Here's What The Weeknd's Can't Feel My Face Really Means
The Weeknd is known for intoxicating music, amazing beats, and lyrics that have multiple meanings. And like most of his music, things are rarely what they seem to be. So even though you might think it's all about love, here's what The Weeknd's "Can't Feel My Face" really means.
On the surface, it seems like a love song, albeit a dark one. This is the hook of the song, which repeats several times throughout: "I can't feel my face when I'm with you / But I love it, but I love it, oh." Now, that might just seem like someone who is so incredibly in love that they lose all control, of both their body and mind. Sounds plausible, right? But then, The Weeknd sings these lyrics: "And I know she'll be the death of me, at least we'll both be numb / And she'll always get the best of me, the worst is yet to come."
Hmmm. Sure, you can love someone so much that it becomes all-consuming, but... death? Really? And then he sings of being "numb" and that this person will "always get the best of me," with the worst yet to come. That doesn't sound like a healthy relationship, if you ask us.
Here's what Can't Feel My Face really means
It might make you wonder if The Weeknd is really singing about someone — or something. As it turns out, that something might be somewhat sinister... like drugs. Billboard reported that the song most likely is taking the idea of drug dependency and likening it to being in a bad relationship. And the drug The Weeknd is probably singing about: cocaine.
Sure, all drugs have side effects. And one of cocaine's biggest side effects is temporary facial numbness, Healthline reported. So if you look at the song through the lens that it's cocaine he's crooning about, it makes sense that the drug will always get the best of him, and that the worst (i.e. a deeper drug dependency and perhaps even death) could be coming. Now, this isn't the first time that The Weeknd has used (ahem) mood enhancers as a metaphor in his music. His hit song, "Blinding Lights" talks about driving to see someone while you're intoxicated. And The Weeknd (whose real name is Abel Makkonen Tesfaye) has openly admitted to his history with drugs.
In an interview with CR, the Super Bowl LV halftime show headliner said, "I have an off-and-on relationship with it. It doesn't consume my life but occasionally helps me open up my mind, especially when I'm creating, but when I perform I'm completely sober and try not to even drink. I've learned to balance thanks to touring."