“Nothing Compares” is a bonus track on the deluxe version of The Weeknd’s f… Read Full Bio ↴“Nothing Compares” is a bonus track on the deluxe version of The Weeknd’s fourth studio album After Hours. Abel seemingly comes to terms with his feelings for his lover, realizing that he will never be able to shake her and he will always love her more than anyone else he can find.

The track features a very complex instrumental with levels including an electric guitar line, clapping percussion, and a massive droning synth that stays in the background for the song’s duration.

The track was first previewed on his Instagram live stream on March 27, 2020. The track’s title was confirmed by the Weeknd by a tweet he posted on the day before the track’s official release followed by multiple teasers of the track’s instrumental and visual.

Nothing Compares
The Weeknd Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I been tryin' hard to find the words to say (find the words to say)
If we tried again, we'd make the same mistakes (ooh yeah, ooh yeah, ooh yeah)

Asphyxiated (asphyxiated)
I'll never make it (I'll never make it)
Without my baby, ooh-oh, ooh-oh
So I fill the void, I know you do the same
Oh, ooh-ooh-ooh, oh, oh, oh

Nothing compares to the emptiness we both share
And nobody cares like you do (ooh yeah)
You ask for my heart, but I didn't know where to start (oh, oh no)
But they don't think of you like I do (ooh, ooh)

I try my best to not get high again (oh baby, I can't get high again)
But I've been stuck inside this place for days on end (la-da-da-da-da-da-da)

Intoxicated (intoxicated)
I'll never make it (I'll never make it)
Without my baby, oh, ooh-oh, ooh
So I fill the void just like I did back then
Oh, ooh-ooh, oh, oh, oh

Nothing compares to the emptiness we both share (no, no, no)
Nobody cares like you do (like you do, ooh yeah)
You ask for my heart (heart)
But I didn't know where to start (no, no, no, ooh, oh)
But they don't think of you like I do (ooh, ooh, yeah, yeah)

I've seen darker days, tryna keep my faith (oh)
I sin too much to pray for you (for you)
Even when it's great (oh), I still walk away (oh)
I couldn't even change for you (for you, you)
If you're the air I need, I'm dying just to breathe
I hope that you're not dying too (oh, I do)
Tryna keep my faith (oh)
I sin too much to pray for you, hey

Nothing compares to the emptiness we both share (nothing compares, baby)
Nobody cares (nobody) like you do (nobody, oh)
You ask for my heart (you ask for my heart)
But I didn't know where to start (know where to start)

But they don't think of you like I do
Oh, oh, yeah

Overall Meaning

The Weeknd's song "Nothing Compares" delves into the profound feelings of loneliness and heartbreak after a failed relationship. The opening lines of the chorus reveal the desperation and helplessness that the artist feels as he tries to find the words to express his emotions. He acknowledges the possibility of giving it another try but is aware that it will lead to the same mistakes. The recurring use of "asphyxiated" and "intoxicated" reflects his mental and emotional state.

The Weeknd also acknowledges the mutual feelings of loneliness shared by both parties. Despite this emptiness, he believes that nobody cares like his former lover, and that their bond is unique. The artist confesses that he couldn't change for his lover, even when things were going well, which shows his simultaneous lack of control and desire for independence.

The song is a poignant reflection of how difficult it can be to deal with heartbreak. The lyrics hold an immense emotional weight that is made even more poignant by the vocals and the song's melody. The Weeknd bares his soul in this song and creates an unforgettable listening experience.

Line by Line Meaning

I been tryin' hard to find the words to say (find the words to say)
I've been struggling to express my feelings and communicate with you.

If we tried again, we'd make the same mistakes (ooh yeah, ooh yeah, ooh yeah)
We're stuck in a pattern of making the same mistakes if we were to try to be together again.

Asphyxiated (asphyxiated) I'll never make it (I'll never make it) Without my baby, ooh-oh, ooh-oh So I fill the void, I know you do the same Oh, ooh-ooh-ooh, oh, oh, oh
I feel suffocated without you and rely on filling the void with something else, and I know you do the same.

Nothing compares to the emptiness we both share (yeah) And nobody cares like you do (oh yeah) You ask for my heart, but I didn't know where to start (oh, oh no) But they don't think of you like I do (ooh, ooh, yeah, yeah, whoa)
The emptiness we both feel is incomparable to anything else, and you care for me in a way nobody else can, but I wasn't sure how to give you my heart, and nobody else understands you like I do.

I try my best to not get high again (oh baby, I can't get high again) But I've been stuck inside this place for days on end (la-da-da-da-da-da-da)
I'm trying to stay sober, but I'm struggling and feel trapped in my emotions.

Intoxicated (intoxicated) I'll never make it (I'll never make it) Without my baby, oh, ooh-oh, ooh So I fill the void just like I'd do back then Oh, ooh-ooh, oh, oh, oh
Like before, I feel like I need something to fill the void, and without you, I'm lost and intoxicated with my emotions.

I seen darker days, tryna keep my faith (oh) I sin too much to pray for you (for you) Even when it's great, I still walk away I couldn't even change for you (for you) If you're the air I need, I'm dying just to breathe I hope that you're not dying too (oh, I do) Tryna keep my faith I sin too much to pray for you (no, no, no)
I've been through difficult times and I'm struggling to hold on to my beliefs. I've done too many things wrong to pray for our relationship. Even when things are good, I have a tendency to leave. I haven't been able to change for you, and you're so important to me that I feel like I'm suffocating without you. I hope you're not going through the same thing. I'm trying to not lose hope, but I feel like I've sinned too much to ask for help.

Nothing compares to the emptiness we both share (no, no, no) Nobody cares like you do (like you do, ooh yeah) You ask for my heart (heart) But I didn't know where to start (no, no, no, ooh, oh) But they don't think of you like I do (ooh, ooh, yeah, yeah)
We both feel empty without each other, and nobody cares for me like you do. You wanted my love, but I wasn't sure how to give it to you. Nobody else can understand or love you like I do.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Abel Tesfaye, Ahmad Balshe, Eric Burton Frederic, Jason Quenneville

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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