Call Out My Name

"Call Out My Name" is a deeply personal and emotionally charged ballad that explores themes of heartbreak, unrequited love, and vulnerability. The song is widely interpreted as a reflection on The Weeknd's (Abel Tesfaye's) high-profile, 10-month relationship with singer Selena Gomez. The lyrics chronicle the arc of their romance, from its hopeful beginnings to its painful end. The song opens by reminiscing about finding each other in a state of brokenness, with The Weeknd positioning himself as a supportive figure who helped his partner heal. However, this support gives way to regret, as he sings, "falling for you was my mistake."

The most discussed and potent lyric is, "I almost cut a piece of myself for your life." This is largely believed to be a direct reference to Gomez's kidney transplant, which she underwent for her lupus treatment while they were dating. The line suggests The Weeknd considered donating his own kidney, illustrating the depth of his commitment and the ultimate sacrifice he was willing to make. This perceived sacrifice makes his subsequent feeling of being a mere "pit stop" until she reconciled with her on-and-off ex, Justin Bieber, all the more poignant and bitter. The song captures his feelings of being used and his time being wasted. The recurring plea for her to "call out my name" signifies a desperate longing for one last moment of intimacy and acknowledgment, even when he knows the relationship is over.

The narrative begins with a reflection on a past relationship, acknowledging that the two individuals found each other during a period of brokenness. The protagonist recalls providing support and helping his partner out of a difficult place, while in turn receiving comfort from her. However, he now views falling in love with her as a profound mistake. He remembers how he prioritized her above all else, publicly and proudly claiming her as his own. During difficult times, he made sure to hold her close and provide security.

The central plea of the song emerges in the chorus, where he desperately wishes for her to call out his name, a symbol of intimacy and connection, as he kisses her gently. He wants her to stay, even with the full knowledge that she no longer desires him. There's a palpable sense of desperation as he questions why she couldn't wait until his love for her had faded before moving on, highlighting his pain and jealousy. He promises that if she were to just call his name, he would come running back to her, indicating his lingering attachment.

The second verse takes a darker, more sacrificial turn. The singer reveals a profound, almost desperate, level of devotion by stating he almost 'cut a piece of myself' for her life, a line widely interpreted as a reference to his willingness to be a kidney donor for his then-girlfriend. This deepens the sense of betrayal he feels, leading to the painful realization that he was merely a temporary stop for her until she made up her mind about what she truly wanted. He concludes that his time was ultimately wasted.

As the song concludes, the repeated phrase 'on my way' functions as a mantra of reluctant acceptance. It signifies his final decision to move forward, away from the heartache and the unreciprocated love. It's a journey toward self-preservation and healing, even though the pain of the past still lingers heavily.

"Call Out My Name" was released on March 30, 2018, as the opening track and lead single from The Weeknd's first extended play, My Dear Melancholy,. The EP marked a return to the darker, more alternative R&B sound of his earlier work, a departure from the pop-oriented direction of his previous two albums. The Weeknd himself described the EP as a "cathartic piece of art." The song was co-written by Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd) and Adam Feeney, professionally known as Frank Dukes, who also produced the track. Musician Nicolas Jaar also received a writing credit due to the song sampling his 2016 track "Killing Time". The EP was reportedly created after The Weeknd scrapped a full-length, more upbeat album because he had moved past that phase of his life, suggesting the breakup with Selena Gomez prompted this new, more somber direction. "Call Out My Name" was sent to rhythmic contemporary radio on April 10, 2018, as the EP's sole single. The song was recorded between October 2017 and 2018 at various locations, including the Crown Towers Hotel in Melbourne and Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles.

The song's rhythmic and rhyming structure enhances its melancholic and pleading tone. The song is performed in the key of E♭ minor with a slow tempo of approximately 45 beats per minute, set in a compound duple (6/8) time signature. This slow, waltz-like rhythm contributes to the song's ballad-like, sorrowful quality. The primary chord progression alternates between G♯m and D♯m, creating a looping, contemplative feel that mirrors the singer's obsessive thoughts about the past relationship. The rhyme scheme is not strictly consistent, often favoring emotional delivery over rigid structure, which is common in contemporary R&B. However, it employs couplets and internal rhymes to create a sense of cohesion. For instance, in the first verse, "place" and "mistake" create a perfect rhyme that concludes the stanza with a feeling of finality. In the second verse, the rhyme of "lied" and "life" adds a punch to the dramatic confession. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is crucial; The Weeknd often sings slightly behind the beat, enhancing the song's languid, heartbroken feel.

"Call Out My Name" employs a range of musical and literary techniques to create its powerful emotional impact.

• Vocal Delivery: The Weeknd's vocal performance is central to the song's effectiveness. He moves from a gentle, almost tender tone in the verses to a raw, throatier, and more aggressive delivery in the second verse and choruses, conveying a spectrum of emotions from longing to anger. His use of his signature falsetto in the second chorus adds a layer of desperation and vulnerability.
• Minimalist Production: The production, led by Frank Dukes, is atmospheric and minimalist, allowing the vocals and lyrics to be the primary focus. The song opens with a melancholic piano melody, sometimes described as sounding like it was recorded underwater, which sets a somber, haunting tone. The instrumentation is layered and ghostly, creating a deep, emotional soundscape.
• Dynamic Shift: There is a significant dynamic shift in the song, particularly leading into the second verse. The beat drops with a heavy, distorted sound, mirroring the lyrical shift from sad reminiscence to raw accusation and pain. This musical intensification underscores the emotional climax of the song.
• Repetition: The repetition of phrases like "Call out my name" and "On my way" in the outro serves as a lyrical hook and a thematic anchor. The former emphasizes his desperate yearning, while the latter functions as a mantra for his reluctant acceptance and decision to move on.

Upon its release, "Call Out My Name" had a significant cultural impact, largely fueled by speculation about its subject matter. The song debuted at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming The Weeknd's eighth top-ten entry. It earned the largest first-day Spotify stream count of any song released in 2018 at the time. Its raw honesty and the widely discussed references to The Weeknd's relationship with Selena Gomez and her health struggles made it a major topic of conversation in pop culture and on social media. The song solidified The Weeknd's reputation for crafting deeply personal and emotionally raw music, marking a return to the darker themes of his early work. The official music video, directed by Grant Singer, has amassed over 971 million views on YouTube as of August 2024, attesting to its enduring popularity. The song remains a staple in his live performances, including his Super Bowl LV halftime show, and is considered a fan favorite and a key track in his discography, showcasing his ability to turn personal heartbreak into a universally resonant anthem.

The song is rich with symbolism and metaphors that convey the emotional weight of the narrative.

• "Call Out My Name": The titular phrase is the central motif, symbolizing intimacy, acknowledgment, and a final plea for connection. It represents his desire to be wanted and remembered, even as the relationship dissolves. It's a cry for validation of the love he felt.
• "A piece of myself": This is the most potent metaphor, widely interpreted to mean his kidney. The line "I almost cut a piece of myself for your life" elevates his love to a level of ultimate sacrifice, suggesting a physical and emotional offering that was ultimately not needed or wanted, amplifying his sense of loss and betrayal.
• "Pit stop": This metaphor vividly illustrates his feeling of being used and temporary. It suggests he was a convenient, short-term solution for his partner while she was figuring out her true desires, reducing their entire relationship to a transient and insignificant pause in her life's journey.
• Bats: In the official music video directed by Grant Singer, The Weeknd is shown vomiting a swarm of bats. Bats can symbolize darkness, the subconscious, and rebirth. This striking, unsettling image could represent him purging the toxic and dark feelings associated with the heartbreak, a visceral externalization of his inner turmoil.

The most prominent recurring motif is the lyrical phrase "Call out my name." This plea is repeated throughout the chorus, functioning as the song's emotional core and hook. Its repetition signifies a deep, desperate longing for connection and validation from his former lover. He wants to be acknowledged and desired one last time, even though he knows she doesn't want him to stay. The phrase's meaning shifts slightly with each repetition, moving from a gentle wish to a more desperate cry. Another recurring lyrical idea is that of him providing support during her "broken place" and "rough times." This is contrasted with the later realization that he was just a "pit stop," a recurring motif of his devotion versus her perceived transience. Musically, the melancholic piano melody that opens the track serves as a recurring motif, instantly establishing the song's somber atmosphere and reappearing to tie the composition together. Finally, the phrase "on my way" is repeated in the outro, creating a sense of finality and reluctant forward movement.