"Moth to a Flame"
Single by Swedish House Mafia and the Weeknd
from the album Paradise Again and Dawn FM (Alternate World)
Released22 October 2021 (2021-10-22)
GenreSynth-pop[1]
Length3:54
LabelRepublic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Swedish House Mafia singles chronology
"Lifetime"
(2021)		 "Moth to a Flame"
(2021)		 "Redlight"
(2022)
The Weeknd singles chronology
"Hurricane"
(2021)		 "Moth to a Flame"
(2021)		 "One Right Now"
(2021)
Music video
"Moth to a Flame" on YouTube

"Moth to a Flame" is a song by Swedish house supergroup Swedish House Mafia and Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd.[2] It was released on 22 October 2021 through Republic Records as the third single from the former's debut studio album Paradise Again, and was later included on the "Alternate World" edition of the latter's fifth studio album Dawn FM; both released in 2022 [3]

Background and release

A potential collaboration between Swedish House Mafia and the Weeknd was first speculated when the group signed with the Weeknd's longtime manager Wassim "Sal" Slaiby in April 2021.[4] It was later teased by the Weeknd during an episode of his Apple Music 1 radio show Memento Mori, in which he stated in the introduction "The Swedes just landed in L.A."[5] A snippet of "Moth to a Flame" was then revealed by Swedish House Mafia during their performance at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards in September.[6] On 19 October, the group and the singer teased the single once again before announcing that it would be released on 22 October.[7] In celebration of its release, Swedish House Mafia hosted the twentieth episode of Memento Mori.[8]

Critical reception

Dani Blum of Pitchfork named "Moth to a Flame" the best song on Paradise Again, writing that the "tingling production is more elegant than Swedish House Mafia seemed capable of a decade ago."[9] Robin Murray of Clash described it as "a sizzling 80s tinged burner that places [the Weeknd] within an electronic orchestra."[10] Thomas Stremfel of Spectrum Culture wrote that "equally unique framing and biblical stakes elevate the track to a pop epic."[11] Billboard's Starr Bowenbank compared "Moth to a Flame" to the Weeknd's "Blinding Lights", highlighting its synth as being menacing in a manner akin to the song.[12]

Chart performance

In the United Kingdom, "Moth to a Flame" debuted at number 15 on the UK Singles Chart with first-week sales of 19,853 units, making it Swedish House Mafia's seventh top 20 single and the Weeknd's 19th.[13][14] In the United States, "Moth to a Flame" entered the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart at number two with 12.9 million streams, 1.7 million radio impressions and 3,800 downloads sold in its opening week. It marked Swedish House Mafia's third top 10 single on the chart and was the highest debut on the chart since Kygo and Whitney Houston's "Higher Love" in July 2019.[15]

Music video

The music video for the song premiered on 22 October 2021 alongside the single's release and was directed by Alexander Wessely. The music video ends with a snippet of "Mafia", the track that follows "Moth to a Flame" on Paradise Again.[16]

Live performances

Swedish House Mafia and the Weeknd performed "Moth to a Flame" at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on 17 April 2022.[17] Starting on June 10, 2023, "Moth to a Flame" served as the closing track for the Weeknd's After Hours til Dawn Tour.

Track listing

  • Digital download and streaming
  1. "Moth to a Flame" – 3:54
  • Digital download and streaming – Extended Mix
  1. "Moth to a Flame" (Extended Mix) – 5:00
  • Digital download and streaming – Chris Lake Remix
  1. "Moth to a Flame" (Chris Lake Remix) – 4:38
  • Digital download and streaming – Tourist Remix
  1. "Moth to a Flame" (Tourist Remix) – 4:53
  • Digital download and streaming – Moojo Remix
  1. "Moth to a Flame" (Moojo Remix) – 7:14
  • Digital download and streaming – Adriatique Remix
  1. "Moth to a Flame" (Adriatique Remix) – 6:29

Personnel

  • Swedish House Mafia – production, keyboards, bass, drum programming
  • Carl Nordström – production, keyboards, bass, drum programming
  • Shin Kamiyama – mixing
  • Mike Dean – mastering
  • The Weeknd – vocals

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for "Moth to a Flame"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[82] Platinum 70,000‡
Belgium (BEA)[83] Platinum 40,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[84] Gold 45,000‡
France (SNEP)[85] Diamond 333,333‡
Germany (BVMI)[86] Gold 200,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[87] Platinum 100,000‡
Netherlands (NVPI)[88] Platinum 80,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[89] Platinum 50,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[90] 2× Platinum 20,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[91] Gold 400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[92] Platinum 1,000,000‡
Streaming
Greece (IFPI Greece)[93] 4× Platinum 8,000,000†

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history and formats for "Moth to a Flame"
Region Date Format Version Label(s) Ref.
Various 22 October 2021 Original [94]
United States 26 October 2021 Contemporary hit radio [95]
Various 3 January 2022
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 Extended Mix [96]
4 February 2022 Chris Lake Remix [96]
18 February 2022 Tourist Remix [96]
17 June 2022 Moojo Remix [96]
12 August 2022 Adriatique Remix [96]

References

  1. ↑ Griffiths, George (24 October 2021). "Adele set for second week at Number 1 with Easy On Me". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 October 2021. The slick synth-pop number
  2. ↑ "The Weeknd and Swedish House Mafia to release collaboration this week". Montana Standard. Archived from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  3. ↑ "The Weeknd Teases New "Moth To A Flame" Track With Swedish House Mafia". Hypebeast. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  4. ↑ "Swedish House Mafia Signs With The Weeknd Manager Sal Slaiby". Billboard. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  5. ↑ Dancing Astronaut [@dancingastro] (12 August 2021). ""The Swedes just landed in LA." 👀 @theweeknd played "It Gets Better" on his MEMENTO MORI radio show and talked about finishing up his new album. Both @theweeknd and SHM have Sal Slaiby as their manager" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  6. ↑ "Swedish House Mafia Tease Collab With The Weeknd, Perform At MTV VMAs: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  7. ↑ @theweeknd (19 October 2021). "this week @swedishousemfia" (Tweet). Retrieved 21 October 2021 – via Twitter.
  8. ↑ @swedishousemfia (21 October 2021). "Honoured to host tonights show - don't forget to tune in wherever you are💀💀💀" (Tweet). Retrieved 21 October 2021 – via Twitter.
  9. ↑ Blum, Dani (15 April 2022). "Swedish House Mafia: Paradise Again Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  10. ↑ Murray, Robin (15 April 2022). "Swedish House Mafia - Paradise Again". Clash. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  11. ↑ Stremfel, Thomas (1 May 2022). "Swedish House Mafia: Paradise Again". Spectrum Culture. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  12. ↑ "The Weeknd Teases Swedish House Mafia Collab 'Moth to a Flame'". Billboard. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  13. ↑ Masterson, James (29 October 2021). "Charts analysis: Adele takes it Easy at singles summit". Music Week. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  14. ↑ Ainsley, Helen (29 October 2021). "Adele earns second big week at Number 1 with Easy On Me". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  15. ↑ Murray, Gordon (4 November 2021). "Swedish House Mafia & The Weeknd's 'Moth' on Dance Charts". Billboard. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  16. ↑ "The Weeknd & Swedish House Mafia Join Forces on New Single 'Moth To A Flame': Listen". 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  17. ↑ Hutchinson, Kate (18 April 2022). "The Weeknd and Swedish House Mafia at Coachella review – a patchy double-act". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  18. ↑ "Swedish House Mafia & The Weeknd – Moth to a Flame". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  19. ↑ "Swedish House Mafia & The Weeknd – Moth to a Flame" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  20. ↑ "Swedish House Mafia & The Weeknd – Moth to a Flame" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  21. ↑ "Swedish House Mafia & The Weeknd – Moth to a Flame" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  22. ↑ "International Top 10 - 12.11.2021 – 18.11.2021" (in Bulgarian). PROPHON. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  23. ↑ "Swedish House Mafia Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  24. ↑ "Swedish House Mafia Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  25. ↑ "Swedish House Mafia Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  26. ↑ "Swedish House Mafia Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  27. ↑ Swedish House Mafia & The Weeknd — Moth to a Flame. TopHit. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  28. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 202143 into search. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  29. ↑ "ARC 100 - datum: 24. siječnja 2022". HRT. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  30. ↑ "Swedish House Mafia & The Weeknd – Moth to a Flame". Tracklisten. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  31. ↑ "El ranking de los temas más sonados en la semana del 29 de octubre hasta el 5 de noviembre" (in Spanish). Asociación Salvadoreña de Productores de Fonogramas y Afines. Archived from the original on 14 November 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  32. ↑ "Swedish House Mafia Chart History (Euro Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  33. ↑ "Swedish House Mafia & The Weeknd: Moth to a Flame" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  34. ↑ "Swedish House Mafia & The Weeknd – Moth to a Flame" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  35. ↑ "Swedish House Mafia & The Weeknd – Moth to a Flame" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  36. ↑ "Swedish House Mafia Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  37. ↑ "Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Week: 43/2021". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 8 November 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  38. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  39. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  40. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  41. ↑ "Tónlistinn – Lög" [The Music – Songs] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on 14 November 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  42. ↑ "IMI International Top 20 Singles for week ending 1st November 2021 | Week 43 of 52". Indian Music Industry. Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  43. ↑ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  44. ↑ "Swedish House Mafia & The Weeknd – Moth to a Flame". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  45. ↑ "The Official Lebanese Top 20 – Swedish House Mafia". The Official Lebanese Top 20. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  46. ↑ "2021 43-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. 29 October 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  47. ↑ "Swedish House Mafia - Chart history (Luxembourg Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  48. ↑ "Swedish House Mafia Chart History (Mexico Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  49. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 52, 2021" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  50. ↑ "Swedish House Mafia & The Weeknd – Moth to a Flame" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  51. ↑ "Swedish House Mafia & The Weeknd – Moth to a Flame". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  52. ↑ "Swedish House Mafia & The Weeknd – Moth to a Flame". VG-lista. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  53. ↑ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  54. ↑ "Swedish House Mafia & The Weeknd – Moth to a Flame". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  55. ↑ "RIAS Top Charts". Recording Industry Association Singapore. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  56. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 20226 into search. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  57. ↑ "ČNS IFPI". IFPI ČR. Note: Select SK SINGLES DIGITAL TOP 100 and insert 202143 into search. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  58. ↑ "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100: Week 43". The Official South African Charts. Recording Industry of South Africa. Archived from the original on 4 November 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  59. ↑ "The Weeknd – Moth to a Flame" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  60. ↑ "Swedish House Mafia & The Weeknd – Moth to a Flame". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  61. ↑ "Swedish House Mafia & The Weeknd – Moth to a Flame". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  62. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  63. ↑ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  64. ↑ "Ukraine Airplay Chart for 2021-10-29." TopHit. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  65. ↑ "Swedish House Mafia Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  66. ↑ "Swedish House Mafia Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  67. ↑ "Swedish House Mafia Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  68. ↑ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2021" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  69. ↑ "Hot Dance/Electronic Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  70. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 2022" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  71. ↑ "Rapports annuels 2022" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  72. ↑ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  73. ↑ "Top de l'année – Top Singles – 2022" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP). Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  74. ↑ "Jahrescharts 2022" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  75. ↑ "Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  76. ↑ "2022 metų klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  77. ↑ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2022" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  78. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2022" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  79. ↑ "Årslista Singlar, 2022" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  80. ↑ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2022". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  81. ↑ "Hot Dance/Electronic Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  82. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2022 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  83. ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2023". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  84. ↑ "Danish single certifications – Swedish House Mafia – Moth to a Flame". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  85. ↑ "French single certifications – Swedish House Mafia – Moth to a Flame" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  86. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Swedish House Mafia; 'Moth to a Flame')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  87. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Swedish House Mafia – Moth to a Flame" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  88. ↑ "Dutch single certifications – Swedish House Maffia, The Weeknd – Moth to a Flame" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 14 December 2022. Enter Moth to a Flame in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 2022 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  89. ↑ "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 19 April 2023. Click "TYTUŁ" and enter Moth to a Flame in the search box.
  90. ↑ "Portuguese single certifications – Swedish House Mafia – Moth to a Flame" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  91. ↑ "British single certifications – Swedish House Mafia/Weeknd – Moth to a Flame". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  92. ↑ "American single certifications – The Weeknd – Moth to a Flame". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  93. ↑ "IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Εβδομάδα: 50/2023" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  94. ↑ "Listen: Swedish House Mafia, The Weeknd 'Moth To A Flame'". 21 October 2021.
  95. ↑ "Top 40 Mainstream Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  96. 1 2 3 4 5 "Swedish House Mafia on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.