Reminder (song) explained

Reminder
Cover:The Weeknd - Reminder (Remix).png
Caption:Remix cover art
Type:single
Artist:the Weeknd
Album:Starboy
Recorded:2016
Studio:Conway Recording Studios[1]
Genre:R&B[2]
Length: (album version)
(Remix)
Chronology:The Weeknd
Prev Title:Lust for Life
Prev Year:2017
Reminder
Title2:Rockin'
Next Title:A Lie
Next Year:2017

"Reminder" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd from his third studio album, Starboy (2016). It was written by him with Dylan Wiggins, DaHeala, and its producers Doc McKinney, Mano and Cirkut. The song was released to rhythmic contemporary radio on May 9, 2017, as the album's fifth single in the United States.

The official remix was released on August 1, 2017, and features new verses from American rappers ASAP Rocky and Young Thug.[3] It was later included on the deluxe version of Starboy, released on March 14, 2023.

Commercial performance

"Reminder" peaked at number 31 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It reached the top ten on both the R&B Songs chart and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The song also charted and peaked at number 16 on the Canadian Hot 100, reaching the top 20. The single was certified 3× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for combined sales and streaming equivalent units of over three million units in the United States. In 2023, the song saw an increase in consumption as it went viral on the social media platform Tiktok, which led to the song charting at 109 on the Billboard Global 200.

Music video

The music video for "Reminder", directed by Kid Studio, premiered via the Weeknd's Vevo channel on February 16, 2017.[4] It features cameo appearances from Drake, ASAP Rocky, Travis Scott, Bryson Tiller, YG, French Montana, Metro Boomin, Belly, Nav, Derek Wise, and the Weeknd's co-manager Amir "Cash" Esmailian. As of Third May 2024, the video has accumulated 519 million views. The video received four nominations at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards; Video of the Year, Best Direction, Best Art Direction and Best Editing.[5]

Remix

The A$AP Rocky and Young Thug remix of the song featuring their new verses, was released on August 1, 2017, five days after its announcement, where singer the Weeknd posted two Instagram videos previewing both of their verses.[6] Ryan Reed of Rolling Stone wrote, "A$AP Rocky’s winding verse touches on marijuana and Jaden Smith ('Just like Jaden Smith, I’ll probably walk around a day with it.') and referenced the Weeknd’s Abel Tesfaye ('No way you think if I ever decide to cut my hair like Abel') strolling around with his recently clipped dreadlocks at the 2017 Met Gala," and noted, "In his Auto-Tuned verse, Young Thug moves from referencing his humble beginnings ('I used to pray to hear my songs on the radio') to a series of financial and sexual boasts".[7] It was later included on the deluxe version of the album, released on March 14, 2023.[8]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2016–2023)Peak
position
Greece International (IFPI)[9] 34
Malaysia International (RIM)[10] 16
New Zealand Heatseekers (RMNZ)[11] 2
Philippines (Billboard)[12] 6
Singapore (RIAS)[13] 30
US Anglo (Monitor Latino)[14] 12
Vietnam (Vietnam Hot 100)[15] 88

Year-end charts

Chart (2017)Position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[16] 71
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[17] 47

Release history

RegionDateFormatVersionLabel
United StatesMay 9, 2017Rhythmic contemporaryOriginal[18] [19]
August 1, 2017Digital downloadRemix[20]

Notes and References

  1. November 23, 2016. Starboy Credits.
  2. Web site: The Weeknd - Starboy. Kalia. Ammar. Clash. December 5, 2016. May 11, 2017.
  3. News: The Weeknd drops "Reminder" remix featuring ASAP Rocky and Young Thug: Stream. August 2, 2017. Consequence of Sound. June 9, 2018. en-US.
  4. Web site: Drake, A$AP Rocky and More Show Up in The Weeknd's New "Reminder" Video. Eli Schwadron. XXL. February 16, 2017. February 16, 2017.
  5. News: VMAs: Kendrick Lamar Tops Nominations as MTV Continues to Eliminate Gendered Categories . July 25, 2017 . . July 26, 2017.
  6. The Weeknd Teases 'Reminder' Remix With Young Thug & A$AP Rocky. July 28, 2017. Billboard. April 23, 2021. en-US.
  7. Hear the Weeknd's 'Reminder' Remix With A$AP Rocky, Young Thug. Reed. Ryan. August 2, 2017. Rolling Stone. en-US. April 23, 2021.
  8. Web site: A . Aron . 2023-03-14 . The Weeknd Drops "Starboy (Deluxe)" . 2023-03-14 . HotNewHipHop . en-US.
  9. Web site: Official IFPI Charts - Digital Singles Chart (International) - Week: 09/2023 . March 12, 2023 . ifpi.gr.
  10. Web site: Top 20 Most Streamed International Singles In Malaysia Week 9 (24/02/2023-02/03/2023). RIM. March 11, 2023. March 11, 2023. Facebook.
  11. Web site: NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. August 14, 2017. August 11, 2017.
  12. The Weeknd Chart History (Philippines Songs). February 22, 2023. Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20231209105136/https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-weeknd/chart-history/i42/. December 9, 2023. dead.
  13. Web site: RIAS Top Charts Week 11 (10 - 16 Mar 2023). RIAS. March 21, 2023. March 21, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230321062951/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/.
  14. Web site: Top 20 Anglo USA. Monitor Latino. November 2, 2017. es. July 24, 2017.
  15. The Weeknd Chart History (Billboard Vietnam Hot 100). Billboard. March 11, 2023.
  16. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: Year-End 2017. Billboard. December 11, 2017.
  17. Rhythmic Songs: Year-End 2017. Billboard. December 30, 2017.
  18. Web site: FMQB: Available for Airplay. FMQB. May 1, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170501181507/http://fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691. May 1, 2017.
  19. Web site: Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases - R&B Song and Hip-Hop Music Release Dates - .... May 2, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170501195008/https://www.allaccess.com/top40-rhythmic/future-releases. May 1, 2017. Allaccess.com.
  20. Web site: The Weeknd Teases Snippets of "Reminder (Remix)" With Young Thug and ASAP Rocky. Peter. A. Berry. XXL. July 28, 2017. July 31, 2017.