Released: 2018
“Call Out My Name” is a gut-wrenching ballad that takes us deep into The Weeknd’s emotional psyche, exploring themes of love, heartbreak, and vulnerability against a backdrop of a doomed romance. Here, The Weeknd is laying bare the pain of an unreciprocated love, touching on the sacrifices he made and the realization that they were all for naught.
The song kicks off with a bittersweet recollection of how The Weeknd and his lover found solace in each other’s company during tough times. There’s a sense of pride and commitment as he remembers “putting her on top” – making her the main priority, and doing so proudly and openly for the world to see. Despite the rough patches, he was dedicated, always keeping her close. It’s a classic case of giving your all just to watch it crumble.
The chorus serves as a plea and also a stark revelation—The Weeknd wants her to “call out my name,” yearning for that intimacy and connection one last time, even though she’s emotionally checked out. It’s like he’s asking to savor that final bittersweet taste before the end of their affair. The repetition of this desire contrasts sharply with the knowledge that she’s not willing to stay, adding to the song’s depth of longing and rejection.
As we hit the second verse, the raw edge of confession cuts through—The Weeknd initially claimed to be unfazed by the dissolution of the relationship, yet he admits to almost making a life-altering sacrifice for her. The admission “I didn’t feel nothing, baby, but I lied” hits hard, it’s a punch to the gut that speaks to the denial and pretense we often cloak ourselves in to shield our hurt. He also realizes his role in her life was transient—just a “pit stop” until she made up her mind, emphasizing the ephemeral nature of their love and the sinking feeling of being used.
The outro seems to echo the theme of reluctant acceptance. The repetition of “on my way” speaks to the finality of the relationship’s end. The words become almost a meditative chant, signaling a journey away from the pain of the past and towards self-recovery and moving forward.
In essence, “Call Out My Name” is The Weeknd at his most vulnerable, navigating the complexities of a love that consumes yet ultimately fails to satisfy. It dissects the dichotomy of wanting someone so deeply, even as they let go, and the emptiness that follows when that call is not returned.
