Returning to my look at a recent edition of the Billboard Hot 100, today’s track is a collaboration between The Weeknd and Ariana Grande that sits at #6.
‘Die For You’ is a perfect example of how TikTok has reshaped the music industry. This song first appeared on The Weeknd’s 2016 album Starboy and was released as that album’s sixth single. It peaked at #43 on this chart back then and had seemingly run its course.
But in 2021 the song started picking up steam through its appearance in TikToks. The Weeknd took advantage of the track’s new popularity and released an official music video in November of that year. That pushed ‘Die For You’ back onto the Hot 100, where it peaked at #6.
Enter Ariana Grande. The pop star had collaborated with The Weeknd three times previously, including on the #1 hit ‘Save Your Tears.’ She recorded vocals for a remix of ‘Die For You’ that promptly shot to #1 in February of this year.
‘Save Your Tears’ and ‘Die For You’ mark the sixth and seventh number one hits for both The Weeknd and Ariana Grande, who have proved to be reliable hitmakers both separately and together. It’s pretty remarkable that half of their collaborations have topped the Hot 100.
I’m findin’ ways to articulate the feelin’ I’m goin’ through
I just can’t say I don’t love you (Yeah)
‘Cause I love you, yeah
It’s hard for me to communicate the thoughts that I hold
But tonight, I’m gon’ let you know
Let me tell the truth
Baby, let me tell the truth, yeah
[Pre-Chorus: The Weeknd]
You know what I’m thinkin’, see it in your eyes
You hate that you want me, hate it when you cry
You’re scared to be lonely, ‘specially in the night
I’m scared that I’ll miss you, happens every time
I don’t want this feelin’, I can’t afford love
I try to find a reason to pull us apart
It ain’t workin’ ’cause you’re perfеct
And I know that you’re worth it
I can’t walk away, oh
[Chorus: Both]
Even though we’rе goin’ through it (Ah)
And it makes you feel alone
Just know that I would die for you (Ooh, ooh)
Baby, I would die for you, yeah
The distance and the time between us (Distance and the time)
It’ll never change my mind ’cause
Baby, I would die for you (I would die for you)
Baby, I would die for you, yeah
[Verse 2: Ariana Grande]
I’m findin’ ways to stay concentrated on what I gotta do
But, baby boy, it’s so hard ’round you
And yes, I’m blamin’ you
And you know I can’t fake it, now or never
And you insinuatin’ that you think we might be better
Better me and you
Yeah, I know you do
[Pre-Chorus: Ariana Grande]
You know what I’m thinkin’, see it in your eyes
You hate that you want me, hate it when you cry
It ain’t workin’ ’cause you’re perfect (Mm)
And I know you deserve it
I can’t walk away
[Chorus: Both]
Even though we’re goin’ through it
And it makes you (Me) feel alone
Just know that I would die for you (I would die for you)
Baby, I would die for you, yeah
The distance and the time between us
It’ll never change my mind ’cause
Baby, I would die for you (I would die for you, uh)
Baby, I would die for you, yeah (I would die for you)
[Bridge: The Weeknd]
I would die for you, I would lie for you
Keep it real with you, I would kill for you, my baby
I’m just sayin’, yeah
I would die for you, I would lie for you
Keep it real with you, I would kill for you, my baby
Na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na-na
[Chorus: The Weeknd]
Even though we’re goin’ through it (Ooh)
And it makes you feel alone (No, no)
Just know that I would die for you (No)
Baby, I would die for you, yeah
The distance and the time between us (Ooh)
It’ll never change my mind ’cause (No, no)
Baby, I would die for you (No)
Baby, I would die for you, yeah (Oh, babe)
Meet Me In Montauk 
Happy to see two talented young artists with good voices have so much success with their collaborations.
I like to see a song have so many opportunities to find its biggest audience though I often prefer an original version over all the remixes.