A Poignant Farewell: "Hurry Up Tomorrow" as a Final Confession
The Weeknd's final track, "Hurry Up Tomorrow," serves as a poignant and emotional farewell to the persona that Abel Tesfaye has cultivated throughout his career. Over the course of five minutes, the song becomes a confessional, where Abel confronts the end of a chapter in his life. The production, a soft yet emotive melody, enhances the track's introspective nature, with the steady pulse of a bass drum gradually making its way into the mix as the song builds toward its climax. From the very beginning, there is a sense of finality and acceptance as Abel acknowledges his past mistakes and the inevitable end that is coming.
A Raw Expression of Regret and Desire for Change
The lyrics are a raw expression of regret, desire for change, and an introspective look at his own personal struggles. In the opening verse, he asks to be "washed with your fire" and reflects on his fabricated love, admitting that it's too late to save it. The repeated phrases "I want heaven when I die" and "I want the pain no more" become central to the track, reinforcing Abel’s yearning for redemption and release from his inner turmoil. As he sings, it's clear that he has come to terms with the consequences of his actions, but he still seeks solace, hoping that his confession will be enough.
Building Emotion: The Introduction of the Bass Drum
Around two minutes in, the song takes on a deeper emotional resonance with the introduction of the bass drum. This new layer of sound adds weight to the track, mirroring the gravity of the lyrics. As Abel sings about his desire for change, the beat seems to carry his emotional plea, creating a sense of urgency. It's a powerful sonic shift that underscores the transformative moment in the song. The hope for redemption is palpable, but it also feels like Abel is ready to face whatever comes next, whether it's peace or eternal consequence.
The Haunting Influence of David Lynch's "In Heaven"
The track also incorporates an unexpected, yet haunting interpolation of "In Heaven (Lady in the Radiator Song)" by David Lynch, originally from the film Eraserhead. This element adds an unsettling layer to the track, as the eerie, otherworldly tone of the sample contrasts with the more grounded confessions of Abel. Whether this choice is purely artistic or tied to deeper personal meaning is left open to interpretation, but it undeniably adds a sense of mystery and finality to the song’s message. It serves as an artistic nod to the surreal and the unknown, something that resonates with Abel's contemplations about life, death, and everything in between.
A Teaser of What’s to Come: "Heaven" and the Future of The Weeknd
The teaser shared by Abel on social media also hints that "Heaven" will be featured in his upcoming show in São Paulo, suggesting that the themes explored in "Hurry Up Tomorrow" may continue to be explored in future performances. The finality of the song feels like a culmination of The Weeknd's artistic evolution, and with the reference to "Heaven," it seems that Abel is preparing to confront whatever lies ahead, both musically and personally. "Hurry Up Tomorrow" is not just the end of an album; it’s the closing of a chapter in The Weeknd’s journey, leaving listeners to reflect on the bittersweet, introspective farewell he offers with this track.
Listen to The Weeknd Hurry Up Tomorrow
The Weeknd Hurry Up Tomorrow Lyrics Meaning Explained
The meaning of Hurry Up Tomorrow by The Weeknd is a profound exploration of personal transformation, regret, and the yearning for redemption. Throughout the song, Abel Tesfaye grapples with the weight of his past, his emotional struggles, and the destructive path he’s walked under the persona of The Weeknd. The lyrics delve into his desire to change, free himself from pain, and find peace—both in this life and the afterlife. With vivid imagery of spiritual reckoning and heartfelt apologies, the song acts as a confession, marking the end of an era of hedonism and self-destruction while expressing hope for a new beginning, a rebirth of sorts, free from the demons of his past.
Verse 1: Seeking Purification and Accepting the End
"Wash me with your fire / Who else has to pay for my sins?"
Abel is addressing God here, asking for purification through fire, which alludes to hell, a place of reckoning and purification for sins. The mention of "fire" brings an intense and cleansing imagery, highlighting his desire to be rid of his past wrongdoings. Abel questions who else must atone for his sins, signifying his recognition that he’s not alone in bearing the consequences, but it’s ultimately his responsibility to face them. This line may symbolize his willingness to pay the price for his past mistakes and experiences.
"My love's fabricated, it's too late to save it"
Throughout The Weeknd’s persona, love is often presented as shallow and fleeting, driven by hedonistic pursuits rather than deep, genuine connections. Here, Abel admits that his love has always been "fabricated"—false and manufactured—indicating that his relationships were superficial and ultimately unworthy of redemption. This acceptance shows that he’s aware of his flaws and the irreparable damage they have caused in his life.
"Now I'm ready for the end"
Abel expresses a sense of acceptance, as if he's prepared for what lies ahead, whether it's a physical death or the end of his current persona and lifestyle. It’s a moment of surrender, where he acknowledges that he's reached the point of no return.
Pre-Chorus: Yearning for Redemption
"And I hope that I find what I'm looking for / I hope someone's watching from up above"
Here, Abel expresses his longing for a sense of purpose or peace, hoping that his actions will be observed by a higher power—likely referencing God, as he continues his dialogue with the divine throughout the song. This reinforces his desire for redemption and the hope that someone, perhaps a spiritual figure, is witnessing his journey and struggle.
"I'm done with the lies, I'm done with the loss / I hope my confession is enough"
Abel conveys that he's done with the deceit and emotional pain that has marked his life, especially within the framework of his "Weeknd" persona, which has been defined by dishonest relationships and self-destructive behavior. He now seeks absolution, hoping that his confession will be sufficient to cleanse him of the lies and losses he’s endured.
Chorus: Longing for Heaven and Transformation
"So I see heaven after life / I want heaven when I die"
The repeated desire for "heaven" in both life and death reveals Abel’s deep yearning for peace and transcendence. He wants to be rid of his suffering and find solace, whether that’s in this life or the afterlife. This highlights his spiritual struggles and his yearning for something greater than the chaos and emptiness he's felt.
"I want to change / I want the pain no more"
This line captures Abel’s desire for transformation. He no longer wants to live with the pain that has defined much of his existence, whether emotional, physical, or spiritual. The repetition of wanting "change" and the cessation of pain suggests a longing for a rebirth or a fresh start.
Verse 2: Confronting Past Hurts and Regret
"I took so much more than their lives / They took a piece of me"
Abel acknowledges that his actions have hurt others deeply, taking more than just their lives but also robbing them of something intangible—perhaps their peace, trust, or emotional well-being. The second part, "They took a piece of me," reflects the idea that his interactions and lifestyle have also left him feeling incomplete, as if he has been drained of his essence.
"And I've been tryin' to fill that void that my father left / So no one else abandons me, I'm sorry"
This line brings attention to the deep emotional scars left by his father’s absence. Raised without a father figure, Abel has been searching for validation and a sense of completeness through external means, often through relationships with others. His apology here is for the people he has hurt in his search for emotional fulfillment.
"But now I'm drownin' in the same tub where I learned how to swim / With my mother trying to save every ounce of my innocence"
This line calls back to his earlier work, particularly Baptized In Fear from Hurry Up Tomorrow, where Abel metaphorically "drowns" in his bathtub—a place of both learning and destruction. His mother’s attempts to preserve his innocence represent her ongoing effort to protect him, but Abel feels as though he has failed both her and himself. It’s a powerful reflection of the tension between his past and present, as well as the inevitable loss of innocence he’s faced in his journey.
"I failed her like I failed myself, I'm sorry (Yeah) / Mama, I'm sorry, oh, yeah"
Abel’s apology here is twofold. He feels that he has let down his mother by not living up to her expectations and by continuing the cycle of self-destruction. It’s also an admission of failure to himself, showing that the weight of his past actions has caught up with him, and he can no longer deny the pain that he’s caused to those he loves.
Pre-Chorus and Chorus Repeated: A Final Plea for Redemption
The pre-chorus and chorus sections repeat throughout the song, reinforcing Abel’s emotional intensity and his unwavering desire for change. He is finished with his past, and his repeated pleas for heaven and the end of pain show a deep yearning for release and transformation. This cathartic release underscores the gravity of the album as a whole, marking an emotional and symbolic end to the persona of The Weeknd and a hopeful, yet uncertain, step toward something new.
Outro: Full Circle and Catharsis
"I want the pain no more, no more, no more"
The outro of the song brings the entire album full circle, with a perfect transition back to House of Balloons through its thematic ties and its connection to the first track, "High For This." The repetition of "no more" signifies that Abel is reaching the conclusion of his journey, leaving behind the pain and the struggles that defined his existence as The Weeknd. By looping the album back to its beginning, the song offers a cathartic closure for both Abel and the listeners, representing both an end and a potential new beginning.
The Weeknd Hurry Up Tomorrow Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Wash me with your fire
Who else has to pay for my sins?
My love's fabricated, it's too late to save it
Now I'm ready for the end
So burn me with your light
I have no more fights left to win
Tie me up to face it, I can't run away, and
I'll accept that it's the end
[Pre-Chorus]
And I hope that I find what I'm looking for
I hope someone's watching from up above
I'm done with the lies, I'm done with the loss
I hope my confession is enough
[Chorus]
So I see heaven after life
I want heaven when I die
I wanna change
I want the pain no more, hey
[Verse 2]
I took so much more than their lives
They took a piece of me
And I've been tryin' to fill that void that my father left
So no one else abandons me, I'm sorry
I promise I'm sorry, yeah
But now I'm drownin' in the same tub where I learned how to swim
With my mother trying to save every ounce of my innocence
I failed her like I failed myself, I'm sorry (Yeah)
Mama, I'm sorry, oh, yeah
[Pre-Chorus]
And I hope that I'll find what I'm looking for
I hope that He's watching from up above
I'm done with the lies, I'm done with the loss
I hope this confession is enough
[Chorus]
So I see heaven after life
I want heaven when I die
I want to change
I want the pain no more, oh, yeah
No, I need heaven after life
I want heaven when I die
I wanna change
I want the pain no more, no more, no more