The Meaning Behind The Song: Starboy by The Weeknd (featuring Daft Punk)
Starboy, a synth-pop and R&B tune, was released by Canadian singer, composer, and producer Abel Makkonen Tesfaye (known professionally as The Weeknd) and French electronic music duo, Daft Punk, in 2016. The song appeared on The Weeknd’s third studio album of the same name, Starboy. The album was a turning point for The Weeknd’s pop career as it demonstrated his growth from a cult underground sensation to one of the biggest pop stars of the decade.
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As a popular record and song, Starboy’s lyrics have meaning that speaks to audiences in different ways. Here, we’ll take a look at some key elements of the song and its lyrics, so that you develop a better understanding of what Starboy means.
The Song’s Background
The Weeknd’s Starboy features Daft Punk’s signature production style. The Paris-based electronic duo collaborated with The Weeknd to craft an ode to pop music’s top stars. According to the French pair, they love the disruptive nature of The Weeknd and found his counter-culture approach to mainstream success very appealing. The song is based on The Weeknd’s experience as a rising star, cementing his status as an “it” artist in the music industry.
The Lyrics
The song is full of lyrics that depict the strength of a superstar’s impact and self-confidence in the music industry. It’s a tribute to The Weeknd’s journey to rising to fame as an overlooked artist. The lyrics talk about gaining power and the feeling of being untouchable as a younger artist who has not yet lost their creative gravitas.
The Chorus
The chorus exaggerates the idea that once you’ve made it to the top, people will do anything to reach out to you. It includes the lines “Look what you’ve done / I’m a motherfuckin’ Starboy” which detail how The Weeknd gets more attention now that he is famous than he used to get before his success.
The Verses
The verses depict The Weeknd’s experience as a former gang member who beat the odds and became a famous musician. The first verse includes the line: “House so empty need a centerpiece”. The Weeknd uses this line to talk about how he is the centerpiece and how he made it to the top in an empty existence. The second verse depicts the hard work it took to climb to the top. Lines like “Ten-point-one, yeah, we on a wave / Gearing up, preparing for another phase” depict the urgency with which The Weeknd handled his rise to fame.
The Music Video
The music video for Starboy is a perfect complement to the lyrics as it underscores the song’s gritty message. In the video, The Weeknd kills his former self, using a glowing cross as a weapon. He then destroys his old music equipment and starts anew with new gear, representing his journey from cult artist to global superstar.
FAQs
What is the meaning of the song Starboy?
The song Starboy is a showing off of sorts for The Weeknd. In the track, he talks about the toll it took to get to the top of the music industry and how he is reaping the rewards of his hard work. The chorus’s lyrics describe the experience of becoming a star and the way people treat famous people differently than those who aren’t famous.
What inspired The Weeknd to write the song Starboy?
The Weeknd was interested in writing a song that shows how he evolved as both an artist and a person. At the time, he was switching up his sound and style. Daft Punk’s influence on the song’s production gave him a direction and sound that he never had before. According to The Weeknd, the idea of a “Starboy” kind of came together spontaneously when he created the song.
What impact did Starboy have on The Weeknd’s career?
Starboy was a big turning point for The Weeknd’s career as it moved him from being a cult sensation to a mainstream success. The album was a shift from his former R&B style and moved towards a more mainstream pop sound with crossover appeal.
What was Daft Punk’s contribution to the song Starboy?
Daft Punk helped with the production side of Starboy, giving the song an electronic feel that helped the song reach a wide audience. They brought a futuristic sound to the track while staying true to The Weeknd’s original vision and sound.
What is the meaning behind the cross in the Starboy music video?
The glowing cross in the Starboy music video is one of the most iconic visuals from the music video. The cross represents The Weeknd’s musical rebirth. According to him, the cross signifies the dark, edgy sound of his earlier works while the light around the cross represents the new direction he took with the album.
What other songs can you compare with Starboy in terms of sound and style?
The Weeknd’s Starboy’s sound is similar to some other notable songs in the R&B and pop genres. These songs include “Can’t Feel My Face” by The Weeknd, “Perfect Places” by Jeremy Zucker, and “Circles” by Post Malone.
How successful was Starboy?
Starboy was a commercial and critical juggernaut. It reached # 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and sold over 348,000 copies in its first week. As of 2019, it has sold over 3.5 million copies worldwide and has over 2.2 billion streams on Spotify.
Who directed Starboy music video?
The music video for Starboy was directed by Grant Singer, who also directed The Weeknd’s other hit music videos, including “Can’t Feel My Face” and “The Hills.”
Has The Weeknd talked about his experience making Starboy?
Yes. According to The Weeknd, making the song Starboy was a deeply personal experience for him. He wanted to create a song that represented the journey he took to reaching the top of the industry.
What was the critical reception of Starboy?
Starboy received positive critical reception. It received a rating of 76 out of 100 on the review aggregator website Metacritic. Critics praised The Weekend’s collaboration with Daft Punk and his musical growth.
What’s The Weeknd’s legacy in the music industry?
The Weeknd’s success with Starboy cemented his place as a prominent mainstream artist. He has achieved 3 Grammy Awards, an American Music Award, 9 Billboard Music Awards, and numerous other international awards. He has sold over 75 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
Did The Weeknd say anything about his experience with Daft Punk?
Yes. According to The Weeknd, he had always been a fan of Daft Punk and was excited to collaborate with them on Starboy. The collaboration helped him develop his sound and find new ways to express his musical ideas.
What’s The Weeknd’s next project after Starboy?
The Weeknd’s next project after Starboy was My Dear Melancholy, an EP. He then released another album, After Hours, in March 2020.
