Timeless
by The Weeknd (featuring Playboi Carti)

Album: Hurry Up Tomorrow (2024)
Charted: 7 3
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Timeless" is a collaboration between The Weeknd and Playboi Carti. Both artists showcase their vocal styles, with Carti delivering his characteristic nonchalant flow and The Weeknd bringing his smooth, melodic touch. The song's central theme of being "timeless" pops up repeatedly, with both artists laying claim to their lasting influence on music and culture.
  • Carti kicks things off with a verse that is as braggadocios as you'd expect, flexing about women, money, and fancy watches. The swagger continues until the last couple of lines when he admits he's using substances to numb his emotional pain. It's a fleeting glimpse of vulnerability.

    The Weeknd glides in with the chorus and second verse, where he's all arrogance, no apologies, and completely at ease with taking advantage of a female fan, who has multiple tattoos of his record label's logo.
  • This isn't the first time The Weeknd and Playboi Carti have worked together. They previously joined forces on the 2023 track "Popular," which also features Madonna and was recorded for The Idol soundtrack, The Weeknd's HBO series.
  • Pharrell Williams joined forces with Ojivolta, Mike Dean and Twisco to create the soundscape. The blippy production blends The Weeknd's signature synth-heavy throwback sound and Playboi Carti's downtempo trap style. The Weeknd gives Pharrell a shout-out in his verse by mentioning his Skateboard P nickname Billionaire Boys Club label and his production duo, The Neptunes.
  • The Weeknd first performed "Timeless" live on September 7, 2024, at a massive, "one night only" stadium concert in São Paulo, Brazil. Held at Estádio MorumBIS, this marked his first performance since wrapping up his 2022-2023 After Hours Til Dawn tour.
  • The video, directed by Gunner Stahl and LouieKnows, was shot on a dimly lit set, creating a dark and atmospheric environment that matches the song's tone. Both The Weeknd and Playboi Carti go through various outfit changes, all the while maintaining an all-black aesthetic. The artists are joined by a group of scantily-clad dancing women, but they ignore the eye candy.

    Gunner Stahl and LouieKnows have worked frequently with Playboi Carti.
  • Playboi Carti joined The Weeknd to perform "Timeless" at the Grammy Awards in 2025, a big story because The Weeknd ripped into the organization in 2021 when his album After Hours got snubbed. He vowed to keep his music out of consideration for the awards, but was satisfied when they became more transparent and added new members to increase representation.
  • "The "Timeless (Remix)" featuring a guest verse from Doechii was released on May 9, 2025. Doechii opens the new version with a high-energy, braggadocious verse that sets a new tone for the track. It omits The Weeknd's original verse, allowing Doechii and Playboi Carti more space to shine.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."

Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell NdegeocelloSongwriter Interviews

Meshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight.

TV Theme Songs

TV Theme SongsFact or Fiction

Was a Beatles song a TV theme? And who came up with those Fresh Prince and Sopranos songs?

Which Songs are About Drugs?

Which Songs are About Drugs?Fact or Fiction

"25 or 6 to 4" to "Semi-Charmed Life" - see if you can spot the songs that are really about drugs.

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go's

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go'sSongwriter Interviews

Charlotte was established in the LA punk scene when a freaky girl named Belinda approached her wearing a garbage bag.

Trucking Songs That Were #1 Hits

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.