Wasted Times

"Wasted Times" is a song steeped in regret and nostalgic longing for a past relationship that the narrator deems superior to his more recent one. The central theme is the comparison between two ex-lovers, with one being placed on a pedestal while the other is dismissed as a waste of time. Lyrically, the song is a direct address to a former flame, expressing a potent mix of jealousy, desire, and emotional vulnerability. The Weeknd contrasts a deep, foundational relationship with a subsequent, unfulfilling one, ultimately concluding that the time spent with the latter was squandered. It's widely interpreted that the song is about his high-profile relationships, with model Bella Hadid being the ex he misses and singer Selena Gomez being the one he feels he "wasted time" with. This interpretation is heavily supported by specific lyrical references that point directly to Hadid.

The narrator begins by reflecting on a recent relationship, dismissing the time spent with a new person as "wasted." He directly addresses a former lover, stating that this new person doesn't even measure up to half of what she was. He finds himself reminiscing about the intense connection and feelings they shared. Despite acknowledging that this past relationship was tumultuous and put him "through hell," he finds it impossible to forget her and admits his desire to have her all to himself again. This leads him into a state of possessive questioning. He wonders who she is with now, who is receiving her love and affection, and who she is emotionally invested in. He becomes confrontational, almost threatening, towards her new partner, questioning what this new person could possibly have that he doesn't. He boasts about his own value ("'Cause I got a lot") and warns against making him act on his jealousy. However, this bravado is immediately undercut by a moment of self-reflection; he admits he has "no business catchin' feelings," suggesting a conflict between his lingering emotions and a desire to remain detached.

He continues this internal struggle, lamenting that women often only show interest when a man is successful or "winnin'." He contrasts this with his ex, whom he credits for being with him "from the beginnin'," implying a deeper, more genuine connection that predates his fame. Even though they are not currently speaking, he makes a crude but direct proposition, reminding her that a physical relationship with him is "still an option." He promises an intense and considerate sexual experience, vowing to "take my time to learn the way your body functions." This section contains the most direct and telling metaphor of the song: he references her past as an equestrian, using it as a sexually charged invitation to "ride it like a champion." He suggests their physical intimacy is so powerful it can provide a high without the need for drugs, a common theme in his earlier work. The chorus repeats his jealous and possessive questions, reinforcing his obsession with her current life and his inability to move on. The song concludes with a desperate, repetitive outro where he pleads not to wake up unless she is lying next to him, fully exposing the depth of his pain and longing behind the earlier facade of anger and pride.

"Wasted Times" was released on March 30, 2018, as the third track on The Weeknd's surprise extended play (EP), My Dear Melancholy,. The EP marked a significant return to the darker, more introspective alternative R&B sound of his earlier work, such as the Trilogy mixtapes, moving away from the pop sound of his previous album, Starboy. The project was primarily produced by Frank Dukes, who also served as an executive producer alongside The Weeknd. Specifically, "Wasted Times" was produced by Frank Dukes with co-production from the acclaimed electronic producer Skrillex, who contributed to its groovy, UK Garage-influenced beat. The song was written by Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd), Sonny Moore (Skrillex), Adam Feeney (Frank Dukes), and Brittany Hazzard (Starrah). The EP was seen by critics and fans as a "cathartic piece of art" detailing his heartbreak and anger following his publicized breakups with Bella Hadid and Selena Gomez.

"Wasted Times" is built upon a rhythmic foundation that sets it apart from other tracks on the EP. The beat, influenced by UK Garage and 2-step, is moderately paced and syncopated, giving the song a subtle danceability that ironically underlies the lyrical themes of heartbreak and regret. This creates a compelling tension between the music's momentum and the narrator's emotional stasis. The lyrical rhythm often follows the beat closely, with The Weeknd's vocal delivery emphasizing the downbeats. The rhyme scheme is relatively straightforward, primarily using couplets and simple end rhymes within its verses (e.g., else/felt, hell/you). The chorus, however, features a more intricate pattern of repetition and internal rhyme that enhances its obsessive quality: "And what they got that I ain't got? 'Cause I got a lot / Don't make me run up on 'em, got me blowin' up their spot." This structure makes the chorus both memorable and effective in conveying the narrator's agitated, circular thinking.

Musically, "Wasted Times" is noted for its blend of The Weeknd's signature dark R&B with electronic elements. The production, co-helmed by Skrillex, incorporates a pacey, syncopated beat reminiscent of UK Garage and 2-step, which was a notable stylistic experiment on the album. This creates a groove that contrasts with the melancholic and jealous tone of the lyrics. Vocally, The Weeknd employs his characteristic smooth, emotive falsetto, but the delivery is tinged with a sense of desperation and anger. The latter half of the song features vocoder effects, adding a robotic, slightly distorted texture to his voice that enhances the song's disquieting and atmospheric quality. Lyrically, the song uses direct address and rhetorical questions ("Who do you belong to now? / Who you give that love to now?") to create a feeling of intimacy and confrontation, as if the listener is privy to a private, obsessive monologue. This technique makes the emotional turmoil feel immediate and raw.

"Wasted Times" was a key track on the surprise EP My Dear Melancholy,, which debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. All six tracks from the EP, including "Wasted Times," charted on the Billboard Hot 100. The song and the EP as a whole were culturally significant as they marked The Weeknd's deliberate return to the darker, more alternative R&B sound that first defined his career, following the massive pop success of Starboy. Much of its public reception was dominated by discussions and media speculation about the lyrics' subjects, namely his ex-girlfriends Bella Hadid and Selena Gomez. The explicit reference to Hadid's equestrian past became a major talking point and was seen as confirmation of the song's inspiration. Critically, the song was often highlighted as a standout on the EP, praised for its lyrical depth and the successful production collaboration with Skrillex.

The most prominent and widely discussed metaphor in "Wasted Times" is the line: "You were equestrian, so ride it like a champion." This is a direct and thinly veiled reference to his ex-girlfriend, Bella Hadid, who was a nationally ranked equestrian with Olympic aspirations before she had to stop competing due to Lyme disease. The metaphor serves a dual purpose: it's a very specific, personal reference that identifies the song's subject, and it functions as a potent sexual innuendo, intertwining her known passion with his desire for physical intimacy. The title phrase, "Wasted Times," itself is a powerful symbol of regret. It frames his entire relationship with another person (presumed to be Selena Gomez) as a period of loss, diminishing its value in comparison to the connection he shared with Hadid. This idea flips the sentiment of Gomez's own song "Same Old Love," where she sings, "I'm not spending any time, wasting tonight on you," suggesting a direct lyrical response.

The most significant recurring phrase in the song is its title, "Wasted times I spent with someone else," which opens the first verse and establishes the central theme of regret immediately. This phrase acts as the song's thesis, framing the entire narrative as a reflection on a relationship deemed a mistake. The chorus is a recurring motif of jealous and possessive questioning: "And now I'm askin', who do you belong to now? / Who you give that love to now? / Who you pullin' up on? / Who you gettin' sprung for now?" The repetition of these questions highlights the narrator's obsessive state of mind and his inability to let go of his former lover. Furthermore, the line "I ain't got no business catchin' feelings" is repeated at the end of the chorus, serving as a recurring internal conflict. It's a mantra of self-reproach, showing his awareness that these emotions are unproductive, yet he is powerless to stop them.