It was performed live on June 17th, 2023 at The Weeknd’s show in Stockholm, Sweden for his After Hours Til Dawn Tour.
This song was released on June 18th, 2023 as part of the soundtrack for episode 3 of the HBO show, The Idol.
Take Me Back
The Weeknd Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
None of them felt so soft and kind, and
Hell is a place for what we tried, but
Never felt so wrong in my mind, and
Never understood why Mama cried, and
Couldn't be because our secret's hiding
I always thought someday you'd find us, but
Waiting for you is like slowly dying
'Cause you kept me warm
You held me close until you let me go
Now my blood is cold
I never had the time to let you know
Take me back
Take me back
Take me back
Take me back
Take me back
Take me back
All of me, take all of me
All of me, all of me
Take me back
Take me back
Take me back
Where do we go from here?
Hold my heart and set me free
Where do we go from here?
Kiss me with each melody
Someone I used to fear
'Cause I loved your forbidden touch
The thought of you cut so deep
So I'll open up my scars
'Cause it keeps me warm
Just hold me close, I'll never let you go
'Cause now my blood is cold
I'm waiting for the day you call my phone
Take me back
Take me back
Take me back
Take me back
Take me back
Take me back
All of me, take all of me
All of me, all of me
Take me back
Take me back
Take me back
The Weeknd's song "Take Me Back" explores the emotions and experiences of a person who has been manipulated multiple times before but never felt the same softness and kindness as they did with someone specific. The lyrics suggest that the singer has been through difficult situations, alluding to hell as a metaphor for the pain they have endured and the wrongness they have felt in their mind. The mention of Mama crying could be an indication of the internal struggle the singer faces due to keeping secrets, possibly from their mother. There is a sense of longing and waiting for the person they are singing to, even though it feels like slowly dying.
The chorus reflects on the warmth and closeness that the person provided in the past but also acknowledges the pain of being let go. The singer expresses how their blood has turned cold and the regret of never having the time to fully communicate their feelings to the person. They desire to go back to the past and recapture what they had, asking to be taken back repeatedly.
In the second verse, the singer questions what comes next. They ask to be held and set free, emphasizing the need for love and the desire for the person to kiss them with each melody, indicating a craving for their touch and intimacy. Despite acknowledging the fear they used to feel towards this person, the love they had for them and their forbidden connection was deep enough to leave lasting scars. The singer suggests that opening up their scars keeps them warm, almost as if revisiting the pain is better than being left cold and waiting for the person to reach out.
Overall, "Take Me Back" reflects on a complicated relationship filled with manipulation, secrecy, longing, and regret. The singer yearns for a return to the warmth and closeness of the past, wanting to be taken back by the person who held them and made them feel alive.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been manipulated a hundred times, but
I have experienced manipulation many times in the past, but
None of them felt so soft and kind, and
None of those experiences were as gentle and affectionate as this one, and
Hell is a place for what we tried, but
Our actions have led us into a difficult situation, but
Never felt so wrong in my mind, and
I have never felt so conflicted in my thoughts, and
Never understood why Mama cried, and
I could never comprehend why my mother shed tears, and
Couldn't be because our secret's hiding
Perhaps it was not solely because our secret was being concealed
I always thought someday you'd find us, but
I always held the belief that eventually you would discover us, but
Waiting for you is like slowly dying
The act of waiting for you feels like a gradual demise
'Cause you kept me warm
Because you provided me comfort and solace
You held me close until you let me go
You held me tightly until you released me
Now my blood is cold
Now I feel cold and empty inside
I never had the time to let you know
I never had the opportunity to express my true feelings to you
Take me back
Return me to the past
Where do we go from here?
What is our next course of action?
Hold my heart and set me free
Embrace my emotions and release me from this burden
Kiss me with each melody
Let each melody act as a tender kiss upon my lips
Someone I used to fear
Someone I once had apprehension towards
'Cause I loved your forbidden touch
Because I was infatuated with your illicit touch
The thought of you cut so deep
The mere thought of you inflicted profound emotional pain
So I'll open up my scars
Therefore, I will expose my emotional wounds
Just hold me close, I'll never let you go
Simply embrace me tightly, for I will never allow you to leave
I'm waiting for the day you call my phone
I patiently await the moment when you reach out to me
All of me, take all of me
Accept every part of me, consume my entirety
Take me back
Bring me back to the past
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Abel Tesfaye, Jason Quenneville, Mike Dean
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TaxEvasi0n
Where do we go from here?
Hold my heart and set me free.
Where do we go from here?
Kiss me with each melody.
Someone I used to fiend.
Cause I loved your forbidden touch.
The thought of you cuts so deep, so I'll open up my scar.
Cause it keeps me warm.
Just hold me close, I'll never let you go.
Cause now my blood is cold.
I'm waiting for the day you call my phone.
Take me back.
This is some of his best work. He can really capture that deep sadness and melancholic feel. I remember he had mentioned he wanted to steer clear of a really sad album because of how hard it was for him to write it. We all want him to remain mentally healthy, but it might also be therapeutic for him to vent his feelings. I can only imagine how amazing that album would be. Abel truly is talented not only with his obvious angelic voice, but his talent in capturing his audience in a feeling. He's already a household name. But to produce an album full of deep sadness and raw heartbreak, he could really break the internet with and capture an even wider audience. Everyone can relate to love and it's raw feelings.
@ZelioGames
I don't care if the show is good or bad. I'm just happy we get more Weeknd bangers
@justamanlookingforhispurpose
the show isn’t to bad, but some of the scenes do make you cringe 😭
@Alchemyforthesoul
This song reminds me of wicked games somehow
@elmundoparami
It's very good. Don't let Twitter opinions get to you.
@clementleveteau3974
Australie Islande la Norvège Israël Lituanie l'Espagne Estonie la Suisse
@АнастасіяІльків-з7ы
Real
@a_solo_yolo
His voice sends chills down my body
@roseegoldd
😂😂
@jvalentino6466
But his acting gives me a migraine
@SudhanshuRanjanJee2000
@@jvalentino6466 yessss