Dancing in the Flames

"Dancing in the Flames"
Apple Music cover
Single by the Weeknd
from the album Hurry Up Tomorrow
ReleasedSeptember 13, 2024
StudioConway (Los Angeles), MXM (Stockholm), and House Mouse (Stockholm)[1]
GenreSynth-pop[2]
Length3:40
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Max Martin
  • Oscar Holter
  • The Weeknd
The Weeknd singles chronology
"We Still Don't Trust You"
(2024) 		"Dancing in the Flames"
(2024) 		"Timeless"
(2024)
Music video
"Dancing in the Flames" on YouTube

"Dancing in the Flames" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd. It was released on September 13, 2024, through XO and Republic Records as the lead single from his upcoming sixth studio album, Hurry Up Tomorrow (2025).[3] The following day, a live version of the song was released. On September 16, 2024, an acoustic version accompanied by a music video was released.[4] An EP with previously mentioned versions and an instrumental and a cappella version was released the same day.[5] A synth-pop track,[2] it was met with positive reviews from music critics and debuted at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Background and composition

The Weeknd first performed the song live on September 7, 2024, at his one-night-only concert in Estádio do Morumbi, São Paulo, Brazil.[6][7] The song was announced on September 9, 2024, as the lead single from his upcoming sixth studio album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, through Apple Inc.'s "It's Glowtime" promotional event promoting the iPhone 16 Pro.[8][9]

"Dancing in the Flames" is performed in the key of D♭ major in common time with a tempo of 117 beats per minute. The Weeknd's vocals span from F4 to B♭5 in the song.[10][11]

Critical reception

The song was well received by music critics. Alexis Petridis from The Guardian gave the song four out of five stars, commenting the singer "revisits his usual theme of nihilistic love and his beloved palette of 80s synths, but it's melodically solid and there are some tweaks to the formula".[12] Alexa Camp of Slant Magazine wrote that the song "marks a turn back toward a lighter pop sound", in which "the singer once again associating romantic longing with the risk of physical danger".[2]

Music video

A behind-the-scenes look at the music video was first shown at Apple's iPhone 16 launch event on September 9, 2024. The music video was shot entirely on the iPhone 16 Pro, and is directed by Anton Tammi, who previously directed the video for "Blinding Lights".[13][14]

Track listing

Streaming/digital download – single

  1. "Dancing in the Flames" – 3:40
  2. "Dancing in the Flames" (acoustic) – 3:28
  3. "Dancing in the Flames" (live from São Paulo) – 5:12
  4. "Dancing in the Flames" (instrumental) – 3:42
  5. "Dancing in the Flames" (a cappella) – 3:24

Charts

Release history

Release history and formats for "Dancing in the Flames"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various September 13, 2024
[92]
Italy Radio airplay Universal [93]
United States Contemporary hit radio
  • XO
  • Republic
 [94]
CD [95]

References

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