Several Weeknd songs are commonly read as reflections on relationships with Selena Gomez and Bella Hadid, but Abel Tesfaye has not confirmed those identities. The strongest examples are “Call Out My Name” and “Wasted Times”; others are disputed or remain interpretations. The available reporting does not support ten definitive song-to-person matches, so this guide separates the best-known theories from what Tesfaye has actually said.
How to read claims about The Weeknd’s songs
A lyric can invite a biographical reading without proving who inspired it. In coverage of My Dear Melancholy, publications have connected songs to Selena Gomez and Bella Hadid using lyrics, relationship timelines, and public biographical details. Those are interpretations, not confirmed dedications. Teen Vogue likewise cautions that fan belief does not establish a song’s subject: Teen Vogue’s coverage.
The distinction matters here: Tesfaye has described the EP as personal and cathartic, but has declined to name the person or people behind it. The examples below therefore use the wording the evidence supports, rather than treating speculation as fact.
The strongest relationship readings from My Dear Melancholy,
“Call Out My Name” — commonly interpreted as about Selena Gomez
The Washington Post connected the song’s “piece of myself” lyric to Gomez’s recent kidney transplant and to the timing of their breakup. That makes Gomez a commonly proposed subject, but the newspaper’s reading is not confirmation from Tesfaye: The Washington Post’s review. The Guardian later reported that Tesfaye would not say whether a particular heartbreak prompted the EP: The Guardian’s 2025 interview.
#1 Best Overall
- Greatest Hits
- Best Of
- Complete
- Edition
- New Album
“Wasted Times” — commonly interpreted as about Bella Hadid, with Gomez as the “someone else”
The Washington Post and Vanity Fair read the song as comparing a former partner with “someone else,” and point to the “equestrian” reference as a clue toward Hadid, who has a history with horseback riding. These details make Hadid a plausible and widely repeated interpretation, not a confirmed identity. Vanity Fair also notes that interpretations of the EP’s songs are not always consistent: Vanity Fair’s coverage.
“Privilege” — a disputed attribution
The Washington Post describes fan associations between “Privilege” and Gomez, while Vanity Fair notes that other coverage has assigned it to Hadid and that the subject is unclear. Because credible interpretations diverge, neither name should be presented as the answer: The Washington Post and Vanity Fair.
Later songs with relationship interpretations
“After Hours” — possibly about Bella Hadid
ELLE interprets “After Hours” as possibly reflecting regret about Hadid. The publication’s qualified reading is important: it is a proposed connection, not an artist-confirmed dedication: ELLE’s interpretation.
“Save Your Tears” — readings involving Hadid and Gomez
ELLE’s discussion connects “Save Your Tears” to both Hadid and Gomez. That is a relationship reading of the song, not a definitive identification of its subject: ELLE’s interpretation.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Rank #3
- Limited EDITION: Special release of The Weeknd's 'Dawn FM' album featuring a uniquely signed insert, making it a must-have for dedicated fans
- EXCLUSIVE CONTENT: Double CD format containing the complete 'Dawn FM' album along with additional bonus tracks
- PACKAGING: Premium album packaging featuring striking cosmic artwork with an orange-tinted face design against a starlit background
- PARENTAL ADVISORY: Album carries explicit content warning, ensuring buyers are informed about mature lyrical content
- AUTHENTICITY: Includes genuine artist-signed insert, adding significant collectible value to this special edition release
What Tesfaye has said about My Dear Melancholy
In a 2020 interview recap, ELLE reported that Tesfaye called the EP “a cathartic piece of art” and said it was “all I had to say on this situation.” Asked who the songs were about, he declined to answer: ELLE’s report.
In a 2025 Guardian interview, he said the EP “felt more personal again” and that he could focus on “the heartbreak side, the vulnerable side.” Asked whether a particular heartbreak precipitated it, he answered “No,” then added, “I’m not getting into that!” His remarks support the emotional frame of the work, not a named muse.
Rank #4
- Greates Hits
- Best Of
- Complete
- Edition
Why a list of ten confirmed matches would be misleading
The evidence supports several songs that publications have discussed through the lens of Tesfaye’s relationships, but it does not establish ten song-to-person assignments. Stretching the list to ten would turn guesses into apparent facts. A useful way to weigh any proposed match is to ask:
Quick Recap
Best Value
- The Weeknd
- After Hours
- Did Tesfaye identify the subject? For the songs discussed here, the cited interviews do not provide that confirmation.
- How specific is the clue? “Wasted Times” has a biographical clue in its equestrian reference, but a clue still does not prove intent.
- Do credible accounts agree? Coverage of “Privilege” illustrates why disagreement should be stated rather than smoothed over.
- Is the wording appropriately qualified? “Commonly interpreted as” or “possibly about” reflects press interpretation; “is about” implies a certainty the reporting does not establish.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
