Timeless by The Weeknd Song Meaning

Max Krupenko
October 13, 2024

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"Timeless" by The Weeknd and Playboi Carti blends the atmospheric, larger-than-life aesthetic both artists have mastered over the years. The track is a declaration of their untouchable status in the industry, echoing themes of self-assurance, wealth, fame, and immortality, set against a backdrop of their signature blend of hedonism and introspection.

Themes and Messages: Immortality and Success

At its core, the song revolves around the concept of being "timeless," a phrase used throughout to reflect a sense of eternal relevance and enduring success. This theme appears immediately in the hook where The Weeknd asserts, "It don't matter what they say, I'm timeless." Here, the idea of transcending criticism or public opinion is central to their worldview. Both artists have been shaped by their long-standing influence on modern music, and the repetition of "timeless" reinforces the idea that their impact will outlive trends or fleeting fame.

The lyrics also touch upon the weight of fame and the emotional complexity that comes with it. For example, Playboi Carti's reflection, "I'm wrestlin' all of my demons, I feel like The Rock," introduces a rare moment of vulnerability, acknowledging the internal battles beneath the external glamour. By likening himself to a wrestler, Carti highlights the ongoing struggle to maintain his composure and success, despite personal struggles. This interplay between bravado and vulnerability threads subtly throughout the track, making the "timeless" persona feel more nuanced.

Lyrical Devices: Metaphor and Symbolism

Metaphor and symbolism are woven into both verses, amplifying the song's emotional and narrative depth. Carti’s line, “Bitch like a stain, get ready to lick,” serves as a crude metaphor for indulgence and disposability, where relationships and materialism are intertwined with conquest. Meanwhile, "Deposit this bitch, 'posit that check" transforms people into financial transactions, reflecting the transactional nature of relationships in the fame-driven world Carti and The Weeknd inhabit.

Religious imagery also punctuates the lyrics. In Verse 2, The Weeknd sings, "I got a priest, he got a cross, get out of line, send him to God." This stark shift to spiritual references creates a chilling contrast to the material wealth flaunted earlier, hinting at the darker, moral consequences of their actions, whether it’s referencing violence or deeper existential crises.

Musicality and Structure: Free-flowing Rhythm and Callbacks

The song’s structure is fluid, with Playboi Carti and The Weeknd seamlessly blending their verses and vocals. The hook’s repeated mantra of “timeless” serves as an anchor throughout the track, creating a cyclical, almost hypnotic effect. The use of repetition here reinforces the immortality theme; by constantly returning to the word "timeless," they suggest that their influence never fades, just like the refrain.

Carti’s flow in the first verse is staccato and punchy, his bars dense with references to luxury, fame, and violence, while The Weeknd's smoother, more melodic delivery contrasts this with a sense of effortless coolness. Together, their delivery styles complement each other, merging Carti’s raw energy with The Weeknd’s more polished confidence.

There are also subtle callbacks to earlier musical influences. The line "Feel like Skateboard P, BBC boys on the creep" pays homage to Pharrell Williams, who shaped early 2000s hip-hop and pop, suggesting that the duo sees themselves as heirs to that legacy. This not only reinforces the theme of being "timeless" but also hints at a sense of nostalgia for the era they’re referencing.

Cultural and Historical Context: Hip-Hop Nostalgia and New-Age Swagger

By invoking references like Pharrell (“Skateboard P”) and feeling like it’s “'03,” the song hints at a yearning for an era when The Neptunes (Pharrell and Chad Hugo) were dominant. The inclusion of these cultural markers roots the track in hip-hop's history, establishing a lineage that connects the present to the past, reinforcing their "timeless" narrative. Carti and The Weeknd position themselves as the new generation carrying forward this legacy while simultaneously reshaping it.

This nostalgia is juxtaposed with very contemporary themes like social media-driven fame, symbolized by lines like "XO tatted all over her body," which highlights the fandom culture that has exploded in the digital age. The inclusion of fashion brands like Comme Garçon and Rick Owens further reflects the duo’s status in the intersection of music and high-end fashion, creating a seamless blend of past influences and present realities.

Author’s Perspective: Self-Made Success

The personal experiences of both artists bleed into the track, particularly their rise to success despite humble beginnings. The recurring line "Ever since I was a jit, knew I was the shit" illustrates a deep-seated belief in their own greatness from an early age. This sense of predestined success is common in both The Weeknd's and Playboi Carti's discographies, where they reflect on their journey from obscurity to superstardom.

The mention of demons and struggles with addiction (“Them drugs finna hit, I'm feelin' ill”) adds another layer, hinting at the costs of their lifestyle and fame. The Weeknd, in particular, has often addressed themes of excess, self-destruction, and redemption in his music, and this song continues that exploration, albeit more subtly.

Conclusion: A Complex Portrait of Modern Fame

"Timeless" offers a mix of bravado, nostalgia, and introspection, presenting a portrait of two artists grappling with the highs and lows of fame. While both Playboi Carti and The Weeknd declare themselves "timeless," the track also reveals the fragility that exists just beneath the surface. It’s this balance of swagger and subtle vulnerability that gives the song its depth, making it not just a declaration of success, but a more complex meditation on what it means to remain relevant in a fast-changing world.

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