Timeless Lyrics

Annotations

"Timeless" is a song by Playboi Carti, where he interchanges his delivery with his regular voice and "baby voice," the voice used in his collaboration with The Weeknd, "Popular." This marks the second appearance in which Carti changes voice mid-song, the first and only other time that's happened so far has been on his 2023 track, "2024", in which he switched from "baby voice" to "deep voice" for the second half of the song. Carti flaunts his self-confidence, expressing the idea that since a "jit," commonly used in Southern slang to refer to a young person, he always knew he would be as successful as he is now. This theme of early self-assuredness echoes Carti’s sentiment in his 2024 track “H00DBYAIR,” where he raps: Y'all niggas don't know how to grow up, I been a OG since I was younger. Double-O likely refers to the luxury brand Audemars Piguet, known for its Royal Oak “Double Balance Wheel Openworked” watch. “Bust down” refers to encrusting a watch with diamonds. Carti is making a pun: the watch itself is “timeless” in terms of its luxury and Carti is also timeless in the sense that his legacy will endure. Carti flexes his wealth by dressing his son in Rick Owens, a high-fashion designer known for luxury streetwear. This line could also be referencing a viral meme where someone pretends to be Carti, texting for advice about his son. The meme features a baby, supposedly Carti’s, dressed in Rick Owens, with Carti texting: I put da Rick on Onyx. Carti compares his pockets to “twenty-two clips,” referencing extended magazines for firearms that can hold 22 rounds or more. This could be a metaphor for having stacks of cash, suggesting that his pockets are “loaded” in the same way a clip would be. Carti references high-fashion brand Comme des Garçons. Carti suggests that he delivers his heartbreaks with style, much like the brand’s avant-garde designs that feature a heart with eyes. This lyric is also likely a callback to Lil Uzi Vert’s line from 2017’s “Sauce It Up.” “The trenches” is slang for a place where life really tough. Normally many people in these areas struggle financially. However, because of Carti’s success, he was able to escape this life. In this lyric, The Weeknd refers to returning to his hometown of Toronto and the excitement that follows. The “city on fire” symbolizes both the buzz surrounding his homecoming and his impact on the city’s music scene. As he fills the iconic Rogers Centre (formerly SkyDome), he reflects on his journey from performing in small clubs to selling out massive venues, showing how his success lights up Toronto, whether through fan excitement or potential drama with local rappers. No matter the source of the heat as he races home, Abel dances in the flames. During the After Hours Til Dawn tour, The Weeknd sold out back-to-back shows at the Rogers Centre, drawing 45,000 hometown fans. The lyric highlights the significance of these triumphant performances, marking his rise from humble beginnings to one of Toronto’s biggest stars. Homixide Gang is a duo consisting of Homixide Beno! and Homixide Meechie. Carti has mentioned the duo numerous times in his music, an example being in 2020’s “Rockstar Made”: Homicide, homicide, homicide, homicide. He also named a song after Beno!. “Double-O” is a commonly used name for Playboi Carti’s record label, Opium, that consists of artists such as Ken Carson, Destroy Lonely, and Homixide Gang.

Introduction

"Timeless" is a collaboration between The Weeknd and Playboi Carti, released on September 27, 2024. This track is part of The Weeknd's anticipated album *Hurry Up Tomorrow*. The song explores themes of success, confidence, and the duo's perception of their influence in music and fashion. Combining their signature styles, the artists reflect on their rise to fame and how their legacy transcends time, asserting that they have always been destined for greatness.

Song Info

• Release Date: September 27, 2024
• Album: *Hurry Up Tomorrow* (expected)
• Genre: R&B, Pop Rap
• Producers: Pharrell Williams, Ojivolta, MIKE DEAN, Twisco, BBYKOBE, BL$$D
• Featuring Artists: Playboi Carti

Exploring the Lyrics of "Timeless" by The Weeknd & Playboi Carti

The lyrics of "Timeless" highlight the self-assuredness and confidence both artists have had since their youth. Playboi Carti frequently refers to his early belief in his own success, using "jit" (a Southern slang term for a young person) to emphasize that he always knew he was "the shit." Carti's braggadocio is on full display as he reflects on his lifestyle, his wealth, and the women in his life, all while seamlessly transitioning between different vocal styles, including his signature "baby voice." The Weeknd's contributions complement Carti’s, reinforcing the idea of timelessness. He reflects on his journey from humble beginnings to being one of the biggest names in music, all while staying true to his roots and maintaining his signature "XO" aesthetic. The collaboration between these two artists creates a contrast between Carti's raw energy and The Weeknd's more melodic, atmospheric delivery, further enhancing the track's themes.

Song Theme

"Timeless" centers around themes of self-confidence, success, and the idea of leaving a lasting legacy. Both artists emphasize that they’ve known from a young age that they were destined for greatness. The track also touches on themes of wealth and materialism, as seen in Carti’s references to luxury brands like Rick Owens and Comme des Garçons. There’s also a significant exploration of relationships, with Carti playing on the trope of the "main chick" versus "side chick," while The Weeknd’s lines about returning to his hometown highlight the impact of fame on personal identity and relationships. From a broader cultural perspective, the song taps into the aspirational themes often found in hip-hop and R&B, where personal struggles are overcome by success and luxury. The lyrics play with ideas of timelessness both in terms of their musical influence and their personal style, suggesting that their impact will endure well into the future.

Song Composition Breakdown

"Timeless" features production from some of the industry's top names, including Pharrell Williams and MIKE DEAN. The track blends elements of R&B and pop-rap, with a heavy focus on atmospheric production that complements The Weeknd's moody, melodic vocals and Playboi Carti's dynamic, high-energy delivery. Pharrell's influence is noticeable in the drum patterns and rhythms, giving the track a bouncy, yet hypnotic feel, reminiscent of his earlier work with The Neptunes. The song's structure is fairly standard, with two main verses, a chorus, and an outro, but the switching of Carti's vocal styles and the seamless integration of The Weeknd's more melodic tone add a layer of complexity. The production also uses layers of synths, bass-heavy beats, and minimalistic instrumentation, allowing the vocals to take center stage.

Impact and Reception

While it's too early to gauge the full impact of "Timeless," it has already generated significant buzz, especially following its live debut in São Paulo and the hype created by the artists on social media. Given the previous success of The Weeknd and Playboi Carti’s collaborations, like “Popular,” it’s likely that "Timeless" will receive widespread acclaim and solidify their places as two of the most influential figures in modern music.

Quotes

"Ever since I was a jit, knew I was the shit."

Playboi Carti

"It don't matter what they say, I'm timeless."

The Weeknd