"Lost in the Fire" is a song by French DJ Gesaffelstein and Canadian singer the Weeknd, released on 11 January 2019 as the second single from Gesaffelstein's second studio album, Hyperion (2019).[1][2] Nate Donmoyer[3] assisted the artists in writing and producing the song, with additional writing from Ahmad "Belly" Balshe and Jason "DaHeala" Quenneville.
"Lost in the Fire" | ||||
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Single by Gesaffelstein and the Weeknd | ||||
from the album Hyperion | ||||
Released | 11 January 2019 | |||
Length | 3:22 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | ||||
Gesaffelstein singles chronology | ||||
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The Weeknd singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Lost in the Fire" on YouTube |
Background and release
editA couple of months following his two previous featured collaborations with the Weeknd on the tracks "I Was Never There" and "Hurt You" from the artist's 2018 EP My Dear Melancholy, Gesaffelstein released the lead single "Reset" from his second studio album Hyperion.[4] Following the release of the single in November 2018, both artists coincidentally began to independently tease fans about their upcoming projects, with The Weeknd sharing various shots of himself working in the studio through social media platforms and Gesaffelstein sharing images of possible artwork from Hyperion through billboards and his respective social media accounts. A week following New Year's of 2019, both Gesaffelstein and The Weeknd announced a collaborative single titled "Lost in the Fire", with both artist's posting more shots of the song's music video until the song's release on 11 January 2019.[5]
Lyrics and controversies
editCharles Holmes of Rolling Stone described the song's lyrics as being that of "your straightforward Weeknd song, riding the line between epic love and neurotic lust as he tends to do." He also mentions how in the song Tesfaye is mourning the loss of a partner in one verse, while on the next he's promising to sexually satisfy his partner. It's speculated that one of the women the song refers to is model Bella Hadid. The lyrics "And I just want a baby with the right one/’Cause I could never be the one to hide one" are perceived by Holmes to be a diss at Drake regarding the controversial reveal of his son that occurred as a result of the rap feud between him and Pusha T.[6] Other authors saw the possibility of the lyrics being a shot at the rapper as well.[7]
The second verse of the song, with the lines "You said you might be into girls, said you're going through a phase / Keeping your heart safe / Well, baby, you can bring a friend / She can ride on top your face / While I fuck you straight", also caused controversy. The lines were called homophobic and misogynistic, and were accused by some of fetishizing bisexuality and perpetuating the falsehood that a person can be "turned straight", while others have instead speculated this is referring to her body being positioned straight during the sexual act, or even both.[8][9][10]
Critical reception
editDespite its controversial lyrics, "Lost in the Fire" was met with positive reviews from critics. It was ranked as the 31st best dance song of the first half of 2019 by Billboard. On a statement discussing the single's position on the list, Kat Bein described the song as being a "steamy, slinky, foul-mouthed bedroom banger built on sci-fi synth work and midnight moods." She also compared the song's production to that of Daft Punk and complemented Gesaffelstein's new metallic look in the visuals for the song and its parent album.[11]
Music videos
editAfter being teased by an 11-second teaser on 7 January 2019, two accompanying music videos were released alongside the single on 11 January 2019. The first of the two was a Spotify-exclusive vertical video, which was placed at the top of the streaming service's own 'Today's Top Hits' playlist following the song's release.[12] The second of the two was the official music video for the single, which was released on Gesaffelstein's YouTube channel like the previously aforementioned teaser. It features the Weeknd performing various dance moves and poses throughout scenes accompanied by a dark background with Gesaffelstein standing idle alongside him. Critics noted the video as being dark and fashionable. It was directed by Manu Cossu.[13] The song's vertical video was later uploaded to Gesaffelstein's YouTube channel on 11 February 2019.
Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit |
Year-end chartsedit
|
Certifications
editRegion | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[60] | Gold | 35,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada)[61] | 2× Platinum | 160,000‡ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[62] | Platinum | 90,000‡ |
France (SNEP)[63] | Platinum | 200,000‡ |
Germany (BVMI)[64] | Gold | 200,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI)[65] | Gold | 50,000‡ |
Mexico (AMPROFON)[66] | Platinum | 60,000‡ |
Poland (ZPAV)[67] | Platinum | 50,000‡ |
Portugal (AFP)[68] | Gold | 5,000‡ |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[69] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[70] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[71] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000‡ |
Streaming | ||
Greece (IFPI Greece)[72] | 2× Platinum | 4,000,000† |
Sweden (GLF)[73] | Gold | 4,000,000† |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
editRegion | Date | Format | Label(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
United States | 11 January 2019 | [74] | ||
14 January 2019 | Hot adult contemporary | [75] | ||
15 January 2019 | Contemporary hit radio | [76] | ||
22 January 2019 | Dance radio | [77] | ||
Italy | 25 January 2019 | Contemporary hit radio | Sony | [78] |
References
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- ^ "Gesaffelstein and The Weeknd "Lost in the Fire" All Access Music Group 'IMPACTING NOW' banner". Columbia Records. 11 January 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
- ^ "Gesaffelstein & The Weeknd - Lost in the Fire". MusicPleer. 13 January 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
- ^ "The Weeknd and Gesaffelstein reunite for "Lost in Fire": Stream". Consequence of Sound. 11 January 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
- ^ "The Weeknd's Got Everyone Excited Teasing New Music 'Lost In The Fire'". Capital. 7 January 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
- ^ Holmes, Charles (11 January 2019). "The Weeknd's New Song Has People Wondering if He's Dissing Drake". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
- ^ Bailey, Alyssa (11 January 2019). "All the Bella Hadid and Drake References in The Weeknd's 'Lost in the Fire' Lyrics". ELLE. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
- ^ Manzella, Sam (15 January 2019). "The Weeknd Under Fire for Homophobic Lyrics". NewNowNext. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
- ^ Jackman, Josh (15 January 2019). "The Weeknd slammed for singing 'f**k you straight' on 'Lost in the Fire'". PinkNews. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
- ^ Williams, Aaron (14 January 2019). "The Weeknd's 'Lost In The Fire' Lyrics Are Being Called 'Homophobic'". Uproxx. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
- ^ "The 32 Best Dance Songs of 2019 (So Far): Staff Picks". Billboard. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
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- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 03. týden 2019 in the date selector. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
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- ^ "Gesaffelstein,The Weeknd: Lost in the Fire (feat. The Weeknd)" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
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- ^ "Gesaffelstein & The Weeknd – Lost in the Fire" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
- ^ "Gesaffelstein Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
- ^ "Official IFPI Charts - Digital Singles Chart (International) - Week: 3/2019". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 31 January 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
- ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Gesaffelstein". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
- ^ "Mūzikas Patēriņa Tops/ 3. nedēļa" (in Latvian). LAIPA. Archived from the original on 10 October 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
- ^ "The Official Lebanese Top 20 - The Weeknd". The Official Lebanese Top 20. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
- ^ "Savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. 18 January 2019. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
- ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Mexico Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 6, 2019" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
- ^ "Gesaffelstein & The Weeknd – Lost in the Fire" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
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- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201911 into search. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201903 into search. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
- ^ "Gesaffelstein & The Weeknd – Lost in the Fire". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
- ^ "Gesaffelstein & The Weeknd – Lost in the Fire". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
- ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- ^ "Gesaffelstein Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
- ^ "Gesaffelstein Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
- ^ "Gesaffelstein Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
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- ^ "Rapports Annuels 2019". Ultratop. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
- ^ "Airplay 100 – Top of the Year 2019" (in Romanian). Kiss FM. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
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- ^ "2022 metų klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2019 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Gesaffelstein & the Weeknd – Lost in the Fire". Music Canada. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – Gesaffelstein feat. the Weeknd – Lost in the Fire". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
- ^ "French single certifications – Gesaffelstein & the Weeknd – Lost in the Fire" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Gesaffelstein & the Weeknd; 'Lost in the Fire')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – Gesaffelstein & the Weeknd – Lost in the Fire" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved 7 February 2023. Type Gesaffelstein & the Weeknd in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and Lost in the Fire in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
- ^ "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 22 February 2023. Click "TYTUŁ" and enter Lost in the Fire in the search box.
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- ^ "Dance/EDM Future Releases". All Access. All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on 22 January 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
- ^ "GESAFELLSTEIN & THE WEEKND "Lost in The Fire" - (Radio Date: 25/01/2019)". radiodate.it.