Studio · No. 1
Starboy Songwriting Credits by The Weeknd
Produced by DaHeala, Daft Punk, Metro Boomin, Illangelo, Henry Walter
XO / Republic Records
R&BPopSynth-pop
100%
Authorship
Holds writing credit on 18 of 18 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 18 / 18 documented
Who wrote the songs?
Scored across the 18 tracks with documented writers, by whether The Weeknd carries a lyricist or composer credit.
18 trackswritten by The Weeknd
0 tracksoutside writers
The Weeknd's roles on this album
Share of the 18 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
Lyricist100%
Composer0%
Producer100%
Performer100%
By the Numbers
18
Tracks
39
Lyricists
18
Producers
2
No.1 Singles
348,000 first-week album-equivalent units in the US; debuted at number one on the Billboard 200
Worldwide Copies Sold
2016
Released
Awards & Recognition 1
Won Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards (2018)
Data Insight
Starboy is The Weeknd's third studio album, and it moves him away from the darker textures of Beauty Behind the Madness toward brighter synth-pop and disco. Abel Tesfaye co-wrote throughout with longtime collaborators Doc McKinney, Cirkut, and DaHeala, while Daft Punk produced and co-wrote the title track and the closer "I Feel It Coming," giving the record its two biggest pop moments. Max Martin, Frank Dukes, Cashmere Cat, Metro Boomin, and Diplo round out the production roster across the 18 tracks. The lead single "Starboy" topped the Billboard Hot 100, and the deep cut "Die for You" became a sleeper hit years later, eventually reaching number one after an Ariana Grande remix.
Starboy, released in November 2016, was The Weeknd's most ambitious album to that point, an 18-track collection that opened with two collaborations with Daft Punk and covered a wide range of moods from party anthems to dark confessionals. Tesfaye co-wrote all 18 tracks, with the Daft Punk co-productions 'Starboy' and 'I Feel It Coming' featuring writing contributions from Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo. The title track spent a week at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and dominated international charts. Kendrick Lamar appeared on 'Sidewalks,' co-writing his own verse, giving the album one of its more notable hip-hop collaborations. Starboy debuted at number one in ten countries and was certified nine times platinum in the United States, making it one of the biggest-selling albums of 2016-2017.
Track Listing & Credits 18 tracks
Written by the artist
Written by outside writers
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Starboy
#1
|
Abel TesfayeThomas BangalterGuy-Manuel de Homem-ChristoMartin McKinneyHenry Russell WalterJason Quenneville | Thomas BangalterGuy-Manuel de Homem-ChristoMartin McKinneyHenry Russell WalterJason Quenneville | Abel TesfayeThomas BangalterGuy-Manuel de Homem-ChristoMartin McKinneyHenry Russell Walter | Abel Tesfaye (Vocals)Daft Punk (Production) |
| 2 |
Party Monster
#16
|
Abel TesfayeBenjamin DiehlMartin McKinneyAhmad BalsheLana Del Rey | Benjamin DiehlMartin McKinneyAhmad BalsheLana Del Rey | Abel TesfayeBenjamin DiehlMartin McKinney | Abel Tesfaye (Vocals)Lana Del Rey (Vocals) |
| 3 |
False Alarm
#55
|
Abel TesfayeMartin McKinneyAhmad BalsheBenjamin DiehlHenry Russell WalterEmmanuel Nickerson | Martin McKinneyAhmad BalsheBenjamin DiehlHenry Russell WalterEmmanuel Nickerson | Abel TesfayeMartin McKinneyHenry Russell WalterEmmanuel Nickerson | Abel Tesfaye (Vocals) |
| 4 |
Reminder
#31
|
Abel TesfayeEmmanuel NickersonMartin McKinneyDylan WigginsHenry Russell WalterJason Quenneville | Emmanuel NickersonMartin McKinneyDylan WigginsHenry Russell WalterJason Quenneville | Abel TesfayeMartin McKinneyEmmanuel NickersonHenry Russell Walter | Abel Tesfaye (Vocals) |
| 5 |
Rockin'
|
Abel TesfayeMax MartinPeter SvenssonSavan KotechaAli PayamiAhmad Balshe | Max MartinPeter SvenssonSavan KotechaAli PayamiAhmad Balshe | Abel TesfayeMax MartinAli Payami | Abel Tesfaye (Vocals) |
| 6 |
Secrets
|
Abel TesfayeMartin McKinneyHenry Russell WalterDylan WigginsRoland OrzabalCoz CanlerJimmy MarinosWally PalamarchukMike SkillPeter Solley | Martin McKinneyHenry Russell WalterDylan WigginsRoland OrzabalCoz CanlerJimmy MarinosWally PalamarchukMike SkillPeter Solley | Abel TesfayeMartin McKinneyHenry Russell Walter | Abel Tesfaye (Vocals) |
| 7 |
True Colors
|
Abel TesfayeWilliam Thomas WalshMagnus August HøibergBenjamin LevinBrittany HazzardSamuel WishkoskiJacob Dutton | William Thomas WalshMagnus August HøibergBenjamin LevinBrittany HazzardSamuel WishkoskiJacob Dutton | Abel TesfayeBenjamin LevinMagnus August Høiberg | Abel Tesfaye (Vocals) |
| 8 |
Stargirl Interlude
|
Abel TesfayeLana Del ReyMartin McKinneyTimothy McKenzie | Lana Del ReyMartin McKinneyTimothy McKenzie | Abel TesfayeMartin McKinneyTimothy McKenzie | Abel Tesfaye (Vocals)Lana Del Rey (Vocals) |
| 9 |
Sidewalks
|
Abel TesfayeKendrick DuckworthMartin McKinneyDaniel WilsonRobert John RichardsonAli Shaheed Jones-Muhammad | Kendrick DuckworthMartin McKinneyDaniel WilsonRobert John RichardsonAli Shaheed Jones-Muhammad | Abel TesfayeMartin McKinneyBobby RapsAli Shaheed Muhammad | Abel Tesfaye (Vocals)Kendrick Lamar (Rap) |
| 10 |
Six Feet Under
|
Abel TesfayeNayvadius DeMun WilburnMartin McKinneyBenjamin DiehlLeland Tyler WayneAhmad BalsheHenry Russell WalterJason Quenneville | Nayvadius DeMun WilburnMartin McKinneyBenjamin DiehlLeland Tyler WayneAhmad BalsheHenry Russell WalterJason Quenneville | Abel TesfayeMartin McKinneyHenry Russell WalterLeland Tyler WayneBenjamin Diehl | Abel Tesfaye (Vocals)Future (Rap) |
| 11 |
Love to Lay
|
Abel TesfayeMax MartinPeter SvenssonSavan KotechaAli PayamiAhmad Balshe | Max MartinPeter SvenssonSavan KotechaAli PayamiAhmad Balshe | Abel TesfayeMax MartinAli Payami | Abel Tesfaye (Vocals) |
| 12 |
A Lonely Night
|
Abel TesfayeMax MartinPeter SvenssonSavan KotechaAli PayamiAhmad BalsheJason Quenneville | Max MartinPeter SvenssonSavan KotechaAli PayamiAhmad BalsheJason Quenneville | Abel TesfayeMax MartinAli Payami | Abel Tesfaye (Vocals) |
| 13 |
Attention
|
Abel TesfayeWilliam Thomas WalshBenjamin LevinMagnus August HøibergAdam FeeneyMustafa Ahmed | William Thomas WalshBenjamin LevinMagnus August HøibergAdam FeeneyMustafa Ahmed | Abel TesfayeBenjamin LevinMagnus August HøibergAdam Feeney | Abel Tesfaye (Vocals) |
| 14 |
Ordinary Life
|
Abel TesfayeMax MartinPeter SvenssonSavan KotechaAli PayamiAhmad BalsheMartin McKinneyHenry Russell Walter | Max MartinPeter SvenssonSavan KotechaAli PayamiAhmad BalsheMartin McKinneyHenry Russell Walter | Abel TesfayeMartin McKinneyHenry Russell Walter | Abel Tesfaye (Vocals) |
| 15 |
Nothing Without You
|
Abel TesfayeJason QuennevilleBenjamin DiehlThomas PentzAhmad BalsheHenry Russell Walter | Jason QuennevilleBenjamin DiehlThomas PentzAhmad BalsheHenry Russell Walter | Abel TesfayeThomas PentzBenjamin DiehlHenry Russell Walter | Abel Tesfaye (Vocals) |
| 16 |
All I Know
|
Abel TesfayeNayvadius DeMun WilburnBenjamin DiehlMagnus August HøibergAhmad Balshe | Nayvadius DeMun WilburnBenjamin DiehlMagnus August HøibergAhmad Balshe | Abel TesfayeBenjamin DiehlMagnus August Høiberg | Abel Tesfaye (Vocals)Future (Rap) |
| 17 |
Die for You
#1
|
Abel TesfayeMartin McKinneyMejdi RharsDylan WigginsMagnus August HøibergWilliam Thomas WalshHenry Russell Walter | Martin McKinneyMejdi RharsDylan WigginsMagnus August HøibergWilliam Thomas WalshHenry Russell Walter | Abel TesfayeMartin McKinneyHenry Russell WalterMagnus August HøibergPrince 85 | Abel Tesfaye (Vocals) |
| 18 |
I Feel It Coming
#4
|
Abel TesfayeThomas BangalterGuy-Manuel de Homem-ChristoMartin McKinneyHenry Russell WalterEric Chedeville | Thomas BangalterGuy-Manuel de Homem-ChristoMartin McKinneyHenry Russell WalterEric Chedeville | Abel TesfayeThomas BangalterGuy-Manuel de Homem-ChristoMartin McKinneyHenry Russell Walter | Abel Tesfaye (Vocals)Daft Punk (Production) |
Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 45 contributors
AT
Abel Tesfaye
Writer · Producer · Vocals
MM
Martin McKinney
Writer · Producer
HR
Henry Russell Walter
Writer · Producer
AB
Ahmad Balshe
Writer
BD
Benjamin Diehl
Writer · Producer
JQ
Jason Quenneville
Writer
MA
Magnus August Høiberg
Writer · Producer
AP
Ali Payami
Writer · Producer
MM
Max Martin
Writer · Producer
PS
Peter Svensson
Writer
SK
Savan Kotecha
Writer
DW
Dylan Wiggins
Writer
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Frequently Asked Questions Starboy
What number did The Weeknd's "Starboy" reach on the Billboard Hot 100?
"Starboy," the title track and lead single featuring Daft Punk, reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the week of January 7, 2017. It was The Weeknd's third number-one single and Daft Punk's first.
Did Daft Punk work on The Weeknd's Starboy album?
Yes. Daft Punk produced and co-wrote two songs on Starboy: the title track "Starboy" and the closing song "I Feel It Coming." Both became hit singles, with "I Feel It Coming" peaking at number four on the Hot 100.
How did "Die for You" by The Weeknd become a hit if it wasn't an early single?
"Die for You" was an album cut that only reached number 43 on the Hot 100 in 2017. It went viral on TikTok in 2022, climbed to number six, and then hit number one after a 2023 remix with Ariana Grande. The RIAA later certified it Diamond.
Who wrote "Starboy" by The Weeknd?
"Starboy" was written by Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd), Daft Punk's Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, Doc McKinney, Cirkut, and DaHeala. Daft Punk handled the production.
Who are the featured artists on The Weeknd's Starboy album?
Starboy features Daft Punk on "Starboy" and "I Feel It Coming," Lana Del Rey on "Party Monster" and "Stargirl Interlude," Kendrick Lamar on "Sidewalks," and Future on "All I Know."
Did The Weeknd win a Grammy for Starboy?
Yes. Starboy won Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in 2018. It was the second time The Weeknd won in that category, following Beauty Behind the Madness.
How many copies did The Weeknd's Starboy sell and how is it certified?
Starboy debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with 348,000 album-equivalent units in its first week. The RIAA certified it six-times platinum in December 2024 for over six million units in combined sales and streams.
What genre is The Weeknd's Starboy?
Starboy is primarily an R&B and pop album with a strong synth-pop and disco influence, a brighter sound than The Weeknd's earlier work. Critics also noted elements of new wave, dance-punk, and electro-rock across its 18 tracks.