Moth to a Flame explained

Moth to a Flame
Cover:Swedish House Mafia & The Weeknd - Moth to a Flame.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Swedish House Mafia and the Weeknd
Album:Paradise Again and Dawn FM (Alternate World)
Genre:Synth-pop[1]
Length:3:54
Label:Republic
Producer:
Chronology:Swedish House Mafia
Prev Title:Lifetime
Prev Year:2021
Next Title:Redlight
Next Year:2022

"Moth to a Flame" is a song by Swedish house supergroup Swedish House Mafia and Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd.[2] It was released on 22 October 2021 through Republic Records as the third single from the former's debut studio album Paradise Again, and was later included on the "Alternate World" edition of the latter's fifth studio album Dawn FM; both released in 2022 [3]

Background and release

A potential collaboration between Swedish House Mafia and the Weeknd was first speculated when the group signed with the Weeknd's longtime manager Wassim "Sal" Slaiby in April 2021.[4] It was later teased by the Weeknd during an episode of his Apple Music 1 radio show Memento Mori, in which he stated in the introduction "The Swedes just landed in L.A."[5] A snippet of "Moth to a Flame" was then revealed by Swedish House Mafia during their performance at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards in September.[6] On 19 October, the group and the singer teased the single once again before announcing that it would be released on 22 October.[7] In celebration of its release, Swedish House Mafia hosted the twentieth episode of Memento Mori.[8]

Critical reception

Dani Blum of Pitchfork named "Moth to a Flame" the best song on Paradise Again, writing that the "tingling production is more elegant than Swedish House Mafia seemed capable of a decade ago."[9] Robin Murray of Clash described it as "a sizzling 80s tinged burner that places [the Weeknd] within an electronic orchestra."[10] Thomas Stremfel of Spectrum Culture wrote that "equally unique framing and biblical stakes elevate the track to a pop epic."[11] Billboards Starr Bowenbank compared "Moth to a Flame" to the Weeknd's "Blinding Lights", highlighting its synth as being menacing in a manner akin to the song.[12]

Chart performance

In the United Kingdom, "Moth to a Flame" debuted at number 15 on the UK Singles Chart with first-week sales of 19,853 units, making it Swedish House Mafia's seventh top 20 single and the Weeknd's 19th.[13] [14] In the United States, "Moth to a Flame" entered the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart at number two with 12.9 million streams, 1.7 million radio impressions and 3,800 downloads sold in its opening week. It marked Swedish House Mafia's third top 10 single on the chart and was the highest debut on the chart since Kygo and Whitney Houston's "Higher Love" in July 2019.[15]

Music video

The music video for the song premiered on 22 October 2021 alongside the single's release and was directed by Alexander Wessely. The music video ends with a snippet of "Mafia", the track that follows "Moth to a Flame" on Paradise Again.[16]

Live performances

Swedish House Mafia and the Weeknd performed "Moth to a Flame" at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on 17 April 2022.[17] Starting on June 10, 2023, "Moth to a Flame" served as the closing track for the Weeknd's After Hours til Dawn Tour.

Track listing

  1. "Moth to a Flame" – 3:54
  1. "Moth to a Flame" (Extended Mix) – 5:00
  1. "Moth to a Flame" (Chris Lake Remix) – 4:38
  1. "Moth to a Flame" (Tourist Remix) – 4:53
  1. "Moth to a Flame" (Moojo Remix) – 7:14
  1. "Moth to a Flame" (Adriatique Remix) – 6:29

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2021–2022)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Bulgaria International (PROPHON)[18] 8
Croatia International (HRT)[19] 5
El Salvador (ASAP EGC)[20] 10
Greece International (IFPI)[21] 3
Iceland (Plötutíðindi)[22] 13
India International (IMI)[23] 7
Lebanon (Lebanese Top 20)[24] 10
Lithuania (AGATA)[25] 4
Luxembourg (Billboard)[26] 16
Mexico Airplay (Billboard)[27] 23
Romania Airplay (TopHit)269
San Marino (SMRRTV Top 50)[28] 11
Singapore (RIAS)[29] 11
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[30] 13
South Africa (TOSAC)[31] 22
Ukraine Airplay (TopHit)[32] 64

Year-end charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Position
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[33] 69
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[34] 26
Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[35] 107
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[36] 95
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[37] 48
France (SNEP)[38] 95
Germany (Official German Charts)[39] 95
Global 200 (Billboard)[40] 142
Lithuania (AGATA)[41] 68
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[42] 56
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[43] 94
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[44] 65
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[45] 53
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[46] 10

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatVersionLabel(s)
Various22 October 2021Original[47]
United States26 October 2021Contemporary hit radio[48]
Various3 January 2022Extended Mix[49]
4 February 2022Chris Lake Remix
18 February 2022Tourist Remix
17 June 2022Moojo Remix
12 August 2022Adriatique Remix

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Adele set for second week at Number 1 with Easy On Me. Official Charts Company. Griffiths. George. 24 October 2021. 24 October 2021. The slick synth-pop number.
  2. Web site: The Weeknd and Swedish House Mafia to release collaboration this week. Montana Standard. 22 October 2021. 22 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211022010227/https://mtstandard.com/people/the-weeknd-and-swedish-house-mafia-to-release-collaboration-this-week/article_72a15774-196a-56b5-9694-86d3a6a863e6.html. dead.
  3. Web site: 21 October 2021 . The Weeknd Teases New "Moth To A Flame" Track With Swedish House Mafia . 21 October 2021 . Hypebeast.
  4. Swedish House Mafia Signs With The Weeknd Manager Sal Slaiby. 25 October 2021. Billboard. en.
  5. 1425842374517919744. dancingastro. "The Swedes just landed in LA." @theweeknd played "It Gets Better" on his MEMENTO MORI radio show and talked about finishing up his new album. Both @theweeknd and SHM have Sal Slaiby as their manager.. Dancing Astronaut. 12 August 2021.
  6. Swedish House Mafia Tease Collab With The Weeknd, Perform At MTV VMAs: Watch. Billboard. 21 October 2021.
  7. theweeknd. 1450479443856687105. this week @swedishousemfia. 19 October 2021. 21 October 2021.
  8. swedishousemfia. 1451270143934402571. Honoured to host tonights show - don't forget to tune in wherever you are. 21 October 2021. 21 October 2021.
  9. Web site: Swedish House Mafia: Paradise Again Album Review. Blum. Dani. Pitchfork. 15 April 2022. 8 May 2022.
  10. Web site: Swedish House Mafia - Paradise Again. Murray. Robin. Clash. 15 April 2022. 8 May 2022.
  11. Web site: Swedish House Mafia: Paradise Again. Stremfel. Thomas. Spectrum Culture. 1 May 2022. 8 May 2022.
  12. The Weeknd Teases Swedish House Mafia Collab 'Moth to a Flame'. Billboard. 21 October 2021.
  13. Web site: Charts analysis: Adele takes it Easy at singles summit. Masterson. James. Music Week. 29 October 2021. 8 May 2022. subscription.
  14. Web site: Adele earns second big week at Number 1 with Easy On Me. Ainsley. Helen. Official Charts Company. 29 October 2021. 8 May 2022.
  15. Swedish House Mafia & The Weeknd's 'Moth' on Dance Charts. Murray. Gordon. Billboard. 4 November 2021. 8 May 2022. subscription.
  16. Web site: The Weeknd & Swedish House Mafia Join Forces on New Single 'Moth To A Flame': Listen. 21 October 2021. 21 October 2021.
  17. Web site: The Weeknd and Swedish House Mafia at Coachella review – a patchy double-act. Hutchinson. Kate. The Guardian. 18 April 2022. 8 May 2022.
  18. News: International Top 10 - 12.11.2021 – 18.11.2021. PROPHON. 8 May 2022. bg.
  19. Web site: ARC 100 - datum: 24. siječnja 2022.. HRT. 25 January 2022.
  20. Web site: El ranking de los temas más sonados en la semana del 29 de octubre hasta el 5 de noviembre . . es . 8 May 2022 . https://archive.today/20211114154833/https://www.facebook.com/ASAP.EGC/photos/882201352429832 . 14 November 2021 . dead.
  21. Web site: Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Week: 43/2021. https://archive.today/20211108155045/http://www.ifpi.gr/digital_ien.html. 8 November 2021. 8 May 2022. dead. IFPI Greece.
  22. Web site: Tónlistinn – Lög. The Music – Songs. is. Plötutíðindi. 8 May 2022. https://archive.today/20211114103843/https://plotutidindi.is/tonlistinn/. 14 November 2021. dead.
  23. Web site: IMI International Top 20 Singles for week ending 1st November 2021 Week 43 of 52. Indian Music Industry. 3 November 2021. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20211103102143/https://imicharts.com/. 3 November 2021.
  24. Web site: The Official Lebanese Top 20 – Swedish House Mafia. The Official Lebanese Top 20. 8 May 2022.
  25. Web site: 2021 43-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100). AGATA. Lithuanian. 29 October 2021. 29 October 2021.
  26. Swedish House Mafia - Chart history (Luxembourg Songs). Billboard. 8 May 2022.
  27. Swedish House Mafia Chart History (Mexico Airplay). Billboard. 19 January 2022.
  28. Web site: Top 50 – Radio San Marino RTV – 20/01/2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220120060419/https://www.sanmarinortv.sm/radio/radio-san-marino/top-50-ascoltare . 20 January 2022 . it . . January 20, 2024 . 6 August 2024.
  29. Web site: RIAS Top Charts. Recording Industry Association Singapore. 3 November 2021. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20211102080933/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/. 2 November 2021.
  30. Web site: ČNS IFPI. IFPI ČR. Note: Select SK SINGLES DIGITAL TOP 100 and insert 202143 into search.. 1 November 2021.
  31. Web site: Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100: Week 43. The Official South African Charts. 5 November 2021. dead. 4 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211104151959/https://theofficialsacharts.co.za/charts/local-international-streaming-chart-top-100-week-43/.
  32. Web site: Top Radio Hits Ukraine Weekly Chart: Nov 4, 2021. TopHit. August 5, 2024.
  33. Web site: Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2021. Dutch Top 40. nl. 4 January 2022.
  34. Hot Dance/Electronic Songs – Year-End 2021. Billboard. 2 December 2021.
  35. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2022. Ultratop. nl. 13 January 2023.
  36. Web site: Rapports annuels 2022. Ultratop. fr. 13 January 2023.
  37. Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2022. Billboard. 2 December 2022.
  38. Web site: Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP) . Top de l'annéeTop Singles2022 . 30 March 2023 . fr .
  39. Web site: Jahrescharts 2022. GfK Entertainment charts. de. 16 December 2022.
  40. Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2022. Billboard. 2 December 2022.
  41. Web site: 2022 metų klausomiausi (Top 100). AGATA. lt. 27 February 2023.
  42. Web site: Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2022. Dutch Top 40. nl. 3 January 2023.
  43. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Single 2022. MegaCharts. nl. 4 January 2023.
  44. Web site: Årslista Singlar, 2022. Sverigetopplistan. sv. 15 January 2023.
  45. Web site: Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2022. hitparade.ch. 27 December 2022.
  46. Hot Dance/Electronic Songs – Year-End 2022. Billboard. 5 December 2022.
  47. Web site: Listen: Swedish House Mafia, The Weeknd 'Moth To A Flame'. 21 October 2021.
  48. Web site: Top 40 Mainstream Future Releases. All Access. https://web.archive.org/web/20211022012620/https://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases. 22 October 2021. 21 October 2021.
  49. Web site: Swedish House Mafia on Apple Music. Apple Music. 5 October 2022.

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