Privilege

Album: My Dear Melancholy (2018)
Charted: 52
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Here, The Weeknd seemingly croons about his breaking up with Selena Gomez as he addresses the singer's struggles with Lupus during their relationship.

    And I don't wanna hear that you are suffering
    You are suffering no more
    'Cause I held you down when you were suffering


    Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd's real name) was a support to Gomez during her ordeal which included a lifesaving kidney transplant.
  • The Weeknd references during the chorus and the bridge The Matrix scene when Neo has the choice of taking a red or blue pill from Morpheus. The "red pill" is facing reality and the "blue pill" is living in blissful ignorance.

    And I'ma f--k the pain away, and I know I'll be okay
    They said our love is just a game, I don't care what they say
    But I'ma drink the pain away, I'll be back to my old ways
    And I got two red pills to take the blues away, oh


    The Weeknd flips the Matrix reference into a line about medicating himself by means of drink and sex in order to escape the reality of his heartbreak.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And Hell

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And HellSongwriter Interviews

Guitarist Tony Iommi on the "Iron Man" riff, the definitive Black Sabbath song, and how Ozzy and Dio compared as songwriters.

Daryl Hall

Daryl HallSongwriter Interviews

Daryl Hall's TV show is a hit, and he's been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - only one of these developments excites him.

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.