The Weeknd’s hit single “Blinding Lights” has taken the music world by storm, with its catchy beat and nostalgic vibes. But what many might not know is that the song is actually a sample of several songs from the 1980s.
The song begins with a recognizable guitar riff reminiscent of Michael Sembello’s 1983 smash hit “Maniac.” This riff is then followed by an iconic synthesizer pattern, which is similar to A-ha’s 1985 classic “Take On Me.”
But that isn’t all! The song also samples elements of Phil Collins’ 1981 hit “In The Air Tonight,” as well as his 1986 single “Sussudio.” These samples give the track its alluring retro feel, making it one of the most exciting songs of 2020.
To top it off, The Weeknd uses a vocoder to replicate Peter Frampton’s 1977 classic “Do You Feel Like We Do.” This gives the track an otherworldly atmosphere that perfectly complements its dreamy synth lines and bouncy beat.
All in all, The Weeknd has successfully managed to combine these various ’80s elements into one cohesive whole to create a modern masterpiece. By taking inspiration from some of the most iconic songs from this era, he has truly crafted somehing special–a song which will no doubt be remembered for generations to come!
Does Blinding Lights Utilize Sampling?
Yes, Blinding Lights by The Weeknd samples another song. Specifically, it samples the 1981 song “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)” by Hall & Oates. The Weeknd took the iconic synth line from this track and featured it prominently in Blinding Lights. The lyrics were also altered for the chorus to fit The Weeknd’s style. Additionally, the production of Blinding Lights was heavily inspired by 1980s synth-pop and new wave music, which was a major influence on Hall & Oates’ sound.
Analysis of the Sample Used in ‘Blinding Lights’ by The Weeknd
Blinding Lights samples the beat from Michael Sembello’s 1983 classic “Maniac” and the synthesizers from a-ha’s 1985 classic “Take On Me.” Additionally, it also draws on ’80s pop sounds, similar to The Weeknd’s 2015 song “Can’t Feel My Face.”
Is Blinding Lights a Remake of an 80s Song?
No, “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd is not a remake of an 80s song. Instead, it is an original song that draws heavily from the synth-pop and new wave sounds of the 80s. The Weeknd has described it as “a modernized version of the ’80s: big drums, 808s, and a lot of nostalgia”. It contains elements that evoke the classic 80s sound while still feeling like a fresh, modern track.
Similarities Between ‘Blinding By The Light’ and Other Songs
Blinding Lights by The Weeknd is a synth-pop song that combines elements of retro-infused disco and modern electronic music. It features a driving, infectious beat with a catchy vocal hook, as well as atmospheric synths and pulsing percussion. The song’s energetic production is accented by its anthemic chorus that has been described as “uplifting” and “euphoric”. Musically, the track has been compared to the works of Michael Jackson and Daft Punk, while lyrically it deals with themes of love and hope in the face of adversity.
Samples Used by Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish has sampled a variety of elements in her music, ranging from classic songs to more modern sources. Her biggest sample to date is the iconic theme song from the TV show The Office, wich she used in her song “my strange addiction”. She also used samples from Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” in her track “when the party’s over”, as well as a sample from Frank Ocean’s “Voodoo” for her hit single “bad guy”. In addition to these, she has also sampled classic rock and pop songs such as Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall”, The Beatles’ “Hey Jude” and Radiohead’s “Creep”. Other samples include jazz artist John Coltrane’s “Blue Train”, traditional Irish folk tune “Danny Boy” and hip hop classics like Dr. Dre’s “Still D.R.E.” and Wu-Tang Clan’s “C.R.E.A.M.”
Exploring the Sample Used in Billie Eilish’s Music
“Billie Eilish” by Armani White samples the song “Bury a Friend” by Billie Eilish. The sampled portion of the song is the chorus, which features profound lyrics such as: “What do you want from me? Why don’t you run from me? What are you wondering? What do you know?”. This sampling adds an extra layer of depth to the Armani White track, making it a powerful and unique rap song.
The Greatest Song of All Time
The #1 song of all time is “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd, released in 2019. This single topped the charts in over 30 countries and won numerous awards, including two Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance. It is also one of the most streamed songs in history, with over 1 billion streams on Spotify alone. With its infectious beat and upbeat lyrics, it has become an anthem for people around the world looking to brighten up their day.
The Weeknd’s Sampled Songs
The Weeknd has sampled a variety of songs from classic artists and bands. From Siouxsie & The Banshees, he has sampled the song “Happy House” for his album Trilogy. From Beach House, he sampled “Master of None”, “Gila” and “Cherry-Coloured Funk”. From Cocteau Twins he sampled “Cherry-Coloured Funk”. From Thieves Like Us, he sampled “Drugs In My Body”. He also sampled Martina Topley-Bird’s song “Sandpaper Kisses”, as well as Michael Jackson’s classic hit song “Dirty Diana”.
The Number One Song in the World: ‘Blinding Lights’
The Weeknd’s song “Blinding Lights” is currently the number one song in the world, according to Billboard’s music charts. It has spent an impressive 90 weeks in the top 100 chart, overtaking Chubby Checker’s 1960s hit “The Twist” to claim the top spot. The track is a synth-pop anthem with a propulsive beat, and its infectious energy has made it a fan favorite. The Weeknd’s emotionally charged vocal performance also adds to its appeal. The track was released as part of his fourth studio album, After Hours, and its success has cemented him as one of pop music’s biggest stars.
The Weeknd’s Use of an 80s Song Sample
The Weeknd sampled the 1980s song “Midnight Pretenders” by Japanese singer Tomoko Aran for his 2021 single “Out of Time.” The sample was taken from Aran’s 1982 album, Awayuki No Omoi. The sample is a haunting and atmospheric synth-pop instrumental from the beginning of the song, with a driving beat that gives The Weeknd’s track an extra layer of intensity. The Weeknd’s use of the sample is a perfect homage to the 80s synth-pop era.
The Popularity of The Weeknd’s Blinding Lights
Blinding Lights has gained immense popularity for its catchy synth-driven melody, which is easy to remember and sing along to. The track’s minimalistic and nostalgic style creates a unique sound that demands attention, while its chorus vocal line provides a memorable hook. Furthermore, the infectious beat and accessible lyrics make it suitable for all kinds of music listeners. Blinding Lights has quickly become one of the biggest hits of 2020 and an instant classic.
Records Broken by Blinding Lights
The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” has broken a number of records sice its release in March 2020. It broke the record for most weeks spent in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart with 46 weeks and is now the longest running song to remain in the top 10, surpassing Ed Sheeran’s “Shape Of You” (2017). It also stayed at No. 1 on the chart for a total of 27 weeks, becoming only the second single ever to spend more than 25 consecutive weeks at No. 1 (the first being Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men’s “One Sweet Day” in 1995/1996). Additionally, it topped the Billboard Radio Songs chart for 20 consecutive weeks and set a new record for most cumulative weeks at No. 1 on this chart, surpassing Rihanna’s 2011 hit “We Found Love”. Finally, it surpassed Chubby Checker’s 1960s classic “The Twist” as the all-time No. 1 song to spend 90 total weeks on the Hot 100 Chart.
The Weeknd’s Most Popular Song
The Weeknd’s biggest song to date is “Blinding Lights”, released in December 2019. The single reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart and has snce been certified nine-times Platinum in the US and has sold over 20 million copies worldwide. It also topped charts in numerous countries across the globe, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The song was nominated for several awards, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards. Additionally, it won Best Melodic Performance at the 2020 MTV VMAs. The accompanying music video has been viewed nearly two billion times on YouTube as well.
Influence of 80s Music on ‘Blinding Lights’ by The Weeknd
Blinding Lights by The Weeknd is not based on any one 80s song, but rather draws inspiration from a variety of sources to evoke the feeling of that decade. It includes elements of synth-pop, new wave and post-disco music from the 1980s. While there isn’t an exact track it can be traced back to, some of the musical influences for Blinding Lights include INXS’s Need You Tonight, Depeche Mode’s Just Can’t Get Enough and A-ha’s Take On Me. Additionally, The Weeknd has credited Michael Jackson as an influence on the track.
Exploring The Weeknd’s Musical Style
The Weeknd has a smooth, soulful sound that draws from a range of genres including R&B, pop, hip hop and electronica. His vocal style is characterized by an effortless, almost conversational delivery that can switch between soft crooning and raspy singing. He has a wide range ranging from low bass F to high tenor G sharp, and his falsetto is particularly impressive. His songs often feature catchy melodies with introspective lyrics about love and self-discovery.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Weeknd’s hit song “Blinding Lights” was able to achieve its ’80s pop sound by sampling various elements from the iconic songs “Maniac” and “Take On Me”. This song has been universally praised for its nostalgic sound and was even named one of the best songs of 2020 by the New York Times. By combining these classic sounds with modern production techniques, The Weeknd created a timeless hit that will continue to be enjoyed for years to come.
