Ten years after its initial release, The Weeknd’s hit single “The Hills” has made a surprising comeback on Billboard’s R&B Streaming Songs chart, landing at No. 15. The track, which was a defining moment in the Canadian artist’s career, demonstrates remarkable staying power in an industry where songs often fade from public consciousness within months.
The 2015 hit helped establish The Weeknd, born Abel Tesfaye, as a major force in contemporary R&B and pop music. Its return to the charts indicates both the song’s enduring appeal and the artist’s continued relevance in the streaming era.
The Song’s Original Impact
When “The Hills” first debuted, it quickly became one of The Weeknd’s signature tracks. The song was the second single from his album “Beauty Behind the Madness” and followed his breakthrough hit “Can’t Feel My Face.” “The Hills” topped the Billboard Hot 100 for six consecutive weeks in 2015, cementing The Weeknd’s transition from underground favorite to mainstream superstar.
The dark, moody production and explicit lyrics represented The Weeknd’s distinctive style, which blended elements of R&B, pop, and electronic music. Music critics noted its haunting production and The Weeknd’s falsetto vocals as standout elements that helped distinguish it from other radio hits of the time.
Streaming Resurgence
The song’s return to the R&B Streaming Songs chart at No. 15 comes at a time when streaming platforms have dramatically changed how music consumption is measured. Unlike physical sales or downloads, streaming allows older songs to experience sudden resurgences based on social media trends, anniversaries, or renewed interest in an artist.
Several factors may have contributed to “The Hills” finding new life on streaming platforms:
- Anniversary recognition of the song’s original release
- Social media platforms like TikTok where users frequently repurpose older songs
- The Weeknd’s continued cultural relevance with newer hits
- Nostalgic streaming habits of fans who first discovered the artist during this era
The Weeknd’s Career Evolution
Since “The Hills” first dominated charts, The Weeknd has evolved from an enigmatic R&B artist into one of music’s biggest global superstars. His 2020 album “After Hours” and its hit single “Blinding Lights” broke numerous records, while his 2022 release “Dawn FM” further expanded his artistic range.
“The Weeknd has consistently reinvented himself while maintaining the core elements that made songs like ‘The Hills’ connect with audiences,” noted a music industry analyst. “This chart return shows how his earlier work continues to resonate even as he pushes into new territory.”
The artist’s Super Bowl halftime show performance in 2021 and his upcoming tour have kept him in the public eye, potentially introducing new listeners to his earlier catalog.
This chart reentry also reflects a broader trend in music consumption where streaming has extended the commercial lifespan of songs far beyond what was possible in the era of physical media. While radio hits traditionally peaked quickly and faded, streaming platforms allow tracks to find new audiences years after their initial release.
For The Weeknd, whose career has spanned multiple eras of the music industry’s digital transformation, the return of “The Hills” to the charts represents both a testament to the song’s quality and his staying power as an artist capable of creating music with lasting impact.
