Dancing in the Flames

"Dancing in the Flames" is a song by the Canadian singer and songwriter The Weeknd. It was released on September 13, 2024, as a standalone single through XO and Republic Records. It was originally intended to be the lead single from the album Hurry Up Tomorrow, but was later excluded from the final track listing. The day after its release, a live version of the song was released. On September 16, 2024, an acoustic version accompanied by a music video was also released.^[3] An EP with previously mentioned versions and an instrumental and a cappella version was released the same day.^[4] The synth-pop track^[2] was met with positive reviews from music critics and debuted at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

"Dancing in the Flames"
Single by the Weeknd
Released	September 13, 2024
Studio	Conway (Los Angeles) MXM (Stockholm) House Mouse (Stockholm)[1]
Genre	Synth-pop[2]
Length	3:40
Label	XO Republic
Songwriter(s)	Abel Tesfaye Karl Sandberg Oscar Holter
Producer(s)	The Weeknd Max Martin Oscar Holter
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

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.^[5][6] The song was announced on September 9, 2024, as the original lead single from his then-upcoming sixth studio album, Hurry Up Tomorrow (2025), through Apple Inc.'s "It's Glowtime" promotional event promoting the iPhone 16 Pro.^[7][8] The song was later omitted from the final tracklist for unknown reasons.

"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.^[9][10]

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".^[11] 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".^[12][13]

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

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.^[1][14]

• The Weeknd – vocals, songwriting, production
• Max Martin – songwriting, production
• Oscar Holter – songwriting, production
• Şerban Ghenea - studio personnel, mixing
• Dave Kutch – studio personnel, mastering
• Mike Dean – mastering
• Eric Eylands - studio personnel, engineering
• Sage Skolfield - studio personnel, engineering
• Sam Holland - studio personnel, engineering

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Dancing in the Flames" Chart (2024–2025) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[15] 19 Australia Hip Hop/R&B (ARIA)[16] 2 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[17] 25 Belarus Airplay (TopHit)[18] 6 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[19] 22 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[20] 8 Brazil (Brasil Hot 100)[21] 92 Bulgaria International (PROPHON)[22] 4 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[23] 15 Canada AC (Billboard)[24] 6 Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[25] 7 Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[26] 6 CIS Airplay (TopHit)[27] 1 Croatia International Airplay (Top lista)[28] 4 Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[29] 9 Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[30] 70 Denmark (Tracklisten)[31] 23 Estonia Airplay (TopHit)[32] 5 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[33] 28 France (SNEP)[34] 31 Germany (GfK)[35] 13 Global 200 (Billboard)[36] 10 Greece International (IFPI)[37] 6 Hungary (Editors' Choice Top 40)[38] 12 Iceland (Tónlistinn)[39] 17 India International (IMI)[40] 4 Ireland (IRMA)[41] 18 Italy (FIMI)[42] 37 Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)[43] 2 Kazakhstan Airplay (TopHit)[44] 1 Latvia (LaIPA)[45] 11 Latvia Airplay (LaIPA)[46] 6 Lebanon Airplay (Lebanese Top 20)[47] 8 Lithuania (AGATA)[48] 14 Lithuania Airplay (TopHit)[49] 4 Luxembourg (Billboard)[50] 16 Malaysia (Billboard)[51] 21 Malaysia International (RIM)[52] 18 Moldova Airplay (TopHit)[53] 37 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[54] 16 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[55] 35 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[56] 32 Norway (VG-lista)[57] 20 Philippines (Philippines Hot 100)[58] 88 Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[59] 25 Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[60] 43 Portugal (AFP)[61] 19 Romania Airplay (TopHit)[62] 27 Russia Airplay (TopHit)[63] 2 San Marino (SMRRTV Top 50)[64] 2 Singapore (RIAS)[65] 11 Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[66] 2 Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[67] 25 South Africa (TOSAC)[68] 9 South Korea BGM (Circle)[69] 43 South Korea Download (Circle)[70] 84 Spain (PROMUSICAE)[71] 77 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[72] 10 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[73] 12 Turkey International Airplay (Radiomonitor Türkiye)[74] 7 Ukraine Airplay (TopHit)[75] 52 UK Singles (OCC)[76] 12 US Billboard Hot 100[77] 14 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[78] 21 US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[79] 11 US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[80] 30 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[81] 8 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[82] 6 Venezuela Anglo Airplay (Monitor Latino)[83] 2

Monthly charts Monthly chart performance for "Dancing in the Flames" Chart (2024) Peak position Belarus Airplay (TopHit)[84] 12 CIS Airplay (TopHit)[85] 2 Estonia Airplay (TopHit)[86] 8 Kazakhstan Airplay (TopHit)[87] 7 Latvia Airplay (TopHit)[88] 1 Lithuania Airplay (TopHit)[89] 4 Paraguay (SGP)[90] 21 Romania Airplay (TopHit)[91] 30 Russia Airplay (TopHit)[92] 4 Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[93] 21 Ukraine Airplay (TopHit)[94] 76 Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "Dancing in the Flames" Chart (2024) Position Belarus Airplay (TopHit)[95] 114 CIS Airplay (TopHit)[96] 45 Estonia Airplay (TopHit)[97] 74 Kazakhstan Airplay (TopHit)[98] 194 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[99] 71 Russia Airplay (TopHit)[100] 67

Certifications

Certifications for "Dancing in the Flames"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Belgium (BRMA)[101]	Gold	20,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[102]	Platinum	40,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[103]	Gold	40,000‡
France (SNEP)[104]	Gold	100,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[105]	Silver	200,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history and formats for "Dancing in the Flames"

Region	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
Various	September 13, 2024	Digital download streaming	XO Republic	[106]
Italy		Radio airplay	Universal	[107]
United States		Contemporary hit radio	XO Republic	[108]
		CD		[109]