Blinding Lights#Grammys controversy
{{short description|2019 single by the Weeknd}}
{{Distinguish|Blinding Light|Blinded by the Light|Blinded by the Lights|City of Blinding Lights}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Blinding Lights
| cover = The Weeknd - Blinding Lights.png
| type = single
| artist = the Weeknd
| album = After Hours
| released = {{Start date|2019|11|29}}
| recorded = November 2018- February 2019
| studio = * MXM (Los Angeles, California)
- Jungle City (New York, New York)
| genre = {{flatlist|
- Synth-pop{{cite web|url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/weeknd-album-after-hours/|title=The Weeknd Reveals Title Of His Upcoming Album, After Hours|first=Tim|last=Peacock|date=February 15, 2020|publisher=uDiscover Music|access-date=February 15, 2020|archive-date=February 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215212944/https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/weeknd-album-after-hours/|url-status=live}}
- electropop{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/track/the-weeknd-heartless-blinding-lights-2581346|title=The Weeknd sets sights on dominating 2020 with swaggering 'Heartless' and 'Blinding Lights'|date=November 29, 2019|website=NME|access-date=December 9, 2019|archive-date=March 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311052759/https://www.nme.com/reviews/track/the-weeknd-heartless-blinding-lights-2581346|url-status=live}}
- new wave{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-2020-1097442/12-megan-thee-stallion-beyonce-savage-remix-1097465/|title=The 50 Best Songs of 2020|first=Kory|last=Grow|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=December 7, 2020|access-date=December 7, 2020|archive-date=February 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213103837/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-2020-1097442/12-megan-thee-stallion-beyonce-savage-remix-1097465/|url-status=live}}
- synthwave{{cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/music/the-weeknd-blinding-lights/|title=The Weeknd Goes Full Synthwave On The Yearning New Single 'Blinding Lights'|last=Rossignol|first=Derrick|website=Uproxx|date=November 29, 2019|access-date=December 1, 2019|archive-date=December 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203061034/https://uproxx.com/music/the-weeknd-blinding-lights/|url-status=live}}
}}
| length = 3:22
| label = * XO
| writer = * Abel Tesfaye
| producer = * Max Martin
- Oscar Holter
- The Weeknd
| prev_title = Heartless
| prev_year = 2019
| next_title = After Hours
| next_year = 2020
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|4NRXx6U8ABQ|"Blinding Lights"}}}}
}}
"Blinding Lights" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd, from his fourth studio album, After Hours (2020). The song was released through XO and Republic Records on November 29, 2019, as the album's second single. It is a synth-pop, electropop, new wave, and synthwave track, which lyrically addresses the importance of a partner, and the desire to see them at night. It was written by the Weeknd, Max Martin, Oscar Holter, Belly, and DaHeala, while being produced by the former three.
"Blinding Lights" received universal acclaim by music journalists upon release, with many noting its aesthetic, as well as its callback to the music of the 1980s. The song was a commercial success, topping the record charts in over 40 countries, including his native Canada, making it his most successful single to date. In the United States, "Blinding Lights" topped the Billboard Hot 100 for four non-consecutive weeks, earning his fifth number one in the country. It became the song with the most weeks spent in the top five and top ten and the first song to hold a spot in the top ten for an entire year. It was the longest-charting song in history for a short period of time, remaining on it for a total of 90 weeks, and was named as the chart's best-performing song of all time on November 23, 2021. It was certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and seven times platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, it was the best-selling global single of 2020 and the best-selling song overall since 2020 by stream equivalent units. On Spotify, it is the most streamed song of all time, and the first song to surpass four billion streams.
Anton Tammi directed the song's music video, which was filmed over a four-day period shot in the night. Inspired by films such as Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Joker, and Casino, it depicts the Weeknd speeding through a city, after getting beaten by bouncers and being forced on the run. "Blinding Lights" was performed on television shows such as The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Saturday Night Live, his headlining set at the Super Bowl LV halftime show, and was included on the set list for his After Hours til Dawn Tour. It received several awards and nominations, winning Song of the Year at the 2021 iHeartRadio Music Awards and Juno Awards of 2021.
Background and development
In November 2018, the Weeknd announced at a concert that he was working on his fourth studio album, tentatively referred to as "Chapter VI".{{cite magazine|last=Li|first=Nicolaus|url=https://hypebeast.com/2018/11/the-weeknd-chapter-6-album-announcement|title=The Weeknd Announces New Album, 'Chapter 6'|magazine=Hypebeast|date=November 7, 2018|access-date=April 28, 2024|archive-date=April 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427084612/https://hypebeast.com/2018/11/the-weeknd-chapter-6-album-announcement|url-status=live}}
After a five-month social media hiatus, the singer-songwriter returned to Instagram on November 20, 2019, and posted six days later on November 26, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/the-weeknd-returns-to-instagram-and-fans-are-convinced-chapter-vi-is-coming-news.96171.html|title=The Weeknd Returns To Instagram & Fans Are Convinced "Chapter VI" Is Coming|website=HotNewHipHop|last=A.|first=Aron|date=November 20, 2019|access-date=November 26, 2019|archive-date=March 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322125741/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/the-weeknd-returns-to-instagram-and-fans-are-convinced-chapter-vi-is-coming-news.96171.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1095452/the-weeknd-returns-to-instagram-with-a-loading-message|title=The Weeknd Returns to Instagram With a "Loading" Message|website=E! Online|last=Schnurr|first=Samantha|date=November 20, 2019|access-date=November 26, 2019|archive-date=November 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122014115/https://www.eonline.com/news/1095452/the-weeknd-returns-to-instagram-with-a-loading-message|url-status=live}} He previously announced a project referred to as Chapter VI in June 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-weekend-teases-new-album-chapter-6-2536077|title=Is The Weeknd's new album finally on its way?|website=NME|last=Skinner|first=Tom|date=August 7, 2019|access-date=November 26, 2019|archive-date=December 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218064601/https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-weekend-teases-new-album-chapter-6-2536077|url-status=live}} On November 24, 2019, a Mercedes-Benz commercial first aired on German TV featuring a clip of "Blinding Lights".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8544830/the-weeknd-new-music-mercedes-benz-commercial|title=Hear New Music From The Weeknd in Mercedes-Benz Commercial: Watch|last=Saponara|first=Michael|magazine=Billboard|date=November 26, 2019|access-date=November 26, 2019|archive-date=November 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128014414/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8544830/the-weeknd-new-music-mercedes-benz-commercial|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2066221/the-weeknd-previews-new-song-blinding-lights-in-mercedes-benz-commercial/video/|title=The Weeknd Previews New Song "Blinding Lights" In Mercedes-Benz Commercial|website=Stereogum|last=Breihan|first=Tom|date=November 26, 2019|access-date=November 26, 2019|archive-date=March 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319141924/https://www.stereogum.com/2066221/the-weeknd-previews-new-song-blinding-lights-in-mercedes-benz-commercial/video/|url-status=live}} It shows the Weeknd driving a Mercedes-Benz EQC SUV and asking the system to play his new song.{{cite web|url=https://www.rap-up.com/2019/11/24/the-weeknd-new-single-blinding-lights/|title=The Weeknd to Release New Single "Blinding Lights" on Black Friday|website=Rap-Up|date=November 26, 2019|access-date=November 26, 2019|archive-date=November 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128132032/https://www.rap-up.com/2019/11/24/the-weeknd-new-single-blinding-lights/|url-status=live}} The full-length version of the commercial premiered on November 29, alongside the single.{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/the-weeknd-previews-new-song-blinding-lights-in-mercedes-benz-ad-watch/|title=The Weeknd Previews New Song "Blinding Lights" in Mercedes-Benz Ad: Watch|last=Strauss|first=Matthew|website=Pitchfork|date=November 26, 2019|access-date=November 26, 2019|archive-date=January 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200119141744/https://pitchfork.com/news/the-weeknd-previews-new-song-blinding-lights-in-mercedes-benz-ad-watch/|url-status=live}} In the days after, he took to social media to announce his return to music with the captions "the fall starts tomorrow night" and "Tonight we start a new brain melting psychotic chapter! Let's go!".{{cite web|url=https://hiphop-n-more.com/2019/11/the-weeknd-to-release-2-new-singles-blinding-lights-heartless-this-week/|title=The Weeknd to Release 2 New Singles "Blinding Lights" & "Heartless" This Week|author=Akaash|website=HipHop-n-More|date=November 26, 2019|access-date=November 26, 2019|archive-date=March 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322125751/https://hiphop-n-more.com/2019/11/the-weeknd-to-release-2-new-singles-blinding-lights-heartless-this-week/|url-status=live}}
During an interview conducted by Jem Aswad from Variety magazine, the Weeknd discussed his experience working with Swedish songwriter-producer Max Martin, saying: "Max and I have become literally the best of friends, but I don't do that with many people. It's not that I can't, but a collaboration is a relationship, it's like a marriage, you've gotta build up to it."{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/the-weeknd-exclusive-interview-after-hours-1234573754/|title=The Weeknd Opens Up About His Past, Turning 30 and Getting Vulnerable on After Hours|first=Jem|last=Aswad|website=Variety|date=May 2, 2020|access-date=May 3, 2020|archive-date=April 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408144604/https://variety.com/2020/music/news/the-weeknd-exclusive-interview-after-hours-1234573754/|url-status=live}} In a Billboard interview, the Weeknd expressed his appreciation for music of the 1980s: "I've always had an admiration for the era before I was born. You can hear it as far back as my first mixtape that the '80s — Siouxsie and the Banshees, Cocteau Twins — play such a huge role in my sound. Sometimes it helps me create a new sound and sometimes it's just obvious. I'm just glad the world's into it now."{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9348979/the-weeknd-interview-historic-chart-domination-exclusive |title=The Weeknd on Being the First Artist to Top These 5 Charts At Once: 'It Feels Like a Huge Blessing' (Exclusive) |first=Anton |last=Tammi |magazine=Billboard |url-access=subscription |date=April 1, 2020 |access-date=April 12, 2020 |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107223939/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9348979/the-weeknd-interview-historic-chart-domination-exclusive |url-status=live }} In an interview with Vanity Fair, the Weeknd said that he initially thought that the song would be a commercial failure.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2023/05/the-weeknd-remade-pop-music-will-the-idol-remake-the-weeknd|title=The Weeknd Remade Pop Music. Will The Idol Remake The Weeknd?|magazine=Vanity Fair|date=May 16, 2023|access-date=June 4, 2023|archive-date=June 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230618173531/https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2023/05/the-weeknd-remade-pop-music-will-the-idol-remake-the-weeknd|url-status=live}}
Lyrics and composition
Throughout the song, the Weeknd sings about the rekindling of a relationship and the importance of his partner. He also mentions the city of Las Vegas, Nevada, when he refers to it by its nickname "Sin City" in the pre-chorus.{{cite web |last=Garrison |first=Cianna |date=November 30, 2019 |title=The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights" Lyrics Might Be About Bella Hadid |url=https://www.elitedaily.com/p/the-weeknds-blinding-lights-lyrics-might-be-about-bella-hadid-19414475 |access-date=December 1, 2019 |website=Elite Daily |archive-date=January 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102205925/https://www.elitedaily.com/p/the-weeknds-blinding-lights-lyrics-might-be-about-bella-hadid-19414475 |url-status=live }} In a profile in Esquire magazine, The Weeknd explained that "'Blinding Lights' [is about] how you want to see someone at night, and you're intoxicated, and you're driving to this person and you're just blinded by streetlights, but nothing could stop you from trying to go see that person, because you're so lonely. I don't want to ever promote drunk driving, but that's what the dark undertone is."{{cite web |last=Kirkland |first=Justin |date=August 25, 2020 |title=The Weeknd Explains the Meaning Behind 'Blinding lights' Song |url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a33771295/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-lyrics-meaning |access-date=August 25, 2020 |website=www.esquire.com |archive-date=August 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200826213817/https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a33771295/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-lyrics-meaning/ |url-status=live }}
From its scale-laddering verses to its tension-filled chorus, the song exhibits the polish and "melodic math" for which Max Martin is renowned, according to Chris Molanphy from Slate.{{Cite journal|url=https://slate.com/culture/2020/04/weeknd-blinding-lights-billboard-number-1-coronavirus-tiktoks.amp|title=Why the Weeknd's "Blinding Lights" Is the First Chart Topper of the Coronavirus Era|first=Chris|last=Molanphy|journal=Slate|date=April 9, 2020|access-date=June 5, 2020|archive-date=January 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122045237/https://slate.com/culture/2020/04/weeknd-blinding-lights-billboard-number-1-coronavirus-tiktoks.amp|url-status=dead}} The Dorian structure provides a dreamy and euphoric nature to the song while still ultimately resolving to a minor chord. Exclusively in the music video, the song temporarily modulates to Eb Dorian as the beats per minute drops for 3 and a half measures.
Billboard staff writer Frank DiGiacomo assessed its qualities, "The opening drumbeat is a DeLorean [time machine] back to Michael Jackson's 'Beat It'. The amphetamine synth conjures fond memories of leopard-print-era Rod Stewart's 'Young Turks' — or maybe that other guy with the avian hairdo, Mike Score from A Flock of Seagulls? And isn't that spooky B-movie organ from Rockwell's 'Somebody's Watching Me'? Abel Tesfaye's Drambuie-drenched vocals bathe you in euphoria as you bop around your home in an N-95 mask, punching your fist to the 'Hey!-Hey!-Hey!'{{'}}s, making a magical and much-needed tonic for troubled times".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/list/9395318/best-songs-of-2020-top-50-so-far|title=The 50 Best Songs of 2020 (So Far): Staff Picks|first=Frank|last=Digiacomo|magazine=Billboard|date=June 10, 2020|access-date=June 10, 2020|archive-date=June 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610195252/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/list/9395318/best-songs-of-2020-top-50-so-far|url-status=live}}
The genre of the song is generally described as new wave, synth-pop, synthwave and electropop. Audio engineer Şerban Ghenea says he loved working on the Weeknd's crisp-sounding "Blinding Lights". "It was crossing two worlds to make something new that fits today, sonically. The older folks like it because it's a throwback, and then the kids love it because it's a new thing that they never heard before."{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/lists/hitmakers-2020-full-list/serban-ghenea/|title=Making the Cut: Variety's 2020 Hitmakers and Hitbreakers Revealed|website=Variety|date=December 3, 2020|access-date=December 7, 2020|archive-date=December 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204063741/https://variety.com/lists/hitmakers-2020-full-list/serban-ghenea|url-status=live}}
Critical reception
"Blinding Lights" received universal acclaim from critics.{{cite web |last=Mercado |first=Myan |date=December 4, 2019 |title=The Weeknd Takes Us Back to the '80s With "Blinding Lights" |url=https://wordpress.com/log-in?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fsoundigestdotcom.wordpress.com%2Fwp-admin%2F |access-date=May 10, 2020 |website=Sound Digest |archive-date=July 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724205403/https://soundigest.com/2019/12/04/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-review/amp/ |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9338020/the-weeknd-after-hours-career-analysis|title=Don't Forget How Unlikely The Weeknd Once Seemed as a Reliable Pop Superstar|first=Andrew|last=Unterberger|date=March 3, 2020|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 2, 2020|archive-date=March 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304115227/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9338020/the-weeknd-after-hours-career-analysis|url-status=live}} It was named as the second best song of 2020 by Billboard and the best song of 2020 by Consequence of Sound; the former highlighted its nostalgic appeal,{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/media/lists/best-songs-2020-top-100-9494940/|title=The 100 Best Songs of 2020: Staff List|first=Josh|last=Glicksman |magazine=Billboard |date=December 8, 2020|access-date=December 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211173512/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/list/9494940/best-songs-2020-top-100 |archive-date=December 11, 2020 |url-status=live}} and the latter praised its "melodic romance waxed over a blockbuster riff".{{Cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2020/12/top-50-songs-of-2020/6/|title=Top 50 Songs of 2020|first=Michael|last=Roffman|website=Consequence of Sound|date=December 3, 2020}} Variety magazine named "Blinding Lights" the Record of the Year: "The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' is indisputably one of the landmark songs of 2020. The piece has a crystalline synth hook straight out of 1985. The record has come to symbolize strength and triumphing over adversity."{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/weeknd-blinding-lights-hitmakers-record-of-the-year-1234846143/|title=The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' Is Variety's Hitmakers Record of the Year|first=Jem|last=Aswad|website=Variety|date=December 3, 2020|access-date=December 4, 2020|archive-date=January 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122234657/https://variety.com/2020/music/news/weeknd-blinding-lights-hitmakers-record-of-the-year-1234846143/amp/|url-status=live}} "Blinding Lights" was named one of the best songs of 2019 by Stereogum, where editor Chris DeVille complimented the song's '80s aesthetic and vibe, saying that "the '80s will never die—or, at least, the glamorous neon '80s of our collective imagination".{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2067368/best-pop-songs-2019/franchises/2019-in-review/|title=The Best Pop Songs of 2019|website=Stereogum|date=December 12, 2019|access-date=January 22, 2020|archive-date=July 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724205405/https://www.stereogum.com/2067368/the-top-40-pop-songs-of-2019/columns/the-week-in-pop/|url-status=live}}
Rolling Stone columnist Kory Grow named "Blinding Lights" as the fourth best song of 2020: "With fuzzy synths and hopscotching drum-machine line, 'Blinding Lights' is the best new wave song this side of Duran Duran. In just three minutes, the Weeknd checks off any number of Eighties pop-song signposts—unanswered phone calls, driving fast just to feel something, lights representing loneliness—but the real magic is how his voice and the song's chiming keyboard line lingers in your head well after he injects new life into the greatest Eighties-steeped lyrical cliché of them all: 'I can't sleep until I feel your touch,'" and editor Jon Dolan praised the "europhile synth-pop-steeped" production, "Blinding Lights" evokes Depeche Mode and the Human League in its lonely-planet luster.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/the-weeknd-after-hours-971129/|title=The Weeknd Is Alone Again, Naturally, on 'After Hours'|first=Jon|last=Dolan|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=March 23, 2020|access-date=December 17, 2020|archive-date=November 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101195218/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/the-weeknd-after-hours-971129/amp/|url-status=live}} David Smyth of Evening Standard also praised the song, calling it a "glorious blast of air punching Eighties synth-pop".{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/music/the-weeknd-after-hours-review-a4392746.html|title=The Weeknd – After Hours review: Shadowy escapism for the great lock-in|work=Evening Standard|last=Smyth|first=David|date=March 20, 2020|access-date=March 30, 2020|archive-date=March 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320110119/https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/music/the-weeknd-after-hours-review-a4392746.html|url-status=live}} Micah Peters from The Ringer selected it as one of the best on the album.{{cite web|url=https://www.theringer.com/music/2020/3/25/21194498/the-weeknd-after-hours-review|title='After Hours' Is the Weeknd's Most Accomplished Work Yet|first=Micah|last=Peters|date=March 25, 2020|website=The Ringer|access-date=March 30, 2020|archive-date=March 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325230915/https://www.theringer.com/music/2020/3/25/21194498/the-weeknd-after-hours-review|url-status=live}} The New York Times journalist Lindsay Zoladz named "Blinding Lights" one of the best songs of 2020: "It's a propulsive, modernized bit of '80s pastiche. It's always a blessing when the year's most overplayed pop song happens to be one you wouldn't mind hearing a billion and one times anyway," and editor Jon Caramanica added that "'Blinding Lights' is a sterling song that evokes both an idyllic future and triggers aural sense memories of mega-pop's glory years. 'Blinding Lights' could have been lifted from a found Jazzercise tape from 1986, though the chilly synths have a slightly sinister tinge [and] says a lot about the durability of the Weeknd's early noir—the full commitment to the louche aesthetic he embodied—that even the raging centrist popularity of 'Blinding Lights' can't disinter it."{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/01/arts/music/the-weeknd-after-hours-review.html|title=The Weeknd's Gleamy, Seamy Pop Returns|first=Jon|last=Caramanica|date=April 1, 2020|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 23, 2020|archive-date=April 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401194004/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/01/arts/music/the-weeknd-after-hours-review.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/07/arts/music/best-songs.html|title=Best Songs of 2020|first=Lindsay|last=Zoladz|website=New York Times|date=December 7, 2020|access-date=December 7, 2020|archive-date=December 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208005522/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/07/arts/music/best-songs.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/07/arts/music/the-weeknd-super-bowl-halftime-review.html|title=The Weeknd Emerges From the Shadows at the Super Bowl Halftime Show|first=John|last=Caramanica|website=The New York Times|date=February 7, 2021|access-date=February 8, 2021|archive-date=February 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208015941/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/07/arts/music/the-weeknd-super-bowl-halftime-review.html|url-status=live}}
Ben Beaumont-Thomas of The Guardian named "Blinding Lights" one of the best songs of 2020: "It's a titanic pop production from backroom genius Max Martin, who seems to pay homage to his fellow Scandinavians a-ha with the peppy gated drums. Abel Tesfaye himself shows he can slip between genres casually as he does the lovers in his songs, notching up another wedding disco classic."{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/nov/30/the-20-best-songs-of-2020|title=The 20 Best Songs of 2020|first=Ben|last=Beaumont-Thomas|date=November 30, 2020|website=The Guardian|access-date=December 1, 2020|archive-date=November 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130060503/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/nov/30/the-20-best-songs-of-2020|url-status=live}} When describing the Weeknd's ode to '80s music, Nick Levine of BBC News named "Blinding Lights" one of the best songs of 2020: "Co-written and co-produced with Swedish songwriting genius Max Martin, its synth-pop shimmer manages to feel retro and contemporary at the same time—a tricky thing to pull off. Still, the key to its enduring popularity could lie in its ambiguity. Though 'Blinding Lights'{{'}} explosive chorus is one of the year's most familiar and uplifting, there's a dash of darkness baked in that keeps things interesting."{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20201119-the-best-albums-and-songs-of-2020|title=The best Albums and Songs of 2020|first=Nick|last=Levine|publisher=BBC News|date=November 19, 2020|access-date=December 1, 2020|archive-date=July 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713074042/https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20201119-the-best-albums-and-songs-of-2020|url-status=live}} Editor Makael Wood from Los Angeles Times named "Blinding Lights" one of the best songs of 2020: "The Weeknd's throwback synth-pop smash was so ubiquitous this year that you couldn't avoid hearing it even when you weren't going anywhere. One aspect that kept it from wearing out its welcome: a crisp tempo just a few ticks faster than you're always expecting."{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-12-09/the-50-best-songs-of-2020|title=The 50 best songs of 2020|first=Makael|last=Wood|website=Los Angeles Times|date=December 9, 2020|access-date=December 9, 2020|archive-date=February 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202180156/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-12-09/the-50-best-songs-of-2020|url-status=live}}
= Year-end and other lists =
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ !Publication !List !Rank !{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row"|BBC News
| The 7 Best Songs of 2020 | style="text-align:center;" {{N/A|Placed}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="3"|Billboard
|The 100 Best Songs of 2020 | style="text-align:center;"|2 |
| The 30 Best Pop Songs of 2020
| style="text-align:center;" {{N/A|Placed}} |
| The Top Songs of All Time
| style="text-align:center;"|1 | style="text-align:center;"|{{cite magazine|title=Watch the Throne|last=Mamo|first=Heran|magazine=Billboard|date=November 20, 2021|volume=133|issue=16|page=48}} |
| scope="row"|Consequence of Sound
|The Top 50 Songs of 2020 | style="text-align:center;"|1 |
| scope="row"|Entertainment.ie
|The 10 Best Songs of 2020 | style="text-align:center;"|7 |
| scope="row"|Gaffa
| The 20 Best Songs of 2020 | style="text-align:center;"|1 |
| scope="row"|The Guardian
|The 20 Best Songs of 2020 | style="text-align:center;"|6 |
| scope="row"|The Houston Press
| The Top 20 Songs of 2020 | style="text-align:center;"|3 |
| scope="row"|Los Angeles Times
|The 50 Best Songs of 2020 | style="text-align:center;" {{N/A|Placed}} |
| scope="row"|The New York Times
| Lindsay Zoladz's Best Songs of 2020 | style="text-align:center;"|7 | style="text-align:center;"|{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/07/arts/music/best-songs.html|title=Best Songs of 2020|website=The New York Times|last1=Pareles|first1=Jon|last2=Caramanica|first2=Jon|last3=Zoladz|first3=Lindsay|date=December 7, 2020|access-date=December 21, 2020|archive-date=December 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208005522/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/07/arts/music/best-songs.html|url-status=live}} |
| scope="row"|Pitchfork
|The 100 Best Songs of 2020 | style="text-align:center;"|23 |
| scope="row"|Rolling Stone
|The 50 Best Songs of 2020 | style="text-align:center;"|4 |
| scope="row"|Spin
| The 30 Best Songs of 2020 | style="text-align:center;"|6 |
| scope="row" rowspan="2"|Uproxx
|The 50 Best Songs of 2020 | style="text-align:center;"|37 |
| Music Critics Poll: The Best Songs of The Year
| style="text-align:center;"|3 |
| scope="row"|USA Today
|The 10 Best Songs of 2020 | style="text-align:center;"|5 |
Grammys controversy
Despite having a successful year in 2020 with the critical and commercial success of "Blinding Lights" and its parent album, the Weeknd received zero nominations at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards on November 24, 2020. The gesture spawned much controversy and was a shock to critics, fans, and Tesfaye himself. He responded via social media calling the Grammys "corrupt" in popular social media posts.{{cite magazine |last=Aniftos |first=Rania |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/9489770/the-weeknd-lashes-out-recording-academy |title=The Weeknd Calls Out Recording Academy After Nominations Snub: 'The Grammys Remain Corrupt' |magazine=Billboard |date=November 24, 2020 |access-date=November 26, 2020 |archive-date=January 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108022707/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/9489770/the-weeknd-lashes-out-recording-academy |url-status=live }} Speculation arose that the announcement of his upcoming Super Bowl performance, as well as the confusion as to whether he should be nominated as pop or R&B, contributed to the snubs in all the categories that he was submitted to.{{cite web |last=Haylock |first=Zoe |date=November 24, 2020 |title=The Weeknd Received Zero Grammy Nominations, Responds on Twitter |url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/11/the-weeknd-snub-2021-grammy-nominations.html |access-date=November 25, 2020 |website=Vulture |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107223940/https://www.vulture.com/2020/11/the-weeknd-snub-2021-grammy-nominations.html |url-status=live }} Harvey Mason Jr., interim president of the Recording Academy, responded to the backlash by saying:
We understand that The Weeknd is disappointed at not being nominated. I was surprised and can empathize with what he's feeling. His music this year was excellent, and his contributions to the music community and broader world are worthy of everyone's admiration. We were thrilled when we found out he would be performing at the upcoming Super Bowl and we would have loved to have him also perform on the Grammy stage the weekend before. Unfortunately, every year, there are fewer nominations than the number of deserving artists. But as the only peer-voted music award, we will continue to recognize and celebrate excellence in music while shining a light on the many amazing artists that make up our global community. To be clear, voting in all categories ended well before The Weeknd's performance at the Super Bowl was announced, so in no way could it have affected the nomination process. All Grammy nominees are recognized by the voting body for their excellence, and we congratulate them all.{{cite web |last=Drury |first=Sharareh |date=November 24, 2020 |title=The Weeknd Lashes Out at Recording Academy: "The Grammys Remain Corrupt" |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/the-weeknd-lashes-out-at-recording-academy-the-grammys-remain-corrupt |access-date=25 November 2020 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107223936/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/the-weeknd-lashes-out-at-recording-academy-the-grammys-remain-corrupt |url-status=live }}
The Weeknd later made a statement addressing the infamous snub in January 2021, where he said that it felt like "an attack", saying "Look, I personally don't care anymore. I have three GRAMMYs, which mean nothing to me now, obviously...It's not like, 'Oh, I want the GRAMMY!' It's just that this happened, and I'm down to get in front of the fire, as long as it never happens again. I suck at giving speeches anyways. Forget awards shows."{{cite web|url=https://www.etonline.com/the-weeknd-says-his-3-grammy-wins-mean-nothing-to-him-now-159715|title=The Weeknd Says His 3 GRAMMY Wins Mean Nothing to Him Now|work=Entertainment Tonight|last=Gawley|first=Paige|date=January 28, 2021|access-date=February 7, 2021|archive-date=February 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208215148/https://www.etonline.com/the-weeknd-says-his-3-grammy-wins-mean-nothing-to-him-now-159715|url-status=live}}
Accolades
Commercial performance
= North America =
"Blinding Lights" debuted at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 on the issue dated December 14, 2019, but fell 41 places to number 52 in its second week.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100|title=Top 100 Songs {{!}} Billboard Hot 100 Chart|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 16, 2019|archive-date=October 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027024922/https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100|url-status=live}} In its 12th week on the chart, the song became the Weeknd's tenth top ten hit by rising to a new peak at number ten.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2020-02-29|title=The Hot 100|date=February 29, 2020|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 24, 2020|archive-date=March 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322124550/https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2020-02-29|url-status=live}} On the issue dated March 28, 2020, the song rose two places to reach number two.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9340653/roddy-ricch-the-box-harry-styles-adore-you-hot-100|title=Roddy Ricch's 'The Box' Leads Hot 100 for 11th Week, Harry Styles' 'Adore You' Hits Top 10|last=Trust|first=Gary|date=March 23, 2020|magazine=Billboard|url-access=subscription|access-date=March 23, 2020|archive-date=March 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323194713/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9340653/roddy-ricch-the-box-harry-styles-adore-you-hot-100|url-status=live}} The song reached number one on R&B/Hip-Hop Songs on April 4, 2020, leading for 11 non-consecutive weeks.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9523098/olivia-rodrigo-drivers-license-number-one-fourth-week-hot-100|title=Olivia Rodrigo's 'Drivers License' Leads Hot 100 for 4th Week, The Weeknd & CJ Hit Top 10|first=Gary|last=Trust|magazine=Billboard|url-access=subscription|date=February 8, 2021|access-date=February 8, 2021|archive-date=February 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208183012/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9523098/olivia-rodrigo-drivers-license-number-one-fourth-week-hot-100|url-status=live}} The song also reached number one on R&B Songs chart on March 7, 2020, where it became his seventh number one on the chart, making him the artist with the most number ones on the chart's history and also attaining a record-breaking reign of 48 weeks.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/olivia-rodrigo-drivers-license-number-one-sixth-week-hot-100/ |title=Olivia Rodrigo's 'Drivers License' Leads Hot 100 For 6th Week, Lil Tjay's 'Calling My Phone' Dials Up No. 3 Debut |first=Gary |last=Trust |date=February 22, 2021 |magazine=Billboard |url-access=subscription |access-date=February 23, 2021 |archive-date=February 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222224937/https://www.billboard.com/amp/articles/business/chart-beat/9529511/olivia-rodrigo-drivers-license-number-one-sixth-week-hot-100 |url-status=live }} On March 30, 2020, the song rose to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, dethroning Roddy Ricch's "The Box" on the issue dated April 4, 2020. The single kept at its peak position the following week, becoming the Weeknd's third multi-week leader after "The Hills", which topped the chart five years earlier.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9352114/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-number-one-second-week-hot-100|title=The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' Shines at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 For Second Week|magazine=Billboard|url-access=subscription|date=April 6, 2020|access-date=April 12, 2020|first=Gary|last=Trust|archive-date=April 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406171845/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9352114/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-number-one-second-week-hot-100|url-status=live}} "Blinding Lights" spent four weeks atop the Hot 100 and finished 2020 as the year's top Billboard Hot 100 song.{{Cite magazine |title=The Year in Charts 2020: The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' Is the No. 1 Hot 100 Song of the Year |first=Gary |last=Trust |date=December 3, 2020 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9493054/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-hot-100-song-2020-year-in-charts/ |access-date=December 4, 2020 |magazine=Billboard |url-access=subscription |archive-date=December 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205033302/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9493054/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-hot-100-song-2020-year-in-charts/ |url-status=live }} The following year, it ranked at number three on the year-end chart, becoming the first single to finish in the top three on two occasions.{{Cite magazine|date=December 2, 2021|title=Year-End Chart, Billboard Hot 100 Songs|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2021/hot-100-songs/|access-date=December 2, 2021|magazine=Billboard|language=en-US|archive-date=December 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203091915/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2021/hot-100-songs/|url-status=live}}
"Blinding Lights" spent 57 weeks in the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 and 43 weeks in the top five, breaking the record for the most time logged in the region over the chart's 62-year history.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9536569/olivia-rodrigo-drivers-license-number-one-eighth-week-hot-100 |title=Olivia Rodrigo's 'Drivers License' Leads Hot 100 for 8th Week, The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' Marks a Year in Top 10 |first=Gary |last=Trust |date=March 8, 2021 |magazine=Billboard |url-access=subscription |access-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-date=March 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311034032/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9536569/olivia-rodrigo-drivers-license-number-one-eighth-week-hot-100 |url-status=live }} On the Digital Song Sales chart, the song peaked at number one for the week of March 23, 2020, and became the Weeknd's fifth Digital Songs number one. The single reached a peak of number one on the Streaming Songs chart on March 30, becoming his first topper on the listing since "The Hills" led five years earlier.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9347609/the-weeknd-streaming-songs-number-one-blinding-lights|title=The Weeknd Scores First Streaming Songs No. 1 in 5 Years With 'Blinding Lights'|magazine=Billboard|url-access=subscription|date=March 31, 2020|access-date=April 12, 2020|first=Gary|last=Trust|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819112220/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9347609/the-weeknd-streaming-songs-number-one-blinding-lights|url-status=live}} On April 13, the song reached number one on Pop Songs chart, where it led for 6 non-consecutive weeks, as it slid to number two on the Hot 100.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9357012/drake-toosie-slide-number-one-hot-100-debut|title=Drake Makes Historic Debut at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 With 'Toosie Slide'|magazine=Billboard|url-access=subscription|last=Trust|first=Gary|date=April 13, 2020|access-date=April 13, 2020|archive-date=April 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413213538/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9357012/drake-toosie-slide-number-one-hot-100-debut|url-status=live}} It later rose back up to number one for the two following weeks.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9361802/weeknd-blinding-lights-three-weeks-number-one-hot-100|title=The Weeknd Returns to No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100, Doja Cat Hits Top 5, Post Malone Ties Top 10 Record|last=Trust|first=Gary|magazine=Billboard|url-access=subscription|date=April 20, 2020|access-date=April 20, 2020|archive-date=April 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422162358/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9361802/weeknd-blinding-lights-three-weeks-number-one-hot-100|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9366635/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-number-one-fourth-week-hot-100|title=The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' Leads Hot 100 for 4th Week, DaBaby & Roddy Ricch's 'Rockstar' Launches in Top 10|last=Trust|first=Gary|magazine=Billboard|url-access=subscription|date=April 27, 2020|access-date=April 27, 2020|archive-date=April 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428055259/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9366635/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-number-one-fourth-week-hot-100|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9402603/dababy-rockstar-number-one-second-week-hot-100|title=DaBaby & Roddy Ricch's 'Rockstar' Rules Hot 100 for 2nd Week, Justin Bieber & Quavo's 'Intentions' Hits Top 5|first=Gary|last=Trust|magazine=Billboard|url-access=subscription|date=June 15, 2020|access-date=June 15, 2020|archive-date=January 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114060200/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9402603/dababy-rockstar-number-one-second-week-hot-100|url-status=live}} On May 18, the song became his first number one on the Adult Pop Songs chart, leading for 20 non-consecutive weeks.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/adult-pop-songs/2020-10-17|title=Adult Pop Songs: October 17, 2020|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 13, 2020|archive-date=October 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014090325/https://www.billboard.com/charts/adult-pop-songs/2020-10-17|url-status=live}} On November 7, "Blinding Lights" became his first number one on the Adult Contemporary chart, where it led for 35 non-consecutive weeks.{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/adult-contemporary/2021-04-10|title=Adult Contemporary|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=April 4, 2021|archive-date=April 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417021726/https://www.billboard.com/charts/adult-contemporary/2021-04-10|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9478395/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-no-1-adult-contemporary-chart|title=The Weeknd Earns His First Adult Contemporary No. 1 With 'Blinding Lights'|first=Gary|last=Trust |magazine=Billboard |url-access=subscription |date=November 4, 2020|access-date=November 9, 2020}} "Blinding Lights" topped Radio Songs for a record-breaking 26 weeks, passing Goo Goo Dolls' "Iris", which held the record as the longest-running chart-topper for almost 22 years.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9464165/bts-jason-derulo-jawsh-365-savage-love-number-one-hot-100 |title=Jawsh 685, Jason Derulo & BTS' 'Savage Love' Soars to No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 |first=Gary |last=Trust |magazine=Billboard |url-access=subscription |date=October 12, 2020 |access-date=October 12, 2020 |archive-date=October 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012183818/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9464165/bts-jason-derulo-jawsh-365-savage-love-number-one-hot-100 |url-status=live }}
{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9448661/cardi-b-megan-thee-stallion-wap-hot-100-third-week|title=Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion's 'WAP' Back at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 for Third Week|first=Gary|last=Trust|magazine=Billboard|url-access=subscription|date=September 14, 2020|access-date=September 15, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914194050/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9448661/cardi-b-megan-thee-stallion-wap-hot-100-third-week|url-status=live}} "Blinding Lights" fell out of the Hot 100 for the week dated January 2, 2021, but it re-entered at number 3 the next week, breaking the three-way tie for the highest song to re-enter the Hot 100.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9506550/24kgoldn-mood-number-one-hot-100-seventh-week |title=24kGoldn's 'Mood' Returns to No. 1 on Hot 100, Dua Lipa's 'Levitating' Lifts to Top 10 |first=Gary |last=Trust |date=January 4, 2021 |magazine=Billboard |url-access=subscription |access-date=February 17, 2021 |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107200645/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9506550/24kgoldn-mood-number-one-hot-100-seventh-week/ |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2021-01-09|title=The Hot 100, Week of January 9, 2021|magazine=Billboard|access-date=September 9, 2021|archive-date=January 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109021910/https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2021-01-09|url-status=live}} Meanwhile, "Blinding Lights" tied for the most time totaled in the Hot 100's top three, 21 weeks, equaling the sums of The Chainsmokers' "Closer" and Mark Ronson's "Uptown Funk!".
For a short time during 2022, "Blinding Lights" was the longest running single in the history of the Hot 100 chart with a total of 90 weeks, surpassing Imagine Dragons' "Radioactive", which spent 87 weeks.{{cite news |title=The Weeknd's Blinding Lights becomes longest charting Billboard Hot 100 song |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/the-weeknd-billboard-record-1.6143490 |access-date=August 17, 2021 |agency=The Canadian Press |publisher=CBC News |date=August 17, 2021 |archive-date=November 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221106132228/https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/the-weeknd-billboard-record-1.6143490 |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9615371/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-hot-100-record-88-weeks |title=The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' Spends Record-Breaking 88th Week on Billboard Hot 100 |date=August 16, 2021 |accessdate=August 16, 2021 |last=Trust |first=Gary |magazine=Billboard |url-access=subscription |archive-date=October 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029034121/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9615371/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-hot-100-record-88-weeks/ |url-status=live }} In the process, the song also attained the longest chart run of any Hot 100 chart-topper in Billboard history, surpassing the 68-week run by LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem" (2011–12).{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/lil-nas-x-montero-number-one-hot-100/|title=Lil Nas X's 'Montero (Call Me by Your Name)' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100|first=Gary|last=Trust|magazine=Billboard|url-access=subscription|date=April 5, 2021|accessdate=April 6, 2021|archive-date=July 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710205836/https://www.billboard.com/amp/articles/columns/hip-hop/9551483/lil-nas-x-montero-number-one-hot-100|url-status=live}} On November 23, 2021, the song surpassed "The Twist" (1960) as the number-one song of all time in Billboard Hot 100 history.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/features/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-billboard-cover-story-2021-interview-1235001282/|title=The Greatest Hit: The New No. 1 Song of All Time|last=Mamo|first=Heran|magazine=Billboard|url-access=subscription|date=November 23, 2021|access-date=November 26, 2021|archive-date=December 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202115058/https://www.billboard.com/music/features/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-billboard-cover-story-2021-interview-1235001282/|url-status=live}} On April 5, 2022, "Blinding Lights" was awarded a Diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling ten million units in the United States.{{cite magazine |last1=Trust |first1=Gary |title=The Weeknd Talks Unprecedented Year in Hot 100's Top 10 With 'Blinding Lights': 'This Is Truly a Result of the Fans' |date=March 9, 2021 |magazine=Billboard |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9536919/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-chart-record-reaction/ |access-date=March 11, 2021 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=March 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310222339/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9536919/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-chart-record-reaction/ |url-status=live }}
"Blinding Lights" also became producer Max Martin's 23rd Hot 100 number one single as a writer, 21st as producer, and his first in both credits since Justin Timberlake's "Can't Stop the Feeling!" (2016). Martin has the third-most as writer, behind Paul McCartney (32) and John Lennon (26), and the second-most as producer, behind George Martin (23).{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9346375/weeknd-blinding-lights-number-one-hot-100|title=The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' Hits No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100, Doja Cat's 'Say So' Enters Top 10|last=Trust|first=Gary|date=March 30, 2020|magazine=Billboard|url-access=subscription|access-date=March 31, 2020|archive-date=March 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331195920/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9346375/weeknd-blinding-lights-number-one-hot-100|url-status=live}} The Weeknd became the first artist to simultaneously lead Billboard{{'}}s five primary charts on March 30, topping the Hot 100, Billboard 200, Artist 100, Hot 100 Songwriters and Hot 100 Producers.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9347538/the-weeknd-rules-3-charts-simultaneously|title=The Weeknd Rules Artist 100, Hot 100 & Billboard 200 Charts Simultaneously|magazine=Billboard|url-access=subscription|date=March 31, 2020|access-date=April 12, 2020|first=Xander|last=Zellner|archive-date=June 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616160203/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9347538/the-weeknd-rules-3-charts-simultaneously|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9348979/the-weeknd-interview-historic-chart-domination-exclusive|title=The Weeknd on Being the First Artist to Top These 5 Charts At Once: 'It Feels Like a Huge Blessing' (Exclusive)|magazine=Billboard|url-access=subscription|date=April 1, 2020|access-date=April 12, 2020|first=Gary|last=Trust|archive-date=January 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107223939/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9348979/the-weeknd-interview-historic-chart-domination-exclusive|url-status=live}} The next week, he topped the Hot 100, Billboard 200 and Artist 100 once more, achieving the feat for a fourth time.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9353292/the-weeknd-atop-billboard-200-hot-100-artist-100-charts|title=The Weeknd Repeats Reign Atop Billboard 200, Hot 100 & Artist 100 Charts|magazine=Billboard|url-access=subscription|date=April 7, 2020|access-date=April 12, 2020|first=Xander|last=Zellner|archive-date=June 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612152702/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9353292/the-weeknd-atop-billboard-200-hot-100-artist-100-charts|url-status=live}}
On the Rolling Stone Top 100 Songs chart, the song debuted at number two, where it was blocked from the top spot by the Weeknd's own "Heartless". The song also became the Weeknd's second entry on the chart.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rs-charts-top-100-the-weeknd-heartless-924717/|title=RS Charts: The Weeknd's 'Heartless' Nabs Number One|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=December 10, 2019|access-date=December 11, 2019|archive-date=January 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102075618/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rs-charts-top-100-the-weeknd-heartless-924717/|url-status=live}} It later rose to number one on the chart following the release of After Hours.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/pro/news/roddy-ricch-top-song-mid-year-2020-1027161/|title=Six Months Later, No One Can Top 'The Box'|magazine=Rolling Stone|last=Blake|first=Emily|date=July 13, 2020|access-date=July 14, 2020|archive-date=July 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714054412/https://www.rollingstone.com/pro/news/roddy-ricch-top-song-mid-year-2020-1027161/amp/|url-status=live}}
In the singer's native Canada, "Blinding Lights" debuted at number two on the Canadian Hot 100, one place higher than "Heartless". It later managed to reach number one after the release of its parent album on the issue dated April 4, 2020, becoming the Weeknd's fifth number-one single in the country. It spent seven weeks atop the chart, tying "Starboy" as his longest-running chart-topper.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100|title=Canadian Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|date=May 26, 2020|access-date=May 3, 2020|archive-date=November 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161103155505/http://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100|url-status=live}} In May 2021, "Blinding Lights" dropped off the Canadian Hot 100 after 75 weeks on the chart,{{Cite news|url=https://acharts.co/canada_singles_top_100/2021/21#dropouts|title=Canada Singles Top 100 Drop-Outs (May 29, 2021)|publisher=acharts.co|access-date=June 10, 2021|archive-date=July 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709093516/https://acharts.co/canada_singles_top_100/2021/21#dropouts|url-status=live}} leaving it one week short of the all-time record set by "I Gotta Feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas in 2010.{{Cite news|url=https://acharts.co/canada_singles_top_100/2010/49#dropouts|title=Canada Singles Top 100 Drop-Outs (December 11, 2010)|publisher=acharts.co|access-date=March 6, 2018|archive-date=July 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709010940/https://acharts.co/canada_singles_top_100/2010/49#dropouts|url-status=live}} For the first half of 2020, "Blinding Lights" was the top Canadian song overall, with 484,000 units.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/9417354/nielsen-music-mrc-data-midyear-charts-canada-2020|title=The Weekend Tops Nielsen Music/MRC Data Midyear Charts Across Canada|first=Karen|last=Bliss|magazine=Billboard|url-access=subscription|date=July 13, 2020|access-date=July 13, 2020|archive-date=July 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713180135/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/9417354/nielsen-music-mrc-data-midyear-charts-canada-2020|url-status=live}} It has been certified Diamond by Music Canada for selling 800,000 units.{{cite web|url=https://musiccanada.com/gold-platinum/?_gp_search=Blinding+Lights%20The+Weeknd|title=Blinding Lights Canada Music Certification|website=Music Canada|date=June 10, 2020|access-date=March 5, 2021|archive-date=March 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302134557/https://musiccanada.com/gold-platinum/?_gp_search=Blinding+Lights%20The+Weeknd|url-status=live}}
= Europe, Oceania and Latin America =
In the United Kingdom, "Blinding Lights" debuted at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart on December 6, 2019 – for the week ending date December 12, 2019. It eventually peaked at the top of the chart in February 2020, becoming the Weeknd's first number-one single in Britain.{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/blinding-lights/|title=blinding lights | full Official Chart History|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=February 8, 2020|access-date=February 5, 2020|archive-date=December 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216191601/https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/blinding-lights/|url-status=live}} After two weeks at number one, it dropped a place number two. However it rebounded to number one the week after, and remained there for three consecutive weeks. The week after it fell a place to number two and also stayed at the runner-up spot for another week. The following week, it once again rebounded to number one, and stayed there for another three consecutive weeks. Overall, the single spent eight non-consecutive weeks atop the singles chart.{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-weeknds-blinding-lights-scores-eighth-week-at-number-1-on-the-official-singles-chart__29484|title=The Weekend's Blinding Lights Scores Eighth Week At Number 1 On The Official Singles Chart|publisher=Official Charts|date=April 17, 2020|access-date=April 19, 2020|first=Rob|last=Copsey|archive-date=April 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428015211/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-weeknds-blinding-lights-scores-eighth-week-at-number-1-on-the-official-singles-chart__29484/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-songs-that-have-had-three-or-more-stints-at-number-1-on-the-uks-official-singles-chart__29343/|title=The songs that have had three or more stints at Number 1 on the UK's Official Singles Chart|publisher=Official Charts|date=April 10, 2020|access-date=April 12, 2020|first=Jack|last=White|archive-date=April 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410183836/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-songs-that-have-had-three-or-more-stints-at-number-1-on-the-uks-official-singles-chart__29343/|url-status=live}} It dropped to number two on April 24, 2020 – for the week ending April 30, 2020 – after the Weeknd used Twitter to ask people to support its close rival, a charity single, "You'll Never Walk Alone", by Michael Ball and Captain Sir Tom Moore, and make it number one for Moore's 100th birthday.{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Damian |title=The Weeknd wants Captain Moore to knock him off the Number One spot |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-weeknd-urges-fans-to-knock-blinding-lights-off-number-one-in-favour-of-captain-moores-youll-never-walk-alone-2652651 |access-date=April 26, 2020 |work=NME |date=April 23, 2020 |archive-date=April 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427211447/https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-weeknd-urges-fans-to-knock-blinding-lights-off-number-one-in-favour-of-captain-moores-youll-never-walk-alone-2652651 |url-status=live }}{{cite tweet |user=theweeknd |number=1253361060393836544 |date=April 23, 2020 |title=everyone in the UK please support @captaintommoore / @mrmichaelball single so this incredible 99 yr old war veteran, walking for the British National Health Service @NHSuk & now raised $35 Million can have a No 1 for his 100th birthday in the UK! We're routing for you. XO! }} As a result, "Blinding Lights" dropped a place to number two and remained at number two the following week, behind another charity single, "Times Like These".{{cite web |title=Official Singles Chart Top 100 |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/singles-chart/ |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=April 24, 2020 |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006002713/http://www.officialcharts.com/singles-chart/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Official Singles Chart Top 100 |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/singles-chart/ |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=May 3, 2020 |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006002713/http://www.officialcharts.com/singles-chart/ |url-status=live }} According to the Official Charts Company, "Blinding Lights" became Britain's biggest-selling song of 2020 with 2.2 million combined sales, including 250 million streams and 195,000 downloads.{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-biggest-songs-of-2020__29264/|title=The Official Top 40 biggest songs of 2020|first=Rob|last=Copsey|website=Official Charts Company|date=January 4, 2020|access-date=January 4, 2021|archive-date=January 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104193834/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-biggest-songs-of-2020__29264/|url-status=live}} "Blinding Lights" has been certified 6× Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry for selling 3,600,000 units.{{cite web|url=https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/16157-4005-1|title=Blinding Lights Certification|website=British Photographic Industry|access-date=February 3, 2021}}
Elsewhere in Europe, the song topped the charts in Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Ireland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland. It also peaked within the top ten of the charts in Belarus, Hungary, Malta, North Macedonia, Russia, Romania, Spain, and Ukraine.
In Australia, it topped the ARIA Charts for eleven non-consecutive weeks. It is the sixth longest-running number-one of all-time in the country, tied with songs such as Spice Girls's "Wannabe", Drake's "God's Plan" and Bryan Adams' "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You", as well the fifth longest by a foreign act.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ariacharts.com.au/news/2020/the-weeknd-returns-to-1-with-blinding-lights|title=The Weeknd Returns To #1 with Blinding Lights|publisher=ARIA Charts|date=April 18, 2020|access-date=May 3, 2020|archive-date=May 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200517144723/https://www.ariacharts.com.au/news/2020/the-weeknd-returns-to-1-with-blinding-lights|url-status=live}} "Blinding Lights" has been certified 13× Platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association for selling 910,000 units.{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/singles-chart/2021-10-04|title=ARIA Singles Chart October 4, 2021|website=ARIA|date=October 1, 2021|access-date=October 1, 2021|archive-date=October 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001070213/https://www.aria.com.au/charts/singles-chart/2021-10-04|url-status=live}}
In New Zealand, the song topped the New Zealand Singles Chart for four non-consecutive weeks.
In Latin America, "Blinding Lights" topped the charts in Bolivia and Mexico. It also reached the top 10 in Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Puerto Rico and Uruguay, as well as the top 20 in Argentina, Nicaragua, Paraguay and Peru. It also charted in Brazil and Colombia, peaking at numbers 51 and 66 respectively.
=Global=
"Blinding Lights" was the best-selling global single of 2020, earning 2.72 billion subscription stream equivalents globally. For this feat, it was awarded the IFPI Global Digital Single Award by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI). It was also the seventh best-selling global single of 2021 with 1.61 billion subscription stream equivalents globally and the fourteenth best-selling global single of 2022 with 1.01 billion subscription stream equivalents globally.
"Blinding Lights" has also broken numerous records on streaming platform Spotify. It was the most-streamed song of 2020 on the platform with nearly 1.6 billion streams.{{Cite web|date=December 1, 2020|title=The Trends That Shaped Streaming in 2020|url=https://newsroom.spotify.com/2020-12-01/the-trends-that-shaped-streaming-in-2020/|access-date=April 10, 2021|publisher=Spotify|archive-date=January 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119120215/https://newsroom.spotify.com/2020-12-01/the-trends-that-shaped-streaming-in-2020/|url-status=live}} On February 24, 2021, it became the first song by a Canadian artist and only the fourth song in history to pass two billion plays on the platform;{{Cite web|date=February 24, 2021|last=Friend|first=David|title=The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' hits 2 billion plays on Spotify, sets Canadian record|work=CP24 |url=https://www.cp24.com/entertainment-news/music-news/the-weeknd-s-blinding-lights-hits-2-billion-plays-on-spotify-sets-canadian-record-1.5322991|access-date=February 24, 2021|publisher=The Canadian Press|archive-date=February 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225034948/https://www.cp24.com/entertainment-news/music-news/the-weeknd-s-blinding-lights-hits-2-billion-plays-on-spotify-sets-canadian-record-1.5322991|url-status=live}} it also broke the record for the fastest song to do so, in under 15 months.{{Cite web|date=February 24, 2021|last=Rolli|first=Bryan|title=The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' Is The Fastest Song To Reach 2 Billion Spotify Streams|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrolli/2021/02/24/the-weeknds-blinding-lights-is-the-fastest-song-to-reach-2-billion-spotify-streams/|access-date=February 24, 2021|work=Forbes|archive-date=February 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224225056/https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrolli/2021/02/24/the-weeknds-blinding-lights-is-the-fastest-song-to-reach-2-billion-spotify-streams/|url-status=live}} On June 15, 2022, it became the first song by a Canadian artist and only the second song in history to surpass three billion streams, and also broke the record for the fastest song to do so.{{Cite web|date=June 17, 2022|last=Rolli|first=Bryan|title=The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' Becomes The Fastest Song To Surpass 3 Billion Spotify Streams|work=HipHop24x7 | Hip Hop News & Music |url=https://hiphop24x7.com/news/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-fastest-song-3-billion-spotify-streams/|access-date=June 17, 2022|publisher=Hiphop24x7|archive-date=June 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601011646/https://hiphop24x7.com/news/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-fastest-song-3-billion-spotify-streams/|url-status=live}} On January 1, 2023, "Blinding Lights" overtook Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You" to become the most streamed song of all time on the platform, with over 3.332 billion streams at the time.{{Cite web|date=January 1, 2023|last=Deville|first=Chris|title=The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights" Is Now Spotify's Most-Streamed Song Of All Time|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2209369/the-weeknds-blinding-light-is-now-spotifys-most-streamed-song-of-all-time/news/|access-date=January 1, 2023|publisher=Stereogum|archive-date=January 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123232045/https://www.stereogum.com/2209369/the-weeknds-blinding-light-is-now-spotifys-most-streamed-song-of-all-time/news/|url-status=live}} On January 12, 2024, it became the first song to pass the 4 billion stream mark on Spotify.{{Cite web|date=January 12, 2024|last=Aswad|first=Jem|title=The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' Is First Song to Pass 4 Billion Streams on Spotify|url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-4-billion-streams-on-spotify-1235869322/|access-date=January 12, 2024|publisher=Variety|archive-date=January 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112160655/https://variety.com/2024/music/news/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-4-billion-streams-on-spotify-1235869322/|url-status=live}}
Music video
=Development=
The music video for "Blinding Lights" was directed by Anton Tammi, assisted by Kenneth Taylor, and filmed in Fremont Street, Las Vegas and Downtown Los Angeles, during a four-day shooting that took place until 6 AM every day.{{Cite web |date=November 25, 2019 |title=The Weeknd Shooting New Music Video in Las Vegas |url=https://www.tmz.com/2019/11/25/the-weeknd-shooting-new-music-video-las-vegas/ |access-date=November 25, 2019 |website=TMZ |archive-date=February 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224232402/https://www.tmz.com/2019/11/25/the-weeknd-shooting-new-music-video-las-vegas/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-behind-the-scenes-video-exclusive-1203518570/|title=Watch Behind-the-Scenes Video From The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' (EXCLUSIVE)|first=Jem|last=Aswad|date=February 28, 2020|work=Variety|access-date=August 9, 2020|archive-date=February 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229235807/https://variety.com/2020/music/news/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-behind-the-scenes-video-exclusive-1203518570/|url-status=live}} It was produced by Sarah Parker and executive produced by Saskia Whinney for Somesuch, with production design by Adam William Wilson. Olliver Millar served as the director of photography, assisted by Devin "Daddy" Karringten on the second unit, Niels Lindelien on the steadicam operation, Nizzar Najm on the gaffer and Marlow Nunez on the key grip. The video was edited by Janne Vartia and Tim Montana, and included VFX by Mathematic, post production surpervision by Alec Ernest, color by Nicke Jacobsson, sound design by Akseli Soini, title design by Aleksi Tammi and 3D effects by Oscar Böckerman.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NRXx6U8ABQ|title=The Weeknd – Blinding Lights (Official Video)|website=YouTube|date=January 21, 2020|access-date=August 9, 2020|archive-date=January 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127003918/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NRXx6U8ABQ|url-status=live}}
The roads were not completely shut down while filming for the street scenes so cars and pedestrians passing are seen in the video while the Weeknd dances in the street. Production was held up temporarily when somebody was arrested in the tunnel. The shooting required at least three vehicles driving through the nighttime streets. The Mercedes-AMG GT roadster was a specially equipped towed vehicle that allowed the Weeknd to act and lip-sync inside the moving convertible without needing to drive, and a chase SUV with a crane camera strapped to the top.{{Cite web|last=Blanco|first=Sebastian|date=June 7, 2020|title=Behind the Scenes as Mercedes-AMG GT Stars in The Weeknd's Video|url=https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a32791487/mercedes-amg-gt-weeknd-blinding-lights-video/|access-date=July 9, 2020|website=Car and Driver|archive-date=June 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608045439/https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a32791487/mercedes-amg-gt-weeknd-blinding-lights-video/|url-status=live}} Director of photography Oliver Millar said that he loves the music video format and talked about how intense it is to try and create iconic images during high-pressure shoots that don't last very long. He said that since the Weeknd's previous videos had a dark and gritty vibe, he used generators powering banks of LED lights and a Sony Venice full-frame digital motion picture camera system to try to re-create the look, ending up with the video's vintage, 1980s style.
= Release and synopsis =
On December 2, 2019, a commercial video containing footage from the Weeknd and Mercedes-Benz commercial, and the song's audio video, was released.{{Citation|last=The Weeknd|title=The Weeknd - Mercedes Benz Commercial "Blinding Lights"|date=December 2, 2019|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jANqtBQFmss|access-date=December 3, 2019|archive-date=December 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203083618/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jANqtBQFmss|url-status=live}} The lyric video for "Blinding Lights" was released on December 6, 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://umusic.digital/hdpoxg/|title=The Weeknd - Listening Experience|website=Universal Digital|access-date=December 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206042021/https://umusic.digital/hdpoxg/|archive-date=December 6, 2019}} Its official music video was released on January 21, 2020.{{cite tweet|user=TheWeeknd|number=1219329125657104391|title=tomorrow - The Weeknd|date=January 20, 2020|access-date=January 20, 2020}} A behind-the-scenes music video for the song was released on February 28, 2020. On May 5, 2020, a music video for the Chromatics remix of the song was released.{{Cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/9372527/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-chromatics-remix-video |title=The Weeknd Teams With Chromatics For 'Blinding Lights' Remix Video: Watch |first=Carl |last=Lamarre |date=May 6, 2020 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=May 6, 2020 |archive-date=May 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200507004607/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/9372527/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-chromatics-remix-video |url-status=live }}
The video follows the After Hours videos sequence, starting where the "Heartless" premise ended, and presents the Weeknd as a lonely and psychotic guy walking and driving with no destination around the streets in Las Vegas, and a passing resemblance to jazz musician Herbie Hancock, circa 1978's Sunlight. The singer sports the same garb as the previous video, adopted for the album promotion, with a red suit, specific hairstyle, mustache and sunglasses. The visual opens with the Weeknd laughing as blood drips down his face, then jumps back in time to show the mayhem that led to his gruesome end — the pop star speeding around a deserted city, dancing gleefully in the streets.{{cite magazine |last1=Reed |first1=Ryan |last2=Blistein |first2=Jon |date=January 21, 2020 |title=The Weeknd Embarks on a Bloody Bender in New 'Blinding Lights' Video |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-video-940248/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=May 2, 2020 |archive-date=March 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303013421/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-video-940248/ |url-status=live }} The visual follows the events of the music video for "Heartless" and sees the Weeknd go on a hallucinated joyride after waking from a trance. It concludes with the Weeknd having flashbacks to a club he attended earlier in the night, where he was serenaded by a mysterious woman, played by Japanese actress Miki Hamano and beat up by a duo of bouncers, uncredited, who had forced him to go on the run.{{cite web |last=Ortiz |first=Edwin |date=January 21, 2020 |title=Watch The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights" Video |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2020/01/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-video |access-date=January 22, 2020 |website=Complex |archive-date=January 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126230157/https://www.complex.com/music/2020/01/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-video |url-status=live }} The video depicts the singer amid a story inspired by the films Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Joker, and Casino.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/3153297/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-video/|title=The Weeknd Channels His Inner Joker In Mind-Frying 'Blinding Lights' Video|first=Trey|last=Alston|website=MTV News|access-date=January 22, 2020|archive-date=March 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200309165204/http://www.mtv.com/news/3153297/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-video/|url-status=dead}}
= Reception =
Chase Ichiki from Revolt spoke highly of the music video, sharing that "the Weeknd crafts a world fans have eagerly waited for. Donning his staple red suit, he showcases his acting abilities in his latest video. Beginning with him hysterically laughing in a borderline psychotic way, then we see the Weeknd dance the pain away while wandering the city".{{cite web|url=https://www.revolt.tv/2020/1/30/21114827/the-weeknds-blinding-lights-video-is-phenomenal|title=The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights video is phenomenal|first=Chase|last=Ichiki|website=Revolt (TV Network)|access-date=May 2, 2020|archive-date=April 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416081728/https://www.revolt.tv/2020/1/30/21114827/the-weeknds-blinding-lights-video-is-phenomenal|url-status=live}} Michael Cube from Nylon magazine wrote that "the video for "Blinding Lights" is appropriately cryptic for the famously elusive artist", and praised the presentation's alluring mystique.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nylon.com/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-video/amp|title=The Weeknd Gets Bloodied Up In New 'Blinding Lights' Music Video|first=Michael|last=Cube|website=Nylon Magazine|date=January 21, 2020|access-date=May 2, 2020|archive-date=March 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307055137/https://www.nylon.com/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-video/amp|url-status=live}} HITC columnist Christopher Weston assessed the film as "a burst of neon perfectly complimenting the gorgeous electronic sound. The 'Blinding Lights' visual accompaniment is one of the most stylish videos we've seen, packed with color, fast cars, nocturnal cityscapes and luxurious locations."{{cite web|url=https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2020/01/22/who-is-anton-tammi-director-the-weeknd-blinding-lights-video/|title=Who is Anton Tammi? Director behind The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' music video|first=Christopher|last=Weston|website=HITC|date=January 22, 2020|access-date=May 2, 2020|archive-date=February 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220161949/https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2020/01/22/who-is-anton-tammi-director-the-weeknd-blinding-lights-video/|url-status=dead}} Insider editor Callie Ahlgrim praised the visual, {{"-}}'Blinding Lights' embodies everything that's made the Weeknd's newest era so successful. The video maintains his mysterious, slightly menacing aura — yet manages to create a cinematic, retro, exhilarating experience that's unlike anything he's done before".{{cite web|url=https://www.insider.com/best-music-videos-this-year-ranked-2020-8|title=The 31 best music videos of 2020 (so far), ranked|first=Callie|last=Ahlgrim|website=Insider Inc.|date=August 25, 2020|access-date=August 26, 2020|archive-date=October 15, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201015070522/https://www.insider.com/best-music-videos-this-year-ranked-2020-8|url-status=live}} Bianca Gracie from Vulture named the music video one of the best of 2020: "It's a wild mix of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Casino, and Joker that only Abel could pull off".{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/amp/article/best-music-videos-of-2020|title=The Best Music Videos of 2020|first=Bianca|last=Gracie|website=Vulture|date=December 15, 2020}}{{Dead link|date=June 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} USA Today editor Gary Dinges named the visual one of the best of 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/12/17/best-2020-music-videos-taylor-swift-lady-gaga-cardi-b-megan-thee-stallion-harry-styles/3922676001/|title=Best music videos of 2020: Lady Gaga, Cardi B and Harry Styles make the list|first=Gary|last=Dinges|website=USA Today|date=December 17, 2020|access-date=December 22, 2020|archive-date=December 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222090348/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/12/17/best-2020-music-videos-taylor-swift-lady-gaga-cardi-b-megan-thee-stallion-harry-styles/3922676001/|url-status=live}} The clip was nominated for six MTV Video Music Awards, and won two including Best R&B Video & Video of the Year.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/30/entertainment/mtv-vmas-2020-winners/index.html|title=MTV VMAs 2020: Lady Gaga, The Weeknd And More Take Home Awards|first=Chloe|last=Melas|website=CNN|date=August 30, 2020|access-date=August 31, 2020|archive-date=August 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831234557/https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/08/30/entertainment/mtv-vmas-2020-winners/index.html|url-status=live}} The visual was nominated for four UK Music Video Awards, and won Best Pop Video – International.
Live performances
The Weeknd performed "Blinding Lights" for the first time on December 6, 2019, during The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, a day after he performed "Heartless" on the same show.{{Cite web |last=Aswad |first=Jem |date=November 29, 2019 |title=The Weeknd Drops Another New Song, 'Blinding Lights,' Appears on Colbert Next Week |url=https://variety.com/2019/music/news/the-weeknd-another-new-song-blinding-lights-colbert-next-week-1203419644/ |access-date=December 1, 2019 |website=Variety |archive-date=December 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224060556/https://variety.com/2019/music/news/the-weeknd-another-new-song-blinding-lights-colbert-next-week-1203419644/ |url-status=live }} He brought a neon-lit cube with mirrored walls to the stage to sing through his brand new single. Filmed in black and white and from different perspectives on the stage, the Weeknd made the most of his mirror-cube before stepping outside of it to face the crowd.{{Cite book|last=Rambarran|first=Shara|url=https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/virtual-music-9781501336379/|title=Virtual Music: Sound, Music, and Image in the Digital Era|publisher=Bloomsbury|year=2021|isbn=9781501336379|location=New York|access-date=January 3, 2022|archive-date=January 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103204640/https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/virtual-music-9781501336379/|url-status=live}} They sang the chorus of the track back to him, and some members of the audience raised mirrors of their own to flash The Weeknd's glow back on him.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8545682/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-colbert |title=The Weeknd Thinks Outside the Box For 'Blinding Lights' Performance on 'Colbert': Watch |first=Hillary |last=Hughes |magazine=Billboard |date=December 7, 2019 |access-date=June 9, 2020 |archive-date=April 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429135630/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8545682/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-colbert |url-status=live }}
The song was performed on January 22, 2020, at Jimmy Kimmel Live!.{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8548553/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-video |title=The Weeknd Gets Reckless in Sin City for Twisted 'Blinding Lights' Video |first=Michael |last=Saponara |date=January 21, 2020 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=January 22, 2020 |archive-date=March 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318065909/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8548553/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-video |url-status=live }} The performance picked up right where the "Blinding Lights" visual left off, as the Weeknd remained in the red suit and his face was still bloodied with a bandage over his nose from the beatdown he vaguely remembered in the music video. He bounced around the stage for the lively performance, as thunderbolts and lightning strikes at his back filled the darkness in the venue.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/the-weeknd-jimmy-kimmel-blinding-lights-video-8548806/|title=The Weeknd Brings the 'Blinding Lights' to 'Kimmel' For Invigorating Performance: Watch|first=Michael|last=Saponara|magazine=Billboard|date=January 23, 2020|access-date=June 9, 2020|archive-date=April 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423082502/https://www.billboard.com/amp/articles/columns/hip-hop/8548806/the-weeknd-jimmy-kimmel-blinding-lights-video|url-status=live}} Appearing once again in a red suit, black gloves and bloody-faced with a bandage over his nose, he performed the single alongside "Scared to Live" on Saturday Night Live on March 7, 2020.{{cite web|url=https://hollywoodlife.com/2020/03/08/snl-the-weeknd-performs-blinding-lights-scared-to-live-again-watch/|title=The Weeknd Serenades SNL With New Song "Scared To Live Again" &'80s-Inspired "Blinding Lights"|last=Gill|first=Cassie|website=Hollywood Life|date=March 8, 2020|access-date=March 8, 2020|archive-date=March 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320045901/https://hollywoodlife.com/2020/03/08/snl-the-weeknd-performs-blinding-lights-scared-to-live-again-watch/|url-status=live}}
"Blinding Lights" received a special performance during The Weeknd Experience, an augmented reality, interactive livestream held on TikTok on August 7, 2020. It featured 3D visuals and several interactive components, including virtual back-up dancers appearing behind the Weeknd, who also traveled through hyperspace in a red convertible, surrounded by lasers in the virtual world.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/the-weeknd-debuts-new-song-performs-with-doja-cat-3d-tiktok-event-1234729469/|title=The Weeknd Debuts New Song, Performs With Doja Cat During 3D TikTok Event|first=Ellise|last=Chafer|website=Variety|date=August 7, 2020|access-date=January 6, 2021|archive-date=January 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109163120/https://variety.com/2020/music/news/the-weeknd-debuts-new-song-performs-with-doja-cat-3d-tiktok-event-1234729469/amp/|url-status=live}} The Weeknd kicked off the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards with "Blinding Lights", described in advance as a "keyed-up, dazzling" showcase. He performed a rooftop version of his hit single from the observation deck at 30 Hudson Yards in Manhattan, New York City, complete with a background of fireworks.{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2020/08/30/what-happened-to-the-weeknds-face-why-he-was-bloody-at-the-vmas/|title=What Happened To The Weeknd's Face? Why He Was Bloody At The VMAs|first=Marisa|last=Dellato|website=New York Post|date=August 30, 2020|access-date=January 6, 2021|archive-date=January 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109125017/https://nypost.com/2020/08/30/what-happened-to-the-weeknds-face-why-he-was-bloody-at-the-vmas/|url-status=live}}
The single was also performed live in the 2020 Time 100 primetime event and the Z100 Jingle Ball of 2020.{{Cite web |last=Cowen |first=Trace William |date=October 16, 2020 |title=The Weeknd Recruits Sax Legend Kenny G for "In Your Eyes" Remix |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2020/10/the-weeknd-kenny-g-in-your-eyes-remix |access-date=January 6, 2021 |website=Complex |archive-date=January 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108144114/https://www.complex.com/music/2020/10/the-weeknd-kenny-g-in-your-eyes-remix |url-status=live }}
The Weeknd performed "Blinding Lights" as the closing track for the Super Bowl LV halftime show.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/07/entertainment/weeknd-super-bowl-halftime-show/index.html|title=Superbowl halftime show featured The Weeknd and his bandaged army|author=Lisa Respers France|website=CNN|date=February 7, 2021|access-date=February 8, 2021|archive-date=February 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208023854/https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/07/entertainment/weeknd-super-bowl-halftime-show/index.html|url-status=live}} On the field, he was surrounded by hundreds of the Weeknd-alike dancers. In the beginning, he moved with them in lock step, but as the song swelled, and the dancers began to swarm in odd patterns, the Weeknd moved in his own rhythm, holding the camera's gaze, alone amid the chaos.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/07/arts/music/the-weeknd-super-bowl-halftime-review.html|title=The Weeknd Emerges From the Shadows at the Super Bowl Halftime Show|first=John|last=Caramanica|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 7, 2021|archive-date=February 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208015941/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/07/arts/music/the-weeknd-super-bowl-halftime-review.html|url-status=live}}
Other versions
=Remixes=
The song's first official remix features vocals from Chromatics and is included in the original deluxe edition of After Hours and the remix EP After Hours (Remixes).{{Cite web |last=Bloom |first=Madison |date=March 23, 2020 |title=Chromatics, Lil Uzi Vert, Oneohtrix, and More Remix the Weeknd: Listen |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/the-weeknd-shares-deluxe-version-of-after-hours-listen/ |access-date=March 23, 2020 |website=Pitchfork |archive-date=March 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323055907/https://pitchfork.com/news/the-weeknd-shares-deluxe-version-of-after-hours-listen/ |url-status=live }} A second official remix by Major Lazer was released on April 15, 2020.{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/the-weeknd-heartless-blinding-lights-remix-lil-uzi-vert-diplo-watch-video-1234581169/ |title=The Weeknd Drops Video for 'Heartless' Remix, Major Lazer Re-Take on 'Blinding Lights' |first1=Jem |last1=Aswad |date=April 15, 2020 |work=Variety |access-date=April 16, 2020 |archive-date=April 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415215908/https://variety.com/2020/music/news/the-weeknd-heartless-blinding-lights-remix-lil-uzi-vert-diplo-watch-video-1234581169/ |url-status=live }} An unofficial remix by W&W was released on July 2, 2020.{{Cite web |last=Goldenberg |first=Ross |date=July 6, 2020 |title=W&W draw The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' into the festival circuit |url=https://dancingastronaut.com/2020/07/ww-draw-the-weeknds-blinding-lights-into-the-festival-circuit/ |access-date=August 16, 2020 |website=Dancing Astronaut |language=en-US |archive-date=August 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809031458/https://dancingastronaut.com/2020/07/ww-draw-the-weeknds-blinding-lights-into-the-festival-circuit/ |url-status=live }} A third official remix with Rosalía was released on December 4, 2020.{{Cite web |last=Bloom |first=Madison |date=December 4, 2020 |title=The Weeknd Enlists Rosalía For New "Blinding Lights" Remix: Listen |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/the-weeknd-enlists-rosalia-for-new-blinding-lights-remix-listen/ |access-date=December 4, 2020 |website=Pitchfork |archive-date=December 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204050631/https://pitchfork.com/news/the-weeknd-enlists-rosalia-for-new-blinding-lights-remix-listen/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|date=December 4, 2020|title=The Weeknd - "Blinding Lights (Remix)" (Feat. Rosalía)|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2109568/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-remix-feat-rosalia/music/|access-date=December 4, 2020|website=Stereogum|archive-date=December 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212095553/https://www.stereogum.com/2109568/the-weeknd-blinding-lights-remix-feat-rosalia/music/|url-status=live}}
==Rosalía remix==
{{Infobox single
| name = Blinding Lights (Remix)
| cover = The Weeknd and Rosalía - Blinding Lights (Remix).png
| caption =
| alt =
| type = promotional single
| artist = the Weeknd and Rosalía
| released = {{Start date|2020|12|04}}
| recorded = October 2020
| studio =
| genre =
| length = 3:36
| label = * XO
| writer = * Abel Tesfaye
| producer = {{hlist|Max Martin|Oscar Holter|The Weeknd}}
| chronology =
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{External music video|header=Lyric video|type=song|{{YouTube|Soly0ne467M|"Blinding Lights (Remix)"}}}}
}}
A remix of the song featuring Spanish singer and songwriter Rosalía was released on December 4, 2020, six hours after its announcement to celebrate the first year since the release of the solo version of the song, which was named "the best-selling song of the year" by Billboard the day before.{{Cite news |date=December 4, 2020 |title=Rosalía y The Weeknd lanzan juntos el remix de 'Blinding Lights' |language=es |trans-title=Rosalía and The Weeknd release the remix of 'Blinding Lights' together |website=La Vanguardia |url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/musica/20201204/49864322903/rosalia-the-weeknd-remix-blinding-lights.html |access-date=December 4, 2020 |archive-date=December 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204080501/https://www.lavanguardia.com/musica/20201204/49864322903/rosalia-the-weeknd-remix-blinding-lights.html |url-status=live }} A lyric video featuring behind-the-scenes footage of the single's photoshoot was released the same day.
Starting from October, both artists started to comment on each other's social media posts. In November, some insiders reported that a "Save Your Tears" remix featuring the Spanish singer would be released on the 20th.{{Cite web|last=Radar|first=Sonido|date=November 19, 2020|title=The Weeknd y Rosalía podrían colaborar en un nuevo remix para "Save Your Tears"|url=https://www.sonidoradar.com/post/the-weeknd-y-rosal%C3%ADa-colaborar%C3%ADan-en-un-nuevo-remix-para-save-your-tears|access-date=December 4, 2020|website=sonidoradar|language=es|archive-date=November 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124061224/https://www.sonidoradar.com/post/the-weeknd-y-rosal%C3%ADa-colaborar%C3%ADan-en-un-nuevo-remix-para-save-your-tears|url-status=live}} This, however, never happened. However, on December 1, another insider reported that a duet version of "Blinding Lights" would be released on December 4. Both artists shared a picture of them on set a couple hours prior to the single's release without specifying the project.{{Cite news |title=Rosalía y The Weeknd lanzan pistas sobre una colaboración |language=es |trans-title=Rosalía and The Weeknd release clues about a collaboration |date=December 4, 2020 |work=La Vanguardia |url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/vida/20201204/49863952081/rosalia-y-the-weeknd-lanzan-pistas-sobre-una-colaboracion.html |access-date=December 4, 2020 |archive-date=March 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302224013/https://www.lavanguardia.com/vida/20201204/49863952081/rosalia-y-the-weeknd-lanzan-pistas-sobre-una-colaboracion.html |url-status=live }}
=Cover versions=
YouTube metal cover artist, Leo Moracchioli, released a version in April 2020 playing all instruments and the vocals himself. On July 1, 2020, quintet vocalist group Pentatonix released a video for their rendition of "Blinding Lights." In the clip, the group is seen in their respective homes.{{Cite web|date=July 1, 2020|title=[OFFICIAL VIDEO] Blinding Lights - Pentatonix|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9imANGpHlP0|website=Youtube|access-date=December 18, 2020|archive-date=December 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207015344/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9imANGpHlP0|url-status=live}} On July 3, 2020, Christine and the Queens released his studio cover of "Blinding Lights". "[His] version is an emotive yet airy rendition. The artist's pillowy voice glides effortlessly no matter the heights", Consequence of Sound editor Lake Schatz stated.{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2020/07/stream-christine-queens-cover-blinding-lights-weeknd-deezer/|title=Christine and the Queens Releases Studio Cover of The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights": Stream|first=Lake|last=Schatz|website=Consequence of Sound|date=July 3, 2020|access-date=July 9, 2020|archive-date=June 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601011646/https://consequence.net/2020/07/stream-christine-queens-cover-blinding-lights-weeknd-deezer/|url-status=live}} On August 21, 2020, Rainych Ran released a video for her rendition of "Blinding Lights" in Japanese. This cover received praise by the Weeknd himself on YouTube and Twitter.{{cite web|date=August 21, 2020|title=【Rainych】 Blinding Lights - The Weeknd｜Japanese version (cover)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E22RKYWzZG4|website=Youtube|access-date=January 30, 2022|archive-date=January 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130000645/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E22RKYWzZG4|url-status=live}}{{cite tweet|number=1301359554332995584|date=September 3, 2020|title=The Weeknd shared the Japanese version cover on the Official Youtube community tab !!! (ಥ﹏ಥ)|first=Rainych|last=Ran|user=RainychRan}}{{cite tweet|number=1301566215857475584|date=September 4, 2020|title=i loved it ✌🏾 you did a great job !|first=The|last=Weeknd|user=theweeknd}} In September 2020, London Grammar covered "Blinding Lights" at the BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge, backed by piano and guitar players.{{cite web|date=September 22, 2020|title=London Grammar - Blinding Lights in the Live Lounge|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EQTSR9QRDfY|website=Youtube|access-date=August 8, 2023|archive-date=June 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601011646/https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=EQTSR9QRDfY|url-status=live}}
On September 12, 2020, The Weeknd released the audio for the instrumental for Blinding Lights along with its music video (which is a disoriented version of the originals music video) being released on October 29, 2020, exactly 11 months after the original single's release.
As of September 28, 2023, the audio and music video have both accumulated over 5M views on YouTube alone.
Phoenix Recordings ended 2020 with a cover version of "Blinding Lights" remade by Dutch producer duo Leo van Goch and the Sixth Sense featuring the vocals of Georgia-based singer Sevda B, including a remix by Germany's Chris SX.{{cite web|date=December 28, 2020|title=Leo van Goch & The Sixth Sense ft. Sevda B - Blinding Lights (Original Mix) [Trance Cover Version]|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EQTSR9QRDfY|website=Youtube|access-date=August 8, 2023|archive-date=June 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601011646/https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=EQTSR9QRDfY|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=December 29, 2020|title=Leo van Goch & The Sixth Sense Feat. Sevda B - Blinding Lights (Chris SX Remix) [PHOENIX RECORDINGS]|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=svEGhzRuSg8|website=Youtube|access-date=August 8, 2023|archive-date=June 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601011648/https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=svEGhzRuSg8|url-status=live}}
In January 2021 a bilingual Welsh and Irish version of Blinding Lights was released by Urdd Gobaith Cymru and TG Lurgan, "Golau'n Dallu/Dallta ag na Soilse". The project was hailed by First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford as a "symbol of the cultural ties that bind Ireland and Wales".{{Cite web|url=https://nation.cymru/culture/youth-of-wales-and-ireland-create-first-welsh-irish-music-video/|title=Youth of Wales and Ireland create first Welsh-Irish music video|date=January 7, 2021|website=Nation.Cymru|access-date=September 9, 2021|archive-date=September 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909173853/https://nation.cymru/culture/youth-of-wales-and-ireland-create-first-welsh-irish-music-video/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBLeKfpI5zk|title=Urdd Gobaith Cymru x TG Lurgan – Blinding Lights yn Gymraeg/as Gaeilge|date=January 7, 2021 |via=www.youtube.com|access-date=September 9, 2021|archive-date=June 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601012224/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBLeKfpI5zk|url-status=live}} In November 2021, Canadian-American supergroup Saint Asonia released a hard rock version of the song as a promotional single for their EP Introvert.{{cite web|url=https://www.thex1049.com/2021/11/18/listen-to-saint-asonia-cover-the-weeknds-blinding-lights/|title=Listen to Saint Asonia cover The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights"|date=November 18, 2021|access-date=July 2, 2022|archive-date=July 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702132323/https://www.thex1049.com/2021/11/18/listen-to-saint-asonia-cover-the-weeknds-blinding-lights/|url-status=dead}}
American rock band All Time Low released a pop punk cover on June 6, 2022.{{Citation |title=All Time Low - Blinding Lights (The Weeknd Cover) [OFFICIAL AUDIO] | date=June 6, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BdkzFbmc7c |access-date=December 22, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=December 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222112352/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BdkzFbmc7c |url-status=live }}
German epic metal band Feuerschwanz covered the track on their 2023 album Tötsunden in an emotive performance.
In January 2025, American pop rock band Smash Mouth covered the track for Cleopatra Records' compilation album, Punk Rock Valentines.{{cite web|url=https://cleorecs.com/blogs/news/smash-mouth-illuminate-valentine-s-day-with-brilliant-cover-of-the-weeknd-s-blinding-lights|title=Smash Mouth illuminate Valentine's Day with brilliant cover of The Weeknd's Blinding Lights|website=Cleopatra Records|date=January 22, 2025}} The band had received backlash for using AI to make the cover art.
Tebey version
{{infobox song
| name = Blinding Lights (Country Version)
| artist = Tebey
| album =
| type = single
| cover = Blinding Lights (Country Version).jpeg
| border =
| recorded =
| studio =
| released = {{start date|2024|03|09}}
| format =
| label =
- Jayward
- Sony Canada
- The Weeknd XO
| length = {{duration|m=2|s=57}}
| genre = {{hlist|Country}}
| writer = * Abel Tesfaye
| producer = {{hlist|Tebey|Danick Dupelle}}
| chronology = Tebey singles
| prev_title = Hold Your Horses
| prev_year = 2024
| next_title = Hangover at My Place
| next_year = 2025
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|-k7CnpZ9KFg|"Blinding Lights (Country Version)"}}}}
}}
In 2024, Canadian singer Tebey released a country music cover of the song.{{cite web|url=https://www.smoothradio.com/news/country/blinding-lights-country-version-tebey/|title=This country cover of The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' is perfect|first=Tom|last=Earnes|work=Smooth Radio|date=March 25, 2024|access-date=March 27, 2024|archive-date=June 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601012155/https://www.smoothradio.com/news/country/blinding-lights-country-version-tebey/|url-status=live}} His version initially charted on the Billboard Canada Country chart without soliciting airplay.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/canada-country/2024-04-27|title=Canada Country chart for April 27, 2024|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 23, 2024|url-access=subscription|archive-date=April 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423104615/https://www.billboard.com/charts/canada-country/2024-04-27/|url-status=live}} Tebey won the award for "Innovative Campaign of the Year" at the 2024 Canadian Country Music Awards for his "case study” promotion of the song.
=Accolades=
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Association !Category !Result !Ref |
| 2024
| Canadian Country Music Association | Innovative Campaign of the Year | {{won}} | {{cite web|url=https://ccma.org/2024-ccma-award-winners/|title=2024 CCMA Award Winners|work=Canadian Country Music Association|date=September 9, 2024 |access-date=September 15, 2024|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240915175950/https://ccma.org/2024-ccma-award-winners/|archive-date=September 15, 2024}} |
| rowspan="2"| 2025
| rowspan="2"| Country Music Association of Ontario | Music Video of the Year - "Blinding Lights (Country Version)" | {{nom}} |
| Single of the Year - "Blinding Lights (Country Version)"
| {{nom}} |
=Charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Chart performance for "Blinding Lights (Country Version)" ! Chart (2024) ! Peak |
| scope="row"| Australia Country Hot 50 (The Music){{cite web|url= https://countrytown.com/charts/countrytown-hot-50?year=2024&week=28|title=Countrytown Hot 50 – 2024, Week 28|work=Countrytown|access-date=July 12, 2024}}
| 6 |
|---|
| scope="row"| Canada Country (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/canada-country/2024-08-03|title=Canada Country chart for August 3, 2024|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 30, 2024|url-access=subscription}}
| 20 |
In popular culture
- The intro to "Blinding Lights" has been used in a TikTok choreographed dance challenge known as the "Blinding Lights Challenge".{{cite news |last1=Maidment |first1=Adam |title=The dance challenge taking TikTok by storm - and how to do it |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/blinding-lights-tiktok-dance-challenge-18061729 |access-date=April 10, 2021 |work=Manchester Evening News |date=April 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409082045/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/blinding-lights-tiktok-dance-challenge-18061729 |archive-date=April 9, 2020 |location=Chadderton, Oldham, Greater Manchester}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2020/03/28/tiktok-blinding-lights-challenge-pushes-louisville-family-fame/2922014001/|title=Meet the McFarlands, a Louisville family whose TikTok video shot them to Internet fame|first=Dominique|last=Yates|website=The Courier-Journal|access-date=March 23, 2020|archive-date=June 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601010922/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2020/03/28/tiktok-blinding-lights-challenge-pushes-louisville-family-fame/2922014001/|url-status=live}}
- It was used to promote Super Bowl LV, and featured as the theme song for WrestleMania 36.{{Cite tweet |user=WWE |number=1246165757253255168 |title=Nothing outshines The Grandest Stage of Them All. "Blinding Lights" by @theweeknd is an official theme song of #WrestleMania 36.|date=April 3, 2020 |access-date=April 10, 2021 |language=en }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/B8DOX2qA3YE/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/B8DOX2qA3YE |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |url-access=registration|title=TOMORROW. @theweeknd|website=Instagram|access-date=February 29, 2020}}{{cbignore}}
- "Blinding Lights" appears on the NBA 2K21 video game soundtrack.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/nba-2k21-soundtrack-includes-roddy-ricch-lil-baby-tory-lanez-and-more-news.114994.html|title=NBA 2K21 Soundtrack Includes Roddy Ricch, Lil Baby, Tory Lanez, & More|first=Alex|last=Zidel|website=Hot New Hiphop|access-date=July 26, 2020|archive-date=July 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727190911/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/nba-2k21-soundtrack-includes-roddy-ricch-lil-baby-tory-lanez-and-more-news.114994.html|url-status=live}}
- The song is featured on the dance rhythm game, Just Dance 2021.{{cite news |last=Sheehan |first=Gavin |date=September 10, 2020 |work=Bleeding Cool |title=Just Dance 2021 Reveals Nine More Tracks For The Game |url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/just-dance-2021-reveals-nine-more-tracks-for-the-game/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915083230/https://bleedingcool.com/games/just-dance-2021-reveals-nine-more-tracks-for-the-game/ |archive-date=September 15, 2020 |access-date=May 26, 2021 |url-status=live }}
- The song was featured on Fortnite{{'}}s Joy Ride update via Fortnite Radio, as well as added as an icon series emote, complete with the original song.{{cite news |last1=Goslin |first1=Austen |title=Fortnite's new Joy Ride update adds drivable cars and a fantastic radio playlist |url=https://www.polygon.com/platform/amp/fortnite/2020/8/5/21355481/fortnite-joy-ride-update-patch-cars-radio-songs |access-date=April 10, 2021 |work=Polygon |date=August 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806201625/https://www.polygon.com/platform/amp/fortnite/2020/8/5/21355481/fortnite-joy-ride-update-patch-cars-radio-songs |archive-date=August 6, 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Delaney |first1=Mike |title=Fortnite Adds A Bruno Mars Emote In The Shop Today |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/fortnite-adds-a-bruno-mars-emote-in-the-shop-today/1100-6489705/ |access-date=April 10, 2021 |work=GameSpot |date=April 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915151307/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9448947/backstreet-boys-aj-mclean-jive-dancing-with-the-stars |archive-date=September 15, 2020 |quote=The duo's Icon Series emote joins others such as "Renegade" from K Camp, "Blinding Lights" from The Weeknd, and more.}} The song would later make another appearance in the game's "Fortnite Festival" mode as a playable track in 2023.{{Cite web |last=Shanfeld |first=Ethan |date=December 9, 2023 |title=Fortnite Is Reviving Rock Band — With a Little Help From the Weeknd |url=https://variety.com/2023/gaming/news/fortnite-festival-music-game-rock-band-the-weeknd-1235822008/ |access-date=December 21, 2023 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=December 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221091623/https://variety.com/2023/gaming/news/fortnite-festival-music-game-rock-band-the-weeknd-1235822008/ |url-status=live }}
- Backstreet Boy AJ McLean and Cheryl Burke danced the jive to the song on the premiere of Dancing with the Stars.{{cite magazine |title=Backstreet Boy AJ McLean Performs High-Energy Jive on 'DWTS': Watch |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9448947/backstreet-boys-aj-mclean-jive-dancing-with-the-stars |access-date=April 10, 2021 |magazine=Billboard |date=September 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915151307/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9448947/backstreet-boys-aj-mclean-jive-dancing-with-the-stars |archive-date=September 15, 2020 |quote=Wearing a baby blue suit, AJ gave a high-energy performance with his dance partner Cheryl Burke to The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights".}}
- A remix of the song is played in the trailer for the 2022 Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) Disney+ series Ms. Marvel.{{cite news |last1=Paige |first1=Rachel |title=Ms. Marvel: First Trailer Introduces Kamala Khan |url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/tv-shows/ms-marvel-trailer-kamala-khan |access-date=March 15, 2022 |work=Marvel |date=March 15, 2022 |quote=Meet Kamala on June 8, exclusively on Disney+! |archive-date=March 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315181809/https://www.marvel.com/amp/articles/tv-shows/ms-marvel-trailer-kamala-khan |url-status=live }} It is also used in the opening scene of its pilot episode, "Generation Why".
- A Vietnamese singer named Jack-J97 has aroused controversy by allegedly plagiarizing from "Blinding Lights" with his latest song "Ngôi sao cô đơn". Jack's song and music video have the same style and "vibe" as the Weeknd's, although widely different in execution. The song was set to be released at 20:09 pm on July 19 (Vietnam time).{{Cite web|url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=4tYuIU7pLmI|title=The copycat Vietnamese version from Blinding Lights of The Weeknd|website=YouTube|date=July 19, 2022 |access-date=July 20, 2022|archive-date=July 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720011918/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tYuIU7pLmI|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=July 19, 2022 |title=Jack bị 'bóc mẽ' đạo nhái trắng trợn ca sĩ quốc tế? |trans-title=Jack was 'exploited' for blatant plagiarism of international singers? |url=https://2sao.vn/jack-bi-boc-me-dao-nhai-trang-tron-ca-si-quoc-te-n-313793.html |website=2 Sao |language=Vietnamese |access-date=July 19, 2022 |archive-date=July 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719050158/https://2sao.vn/jack-bi-boc-me-dao-nhai-trang-tron-ca-si-quoc-te-n-313793.html |url-status=live }}
- The song was featured in the 2025 film Hurry Up Tomorrow, which Tesfaye starred in.
Personnel
Credits adapted from the Weeknd's official website and Tidal.{{cite web|url=https://shop.theweeknd.com/collections/all|title=ALL {{!}} T H E W E E K N D S H O P|website=The Weeknd Shop|access-date=December 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203033816/https://shop.theweeknd.com/collections/all/products/collectors-7-vinyl-001-digital-single|archive-date=December 3, 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/123764753/track/123764754|title=Blinding Lights / The Weeknd – Tidal|website=Tidal|date=November 29, 2019 |access-date=November 29, 2019|archive-date=December 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217201707/https://listen.tidal.com/album/123764753/track/123764754|url-status=live}}
- The Weeknd – songwriting, vocals, production, programming, keyboards, bass, guitar, drums
- Belly – songwriting
- Jason Quenneville – songwriting
- Max Martin – songwriting, production, programming, keyboards, bass, guitar, drums
- Oscar Holter – songwriting, production, programming, keyboards, bass, guitar, drums
- Shin Kamiyama – engineering
- Cory Bice – engineering assistant
- Jeremy Lertola – engineering assistant
- Sean Klein – engineering assistant
- Şerban Ghenea – mixing
- John Hanes – engineering for mixing
- Dave Kutch – mastering
- Kevin Peterson – mastering
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
{{col-2}}
=Monthly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 2025 monthly chart performance for "Blinding Lights" ! scope="col"| Chart (2025) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| scope="row"| CIS Airplay (TopHit){{cite web|url=https://tophit.com/chart/top/radio/hits/global/monthly/202505|title=Top Radio Hits Global Monthly Chart: May 2025|publisher=TopHit|date=June 6, 2025|access-date=June 6, 2025|language=ru, en}}
| 100 |
|---|
| scope="row"| Lithuania Airplay (TopHit){{cite web|url=https://tophit.com/chart/top/radio/hits/lt/monthly/202505|title=Top Radio Hits Lithuania Monthly Chart: May 2025|publisher=TopHit|access-date=June 8, 2025|date=June 6, 2025|language=ru, en}}
| 8 |
=Year-end charts=
=All-time charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"!Chart (1958–2021)
|+All-time chart performance for "Blinding Lights" ! Chart ! Position |
| scope="row"| US Billboard Hot 100{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/greatest-hot-100-singles/|title=Greatest of All Time Hot 100 Songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 23, 2023}}
|1 |
|---|
{{col-end}}
Certifications and sales
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "Blinding Lights"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|award=Platinum|number=17|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2024|access-date=February 7, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|artist=The Weeknd|title=Blinding Lights|award=Platinum|number=3|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2021|access-date=January 26, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|award=Platinum|number=4|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2021|access-date=February 19, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|title=Blinding Lights|artist=The Weeknd|award=Diamond|number=9|type=single|certyear=2024|relyear=2021|access-date=August 15, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=The Weeknd|title=Blinding Lights|award=Diamond|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2021|access-date=March 5, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=The Weeknd|title=Blinding Lights|award=Platinum|number=6|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2023|id=13341|date=December 31, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|artist=The Weeknd|title=Blinding Lights|award=Diamond|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2020|access-date=April 8, 2020}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=The Weeknd|title=Blinding Lights|award=Platinum|number=3|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2021|access-date=December 2, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|artist=The Weeknd|title=Blinding Lights|award=Platinum|number=6|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2024|access-date=September 2, 2024|id=11013}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|artist=The Weeknd|title=Blinding Lights|award=Platinum|number=3|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2020|access-date=April 21, 2020}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=The Weeknd|title=Blinding Lights|award=Platinum|number=9|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2024|source=radioscope|access-date=December 23, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Norway|artist=The Weeknd|title=Blinding Lights|award=Platinum|number=8|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2023|access-date=January 28, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|artist=The Weeknd|title=Blinding Lights|award=Diamond|number=2|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2021|certmonth=8|access-date=August 11, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Portugal|artist=The Weeknd|title=Blinding Lights|award=Diamond|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2024|id=file_2024-02-20-10-03-01.pdf|access-date=February 23, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|artist=The Weeknd|title=Blinding Lights|award=Platinum|number=8|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2025|id=the-weeknd-blinding-lights|accessdate=February 26, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=The Weeknd|title=Blinding Lights|award=Platinum|number=8|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2025|id=16157-4005-1|access-date=April 25, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=The Weeknd|title=Blinding Lights|award=Diamond|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2022|accessdate=April 5, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Separator |title=Streaming}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Greece|title=Blinding Lights|artist=The Weeknd|type=single|award=Diamond|relyear=2019|certyear=2023|id=20230105222843|access-date=January 9, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|artist=The Weeknd|title=Blinding Lights|award=Gold|streamsonly=true|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2022|certmonth=2|access-date=March 29, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|award=Platinum|number=11|type=single|certyear=2021|certweek=42|access-date=October 23, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Worldwide|artist=The Weeknd|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2022|title=Blinding Lights|salesamount=5,310,000,000|salesref=|nocert=true|access-date=February 26, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true|streaming=true|streamsonly=true|nosales=true}}
Release history
See also
{{Div col}}
- List of best-selling singles
- List of best-selling singles in Australia
- List of best-selling singles in Brazil
- List of Billboard Hot 100 chart achievements and milestones
- List of airplay number-one hits in Argentina
- List of number-one singles of 2020 (Australia)
- List of number-one hits of 2020 (Austria)
- List of Ultratop 50 number-one singles of 2020
- List of Canadian Hot 100 number-one singles of 2020
- List of number-one hits of 2020 (Denmark)
- List of number-one singles of 2020 (Finland)
- List of number-one hits of 2020 (France)
- List of number-one hits of 2020 (Germany)
- List of number-one singles of 2020 (Ireland)
- List of number-one hits of 2020 (Italy)
- List of Dutch Top 40 number-one singles of 2020
- List of number-one singles from the 2020s (New Zealand)
- List of number-one songs in Norway
- List of number-one singles of 2020 (Poland)
- List of number-one singles of 2020 (Portugal)
- List of number-one songs of 2020 (Singapore)
- List of number-one singles of 2020 (Slovenia)
- List of number-one singles of the 2020s (Sweden)
- List of number-one hits of 2020 (Switzerland)
- List of UK Singles Chart number ones of the 2020s
- List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 2020
- List of Billboard Hot 100 top-ten singles in 2020
- List of Billboard Adult Contemporary number ones of 2020
- List of Billboard Adult Contemporary number ones of 2021
- List of Billboard Adult Top 40 number-one songs of the 2020s
- List of Billboard Digital Song Sales number ones of 2020
- List of Billboard Mainstream Top 40 number-one songs of 2020
- List of Radio Songs number ones of the 2020s
- List of Billboard Streaming Songs number ones of 2020
- List of Spotify streaming records
{{Div col end}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{The Weeknd songs}}
{{Rosalía}}
{{Tebey}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for "Blinding Lights"
|titlestyle = background: lightblue
|list1 =
{{Billboard Year-End number one singles 2020–present}}
{{IFPI Global Year-End}}
{{MTV Video Music Award for Best R&B Video}}
{{MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year}}
{{UK best-selling singles (by year)}}
}}
{{Billboard Year-End number one singles 2020–present}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles
Category:Canadian Hot 100 number-one singles
Category:Canadian synth-pop songs
Category:Dutch Top 40 number-one singles
Category:Irish Singles Chart number-one singles
Category:Juno Award for Single of the Year singles
Category:MTV Video of the Year Award
Category:Number-one singles in Australia
Category:Number-one singles in Austria
Category:Number-one singles in Denmark
Category:Number-one singles in Finland
Category:Number-one singles in France
Category:Number-one singles in Germany
Category:Number-one singles in Greece
Category:Number-one singles in Israel
Category:Number-one singles in Italy
Category:Number-one singles in Latvia
Category:Number-one singles in New Zealand
Category:Number-one singles in Norway
Category:Number-one singles in Poland
Category:Number-one singles in Portugal
Category:Number-one singles in Singapore
Category:Number-one singles in Sweden
Category:Number-one singles in Switzerland
Category:Republic Records singles
Category:Song recordings produced by Max Martin
Category:Song recordings produced by the Weeknd
Category:Songs about driving under the influence
Category:Songs about Las Vegas
Category:Songs about the United States
Category:Songs written by Belly (rapper)
Category:Songs written by DaHeala
Category:Songs written by Max Martin
Category:Songs written by Oscar Holter
Category:Songs written by Rosalía
Category:Songs written by the Weeknd
Category:UK singles chart number-one singles
Category:Ultratop 50 Singles (Flanders) number-one singles