“Take My Breath” by The Weeknd

by Amanda London· Published August 6, 2021· Updated August 6, 2021

“Take My Breath” is a love song, but you know, the Weeknd style. What that means is that some of the surface lyrics are bound to have a dark undertone. So for instance when his relationship with the addressee commences, i.e. she is apparently making an attempt to pick him up, the vocalist uses colorful language like referring to her as “the devil in disguise”, and she ‘offering herself to him like a sacrifice’.

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Also the title of this song, if taken literally, is of course an allusion to death. And even though it isn’t directly used as such therein, in a poetic sense it is meant to illustrate that The Weeknd is cognizant of some type of inherent danger in getting mixed up with this particular individual.

A Groupie Addressee

And all lyrics considered it would be reasonable to deduce that said individual is akin to a groupie or at least someone who is really going out of her way to get with the vocalist.

But The Weeknd, already knowing the game, is not too keen on accepting her invitation. And this isn’t so much about him being worried that she’s going to do him dirty. Instead, the climax of the second verse especially reads as if he also recognizes that she’s “too young” to be living such a lifestyle.

Or rather let’s say that if she does opt to conduct herself as, say a club ho, so to speak, then he doesn’t want to be the one who truly indoctrinates her into such a modus operandi.

However, she prefers to conduct herself in such a manner, ‘being on the edge’, as The Weeknd describes her. And whereas he may initially be cautious in terms of hooking up, ultimately it reads as if the vocalist gives in to the lust, if you will.

To Sum Up

So at the end of the day, we can most simply say that this story is based on a woman seducing a man, with the man eventually giving in to her urgings. But considering that the vocalist is not only a major celebrity but also one known for putting intricacies of his fame into song, some of the lyrics take on an added dimension.

And conclusively, what The Weeknd seems to be saying is something that he even wishes certain women who throw themselves at him would chill out. Like he knows the way they are carrying themselves, let’s say the younger ones in particular, is not good for their overall development. But at the same time, he is in fact a man. And if one of these ladies rub him the right way, he may very well acquiesce, as in this case.

Facts about “Take My Breath”

As of its release date of 6 August 2021, “Take My Breath” is considered to be the lead single from The Weeknd’s forthcoming fifth studio album. According to some researchers, based on prior statements he’s made, it is believed the album will be entitled “The Dawn”.

And you probably don’t need us to tell you that at this moment in time, the Canadian vocalist is perhaps the top R&B singer in the world. For instance, his three previous studio albums – 2015’s “Beauty Behind the Madness”, 2016’s “Starboy” and 2020’s “After Hours” – have all gone multi-platinum in both Canada and the US. Moreover, he or his works have won 10 Billboard Music Awards in 2021 alone.

The Weeknd is said to have first teased this track on 1 August, a few days prior to its release.

Additionally he served as one of the song’s co-writers and co-producers, as did Max Martin and Oscar Holter. And Belly, a rapper from Up North who has a notable collaboration history with the vocalist, also lent to its composition.

Music Video

The music video to this track was directed by a duo from L.A. known as Cliqua. As originally intended, it was to be shown during IMAX screenings of the concurrently-fresh DC Film The Suicide Squad.

However, that plan has been shelved due to the concerns that the video may cause epileptic episodes in some viewers as a result of the “intense strobe lighting” contained therein. And those involved apparently became aware of this risk after previewing the clip in an ad associated with the 2021 Summer Olympics.