Out of Time (The Weeknd song)

"Out of Time" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd. It was released to American urban adult contemporary radio through XO and Republic Records on January 25, 2022, as the third single from his fifth studio album Dawn FM.^[3] The song was written and produced by the Weeknd and Oneohtrix Point Never; with Tomoko Aran and Tetsurō Oda receiving songwriting credits for the sampling of Aran's 1983 song "Midnight Pretenders". Max Martin and Oscar Holter received additional production credits. The track also features additional vocals from Jim Carrey, who provides narration throughout the album. The song also won an MTV Video Music Award for Best R&B Video in 2022.

"Out of Time"
Remix bundle cover
Single by the Weeknd
from the album Dawn FM
Released	January 25, 2022 (2022-01-25)
Genre	R&B[1] city pop[2]
Length	3:34 2:58 (radio edit/No Jim Carrey outro)
Label	XO Republic
Songwriter(s)	Abel Tesfaye Daniel Lopatin Tomoko Aran Tetsurō Oda Max Martin
Producer(s)	The Weeknd OPN Max Martin Oscar Holter
The Weeknd singles chronology
"Sacrifice" (2022) "Out of Time" (2022) "Less than Zero" (2022)
Music video
"Out of Time" on YouTube

Background and promotion

"Out of Time" was released on January 7, 2022, alongside its parent album.^[4][5] It was sent to American urban adult contemporary radio on January 25 as the album's third single.

Lyrics and composition

"Out Of Time" has been described by critics as an R&B and city pop ballad with elements of boogie. The song is written in the key of C minor with a tempo of 93 beats per minute. Lyrically, the song details how the Weeknd's trauma from past relationships has negatively affected his ability to fix the romantic relationship he had with his former partner.^[2][6]

Music video

The music video for "Out of Time" was released on April 5, 2022. Directed by Cliqua, it features actress and model HoYeon Jung, and continues a storyline made with the visuals from Dawn FM. Rolling Stone noted that many scenes within the visual are reminiscent of scenes from Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation (2003).^[7]

Synopsis

In the video, the Weeknd and Jung meet in an empty hotel and quickly bond over singing the song in a karaoke box. They steal the karaoke machine and frolic around the hotel drinking, dancing, and singing the song. Towards the end, an older version of the Weeknd shown with a deformed appearance from the events of the video for "Gasoline" tries to reach out to his present self, before the video transitions to the Weeknd's older point of view in a surgery room, where Jim Carrey, narrating the final lines, puts a mask on him.^[7][8]

Critical reception

"Out of Time" received acclaim from critics for the song's production, lyrics and the Weeknd's vocals.^[9] Heran Mamo of Billboard named the track as the second-best song from the album, highlighting "The swirling flute and shimmering production feels like he’s in a fairytale where he can turn back time with just the snap of his fingers".^[10] A New University review called the song “one of the album’s masterpieces”.^[11]

Track listing

• Digital download

1. "Out of Time" – 3:34

• Remix bundle

1. "Out of Time" (Kaytranada remix) – 4:35
2. "Out of Time" (Kaytranada remix; radio edit) – 2:35
3. "Out of Time" – 3:34
4. "Out of Time" (instrumental) – 3:34
5. "Out of Time" (video) – 3:53

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Out of Time" Chart (2022) Peak position Argentina (Argentina Hot 100)[12] 86 Australia (ARIA)[13] 29 Australia Hip-Hop/R&B Singles (ARIA)[14] 10 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[15] 20 Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[16] 17 Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[17] 34 Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[18] 90 Denmark (Tracklisten)[19] 32 France (SNEP)[20] 55 Global 200 (Billboard)[21] 15 Greece International (IFPI)[22] 12 Iceland (Tónlistinn)[23] 17 India International Singles (IMI)[24] 20 Italy (FIMI)[25] 96 Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)[26] 11 Lithuania (AGATA)[27] 28 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[28] 86 New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[29] 5 Portugal (AFP)[30] 16 San Marino (SMRRTV Top 50)[31] 20 Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[32] 90 South Africa (TOSAC)[33] 29 South Korea (Gaon)[34] 160 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[35] 46 UK Audio Streaming (OCC)[36] 42 US Billboard Hot 100[37] 32 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[38] 29 US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[39] 26 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[40] 11 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[41] 20 US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)[42] 43 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[43] 15 Vietnam (Vietnam Hot 100)[44] 15

Year-end charts 2022 year-end chart performance for "Out of Time" Chart (2022) Position Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[45] 83 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[46] 65 Vietnam (Vietnam Hot 100)[47] 99

Certifications

Certifications for "Out of Time"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[48]	Platinum	70,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[49]	Platinum	40,000‡
France (SNEP)[50]	Gold	100,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[51]	Gold	50,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[52]	Gold	15,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[53]	Silver	200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[54]	Platinum	1,000,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history and formats for "Out of Time"

Country	Date	Format	Version	Label	Ref.
United States	January 25, 2022	Urban adult contemporary radio	Original	XO Republic	[3]
	March 28, 2022	Hot adult contemporary radio			[55]
	March 29, 2022	Contemporary hit radio			[56]
		Rhythmic contemporary hit radio			[57]
Various	April 7, 2022	12-inch vinyl			[58]
	April 22, 2022	Digital download streaming	Remix bundle		[59]
Italy		Radio airplay	Original	Universal	[60]