Sidewalks

"Sidewalks" is an autobiographical track that details the journey of both The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) and Kendrick Lamar from poverty and obscurity to immense fame and success. The core message of the song revolves around the theme of being self-made and the role that one's environment and early struggles play in shaping identity and ambition. The "sidewalks" serve as a powerful metaphor for their humble beginnings, the streets that raised them, and the path they had to walk to achieve their dreams. The Weeknd's lyrics, "Sidewalks saved my life, they don't ever lie, they showed me all the signs," emphasize that his past experiences, the 'grind' on the streets, were his most honest and valuable teachers. He reflects on his journey from being homeless to making the Forbes list and growing up without a father, asserting that the "main streets" made him, not any single person. Kendrick Lamar's verse complements this theme, as he too recounts his rise from a difficult environment to becoming a celebrated artist, a "Starboy" that others now flock to. The song is a testament to perseverance and a celebration of overcoming adversity, while also acknowledging the complex and sometimes isolating nature of fame.

The song chronicles a journey of ascent from humble and difficult beginnings to a life of fame and luxury. The narrative begins with a reflection on a tough upbringing, marked by emotional resilience forged at a young age and a sense of self-creation shaped by the streets rather than a traditional family structure. The protagonist asserts his self-made identity, challenging anyone who claims responsibility for his success to try and replicate it. This journey is encapsulated by the stark contrast of moving from homelessness to being featured on the Forbes list, a testament to his relentless drive and ambition. He portrays a sense of being chosen or destined for this path, comparing his journey to that of a prophetic figure like Moses. This newfound status brings a hardened perspective on relationships and loyalty; those not in his inner circle are inconsequential, and he openly declares his disregard for past acquaintances or social allegiances, a defense mechanism rooted in a fatherless childhood where he had to forge his own way.

The central theme is that the "sidewalks"—a metaphor for his life experiences, struggles, and the path he walked—were his true saviors and guides. They represent the raw, unglamorous reality of his past, a foundation that keeps him grounded and reminds him of the authenticity of his journey. These streets showed him the signs and taught him the lessons that fame and wealth could not. This idea is echoed in the recurring hook, a grateful yet knowing acknowledgment of his origins.

A second voice enters, sharing a parallel narrative of rising from a modest background to the pinnacle of success. This perspective also delves into the spoils of fame, particularly the attention and desires of others who want to be associated with a "Starboy." This verse is a confident, almost arrogant, declaration of power and achievement. It catalogs the hedonistic perks of this new life but also emphasizes the hustle and relentless ambition required to attain and maintain it. There's a sense of being high on life itself, a euphoria born from success and the realization of long-held dreams. The desire for more—more land, more progress, more wealth—is insatiable, a continuous drive that mirrors the initial struggle.

Throughout the song, there's a recurring tension between the past and the present. The Lamborghini in the driveway is a symbol of current success, but it's explicitly linked to the memory of "grinding on the sidewalk." This connection serves as a constant reminder that the glitz and glamour were not handed over but earned through hard work and perseverance. The sidewalks, though they may lead one on with false hope at times, are ultimately portrayed as an honest and unwavering foundation, the silent witnesses to a transformation from obscurity to superstardom.

"Sidewalks" was created for The Weeknd's third studio album, Starboy, released on November 25, 2016. The song is the first collaboration between The Weeknd and Kendrick Lamar. The writing credits are extensive, including Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd), Kendrick Duckworth (Kendrick Lamar), Doc McKinney, Daniel Wilson, Robert John Richardson, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest. The production was handled by Doc McKinney, Bobby Raps, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad. The track began with an idea from McKinney and producer Bobby Raps about a year before the album's creation, featuring a guitar part and a bass line. The Weeknd liked the initial concept and they developed it further. Ali Shaheed Muhammad was brought in to add orchestral elements. The Weeknd has spoken highly of his collaboration with Lamar, calling him a "genius." He described how Lamar wrote his verse on the spot in the studio, pacing around and internalizing the beat before committing his lyrics, making the contribution feel particularly special and not just a random feature. The song also features additional vocals from co-writer Daniel Wilson. It was recorded at Conway Recording Studios in Los Angeles, where much of the Starboy album was developed. The song notably samples the Fugees' 1995 track "Fu-Gee-La".

The rhyme and rhythm in "Sidewalks" contribute significantly to its narrative flow and confident tone. The song maintains a steady, mid-tempo beat driven by a distinct guitar riff and a strong bass line. The Weeknd's verses often employ couplets and simple end rhymes, creating a direct and declarative feel, as seen in lines like "I ran out of tears when I was 18 / So nobody made me but the main streets." His use of Auto-Tune adds a melodic, fluid quality to his vocal rhythm, which glides over the beat. Kendrick Lamar's verse introduces a more complex rhythmic structure. His flow is characteristically intricate and syncopated, with internal rhymes and a dynamic pace that contrasts with The Weeknd's smoother delivery. He plays with rhythm in lines like "She wanna hang with a Starboy / The sun and the moon and stars, boy / Astronomer, anonymous." The hook, "Sidewalks saved my life / They don't ever lie," uses simple, powerful repetition that makes it a memorable and anthemic centerpiece. The overall rhythm creates a feeling of a determined, forward-moving journey, mirroring the song's lyrical themes of progression and success.

"Sidewalks" employs a blend of musical and literary techniques to convey its message of triumph over adversity. Musically, the song is built on a guitar-inflected beat with a soulful, classic vibe, contrasted by the modern use of Auto-Tune on The Weeknd's vocals. Producer Doc McKinney explained that the Auto-Tune was a conscious stylistic choice to make the classic soul sound more current and prevent it from sounding purely derivative. The track features a prominent bass line and orchestral elements contributed by Ali Shaheed Muhammad, which adds a layer of richness. Lyrically, the song is a narrative that uses direct, autobiographical storytelling. The Weeknd's vocal delivery is often trilling and melodic, even with the Auto-Tune, while Kendrick Lamar's verse is described as bouncy and energetic, providing a dynamic contrast. The song structure features verses, a recurring hook, and a post-hook sung by Daniel Wilson, creating a memorable and anthemic quality. There is also a notable lyrical reference in The Weeknd's line, "My flow too sick, Kevin Costner couldn't touch me," which is a play on words referencing Costner's role in the film "The Untouchables".

"Sidewalks" was released as a track on The Weeknd's commercially successful third studio album, Starboy (2016), which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. As part of the album, the song charted on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching number 27, and peaked at number 14 on the Canadian Hot 100. It has been certified Platinum by the RIAA. The collaboration between The Weeknd and Kendrick Lamar was highly anticipated and praised, with The Weeknd calling Lamar a "genius." The song was featured in The Weeknd's short film Mania, which served as a visual preview for the album. The first live performance of the song, where The Weeknd brought out Kendrick Lamar as a surprise guest at a Vevo-sponsored show in Los Angeles, was a notable event that generated significant media buzz. While not released as a formal single, "Sidewalks" is considered a standout track on the album by many critics and fans for its strong lyrical content and the successful pairing of two of music's biggest stars. It remains a significant song in The Weeknd's discography, encapsulating the autobiographical "rags to riches" theme present in his work.

The central and most significant metaphor in "Sidewalks" is the sidewalk itself. It represents the artists' journey from humble, difficult beginnings to their current state of fame and fortune. For The Weeknd, who recounts being "Homeless to Forbes List," the sidewalks symbolize the hard, unglamorous path he had to take, the "grind" that ultimately "saved" his life by showing him the "signs" and keeping him grounded. The sidewalk is a metaphor for a life lived on foot, in the streets, as opposed to the luxury of the cars he can now afford. This creates a powerful juxtaposition between his past and present. The lyric "they don't ever lie" suggests that the struggles and realities of his past are the most authentic part of his story. Kendrick Lamar extends this metaphor, using his verse to describe his own ascent. The Weeknd also employs a biblical allusion, stating, "I feel like Moses, I feel like I'm chosen," which symbolizes a sense of destiny and leadership, having led himself out of a state of hardship to a promised land of success.

The most significant recurring motif in "Sidewalks" is the titular phrase itself: "Sidewalks saved my life." This line, repeated in the chorus, acts as the song's central thesis, encapsulating the idea that the artists' difficult upbringing and struggles were the very things that guided them to success. It's a powerful and memorable hook that reinforces the theme of finding strength in one's origins. The post-hook, sung by Daniel Wilson, features the recurring lines, "They don't let me down / But they lead me on," which adds a layer of complexity to the sidewalk metaphor. This suggests that while the path of struggle is reliable and real, it can also offer false hope or a winding, uncertain journey. Another recurring idea is the "rags to riches" narrative, explicitly stated in The Weeknd's line, "Homeless to Forbes list," which serves as a powerful, recurring summary of his journey. The concept of being a "Starboy," the album's title, is also referenced in Kendrick's verse, linking the song to the broader themes of the entire project.