Take My Breath Explained

Take My Breath
Cover:The Weeknd - Take My Breath.png
Type:single
Artist:the Weeknd
Studio:MXM (Los Angeles and Stockholm)
Genre:
Length:
    • 5:41 (album version)
  • 3:40 (single/radio edit)
  • 5:51 (extended mix)
Label:
Producer:
Prev Title:Better Believe
Prev Year:2021
Next Title:Die for It
Next Year:2021

"Take My Breath" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd. It was released on August 6, 2021, through XO and Republic Records, as the lead single from his fifth studio album, Dawn FM (2022).[1] The song was written and produced by the Weeknd, Max Martin and Oscar Holter, with Belly receiving additional songwriting credits.[2]

A disco, dance-pop, funk and synthwave track with psychedelic elements,[3] [4] "Take My Breath" was met with widespread critical acclaim for the Weeknd's vocals and its production, which was influenced by the beats and synthesizers of the 1980s.[5] The song debuted at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100, marking the Weeknd's thirteenth top 10 entry.[6]

Background and promotion

The Weeknd first teased that he was working on a new album in September 2020, via an interview with Rolling Stone in which he stated "I might have another album ready to go by the time this quarantine is over".[7] Later on during the 2021 Billboard Music Awards in May, he went on to state in his acceptance speech "I just want to say the After Hours are done and The Dawn is coming."[8] Throughout June and July, the Weeknd continued to mention his upcoming project under the tentative title The Dawn by revealing a new transitional look. He also released the singles "You Right" with Doja Cat and "Better Believe" with Belly and Young Thug during that period.[9]

On August 2, 2021, a snippet of "Take My Breath" with a visual of a sunrise titled "The Dawn Is Coming" and a GQ cover story was released in anticipation of new music.[10] The title of the single and its release date of August 6 was confirmed later that day through a promotional video for the 2020 Summer Olympics, which featured hurdlers Sydney McLaughlin and Dalilah Muhammad, middle-distance runner Athing Mu and sprinter Gabrielle Thomas.[11] [12]

Lyrics and composition

"Take My Breath" has been described by music critics as a disco,[13] dance-pop,[14] funk[15] and synthwave[16] track with elements of psychedelia.[17] The single and radio version of the song runs for a duration of three minutes and forty seconds, while the extended version has a length of five minutes and fifty-one seconds. Also, the album version of the song runs for a duration of five minutes and thirty-nine seconds, which segues from the preceding track "How Do I Make You Love Me?". It was written in the key of C minor with a tempo of 121 beats per minute.[18] Lyrically, the song details an entanglement in a romantic relationship that ultimately leads to autoerotic asphyxiation.

Critical reception

"Take My Breath" received widespread critical acclaim.[19] [20] The vocals and production of the track received praise from Billboards Joe Lynch, who compared the latter aspect's usage of a synthesizer to the synth riff that was used in Donna Summer's 1977 single "I Feel Love".[19] Ben Beaumont-Thomas of The Guardian gave the song a five-star rating, stating that it is "an instant disco-pop masterpiece".[20] Consequence of Sound writer Mary Siroky complimented "Take My Breath", “the music is pulsing, almost dizzying in its dance-floor intensity from start to finish, leaving the listener appropriately breathless”.[21] Chief critic Jon Pareles of The New York Times highlighted the record's retro appeal, “the disco thump, electric piano chords and call-and-response falsetto vocals in "Take My Breath" hark back to vintage Bee Gees.[22] Journalist Quinn Moreland from Pitchfork complimented the intro and chorus, “from the strutting intro to the extremely infectious melody, "Take My Breath" is full of life”.[23]

Year-end lists

!Publication!List!Rank!Ref.
BillboardThe 100 Best Songs of 202157[24]
CBC MusicThe Top 100 Canadian Songs of 20212[25]
NMEThe 50 Best Songs of 202113[26]

Music video

The music video for "Take My Breath" was first teased by the Weeknd on social media via self-released images of the visual during the week leading up to the release of the single.[28] Directed by Cliqua, it originally was supposed to play before IMAX showings of The Suicide Squad, but was reportedly pulled due to epilepsy concerns in regards to the pervasive strobe lighting in the video.[29] The video was released alongside the song on August 6, 2021.[30]

The video starts with the Weeknd walking outside overlooking a sunrise, before entering a nightclub with pulsating strobe lights. Upon entering the club, he meets his love interest, played by actress and stuntwoman Shaina West. The two dance together and exchange breaths through an oxygen tank, before the Weeknd's breath is literally taken away as he gets strangled by West's braids. The video ends with the Weeknd regaining his breath and consciousness as he is seen lying down on the club floor with a snippet of "Sacrifice" playing in the background. As of early 2022, the video has over 100 million views on YouTube.[31]

Use in media

"Take My Breath" was used as the theme song for WWE's 2021 pay-per-view Crown Jewel.[32]

The song was included in the 2017 online video game Fortnite as a playable track in its "Fortnite Festival" mode, which the Weeknd headlined for its launch on December 9, 2023.[33]

Track listing

Digital single #1

  1. "Take My Breath" – 3:40

Digital single #2 / CD maxi-single[34]

  1. "Take My Breath" – 3:40
  2. "Take My Breath" (Instrumental) – 3:40
  3. "Take My Breath" (Extended Version) – 5:51

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2021–2022)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Croatia International (HRT)[35] 2
Greece International (IFPI)[36] 5
India International (IMI)[37] 5
Israel (Media Forest)[38] 1
Lebanon (Lebanese Top 20)[39] 2
Lithuania (AGATA)[40] 10
Mexico Airplay (Billboard)[41] 3
Panama (PRODUCE)[42] 33
Romania (Airplay 100)<--Please do not change this to Romanian Top 100 or Media Forest. The Airplay 100 is Romania's national singles chart from 2012 onwards. For further information, see WP:GOODCHARTS-->[43] 50
San Marino (SMRRTV Top 50)[44] 1
Singapore (RIAS)[45] 17
Vietnam (Billboard Vietnam Hot 100)[46] 83

Year-end charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Position
Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[47] 44
Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia)[48] 31
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[49] 44
Croatia (ARC Top 100)[50] 64
CIS (TopHit)[51] 37
Denmark (Tracklisten)[52] 92
France (SNEP)[53] 159
Global 200 (Billboard)[54] 146
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[55] 98
Hungary (Single Top 40)[56] 60
Hungary (Stream Top 40)[57] 73
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[58] 49
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[59] 92
Poland (ZPAV)[60] 55
Russia Airplay (TopHit)[61] 38
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[62] 85
US Billboard Hot 100[63] 89
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[64] 37
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[65] 38
Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[66] 81
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[67] 43
Croatia (HRT)[68] 7
Global 200 (Billboard)[69] 181
Russia Airplay (TopHit)[70] 100

Release history

Country! scope="col"
DateFormatLabel
VariousAugust 6, 2021[71]
AustraliaContemporary hit radioUMA[72]
ItalyUniversal[73]
United StatesAugust 7, 2021Hot adult contemporary radio[74]
August 10, 2021Rhythmic contemporary radio[75]
Contemporary hit radio[76]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hussey. Allison. August 2, 2021. The Weeknd Releasing New Song "Take My Breath" This Friday: Watch Preview. August 3, 2021. Pitchfork.
  2. Web site: The Weeknd releases steamy new single, 'Take My Breath'. November 20, 2021. Good Morning America. en.
  3. Web site: January 3, 2022. The Weeknd announces new album, 'Dawn FM' drops on Friday. January 5, 2022. TheGrio. en-US.
  4. Blistein. Jon. Legaspi. Althea. August 6, 2021. The Weeknd Returns With New 'Take My Breath' Video. August 27, 2021. Rolling Stone. en-US.
  5. Web site: The Weeknd, 'Take My Breath'. August 27, 2021. NPR.org. en.
  6. Billboard Staff. August 17, 2021. Five Burning Questions: The Weeknd Debuts at No. 6 With 'Take My Breath,' Makes History With 'Blinding Lights'. January 23, 2022. Billboard. en-US.
  7. Spanos. Brittany . September 18, 2020. The Weeknd's Endless Summer . August 3, 2021. Rolling Stone.
  8. Web site: Sblendorio. Peter. The Weeknd accepts Billboard Music Award without face bandages, bruise makeup. August 3, 2021. nydailynews.com. May 23, 2021 .
  9. Web site: Singh. Ashish. The Weeknd says he's 'proud' of next album, fans say 'better drop The Dawn this year'. August 3, 2021. meaww.com. July 14, 2021 .
  10. Web site: The Weeknd vs. Abel Tesfaye. August 2, 2021. GQ. August 3, 2021.
  11. Web site: August 2, 2021. The Weeknd Announces Brand New Single "Take My Breath". August 3, 2021. Hypebeast.
  12. Web site: The Weeknd Is Releasing a New Single, 'Take My Breath,' on Friday. Ellise. Shafer. Variety. August 3, 2021. August 3, 2021.
  13. Web site: Serrano. Athena. The Weeknd Gets Kinky In Disco-Tinged 'Take My Breath' Video. https://web.archive.org/web/20210806161340/http://www.mtv.com/news/3179745/the-weeknd-take-my-breath/. dead. August 6, 2021. November 25, 2021. MTV News. en.
  14. Web site: Aswad. Jem. August 6, 2021. The Weeknd Hits the Dancefloor With 'Take My Breath,' New Song and Video. January 23, 2022. Variety. en-US.
  15. Web site: August 6, 2021. The Weeknd ushers in his next era with deliciously dark new song 'Take My Breath'. January 24, 2022. NME. en-GB.
  16. Web site: The Weeknd ushers in his next era with deliciously dark new song 'Take My Breath'. Daly. Rhian. NME. August 6, 2021. August 7, 2021.
  17. Web site: The Weeknd launches new era with disco-tinged Take My Breath. November 27, 2021. Celebretainment. August 6, 2021 . en.
  18. Web site: BPM and key of Take my breath BeatDetect.
  19. The Weeknd Previews New Era With 'The Dawn Is Coming' Teaser: Watch. August 7, 2021. Billboard. en.
  20. News: Beaumont-Thomas. Ben. The Weeknd: Take My Breath review – an instant disco-pop classic. January 8, 2022. The Guardian. August 6, 2021 . en-US.
  21. Web site: Song of the Week: The Weeknd Returns With the Heart-Pounding "Take My Breath". Mary. Siroky. Consequence. August 6, 2021 . August 9, 2021.
  22. News: The Weeknd's Disco Fever, and 9 More New Songs. Jon. Pareles. The New York Times . August 6, 2021 . August 9, 2021.
  23. Web site: The Weeknd "Take My Breath" review. Quinn. Moreland. Pitchfork. August 9, 2021.
  24. December 7, 2021. The 100 Best Songs of 2021: Staff List. December 11, 2021. Billboard. en-US.
  25. Web site: December 6, 2021. The top 100 Canadian songs of 2021. December 11, 2021. CBC Music.
  26. Web site: December 7, 2021. The 50 best songs of 2021. December 11, 2021. NME. en-GB.
  27. Web site: UK Music Video Awards 2021 nominations revealed. shots.net. September 29, 2021. September 29, 2021.
  28. Web site: The Weeknd Previews New Song, Video Was Set to Play in IMAX Before 'Intense Strobe Lighting' Became Issue (Update). Abel. Shifferaw. Complex. August 4, 2021.
  29. Web site: The Weeknd Video for 'Take My Breath' Pulled From Imax Theaters Due to 'Intense Strobe Lighting' (Exclusive). Jem. Aswad. August 4, 2021. August 4, 2021.
  30. Web site: The Weeknd's New "Take My Breath" Video Pulled from IMAX Theaters Due to Epilepsy Concerns. Madison. Bloom. August 4, 2021. Pitchfork. August 4, 2021.
  31. Legaspi. Althea. Blistein. Jon. August 6, 2021. The Weeknd Returns With New 'Take My Breath' Video. October 24, 2021. Rolling Stone. en-US.
  32. Web site: Keller. Wade. 10/21 WWE CROWN JEWEL RESULTS: Keller's report on Reigns vs. Lesnar, Big E vs. McIntyre, Seth vs. Edge in HIAC, Lynch vs. Banks vs. Belair, King and Queen tournament finals. Pro Wrestling Torch. October 21, 2021. October 22, 2021.
  33. Web site: Shutler . Ali . December 21, 2023 . All 'Fortnite Festival' songs: here's every track listed . December 22, 2023 . NME . en-GB.
  34. Take My Breath. The Weeknd. 2021. US CD Maxi-single liner notes. XO & Republic. B0034547-32.
  35. Web site: ARC 100 - datum: 27. rujna 2021.. HRT. January 8, 2022. September 10, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210910213857/https://radio.hrt.hr/clanak/arc-100-datum-27-rujna-2021/270531/. live.
  36. Web site: IFPI Charts. January 17, 2022. www.ifpi.gr.
  37. Web site: Top 20 Charts. Indian Music Industry. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. August 16, 2021. January 18, 2022. https://archive.today/20210816141724/https://imicharts.com/. August 16, 2021.
  38. Web site: Media Forest charts. 2021. Media Forest. September 26, 2021.
  39. Web site: The Official Lebanese Top 20 - The Weeknd. The Official Lebanese Top 20. January 19, 2022.
  40. Web site: 2021 32-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100). AGATA. Lithuanian. August 13, 2021. August 13, 2021.
  41. The Weeknd Chart History (Mexico Airplay). October 9, 2021. Billboard.
  42. Web site: TOP 50 INTERNACIONAL BMAT-PRODUCE PANAMÁ DEL 3 AL 9 DE SEPTIEMBRE, 2021. Sociedad Panameña de Productores Fonográficos. September 12, 2021. es. September 13, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210913035053/http://producepanama.org/top-50/. live.
  43. News: Top Airplay 100 - Top-Airplay-100-Piesa-asta-de-la-Pink-te-va-emotiona-si-pe-tine-p13885. Top Airplay 100 – This Pink song will thrill you too!. Arvunescu, Victor. November 7, 2021. November 7, 2021. Romanian. Un site de muzică.
  44. Web site: Top 50 – Radio San Marino RTV – 26/09/2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210926174814/https://www.sanmarinortv.sm/radio/radio-san-marino/top-50-ascoltare . September 26, 2021 . it . . September 26, 2021 . August 16, 2024.
  45. Web site: RIAS International Top Charts. Recording Industry Association Singapore. August 20, 2021. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20210817110055/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/. August 17, 2021.
  46. Billboard Vietnam Hot 100: Week of January 22, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220114135722/https://billboardvn.vn/billboard-vietnam-hot-100/. dead. January 14, 2022. Billboard. January 20, 2022.
  47. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2021. Ultratop. January 5, 2022.
  48. Web site: Rapports annuels 2021. Ultratop. January 5, 2022.
  49. Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 2, 2021.
  50. Web site: Croatia ARC TOP 100. HRT. January 6, 2022.
  51. Web site: Top Radio Hits Global Annual Chart – 2021. TopHit. August 5, 2022. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20220805145136/https://tophit.ru/en/best-music-2021. August 5, 2022.
  52. Web site: Track Top-100 2021. Hitlisten. January 6, 2022.
  53. Web site: Top de l'année Top Singles 2021. SNEP. fr. April 15, 2022.
  54. Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 3, 2021.
  55. Web site: Rádiós Top 100 - hallgatottsági adatok alapján - 2021. Mahasz. hu. February 2, 2022.
  56. Web site: Single Top 100 – eladási darabszám alapján – 2021. Mahasz. hu. February 1, 2022.
  57. Web site: Stream Top 100 - darabszám alapján - 2021. Mahasz. hu. February 1, 2022.
  58. Web site: Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2021. Dutch Top 40. nl. January 4, 2022.
  59. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Single 2021. MegaCharts. nl. January 4, 2022.
  60. Web site: "Friday" Riton i Nightcrawlers z udziałem Mufasa & Hypemana – radiowym numerem jeden w 2021 roku. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. pl. January 27, 2022.
  61. Web site: Top Radio Hits Russia Annual Chart – 2021. TopHit. August 5, 2022. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20220805143945/https://tophit.ru/en/chart/russia/yearly/2021-01-01/all/all. August 5, 2022.
  62. Web site: Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2021. hitparade.ch. December 27, 2021.
  63. Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 2, 2021.
  64. Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 2, 2021.
  65. Pop Songs – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 2, 2021.
  66. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2022. Ultratop. nl. January 13, 2023.
  67. Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2022. Billboard. December 2, 2022.
  68. Web site: Croatia ARC TOP 100. HRT. January 12, 2023.
  69. Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2022. Billboard. December 2, 2022.
  70. Web site: Top Radio Hits Russia Annual Chart 2022. TopHit. December 30, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221230062430/https://tophit.ru/en/chart/russia/yearly/2022-01-01/all/all. December 30, 2022.
  71. Web site: Take My Breath - Single by The Weeknd on Apple Music. August 6, 2021. Apple Music. August 6, 2021.
  72. Web site: Singles to Radio. The Music Network. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20210809163149/http://themusicnetwork.com/charts/singles-to-radio/. August 9, 2021. September 4, 2021.
  73. Web site: The Weeknd "Take My Breath" (Radio Date: August 6, 2021). RadioDate.it. it. September 4, 2021.
  74. Web site: Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases | Hot Adult Contemporary Rock Songs and Release Dates | .... All Access. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20210810060554/https://www.allaccess.com/hot-modern-ac/future-releases. August 10, 2021. September 4, 2021.
  75. Web site: Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases - August 10, 2021. All Access Music Group. August 5, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210805220014/https://www.allaccess.com/top40-rhythmic/future-releases. August 5, 2021. dead.
  76. Web site: Top 40 Mainstream Future Releases. All Access Music Group. August 9, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210809102232/https://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases. August 9, 2021. dead.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Take My Breath".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.