety. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- "The Weeknd - "Blinding Lights (Remix)" (Feat. Rosalía)". Stereogum. December 4, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- A., Aron (November 20, 2019). "The Weeknd Returns To Instagram & Fans Are Convinced "Chapter VI" Is Coming". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
- Schnurr, Samantha (November 20, 2019). "The Weeknd Returns to Instagram With a "Loading" Message". E! Online. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
- Skinner, Tom (August 7, 2019). "Is The Weeknd's new album finally on its way?". NME. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
- Breihan, Tom (November 26, 2019). "The Weeknd Previews New Song "Blinding Lights" In Mercedes-Benz Commercial". Stereogum. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
- "The Weeknd to Release New Single "Blinding Lights" on Black Friday". Rap-Up. November 26, 2019. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
- Strauss, Matthew (November 26, 2019). "The Weeknd Previews New Song "Blinding Lights" in Mercedes-Benz Ad: Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
- Akaash (November 26, 2019). "The Weeknd to Release 2 New Singles "Blinding Lights" & "Heartless" This Week". HipHop-n-More. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
- Aswad, Jem (May 2, 2020). "The Weeknd Opens Up About His Past, Turning 30 and Getting Vulnerable on After Hours". Variety.
- Tammi, Anton (April 1, 2020). "The Weeknd on Being the First Artist to Top These 5 Charts At Once: 'It Feels Like a Huge Blessing' (Exclusive)". Billboard.
- "The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights" Lyrics Might Be About Bella Hadid". Elite Daily. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
- "The Weeknd Explains the Meaning Behind 'Blinding lights' Song". www.esquire.com. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
- "Blinding Lights by The Weeknd Chords, Melody, and Music Theory Analysis - Hooktheory". www.hooktheory.com. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
- Molanphy, Chris. "Why the Weeknd's "Blinding Lights" Is the First Chart Topper of the Coronavirus Era". Slate. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
- Digiacomo, Frank (June 10, 2020). "The 50 Best Songs of 2020 (So Far): Staff Picks". Billboard. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
- "Making the Cut: Variety's 2020 Hitmakers and Hitbreakers Revealed". Variety. December 3, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
- "The Weeknd Takes Us Back to the '80s With "Blinding Lights"". Sound Digest. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
- Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (November 30, 2020). "The 20 Best Songs of 2020". The Guardian. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
- Caramanica, Jon (April 1, 2020). "The Weeknd's Gleamy, Seamy Pop Returns". The New York Times. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
- Unterberger, Andrew (March 3, 2020). "Don't Forget How Unlikely The Weeknd Once Seemed as a Reliable Pop Superstar". Billboard. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
- Glicksman, Josh (December 8, 2020). "The 100 Best Songs of 2020: Staff List". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
- Roffman, Michael (December 3, 2020). "Top 50 Songs of 2020". Consequence of Sound.
- Aswad, Jem (December 3, 2020). "The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' Is Variety's Hitmakers Record of the Year". Variety. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- "The Best Pop Songs of 2019". Stereogum. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
- Grow, Kory (December 7, 2020). "The 50 Best Songs of 2020". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
- Dolan, Jon (March 23, 2020). "The Weeknd Is Alone Again, Naturally, on 'After Hours'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
- Smyth, David (March 20, 2020). "The Weeknd – After Hours review: Shadowy escapism for the great lock-in". Evening Standard. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
- Peters, Micah (March 25, 2020). "'After Hours' Is the Weeknd's Most Accomplished Work Yet". The Ringer. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
- Zoladz, Lindsay (December 7, 2020). "Best Songs of 2020". New York Times.
- Caramanica, John (February 7, 2021). "The Weeknd Emerges From the Shadows at the Super Bowl Halftime Show". The New York Times.
- Levine, Nick (November 19, 2020). "The best Albums and Songs of 2020". BBC News. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
- Wood, Makael (December 9, 2020). "The 50 best songs of 2020". Los Angeles Times.
- "Best Songs of 2020". Amazon. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
- "The 100 Best Songs of 2020". Apple Music. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
- Kozlowski, Anthony (December 31, 2020). "The Best Songs of 2020 (According to Anthony)". Atwood. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
- "The Best Songs of 2020". BBC. November 19, 2020. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
- Unterberger, Andrew (December 11, 2020). "The 30 Best Pop Songs of 2020: Staff List". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
- Jokic, Natasha (December 13, 2020). "Here Are the Best Songs of 2020". BuzzFeed. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
- Narsimdas, Gilda (December 15, 2020). "Are these the best songs of 2020?". The Citizen. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
- Roffman, Michael (December 3, 2020). "Top 50 Songs of 2020". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
- "The Diamondback's 20 Favorite Songs of 2020". The Diamondback. December 14, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
- Murphy, Lauren. "The Ten Best Songs of 2020". Entertainment.ie. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- Maicki, Salvatore (December 17, 2020). "The 100 best songs of 2020". The Fader. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
- Sterling, Scott (December 9, 2020). "The Best Songs of 2020". Flood Magazine. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
- Holbrook, Emma (December 10, 2020). "The 45 Best Songs of 2020". The Forty-Five. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
- Nowack, Simone (December 12, 2020). "The 20 Best Songs of 2020". Gaffa. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
- Rosa, Christopher (December 17, 2020). "The 63 Best Songs of 2020 That Made Our Lives a Little Easier". Glamour.
- Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (November 30, 2020). "The 20 best sogns of 2020". The Guardian. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
- Sendejas Jr., Jesse (December 31, 2020). "Top 20 "Most 2020" Songs of 2020". Houston Press.
- Honghyun, Lee. "Best Songs of 2020". IZM. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
- "The 50 best songs of 2020". Los Angeles Times. December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
- Othman, Ahmad (December 31, 2020). "2020's Most Memorable Folks". New Straits Times. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- Pareles, Jon; Caramanica, Jon; Zoladz, Lindsay (December 7, 2020). "Best Songs of 2020". The New York Times. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
- Pappis, Konstantinos (January 2, 2021). "The 25 Best Songs of 2020". Retrieved January 2, 2021.
- Desk, Pinkvilla (December 29, 2020). "Bye Bye 2020: 10 songs from Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Harry Styles & more that saved the year". Pinkvilla. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- Pitchfork (December 7, 2020). "The 100 Best Songs of 2020". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- Morin, Natalie (December 21, 2020). "The 29 Best Songs of The Year". Retrieved December 22, 2020.
- Blake, Jonathan Bernstein,Jon Blistein,Jon Dolan,Brenna Ehrlich,Jon Freeman,Kory Grow,Christian Hoard,Elias Leight,Angie Martoccio,Claire Shaffer,Rob Sheffield,Emily; Bernstein, Jonathan; Blistein, Jon; Dolan, Jon; Ehrlich, Brenna; Freeman, Jon; Grow, Kory; Hoard, Christian; Leight, Elias (December 7, 2020). "Year in Review: The 50 Best Songs of 2020". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
- Molanphy, Chris (December 19, 2020). "America Spent 2020 Retreating Into the Sounds of the Past". Slate Magazine. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
- "The 30 Best Songs of 2020". Spin. December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
- "Today's Top Hits Presents... Best Pop Songs of 2020, a playlist by Spotify". Spotify. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
- DeVille, Chris (December 12, 2019). "The Top 40 Pop Songs of 2019". Stereogum. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
- "The 50 Best Songs Of 2020". UPROXX. December 2, 2020. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
- "The 2020 Uproxx Music Critics Poll: The Best Songs Of The Year". Uproxx. December 15, 2020. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
- "The 10 Best Songs of 2020". USA Today. December 16, 2020. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
- "Songs of the Year 2020". Tidal. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
- "Best of Pop 2020". Tidal. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
- "Top 10 Best Songs of 2020". WatchMojo. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
- Aniftos, Rania (November 24, 2020). "The Weeknd Calls Out Recording Academy After Nominations Snub: 'The Grammys Remain Corrupt'". Billboard. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
- "The Weeknd Received Zero Grammy Nominations, Responds on Twitter". November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
- "The Weeknd Lashes Out at Recording Academy: "The Grammys Remain Corrupt"". The Hollywood Reporter. November 25, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
- Gawley, Paige (January 28, 2021). "The Weeknd Says His 3 GRAMMY Wins Mean Nothing to Him Now". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
- Warner, Denise (October 26, 2020). "The Weeknd, Roddy Ricch Top 2020 AMAs Nominations". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
- "EnergaCamerimage 2020 Winners!". Camerimage International Film Festival. November 21, 2020. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
- "Danish Music Awards: Og vinderne er..." Gaffa (in Danish). November 29, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
- "Complete list of 2020 LOS40 Music Awards winners". Explica (in Spanish). December 6, 2020. Archived from the original on January 19, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
- Heller, Corinne (November 8, 2020). "BTS Wins Big at 2020 MTV EMA: See the Full List of Winners". E-Online. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
- Splash (September 24, 2020). "MTV Miaw 2020: Confira os vencedores da premiação". Universo Online (in Portuguese). Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- "MTV Video Music Awards: The Complete Winners List". Variety. August 30, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
- "VMAJ 2020 Winners" (in Japanese). MTV. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
- "NRJ Music Awards 2020 : le tapis rouge et les lauréats". Paris Match (in French). December 5, 2020. Archived from the original on December 6, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
- "The Music Video 2020". E. October 1, 2020.
- "Rockbjörnen 2020 – allt du behöver veta". Aftonbladet (in Swedish). July 6, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
- Paine, Andre (November 6, 2020). "UK Music Video Awards 2020 winners revealed". Music Week. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- "Winning Songwriters & Publishers". ASCAP. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- Warner, Denise (April 29, 2021). "The Weeknd Leads All Finalists for the 2021 Billboard Music Awards: See the Full List". Billboard. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
- "GAFFA-PRISEN 2021: Og de nominerede er..." Gaffa (in Danish). February 15, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
- "GAFFA-Priset 2021 – och vinnarna är ..." Gaffa (in Swedish). April 26, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
- Fields, Taylor (April 7, 2021). "2021 iHeartRadio Music Awards: See The Full List of Nominees". IHeart.
- "Juno Awards 2021: The Weeknd wins three awards at virtual opening night". Juno Awards. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
- Grein, Paul (February 2, 2021). "Justin Bieber Is Top Music Nominee at 2021 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards". Billboard. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
- "The Weeknd Keeps Winning, Hitting a Record in our 2021 SOCAN Awards". SOCAN. May 27, 2021.
- "Swiss Music Awards Nominees". Swiss Music Awards. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
- "Winners TEC Awards". TEC Awards. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
- "Top 100 Songs | Billboard Hot 100 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
- "The Hot 100". Billboard. February 29, 2020. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
- Trust, Gary (March 23, 2020). "Roddy Ricch's 'The Box' Leads Hot 100 for 11th Week, Harry Styles' 'Adore You' Hits Top 10". Billboard. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
- Trust, Gary (February 8, 2021). "Olivia Rodrigo's 'Drivers License' Leads Hot 100 for 4th Week, The Weeknd & CJ Hit Top 10". Billboard.
- Trust, Gary (February 22, 2021). "Olivia Rodrigo's 'Drivers License' Leads Hot 100 For 6th Week, Lil Tjay's 'Calling My Phone' Dials Up No. 3 Debut". Billboard. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
- Trust, Gary (March 30, 2020). "The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' Hits No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100, Doja Cat's 'Say So' Enters Top 10". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
- Trust, Gary (April 6, 2020). "The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' Shines at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 For Second Week". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
- "Year-End Chart, Billboard Hot 100 Songs". Billboard. December 2, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- Trust, Gary (March 8, 2021). "Olivia Rodrigo's 'Drivers License' Leads Hot 100 for 8th Week, The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' Marks a Year in Top 10". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
- Trust, Gary (March 31, 2020). "The Weeknd Scores First Streaming Songs No. 1 in 5 Years With 'Blinding Lights'". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
- Trust, Gary (April 13, 2020). "Drake Makes Historic Debut at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 With 'Toosie Slide'". Billboard. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
- Trust, Gary (April 20, 2020). "The Weeknd Returns to No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100, Doja Cat Hits Top 5, Post Malone Ties Top 10 Record". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
- Trust, Gary (June 15, 2020). "DaBaby & Roddy Ricch's 'Rockstar' Rules Hot 100 for 2nd Week, Justin Bieber & Quavo's 'Intentions' Hits Top 5". Billboard.
- "Adult Pop Songs: October 17, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
- "Adult Contemporary". Billboard. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
- Trust, Gary (November 4, 2020). "The Weeknd Earns His First Adult Contemporary No. 1 With 'Blinding Lights'". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
- Trust, Gary (October 12, 2020). "Jawsh 685, Jason Derulo & BTS' 'Savage Love' Soars to No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100". Billboard.
- Trust, Gary (September 14, 2020). "Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion's 'WAP' Back at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 for Third Week". Billboard.
- Trust, Gary (January 4, 2021). "24kGoldn's 'Mood' Returns to No. 1 on Hot 100, Dua Lipa's 'Levitating' Lifts to Top 10". Billboard. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
- "The Hot 100, Week of January 9, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- Trust, Gary (April 5, 2021). "Lil Nas X's 'Montero (Call Me by Your Name)' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
- Zellner, Xander (March 31, 2020). "The Weeknd Rules Artist 100, Hot 100 & Billboard 200 Charts Simultaneously". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
- Trust, Gary (April 1, 2020). "The Weeknd on Being the First Artist to Top These 5 Charts At Once: 'It Feels Like a Huge Blessing' (Exclusive)". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
- Zellner, Xander (April 7, 2020). "The Weeknd Repeats Reign Atop Billboard 200, Hot 100 & Artist 100 Charts". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
- "RS Charts: The Weeknd's 'Heartless' Nabs Number One". Rolling Stone. December 10, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
- Blake, Emily (July 13, 2020). "Six Months Later, No One Can Top 'The Box'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
- "Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. May 26, 2020.
- "Canada Singles Top 100 Drop-Outs (May 29, 2021)". acharts.co. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
- "Canada Singles Top 100 Drop-Outs (December 11, 2010)". acharts.co. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
- Bliss, Karen (July 13, 2020). "The Weekend Tops Nielsen Music/MRC Data Midyear Charts Across Canada". Billboard.
- "Blinding Lights Canada Music Certification". Music Canada. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
- "blinding lights | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. February 8, 2020.
- White, Jack (April 10, 2020). "The songs that have had three or more stints at Number 1 on the UK's Official Singles Chart". Official Charts. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
- Jones, Damian (April 23, 2020). "The Weeknd wants Captain Moore to knock him off the Number One spot". NME. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
- @theweeknd (April 23, 2020). "everyone in the UK please support @captaintommoore / @mrmichaelball single so this incredible 99 yr old war veteran, walking for the British National Health Service @NHSuk & now raised $35 Million can have a No 1 for his 100th birthday in the UK! We're routing for you. XO!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
- Copsey, Rob (January 4, 2020). "The Official Top 40 biggest songs of 2020". Official Charts Company.
- "Blinding Lights Certification". British Photographic Industry. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
- "ARIA Singles Chart October 4, 2021". ARIA. October 1, 2021.
- "The Weeknd Shooting New Music Video in Las Vegas". TMZ. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
- Aswad, Jem (February 28, 2020). "Watch Behind-the-Scenes Video From The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "The Weeknd – Blinding Lights (Official Video)". YouTube. January 21, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- Blanco, Sebastian (June 7, 2020). "Behind the Scenes as Mercedes-AMG GT Stars in The Weeknd's Video". Car and Driver. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
- The Weeknd (December 2, 2019), The Weeknd - Mercedes Benz Commercial "Blinding Lights", retrieved December 3, 2019
- "The Weeknd - Listening Experience". Universal Digital. Archived from the original on December 6, 2019. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
- @TheWeeknd (January 20, 2020). "tomorrow - The Weeknd" (Tweet). Retrieved January 20, 2020 – via Twitter.
- Lamarre, Carl (May 6, 2020). "The Weeknd Teams With Chromatics For 'Blinding Lights' Remix Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
- "The Weeknd Embarks on a Bloody Bender in New 'Blinding Lights' Video". Rolling Stone. January 21, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
- "Watch The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights" Video". Complex. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
- Alston, Trey. "The Weeknd Channels His Inner Joker In Mind-Frying 'Blinding Lights' Video". MTV News. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
- Ichiki, Chase. "The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights video is phenomenal". Revolt (TV Network). Retrieved May 2, 2020.
- Cube, Michael. "The Weeknd Gets Bloodied Up In New 'Blinding Lights' Music Video". Nylon Magazine. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
- Weston, Christopher (January 22, 2020). "Who is Anton Tammi? Director behind The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' music video". HITC. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
- Ahlgrim, Callie (August 25, 2020). "The 31 best music videos of 2020 (so far), ranked". Insider Inc.
- Gracie, Bianca (December 15, 2020). "The Best Music Videos of 2020". Vulture.
- Dinges, Gary (December 17, 2020). "Best music videos of 2020: Lady Gaga, Cardi B and Harry Styles make the list". USA Today. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
- Melas, Chloe (August 30, 2020). "MTV VMAs 2020: Lady Gaga, The Weeknd And More Take Home Awards". CNN.
- "The Weeknd Drops Another New Song, 'Blinding Lights,' Appears on Colbert Next Week". Variety. November 29, 2019. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
- Rambarran, Shara (2021). Virtual Music: Sound, Music, and Image in the Digital Era. New York: Bloomsbury. ISBN 9781501336379.
- Hughes, Hillary (December 7, 2019). "The Weeknd Thinks Outside the Box For 'Blinding Lights' Performance on 'Colbert': Watch". Billboard. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
- Saponara, Michael (January 21, 2020). "The Weeknd Gets Reckless in Sin City for Twisted 'Blinding Lights' Video". Billboard. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
- Saponara, Michael (January 23, 2020). "The Weeknd Brings the 'Blinding Lights' to 'Kimmel' For Invigorating Performance: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
- Gill, Cassie (March 8, 2020). "The Weeknd Serenades SNL With New Song "Scared To Live Again" &'80s-Inspired "Blinding Lights"". Hollywood Life. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- Chafer, Ellise (August 7, 2020). "The Weeknd Debuts New Song, Performs With Doja Cat During 3D TikTok Event". Variety. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
- Dellato, Marisa (August 30, 2020). "What Happened To The Weeknd's Face? Why He Was Bloody At The VMAs". New York Post. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
- "The Weeknd Recruits Sax Legend Kenny G for "In Your Eyes" Remix". Complex. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
- Lisa Respers France (February 7, 2021). "Superbowl halftime show featured The Weeknd and his bandaged army". CNN.
- Caramanica, John. "The Weeknd Emerges From the Shadows at the Super Bowl Halftime Show". The New York Times. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
- "W&W draw The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' into the festival circuit". Dancing Astronaut. July 6, 2020. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
- "The Weeknd Enlists Rosalía For New "Blinding Lights" Remix: Listen". Pitchfork. December 4, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- "Rosalía y The Weeknd lanzan juntos el remix de 'Blinding Lights'". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). December 4, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- Radar, Sonido (November 19, 2020). "The Weeknd y Rosalía podrían colaborar en un nuevo remix para "Save Your Tears"". sonidoradar (in Spanish). Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- "Rosalía y The Weeknd lanzan pistas sobre una colaboración" [Rosalía and The Weeknd release clues about a collaboration]. La Vanguardia (in Spanish). December 4, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- "[OFFICIAL VIDEO] Blinding Lights - Pentatonix". Youtube. July 1, 2020.
- Schatz, Lake (July 3, 2020). "Christine and the Queens Releases Studio Cover of The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights": Stream". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
- "【Rainych】 Blinding Lights - The Weeknd|Japanese version (cover)". Youtube. August 21, 2020.
- Ran, Rainych [@RainychRan] (September 3, 2020). "The Weeknd shared the Japanese version cover on the Official Youtube community tab !!! (ಥ﹏ಥ)" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- Weeknd, The [@theweeknd] (September 4, 2020). "i loved it ✌🏾 you did a great job !" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- "London Grammar - Blinding Lights in the Live Lounge". Youtube. September 22, 2020.
- "Youth of Wales and Ireland create first Welsh-Irish music video". Nation.Cymru. January 7, 2021.
- "Urdd Gobaith Cymru x TG Lurgan – Blinding Lights yn Gymraeg/as Gaeilge" – via www.youtube.com.
- "Listen to Saint Asonia cover The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights"". November 18, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- Maidment, Adam (April 8, 2020). "The dance challenge taking TikTok by storm - and how to do it". Manchester Evening News. Chadderton, Oldham, Greater Manchester. Archived from the original on April 9, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
- Yates, Dominique. "Meet the McFarlands, a Louisville family whose TikTok video shot them to Internet fame". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
- @WWE (April 3, 2020). "Nothing outshines The Grandest Stage of Them All. "Blinding Lights" by @theweeknd is an official theme song of #WrestleMania 36" (Tweet). Retrieved April 10, 2021 – via Twitter.
- "TOMORROW. @theweeknd". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
- Zidel, Alex. "NBA 2K21 Soundtrack Includes Roddy Ricch, Lil Baby, Tory Lanez, & More". Hot New Hiphop. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- Sheehan, Gavin (September 10, 2020). "Just Dance 2021 Reveals Nine More Tracks For The Game". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
- Goslin, Austen (August 5, 2020). "Fortnite's new Joy Ride update adds drivable cars and a fantastic radio playlist". Polygon. Archived from the original on August 6, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
- Delaney, Mike (April 2, 2021). "Fortnite Adds A Bruno Mars Emote In The Shop Today". GameSpot. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
The duo's Icon Series emote joins others such as "Renegade" from K Camp, "Blinding Lights" from The Weeknd, and more.
- "Backstreet Boy AJ McLean Performs High-Energy Jive on 'DWTS': Watch". Billboard. September 15, 2020. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
Wearing a baby blue suit, AJ gave a high-energy performance with his dance partner Cheryl Burke to The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights".
- Paige, Rachel (March 15, 2022). "Ms. Marvel: First Trailer Introduces Kamala Khan". Marvel. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
Meet Kamala on June 8, exclusively on Disney+!
- "The copycat Vietnamese version from Blinding Lights of The Weeknd". YouTube.
- "The Vietnamese singer plagiarism big hit "Blinding Lights" from The Weeknd". July 19, 2022.
- "The Weeknd – Chart History (Argentina Hot 100)" Billboard Argentina Hot 100 Singles for The Weeknd. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
- "The Weeknd – Blinding Lights". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
- "The Weeknd – Blinding Lights" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
- "The Weeknd – Blinding Lights" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
- "The Weeknd – Blinding Lights" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- "Bolivia General". Monitor Latino (in Spanish). Retrieved July 3, 2020.
- "Top 100 Brasil – 24/08/2020 - 28/08/2020" (in Portuguese). Crowley Broadcast Analysis. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- "The Weeknd Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
- "The Weeknd Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
- "The Weeknd Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
- "The Weeknd Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
- "Top 20 Chile del 31 de Mayo al 6 de Junio, 2021". Monitor Latino. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
- The Weeknd — Blinding Lights. TopHit. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- "Top 100 Colombia" (in Spanish). National-Report. Archived from the original on April 3, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
- "Top 20 Costa Rica – Del 27 de Julio al 2 de Agosto, 2020" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
- "Croatia ARC TOP 100". HRT. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
- "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 202019 into search. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
- "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 202007 into search. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
- "The Weeknd – Blinding Lights". Tracklisten. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
- "Top 20 Ecuador – Del 7 al 13 de Diciembre, 2020" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
- "Top 20 El Salvador – Del 22 al 28 de Junio, 2020" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
- "EESTI TIPP-40 MUUSIKAS - Eminem näitab muskleid ja teeb suuga uue maailmarekordi" (in Estonian). Eesti Ekspress. January 28, 2020. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
- "The Weeknd Chart History (Euro Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
- "The Weeknd: Blinding Lights" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- "The Weeknd – Blinding Lights" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
- "The Weeknd – Blinding Lights" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
- "The Weeknd Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- "Official IFPI Charts Top-20 Airplay Chart (Combined) Week 24 2020". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on June 25, 2020. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
- "Top 20 Honduras – Del 22 al 28 de Junio, 2020" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
- "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
- "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
- "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
- "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
- "TÓNLISTINN – LÖG" (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on January 28, 2020. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
- "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- "Media Forest charts". Media Forest. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
- "The Weeknd – Blinding Lights". Top Digital Download. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
- "The Weeknd Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
- "Latvijas TOP 40" (in Latvian). LAIPA. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- "The Official Lebanese Top 20 - The Weeknd". The Official Lebanese Top 20. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
- "2020 2-os savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. January 10, 2020. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
- "Top 20 Most Streamed International & Domestic Singles In Malaysia". Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
- "The Weeknd Chart History (Mexico Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
- "Top streaming semenal" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Archived from the original on March 31, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
- "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 3, 2020" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
- "The Weeknd – Blinding Lights" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
- "The Weeknd – Blinding Lights". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
- "Top 20 Nicaragua – Del 21 al 27 de Septiembre, 2020" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
- "The Weeknd – Blinding Lights". VG-lista. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
- "Top 20 Panama – Del 30 de Marzo al 06 de Abril, 2020" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
- "Top 20 Paraguay – Del 13 al 19 de Julio, 2020" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- "Top 20 Perú – Del 15 al 21 de Junio, 2020" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
- "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
- "The Weeknd – Blinding Lights". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
- "Top 20 Puerto Rico – Del 20 al 26 de Abril, 2020" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
- "Airplay 100 – 24 mai 2020" (in Romanian). Kiss FM. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
- "14, 2020/all/all Russia Airplay Chart for February 14, 2020." TopHit. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
- "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
- "RIAS International Top Charts Week 17". Recording Industry Association (Singapore). Archived from the original on April 30, 2020.
- "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 202014 into search. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
- "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.
- "SloTop50 – Slovenian official singles chart". slotop50.si. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
- "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100: 20/08/2021 to 26/08/2021". The Official South African Charts. Recording Industry of South Africa. Archived from the original on September 8, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
- "Digital Chart – Week 17 of 2020". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved May 1, 2020.
- "The Weeknd – Blinding Lights" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- "The Weeknd – Blinding Lights". Singles Top 100. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
- "The Weeknd – Blinding Lights". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
- "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
- "15, 2020/all/all Ukraine Airplay Chart for May 15, 2020." TopHit. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
- "Top 20 Uruguay – Del 8 al 14 de Junio, 2020" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
- "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- "The Weeknd Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
- "The Weeknd Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
- "The Weeknd Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
- "The Weeknd Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
- "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
- "The Weeknd Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
- "The Weeknd Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
- "Top 100 Songs, March 20 – March 26, 2020". Rolling Stone. March 26, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
- "Anglo" (in Spanish). Record Report. September 18, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- "Rock" (in Spanish). Record Report. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
- "The Weeknd Chart History (Billboard Vietnam Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
- "Top 50 Streaming (Pro-Música Brasil) – Maio de 2020" (in Portuguese). Associação Brasileira de Produtores de Discos. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- "Top 100 de canciones de SGP, Abril 2021". Top 100 de canciones SGP (in Spanish). SGP. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
- "Chart Anual monitorLATINO 2020 – Del 1 de Enero al 30 de Noviembre de 2020 – Argentina General" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
- "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2020". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- "Ö3 Austria Top40 Jahrescharts 2020". Ö3 Austria Top 40. Archived from the original on December 31, 2020. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
- "Jaaroverzichten 2020". Ultratop. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- "Rapports Annuels 2020". Ultratop. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- "Chart Anual monitorLATINO 2020 – Del 1 de Enero al 30 de Noviembre de 2020 – Bolivia General" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
- "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- "Chart Anual monitorLATINO 2020 – Del 1 de Enero al 30 de Noviembre de 2020 – Chile General" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- "Radio – Top Year-End Radio Hits - Музыкальные чарты TopHit.ru" (in Russian). TopHit. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
- "Chart Anual monitorLATINO 2020 – Del 1 de Enero al 30 de Noviembre de 2020 – Colombia General" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
- "Chart Anual monitorLATINO 2020 – Del 1 de Enero al 30 de Noviembre de 2020 – Cossta Rica General" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- "Track Top-100 2020". Hitlisten. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
- "Chart Anual monitorLATINO 2020 – Del 1 de Enero al 30 de Noviembre de 2020 – República Dominicana General" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
- "Chart Anual monitorLATINO 2020 – Del 1 de Enero al 30 de Noviembre de 2020 – Ecuador General" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
- "Chart Anual monitorLATINO 2020 – Del 1 de Enero al 30 de Noviembre de 2020 – El Salvador General" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- "Top de l'année – Top Singles – 2020" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
- "AC/DC und "Blinding Lights" siegen in Musik-Jahrescharts 2020" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- "The Weeknd wins 2020's IFPI Global Digital Single Award for Blinding Lights". IFPI. March 9, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
- Brandle, Lars (March 9, 2021). "The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' Is IFPI's Top Digital Song For 2020". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
- "Chart Anual monitorLATINO 2020 – Del 1 de Enero al 30 de Noviembre de 2020 – Guatemala General" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
- "Chart Anual monitorLATINO 2020 – Del 1 de Enero al 30 de Noviembre de 2020 – Honduras General" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- "Dance Top 100 - 2020". Mahasz. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
- "Rádiós Top 100 - hallgatottsági adatok alapján - 2020". Mahasz. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- "Single Top 100 - eladási darabszám alapján - 2020". Mahasz. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- "Stream Top 100 - darabszám alapján - 2020". Mahasz. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
- "TÓNLISTINN – LÖG – 2020" (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
- White, Jack (January 10, 2021). "Ireland's Official Top 50 biggest songs of 2019". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- "Top Of The Music 2020: 'Persona' Di Marracash È L'album Piú Venduto" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
- "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Year-End 2020". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- "Chart Anual monitorLATINO 2020 – Del 1 de Enero al 30 de Noviembre de 2020 – Internacional General" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
- "Mexico General Top 100 monitorLATINO / General - Tocadas" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. 2020. Archived from the original on May 7, 2022. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
- "Mexico General Top 100 monitorLATINO / General - Audiencia" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. 2020. Archived from the original on May 7, 2022. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
- "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2020" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
- "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2020" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
- "Top Selling Singles of 2020". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
- "Chart Anual monitorLATINO 2020 – Del 1 de Enero al 30 de Noviembre de 2020 – Nicaragua General" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
- "Topplista – årsliste | Single 2020" (Click on "Singel 2020" to see the year-end listings). IFPI Norway. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
- "Chart Anual monitorLATINO 2020 – Del 1 de Enero al 30 de Noviembre de 2020 – Panamá General" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- "Chart Anual monitorLATINO 2020 – Del 1 de Enero al 30 de Noviembre de 2020 – Paraguay General" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- "Chart Anual monitorLATINO 2020 – Del 1 de Enero al 30 de Noviembre de 2020 – Peru General" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- "Top 3000 Singles + EPs Digitais: Semanas 01 a 53 de 2020 Índice De 27/12/2019 a 31/12/2020" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
- "Najpopularniejsze single radiowe i najlepiej sprzedające się płyty 2020 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
- "Chart Anual monitorLATINO 2020 – Del 1 de Enero al 30 de Noviembre de 2020 – Puerto Rico General" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- "Airplay 100 Topul Anului 2020" (in Romanian). Kiss FM. Archived from the original on December 27, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- "City & Country Radio – Top Year-End Radio Hits - Музыкальные чарты TopHit.ru" (in Russian). TopHit. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
- "SloTop50 – Letne lestvice" (in Slovenian). SloTop50. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- "Top 100 Canciones 2020". PROMUSICAE. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
- "Årslista Singlar, 2020". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
- "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2020". hitparade.ch. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- "City & Country Radio – Top Year-End Radio Hits - Музыкальные чарты TopHit.ru" (in Russian). TopHit. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
- Copsey, Rob (January 4, 2021). "The Official Top 40 biggest songs of 2020". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
- "Chart Anual monitorLATINO 2020 – Del 1 de Enero al 30 de Noviembre de 2020 – Uruguay General" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
- "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
- "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
- "Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
- "Dance/Mix Show Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
- "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
- "Pop Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
- "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
- "Chart Anual monitorLATINO 2020 – Del 1 de Enero al 30 de Noviembre de 2020 – Venezuela General" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
- "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2021". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
- "Ö3-Austria Top40 Single-Jahrescharts 2021". Ö3 Austria Top 40. Archived from the original on January 1, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
- "Jaaroverzichten 2021". Ultratop. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
- "Canadian Hot 100 - Year End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- "Top Radio Hits Global Annual Chart – 2021". TopHit. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
- "Track Top-100 2021". Hitlisten. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
- "Top de l'année Top Singles 2021" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
- "Jahrescharts 2021 +++ Single +++" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
- "Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
- "Dance Top 100 - 2021". Mahasz. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
- "Rádiós Top 100 - hallgatottsági adatok alapján - 2021". Mahasz. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
- "Single Top 100 – eladási darabszám alapján – 2021" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
- "Stream Top 100 - darabszám alapján - 2021" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
- Griffiths, George (January 9, 2022). "Ireland's official biggest songs of 2021". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
- "Classifica annuale 2021" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
- "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2021" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
- "Top Selling Singles of 2021". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on January 24, 2022. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
- "Topplista – årsliste – Singel 2021" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Archived from the original on January 31, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
- ""Friday" Riton i Nightcrawlers z udziałem Mufasa & Hypemana – radiowym numerem jeden w 2021 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
- "Top 1000 Singles + EPs Digitais: Semanas 01 a 52 de 2021" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
- "Top Radio Hits Russia Annual Chart – 2021". TopHit. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
- "Top 100 Songs Annual 2021" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
- "Årslista Singlar, 2021". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
- "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2021". hitparade.ch. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
- Griffiths, George (January 4, 2022). "The Official Top 40 biggest songs of 2021". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
- "Top Radio Hits Ukraine Annual Chart – 2021". TopHit. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
- "Year-End Charts". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- "Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- "Pop Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- "EWIGE BESTENLISTE - SINGLES". Retrieved October 12, 2022.
- "Greatest of All Time Hot 100 Songs". Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
- "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2022 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
- "Austrian single certifications – The Weeknd – Blinding Lights" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2021". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- "Canadian single certifications – The Weeknd – Blinding Lights". Music Canada. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
- "Danish single certifications – The Weeknd – Blinding Lights". IFPI Danmark. June 10, 2022.
- "French single certifications – The Weeknd – Blinding Lights" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
- "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (The Weeknd; 'Blinding Lights')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- "Italian single certifications – The Weeknd – Blinding Lights" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved June 16, 2021. Select "2021" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Blinding Lights" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
- "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved April 21, 2020. Type The Weeknd in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and Blinding Lights in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
- "New Zealand single certifications – The Weeknd – Blinding Lights". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
- "Norwegian single certifications – The Weeknd – Blinding Lights" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
- "Wyróżnienia – Diamentowe płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2021 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
- "Portuguese single certifications – The Weeknd – Blinding Lights" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
- "Spanish single certifications – The Weeknd – Blinding Lights". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
- "British single certifications – The Weeknd – Blinding Lights". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
- "American single certifications – The Weeknd – Blinding Lights". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
- "IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International)" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
- "Japanese single streaming certifications – The Weeknd – Blinding Lights" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved March 29, 2022. Select 2022年2月 on the drop-down menu
- "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 42, 2021 | Sverigetopplistan" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
- "IFPI Global Digital Single for Save Your Tears". IFPI. March 16, 2022.
- "The Weeknd to Release 2 New Singles 'Blinding Lights' & 'Heartless' This Week". Hiphop-n-more. November 26, 2019. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
- "Blinding Lights THE WEEKND". Radio Date. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
- "Radio 1 Playlist". BBC. Archived from the original on December 20, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
- "Hot Modern AC". All Access. January 6, 2019. Archived from the original on January 6, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- "Top 40/M". All Access. January 6, 2019. Archived from the original on January 6, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- "Radio 2 New Music Playlist". BBC. Archived from the original on January 10, 2020. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on February 3, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
- Jordi (April 18, 2020). "The Weeknd – Blinding Lights (Major Lazer Remix)". All Music Spain (in Spanish). Retrieved December 4, 2020.
External links
- Blinding Lights on YouTube
- Blinding Lights on YouTube
- Blinding Lights (Official Audio) on YouTube
- Blinding Lights (Lyric video) on YouTube
- Blinding Lights (Behind the scenes music video) on YouTube
- Blinding Lights (Chromatics remix audio) on YouTube
- Blinding Lights (Major Lazer remix audio) on YouTube
- Blinding Lights (Chromatics remix music video) on YouTube
- Blinding Lights (Instrumental music video) on YouTube