Here We Go... Again
"Here We Go... Again" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd featuring American rapper Tyler, the Creator. A track from the former's fifth studio album, Dawn FM (2022). It was written by the artists alongside Christian Love, Masamune "Rex" Kudo, Bruce Johnston, Brian Kennedy, Benny Bock, and Charlie Coffeen, the latter five producing it with The Weeknd.
| "Here We Go... Again" | |
|---|---|
| Song by the Weeknd featuring Tyler, the Creator | |
| from the album Dawn FM | |
| Released | January 7, 2022 |
| Recorded | 2021 |
| Genre | Soft rock[1] |
| Length | 3:29 |
| Label | |
| Songwriters |
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| Producers |
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"Here We Go... Again" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd featuring American rapper Tyler, the Creator. A track from the former's fifth studio album, Dawn FM (2022). It was written by the artists alongside Christian Love, Masamune "Rex" Kudo, Bruce Johnston, Brian Kennedy, Benny Bock, and Charlie Coffeen, the latter five producing it with The Weeknd.
Background and release
[edit]Around six to eight months before the song's release, Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys and Christian Love visited the house of the producer Rex Kudo. After Kudo sang with Johnston, the recorded vocals were played for the Weeknd, who liked it; Johnston got writing credits for the song. The harmonies sung by Johnston and Love were used in "Here We Go... Again".[1]
The Weeknd first expressed interest in collaborating with Tyler, the Creator in an August 2021 interview with GQ, stating: "I got mad love for Tyler, the Creator, and what he's doing right now — he's somebody that I really admire, because he wears his feelings on his sleeve."[2]
The Weeknd announced his fifth studio album, Dawn FM, on January 3, 2022, with Tyler, the Creator revealed as a feature on the album.[3] The tracklist, which listed the song, was revealed on January 5, and the album was released on January 7.[4]
Music and lyrics
[edit]"Here We Go... Again" is a soft-rock ballad,[1] with elements of alternative R&B.[5] It is a beatless song[6] supported by backing vocals,[7] silky synths, and harmonies described as "gorgeous" by Vulture.[8]
Thematically, the song contrasts Dawn FM's previous track, "Out of Time", which discusses themes of regret and trauma.[9] In "Here We Go... Again", he decides to distract himself from these thoughts,[9] instead singing about the successes he achieved in 2021,[10] such as his appearances on Billboard's magazine covers and performance at the Super Bowl LV halftime show.[11] However, his thoughts of fame and sex return to him,[11] as people use him for it, but he is interested with the possibility of a real relationship developing from what was originally a short love affair.[12] He also talks about an ex-lover, stating that although her friends attempt to pair her with somebody famous, she instead ends up with someone basic and faceless.[13] He later claims that his new girlfriend is a movie star[14] and that not only did he love her, he also made her 'scream like Neve Campbell'.[15] In Tyler, the Creator's verse, he raps about how love may not be unconditional,[16] warning his lover to sign a prenuptial agreement.[12]
Critical reception
[edit]Billboard placed the song as the third best from Dawn FM, describing its keyboards as "organ-like", and stating that it "exudes the spot of kitschiness" of 1980s songs.[11] The Ringer's Rob Harvilla called the track "boorish", stating he did not like the song, but he "respected it".[14] The Los Angeles Times' Mikael Wood called it one of the album's highlights, stating that it could be Dawn FM's most "idealistic cut", and calling the Weeknd's vocals "tender".[17]
Commercial performance
[edit]Following the release of Dawn FM, "Here We Go... Again" entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 52 on the chart dated January 21, 2022, the seventh highest charting track.[18]
Personnel
[edit]Credits adapted from Pitchfork.[19]
- Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd) - lead vocals, production, composition, lyricist, keyboards, programming
- Tyler Okonma (Tyler, the Creator) - featured vocals, composition, lyricist
- Benny Bock - production, composition, lyricist, keyboards, programming
- Brian Kennedy - production, composition, lyricist, keyboards, programming
- Bruce Johnston - production, composition, lyricist, keyboards, vocal arrangement, vocals
- Charlie Coffeen - production, composition, lyricist, keyboards, programming
- Christian Love - composition, lyricist, background vocals
- Masamune "Rex" Kudo - production, composition, lyricist, keyboards, programming
Studio personnel
[edit]- Dave Kutch - mastering engineer
- John Hanes - mixing engineer
- Kevin Peterson - assistant mastering engineer
- Matt Cohn - engineering
- Michael Ilbert - engineering
- Serban Ghenea - mixing
- Shin Kamiyama - engineering
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2022) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[20] | 46 |
| Australia Hip-Hop/R&B Singles (ARIA)[21] | 17 |
| Canada Hot 100 (Billboard)[22] | 21 |
| France (SNEP)[23] | 83 |
| Global 200 (Billboard)[24] | 26 |
| Greece International (IFPI)[25] | 29 |
| Portugal (AFP)[26] | 32 |
| Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[27] | 64 |
| South Africa Streaming (TOSAC)[28] | 42 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[29] | 72 |
| UK Audio Streaming (OCC)[30] | 59 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[31] | 52 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[32] | 19 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "How 79-year-old Beach Boy Bruce Johnston wound up on the new Weeknd album". Los Angeles Times. January 7, 2022. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
- ^ "The Weeknd vs. Abel Tesfaye". GQ. August 2, 2021. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
- ^ "The Weeknd Announces New Album 'Dawn FM,' Featuring Lil Wayne, Tyler, the Creator & More: Watch the Trailer". Billboard. January 3, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
- ^ "The Weeknd Reveals Tracklist for New Album Dawn FM". Pitchfork. January 5, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
- ^ Sacher, Andrew (January 7, 2022). "The Weeknd fuses synthpop bliss with sci-fi dread on new concept album 'Dawn FM' (review)". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
- ^ Petridis, Alexis (January 7, 2022). "The Weeknd: Dawn FM review – a stunning display of absolute pop prowess". The Guardian. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
- ^ Johnston, Maura (January 11, 2022). "The Weeknd showcases his versatility on Dawn FM". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
- ^ Jenkins, Craig (January 7, 2022). "The Weeknd Knows No Bounds". Vulture. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
- ^ a b Foley, Connor (September 30, 2022). "The Weeknd's 'Dawn FM' Carries The Weight Of Party Hauntology". PopMatters. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
- ^ Shorter, Markus (January 7, 2022). "Tune Into Dawn FM For Some Addictive Easy Listening, Courtesy of The Weeknd". Consequence. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
- ^ a b c Mamo, Heran (January 7, 2022). "Every Song on The Weeknd's 'Dawn FM' Album, Ranked: Critic's Picks". Billboard. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
- ^ a b Ruggieri, Melissa (January 7, 2022). "On 'Dawn FM,' The Weeknd and Jim Carrey host a dance party in purgatory. Somehow, it works". USA Today. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
- ^ McNeal, Bria (January 12, 2022). "The Weeknd's "Here We Go...Again" Lyrics Are Fueling Angelina Jolie Dating Rumors". Nylon. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
- ^ a b Harvilla, Rob (January 10, 2022). "The Weeknd Makes Purgatory Sound Good on 'Dawn FM.' But It's Still Purgatory". The Ringer. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
- ^ Richards, Will (January 23, 2022). "Neve Campbell reacts to The Weeknd name-dropping her on new album". NME. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
- ^ Serrano, Athena (January 7, 2022). "The Weeknd's 'Dawn FM' Has A Song For Every Mood". MTV. Archived from the original on September 30, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
- ^ Wood, Mikael (January 6, 2022). "A kinder, gentler (but still freaky) Weeknd delivers 2022's first great album, 'Dawn FM'". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 7, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
- ^ "The Weeknd Returns to No. 1 on Billboard Artist 100 Chart Thanks to 'Dawn FM' Debut". Billboard. January 19, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
- ^ Minsker, Evan (January 7, 2022). "The Weeknd Releases New Album Dawn FM: Listen and Read the Full Credits". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ "The Weeknd – Here We Go... Again". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
- ^ "ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. January 17, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
- ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
- ^ "The Weeknd feat. Tyler, the Creator – Here We Go... Again" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
- ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
- ^ "Official IFPI Charts - Digital Singles Chart (International) - Week: 02/2022". ifpi.gr. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
- ^ "The Weeknd feat. Tyler, the Creator – Here We Go... Again". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI". Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- ^ "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100 Week 02-2022". The Official South African Charts. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ "The Weeknd feat. Tyler, the Creator – Here We Go... Again". Singles Top 100. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
- ^ "Official Audio Streaming Chart on 14/1/2022 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
- ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
- ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
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| Singles |
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| Featured singles |
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| Promotional singles | |
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