The Weeknd is a Canadian singer who began his career anonymously, posting songs on YouTube in 2009.
Born as Abel Tesfaye, he is known for his unique falsetto voice.
He has become one of the biggest music stars of our time, with hits like “Blinding Lights” and “Starboy.”
He has a cool ability to blend different music styles, especially R&B and pop.
He’s also pretty private about his personal life, which makes him mysterious.
About the Song ‘Popular’
“Popular” is a catchy R&B collaboration between The Weeknd, Madonna, and Playboi Carti that came out in 2023.
The song talks about fame and what people will do to become famous.
It was originally made for The Weeknd’s HBO show “The Idol” but later got added to his greatest hits album.
The song did really well, especially in the UK, giving Madonna her first top 10 hit in years.
| Song Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | “Popular” |
| Artists | The Weeknd, Playboi Carti, Madonna |
| Release Date | June 2, 2023 |
| Album | The Highlights (Deluxe) |
| Writers | Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd), Jordan Carter (Playboi Carti), Leland Wayne (Metro Boomin), Michael Dean, Tommy Rush, Sam Levinson, Michael Walker, John Flippin |
| Producers | The Weeknd, Metro Boomin, Mike Dean, Rush |
| Genre | R&B |
| Length | 3:35 |
| Record Labels | XO, Republic Records |
‘Popular’ Lyrics By Madonna and The Weeknd
Intro: Madonna & The Weeknd
I’ve seen the devil
Down Sunset
In every place
In every face
Yeah (Uh, uh)
Yeah (Uh, uh)
Verse 1: The Weeknd
Tell me, do you see her? (Yeah; uh) She’s livin’ her life (Uh)
Even if she acts like she don’t want the limelight (Uh, yeah; uh, uh)
But if you knew her (Yeah-yeah; uh), she lives a lie
She calls the paparazzi, then she acts surprised
Oh
Pre-Chorus: The Weeknd
Oh, I know what she needs (Oh-oh; uh)
She just want the fame, I know what shе fiends (Oh-oh; uh, yeah)
Give hеr a little taste, runnin’ back to me (Oh-oh; uh)
Put it in her veins, pray her soul to keep, ooh
Ooh, every night (Every night; uh), she prays to the sky
Flashin’ lights is all she ever wants to see
Chorus: The Weeknd
Beggin’ on her knees to be popular
That’s her dream, to be popular (Ha)
Kill anyone to be popular (Hm)
Sell her soul to be popular (Popular)
Just to be popular (Uh-huh)
Everybody scream ’cause she popular (Ha)
She mainstream ’cause she popular
Never be free ’cause she popular
Post-Chorus: Playboi Carti & The Weeknd
Money on top of me, money on top of her (Uh-huh)
Money on top of me, money on top of her (Uh-huh)
Yeah, shawty fuck with me ’cause she know I’m popular (Uh-huh)
Yeah, shawty fuck with me ’cause she know I’m popular
Verse 2: Madonna & The Weeknd
I know that you see me (Huh), time’s gone by (Uh, uh)
Spent my whole life runnin’ from your flashin’ lights
Try to own it (Uh), but I’m alright (Uh, yeah)
You can’t take my soul without a fuckin’ fight (Uh)
Oh
Pre-Chorus: The Weeknd, The Weeknd & Madonna
Oh, I know what she needs (Oh-oh; uh, yeah)
She just want the fame, I know what she fiends (Oh-oh; uh, yeah)
Give her a little taste, runnin’ back to me (Oh-oh; uh, yeah)
Put it in her veins, pray her soul to keep, ooh (Uh)
Ooh, every night (Every night), she prays to the sky (Ha)
Flashin’ lights is all she ever wants to see
Chorus: The Weeknd & Madonna, The Weeknd
Beggin’ on her knees to be popular (Huh)
That’s her dream, to be popular (Hey)
Kill anyone to be popular (Hm)
Sell her soul to be popular (Popular)
Just to be popular (Uh-huh)
Everybody scream ’cause she popular (Ha)
She mainstream ’cause she popular
Never be free ’cause she popular
Post-Chorus: Playboi Carti & The Weeknd
Money on top of me, money on top of her (Uh-huh)
Money on top of me, money on top of her (Uh-huh)
Yeah, shawty fuck with me ’cause she know I’m popular (Uh)
Yeah, shawty fuck with me ’cause she know I’m popular (Uh)
Money on top of me, money on top of her (Uh-huh)
Money on top of me, money on top of her (Uh-huh)
Yeah, shawty fuck with me ’cause she know I’m popular (Uh-huh)
Yeah, shawty fuck with me ’cause she know I’m popular
Bridge: Playboi Carti, The Weeknd & Madonna
I’m gettin’ money and I’m keepin’ it
I’m gettin’ cash and I’m keepin’ it
Money on top of me, money on top of her
Yeah, shawty fuck with me ’cause she know I’m popular
Pop-popular, born to be popular
She in debt, twenty mill’, but she run it up
She can never be broke ’cause she popular
Turn the webcam on for the followers (Hahahahaha)
Chorus: The Weeknd & Madonna, The Weeknd
Beggin’ on her knees to be popular
That’s her dream, to be popular (Ha)
Kill anyone to be popular (Hm)
Sell her soul to be popular (Popular)
Just to be popular (Uh-huh)
Everybody scream ’cause she popular (Ha)
She mainstream ’cause she popular
Never be free ’cause she popular
Live Performance Of The Song ‘Popular’ By Madonna and The Weeknd
The Weeknd, Playboi Carti, Madonna – Popular (Official Live)
Similar songs Like ‘Popular’ By The Weeknd
Here are some similar songs by The Weeknd that share themes or musical elements with “Popular”:
Starboy – A collaboration with Daft Punk that explores fame and success, with a similar boastful tone about celebrity status. Like “Popular,” it has strong electronic elements and discusses the glamorous side of fame.
Die For You features a similar R&B production style, and it recently got a remix by Ariana Grande. The song gained renewed popularity in 2023, much like how “Popular” gradually built its audience over time.
Save Your Tears – Another collaboration (remixed with Ariana Grande) that shares similar production quality and pop-R&B fusion. It has the same kind of sleek, modern sound that you hear in “Popular.”
Can’t Feel My Face – Deals with similar themes of attraction and addiction to lifestyle, wrapped in an upbeat production style. Like “Popular,” it’s designed for both radio play and clubs.
Call Out My Name – While more emotional, it shares similar vocal techniques and R&B elements with “Popular,” showing The Weeknd’s signature falsetto style.
Often – Explores similar themes about fame and lifestyle, with a comparable mix of R&B and modern pop production that you hear in “Popular.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Weeknd’s Biggest Hit Song?
“Blinding Lights” is The Weeknd’s biggest hit.
With over 3.3 billion streams, it became Spotify’s most-streamed song and holds the record for the longest-charting Billboard Hot 100 song.
What Certifications Has This Song Received?
“Popular” has earned multiple certifications, including Platinum in the US, UK, France, and Denmark.
Also, there is a Diamond certification in Brazil for 160,000 units.
Have Any Of These Artists Collaborated Before?
Before “Popular,” The Weeknd and Madonna had never worked together, though both had separately collaborated with other major artists.
This was their first musical partnership.
