The Weeknd gained widespread critical acclaim for his three mixtapes: House of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes of Silence, which he later compiled to make a remastered, three-disc album titled Trilogy after signing his record deal with Republic. In 2013, he released Kiss Land, which was considered to be his debut studio album.
In 2014, he dropped “Often,” a remix of Beyonce’s “Drunk In Love,” and “King of the Fall.” The Weeknd released two songs in collaboration with the film Fifty Shades of Grey, with Earned It becoming his solo breakout hit.
His second studio album became highly-anticipated, with riveting singles like The Hills and Can’t Feel My Face leaving fans hungry for more. Beauty Behind the Madness was released on August 28, 2015.
His third studio album, Starboy, was released on November 25, 2016. The Daft Punk-assisted title track led the project as its first official single, released on Wednesday, September 21, 2016, before becoming his third number one track in the United States, as also his home country, Canada. The effort was a commercial success, topping the Billboard 200 albums chart with over 348,000 copies sold in its first week, all eighteen tracks debuting on the Billboard Hot 100, receiving a GRAMMY Award for the Best Urban Contemporary Album, category at the 60th annual ceremony, overall for the second time in his music career and being ranked as the third most popular album of 2017 in the U.S.
Next came the My Dear Melancholy EP, released on March 30, 2018 and revolving around his breakups with Bella Hadid during summer of 2016 and Selena Gomez in October 2017. With the lead single, Call Out My Name, the Canadian singer earned the largest first-day Spotify stream count of any song released in 2018 at that time and his eighth Top 10 entry on Hot 100.
Tesfaye’s fourth studio album (and his first in three years), After Hours was officially released on March 20, 2020, and is named after a 1985 movie directed by his idol, Martin Scorsese. It was primarily supported by November 2019-released singles Heartless and Blinding Lights, with the pair becoming his fourth and fifth #1 singles in the US and the latter his first #1 single in the UK. The title track and In Your Eyes were also released as singles.
Although widely expected to receive multiple nominations for After Hours, Tesfaye failed to receive any nominations for the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards (2021). Tesfaye took to his social media to criticize the Recording Academy, claiming corruption. Speculation arose that the announcement of his then-upcoming Super Bowl performance as well as the discrepancy of being nominated as pop music versus R&B contributed to the snubs. On February 5, 2021 The Highlights was released, as his second greatest hits album. Tesfaye performed at the Super Bowl LV halftime show on February 7, 2021 after announcing he would perform in November 2020. He reportedly spent $7 million on his performance at the show. Despite having a mixed response, the show resulted in a surge in streaming and downloads for Tesfaye's After Hours album as well as for the seven other songs he performed.
His fifth album, Dawn FM was released on January 7, 2022, continuing the writing and production work with Swedish pop svengalis Max Martin and Oscar Holter. The album was preceded by the single Take My Breath in August 2021, with Sacrifice announced as the second single.
Family
The Weeknd Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Eyes like the ocean or the great big blue sea
Love just like mother's, a price, it's not free
Ooh, ooh-ooh-hoo
Voice like my father's, when he screams, the house shakes
Dreams like my brother's, oh, we pray for his sake
Hopes just like my mother's, oh, they last 'til her wake
Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
That's my family
Oh, we don't like each other very much
Oh, I'm okay with that
But it breaks my mother's heart
Ah-ah, ooh-ooh, ah-ooh
That's my family
When I'm alone, that's when I feel the safest
Don't like being touched
Please, don't give me a hug
That's my family (that's my family)
You're my family (you're my family)
I found my family (I found my family)
This is my family
That's my family
The Weeknd's song, "Family," is a personal reflection on the complexities of familial relationships and the difficulties that arise within them. The song describes different members of the singer's family and the similarities they share with each other. The singer draws attention to the physical and emotional characteristics they've inherited from their loved ones, from their father's thunderous voice to their mother's enduring hopes.
Despite this appreciation for familial bonds, the singer acknowledges the strained relationships within their family. They explain that they and their relatives do not get along well, but they are okay with that. The singer, however, recognizes the pain that this dynamic causes their mother, who wishes for her children to love and support each other. In contrast to the discomfort they feel around their family, the singer finds solace in solitude, where they feel safest and prefer not to be touched.
Overall, "Family" demonstrates the Weeknd's ability to reveal his personal struggles through song, providing listeners with a window into the complexities of human relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Arms like the branches of a poplar tree
My family members are strong and supportive, like the branches of a tall and sturdy tree.
Eyes like the ocean or the great big blue sea
My family members have deep and vast eyes, filled with emotions and thoughts like the never-ending expanse of the ocean.
Love just like mother's, a price, it's not free
The love my mother has for us is priceless, but it comes with a cost, such as her own sacrifices and struggles in life.
Voice like my father's, when he screams, the house shakes
My father's voice is loud and commanding, capable of shaking things up, which shows his authority and dominance in the household.
Dreams like my brother's, oh, we pray for his sake
My brother has big dreams, and we all hope and pray that he achieves them, since he deserves nothing less.
Hopes just like my mother's, they'll last 'til her wake
My mother is hopeful for the future, and she believes that her hopes and aspirations will continue to live on, even after her passing.
That's my family
These are the people who I am blood-related to and have grown up with, who have influenced my life in significant ways.
Oh, we don't like each other very much
Despite being family, we don't always get along, and we can have conflicts or disagreements with one another.
Oh, I'm okay with that
I have become accustomed to the dysfunctional nature of my family and have learned to accept it as it is.
But it breaks my mother's heart
Even though I am okay with the situation, it still pains my mother to see her family not completely united and harmonious.
When I'm alone, that's when I feel the safest
Being by myself gives me a sense of security and protection from the chaos and unpredictability of my family dynamic.
Don't like being touched
Due to past traumas or negative experiences, physical affection can make me uncomfortable or anxious.
You're my family
Although we may have our issues, at the end of the day, I still consider you all to be my family, and I am grateful for that.
I found my family
Despite any challenges or disagreements, I realize that my family is essential to me, and I am lucky to have them in my life.
This is my family
These people, who may not always get along, are still an integral part of my life, and they make up the concept of 'family' to me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Abel Tesfaye, Mike Dean, Sage Skolfield, Suzanna Son
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Katy9kate
Lyrics
Verse 1: Suzanna Son]
Arms like the branches of a poplar tree
Eyes like the ocean or the great big blue sea
Love just like mother's with a price, it's not free
Ooh, ooh-ooh-hoo
Voice like my father's, when he screams, the house shakes
Dreams like my brother's, oh, we pray for his sake
Hopes just like my mother's, they'll last 'til her wake
Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
[Chorus: Suzanna Son]
That's my family
Oh, we don't like each other very much
Oh, I'm okay with that
But it breaks my mother's heart
Ah-ah, ooh-ooh, ah-ooh
That's my family
Verse 2: Suzanna Son]
When I'm alone, that's when I feel the safest
Don't like being touched
Please, don't give me a hug
[Bridge: Suzanna Son & The Weeknd]
That's my family (That's my family)
You're my family (You're my family)
I found my family (I found my family)
This is my family (This is my family)
[Outro: The Weeknd & Suzanna Son]
That's my family
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
@Lezdoval
De huevos Suzanna Son 😍 The Idol, gracias me han inspirado a seguir haciendo música, Saludos desde México.
Brazos como las ramas de un álamo
Arms like the branches of a poplar tree
Ojos como el océano o el gran mar azul
Eyes like the ocean or the great big blue sea
Amor como el de madre, un precio, no es gratis
Love just like mother's, a price, it's not free
Ooh, ooh-ooh-hoo
Ooh, ooh-ooh-hoo
Voz como la de mi padre, cuando grita la casa tiembla
Voice like my father's, when he screams, the house shakes
Sueños como los de mi hermano, oh, rezamos por él
Dreams like my brother's, oh, we pray for his sake
Esperanzas como las de mi madre, oh, duran hasta su despertar
Hopes just like my mother's, oh, they last 'til her wake
Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Esa es mi familia
That's my family
Oh, no nos gustamos mucho
Oh, we don't like each other very much
Oh, estoy bien con eso
Oh, I'm okay with that
Pero rompe el corazón de mi madre
But it breaks my mother's heart
Ah-ah, ooh-ooh, ah-ooh
Ah-ah, ooh-ooh, ah-ooh
Esa es mi familia
That's my family
Cuando estoy solo, es cuando me siento más seguro
When I'm alone, that's when I feel the safest
no me gusta que me toquen
Don't like being touched
Por favor, no me des un abrazo.
Please, don't give me a hug
Esa es mi familia (esa es mi familia)
That's my family (that's my family)
Eres mi familia (eres mi familia)
You're my family (you're my family)
Encontré a mi familia (Encontré a mi familia)
I found my family (I found my family)
Esta es mi familia
This is my family
Esa es mi familia
That's my family
@angiegeraldinevazu
Arms like branches of a poplar tree
Eyes like the ocean or the great big blue sea
Love just like my mother's with a price, it's not free
Hoo-ooh-ooh, ooh-hoo, hmm
Voice like my father's, when he screams the house shakes
Dreams like my brother's, oh, we pray for his sake
Hopes just like my mother's, only last 'til her wake
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ah, ooh-ooh
That's my family
Oh, we don't like each other very much
Oh, I'm okay with that
But it breaks my mother's heart
Ah-ah
Ooh-ooh
Ah-ooh
That's my family
When I'm alone, that's when
I feel the safest
Don't like being touched
Please, don't give me a hug
That's my family (that's my family)
You're my family (you're my family)
I found my family (I found my family)
This is my family
That's my family (oh-oh-oh-oh)
Oh-oh-oh-oh-whoa (oh, whoa)
Oh-oh-oh, oh, whoa
Whoa, oh, oh, whoa
Whoa, oh-oh
Whoa, oh, oh, oh, whoa
Whoa-oh-oh-oh, whoa
Whoa-oh-oh, whoa
Whoa, oh-oh
@aprildeleon4693
I feel like there's not enough songs like this like literally about the pain of family and accepting the pain
@amine0520
True ❤
@phillipsmith3382
It's why I love it so much. Very real, loving someone but not being able to stand each other.
@jamk2668
This is designed to be a hypnotic cult song.
@SomeHowDar
red flag but still love the music
@brizzle711
You feel wrong
@BatmanHQYT
Suzanna Son has a hauntingly beautiful voice. And her piano playing is enchanting. Hope they release a piano-only version, this is pretty overproduced.
@cheryllucas9631
That is such a great description. Hauntingly beautiful. ❤
@effystonem2934
i agree, i liked the raw version of the song from the episode a lot more.
@traceywilks9254
Beautifully sung. 😢