Analyzing The Weeknd and Playboi Carti’s New Song Collaboration ‘TIMELESS’

The Weeknd is set to launch his highly anticipated sixth studio album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, with the release of a new single from the LP titled TIMLESS.

This latest track follows the lead single, Dancing In The Flames, which was made available on DSPs (Digital Streaming Platforms) on September 13, 2024.

The Weeknd collaborates with Playboi Carti for their second career partnership on TIMLESS, which was distributed across major streaming platforms today (Sept. 27) through The Weeknd XO Music ULC, Republic Records, and UMG Recordings Inc.

TIMLESS received its first live preview during The Weeknd’s concert in São Paulo on September 7, where Carti joined him on stage for the performance.

Anticipation for the track soared when a demo was reportedly leaked online two days prior to its official release. Shortly after, Carti teased their collaboration by posting an image of the two artists on his story.

Bar-For-Bar: Analyzing The Weeknd and Playboi Carti’s New Single ‘TIMLESS’

The Weeknd’s TIMLESS features a runtime of four minutes and 16 seconds, showcasing captivating production by Pharrell Williams, Ojivolta, Twisco, and MIKE DEAN.

Accompanying the record is an official lyric video that captures The Weeknd and Playboi Carti’s live performance of TIMLESS in São Paulo. Key themes explored in this collaboration include:

• Success
• Wealth
• Luxury
• Status
• Fashion
• Excess
• Hedonism
• Substance Abuse
• Sex
• Intimacy
• Relationships
• Love
• Loyalty

(Verse 1)

“Ever since I was a jit, knew I was the s–t (Ooh, yeah) / Shorty keep wanna come ’round, she wanna get hit (Wanna get hit so hard) / She think she the main because I keep her by my side / Double-O, bust down the watch, she know that I’m timeless (Timeless)”

Opening TIMLESS, Playboi Carti presents an engaging vocal performance, balancing melodic rhythms with his distinctive high-pitched style.

Carti reveals that from a young age, he knew he was destined for success, a theme that runs throughout his verse, with mentions of sex, substance use, extravagance, affluence, and social standing. He concludes with a clever wordplay involving a “Double-O”— symbolizing luxury timepieces like Audemars Piguet watches — to represent his “timeless”artistry.

“I put my son in some Rick / I pull that gun off the hip / Pockets hold twenty-two clips (Ah) / I break her heart, Comme Garçons / Put on a shirt, get put on a blimp / B—h like a stain, get ready to lick / I had to tell her that ever since I was a jit, knew I was the s–t (Oh)”

Carti boasts about his wealth and fashion influence, dressing his son, Onyx, in “Ricks”— an allusion to the renowned designer Rick Owens, showcasing his affinity for high-end streetwear.

He further emphasizes his affluence by equating the large capacity of his pockets to extended firearm magazines, possibly reflecting the substantial cash flow depicted in his music videos. The rapper also references luxury brand Comme des Garçons, comparing heartbreaks to the brand’s iconic “heart with eyes”emblem.

“She singin’ my songs, she wanna die lit, tryna get hit / House like a bank, deposit this b—h, deposit that check / Smile on my face, ain’t playing s–t, come and get checked (Uh) / Ice on my neck, double-O wrist / She in the Scat, hell of a ‘Cat / Fresh out the trench, four hundred packs”

Continuing, Carti evokes his debut album Die Lit, explaining why women are drawn to his music. He metaphorically compares bringing home women to making bank deposits, hinting at a lifestyle filled with indulgent affairs.

His excessive lifestyle is depicted through gratitude toward luxurious items, expensive jewelry, and elite cars.

“Uh, yeah, I’m spinnin’ in Paris (Uh) / Dress for these h–s, they finna flock / Just poured a four in a soda, it pop / Them drugs finna hit, I’m feelin’ ill / I’m wrestlin’ all of my demons, I feel like The Rock”

Carti reflects on his lavish lifestyle, referencing substance use, jet-setting, and partying. The final bar of his verse humorously likens his struggles to those of WWE superstar Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, suggesting a tumultuous internal battle with his emotions.

(Chorus)

“Ever since I was a kid, I been legit (Jit, ooh, nah) / If I was you, I would cut up my wrist (Dumb bit’) / XO tatted all over her body, yeah (Yeah) / She just wanna roll and I don’t mind it, yeah”

The Weeknd enters with the chorus, supported by Carti’s lively vocals. His smooth delivery ensures the chorus sticks in listeners’ minds, covering themes like intimacy, love, loyalty, and substance abuse.

“Ever since I was a jit, I been legit (Ooh, nah, uh) / You should let her go, she wanna be it (Oh, yeah) / Double-O tatted on her body, yeah / It don’t matter what they say, I’m timeless, yeah (Schyeah)”

He concludes the chorus with recognition of his dedicated fanbase, affirming that despite criticism, his music and legacy will remain “timeless.”References to tattoos of his and Carti’s logos further solidify their influence.

Abel founded XO Records in 2011, working with artists like Nav and Belly, while Playboi Carti established Opium Records in 2019, signing rising talents such as Ken Carson, Destroy Lonely, and Homixide Gang.

(Verse 2)

“Oh, city on fire when I’m comin’ home / Fill up the sky (Yeah), I fill up the Dome / They’ll play it one day (Yeah), it’s a hell of a show / But it’s gonna hurt ’cause we did it first”

The Weeknd starts the second verse with a celestial delivery, enriched by Carti’s ad-libs. This segment focuses on themes of success, loyalty, betrayal, and romance.

The opening lines highlight Toronto’s affection for him upon his return, likening his impact to a “city on fire.”He further asserts his role as a pioneer for visually striking stadium shows in his hometown.

“Feel like Skateboard P, BBC boys on the creep / Feel like it’s ’03, Neptune drum with a beam (Yeah) / She hippie-flippin’ a bean, she wanna f–k with the team / She fell in love with the cream (Yeah), she fell in love with the scene”

The Weeknd pays homage to Pharrell Williams, known as “Skateboard P,”and his production duo, The Neptunes, while addressing a woman who, influenced by substances and intimacy, gets captivated by the lavish lifestyle instead of him personally.

“Ooh, yeah, her man quiet, not a peep (Oh, nah) / Broke his heart, PTSD (Oh, nah) / Hold his chest, let it breathe / Let it breathe, n—-s scheme / And I got a priest, he got a cross / Get out of line, send him to God / I shed a tear, pray for a loss, ooh, yeah (Yeah)”

With these lines, The Weeknd explores themes of betrayal and manipulation, referencing a situation where a woman deceives her partner to spend the night with him. His final lines suggest a deep connection to faith, hinting at consequences for anyone who crosses him.

The chorus repeats once more, leading into the ethereal outro that closes TIMLESS.

This collaboration follows the duo’s platinum success on Popular with Madonna, which reached No. 43 on the Billboard Hot 100. With TIMLESS, The Weeknd and Playboi Carti deliver yet another hit produced by Pharrell Williams.

The record showcases their mesmerizing performances, offering fans an insightful look into their extravagant lifestyles, seamlessly blending their ethereal vocal styles with the song’s dynamic production.

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