The Weeknd, Wake Me Up (Ft. Justice) | Bangerz N Bopz

In the 34th edition of Bangerz N Bopz (2025), we highlight “Wake Me Up” performed by The Weeknd featuring Justice.  

Bring on the bold, fierce songs! Bangerz N Bopz serves up background info and insight into songs of various styles, especially songs that raise eyebrows and stir the pot.  Featured records can be classic or brand new. In the 34^th edition of Bangerz N Bopz (2025), we break down “Wake Me Up” performed by The Weeknd featuring Justice.

“All I have is my legacy / I been losing my memory.” Damn, The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye). The Grammy-winning Canadian R&B/pop singer/songwriter commences his 2025 album Hurry Up Tomorrow with a bang . “Wake Me Up” is an epic, two-part song featuring electronic duo Justice (Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay). “Wake Me Up” runs north of five minutes in duration. The Weeknd composed “Wake Me Up” alongside Justice, MIKE DEAN, Johnny Jewel, Rod Temperton (1949 – 2016), Belly, and Vincent Taurelle. Where does Rod Temperton come into the mix? “Wake” samples the Michael Jackson classic “Thriller”, written by Temperton. The Weeknd, Justice, DEAN, and Jewel produced it.

Part I features a sole, dramatic verse excerpted above.  The Weeknd continues singing, “No afterlife, no other side / I’m all alone when it fades to black.” Part I is set in a minor key and has an enigmatic, foreboding nature.  Part II features two verses, pre-choruses, choruses, and an outro. It is groovier, with ample thrilling vibes via “Thriller”.  While it is still set in the minor key of the first, it isn’t quite as intense.  Lyrically, Tesfaye references past songs: “And I can’t find the horizon (horizon) / I’m running out of time (Time),” he sings in the first verse.  In the second verse, he memorably sings, “Cleanse me with your fire (Hey) / Open up my eyes.” The chorus is the centerpiece, in all of its tuneful glory:

“Wake me up, come find me

It feels like I’m dying

Wake me up, these demons

Keep creeping, don’t fear ‘em

Wake me up.”

Ultimately, “Wake Me Up” is a terrific way to commence Hurry Up Tomorrow.  It is well-written and well-produced. As always, The Weeknd ‘brings it’ with his ripe tenor.  Bop, bop, bop, all day long!

The Weeknd // Hurry Up Tomorrow // The Weeknd XO Music ULC / Republic // 2025

The Weeknd, Wake Me Up: Bangerz N Bopz No. 34 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; The Weeknd XO Music ULC / Republic; Bigshow Lamar Campton, Daniel Duarte, Eduardo López from Pexels; AcatXIo, djexpectations, OpenClipart-Vectors, Thai Zeo from Pixabay]