The Weeknd sees six songs climb on Billboard’s global charts, and most are years-old, including classics like “Blinding Lights” and “Save Your Tears” with Ariana Grande. SAO PAULO, BRAZIL – SEPTEMBER 7: Abel ‘The Weeknd’ Tesfaye performs on stage during the ‘After Hours Til Dawn Tour’ at MorumBIS on September 7, 2024 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Wagner Meier/Getty Images for Live Nation)
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The Weeknd’s latest album Hurry Up Tomorrow hasn’t produced the kind of smashes that defined earlier eras, and the set isn’t performing quite as well as his last few chart-topping releases. While his current era cools somewhat, his back catalog continues to do the heavy lifting, keeping him on the weekly rankings – especially when looking worldwide.
The Weeknd Scores Six Rising Global Hits
On Billboard’s two global charts — the Billboard Global 200 and the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. — The Weeknd manages a rare feat. He has six tracks on the pair of tallies, and they are all rising. There’s no new single, no video, no viral moment driving this surge. Just consistent worldwide consumption, even of years-old tunes.
“Timeless” Leads a List of Climbers
The Weeknd’s highest-ranking cut on the global lists at the moment is “Timeless,” a collaboration with Playboi Carti. That cut has now been present on the roster for 44 weeks. Just behind it are several catalog staples, including “Blinding Lights,” “Save Your Tears” with Ariana Grande, and “One of the Girls,” his duet with Jennie and Lily-Rose Depp. All four currently sit inside the top 100 on both charts, and each one moves north this frame.
“Blinding Lights” and Other Classics Keep Climbing
“Timeless” is the most recent release of the six, but it’s not a new entry by any means, and the other Weeknd tracks on the global rosters have been around much longer. “Blinding Lights” has passed 200 weeks on both rankings, while “Save Your Tears” and “One of the Girls” have both pushed past the 100-frame landmark.
“Rather Lie” Succeeds Domestically, But Not Globally
In America, The Weeknd’s biggest track at the moment is “Rather Lie,” another collaboration with Carti. The single is back inside the top 10 on the Hot Rap Songs chart and climbing once again on the Hot 100. Interestingly, it doesn’t appear on either global ranking this week, which suggests that its current success is largely confined to the U.S.