The Weeknd, Dancing In The Flames | Song Review 🎵

With memorable songwriting, a well-rounded vocal, and ear-catching production, The Weeknd ‘does the damn thing’ in his single, “Dancing In The Flames.”

“Traffic dies while we are racin’ home / Melted lights cover the open road.” Poetic, The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye). Please, continue: “I hope we make it, ‘cause I’ve been chasin’ / Another odyssey, oh.” The Grammy-winning Canadian superstar returned on September 13, 2024, with his single, “Dancing In The Flames”, set to appear on his sixth studio album, Hurry Up Tomorrow.  Tesfaye, Max Martin, and Oscar Holter penned and produced the slick, mid-tempo, synthpop/R&B cut. Something surprising about “Dancing in the Flames” – it’s free of swear words.  No parental advisory, explicit lyrics designation!

The sound of “Dancing in the Flames” suits The Weeknd perfectly.  It comprises bright, rhythmic synths, a bouncy bass line, pummeling drum runs, and 80s-sounding drum programming. Tesfaye delivers strong, pure, and expressive vocals. The melodies are tuneful with great attention paid to the melodic contour. The lyrics focus on driving and crashing, comparing it to love (“We’re dodgin’ headlights, and you say, ‘Hold tight’”). There are nice use of vocal harmonies during the chorus, the centerpiece.

“I can’t wait to see your face

Crash when we’re switchin’ lanes

My love’s beyond the pain

But if I miss the brake

We’re dancin’ in the flames

It’s indescribable.”

Vocoder appears on the word, indescribable during the post-chorus, giving off Daft Punk vibes. The bridge section distinguishes itself from the rest of the song. The spacey, enigmatic instrumental outro is a nice touch. Once again, The Weeknd puts in work on “Dancing In The Flames”.  With memorable songwriting, a well-rounded vocal, and ear-catching production, Abel Tesfaye ‘does the damn thing.’

The Weeknd // Hurry Up Tomorrow // The Weeknd XO Music ULC / Republic // 9.13.24

The Weeknd, Dancing In The Flames [📷: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; The Weeknd XO Music ULC / Republic; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Królestwo Nauki, OpenClipart-Vectors, Pete Linforth, Tumisu from Pixabay]