The Weeknd is being called out for lyrics perceived as homophobic on his new song “Lost in the Fire,” a collaboration with French techno DJ Gesaffelstein.
On the track the Weeknd sings: “You said you might be into girls (Into girls). Said you’re going through a phase (Through a phase). Keeping your heart safe (Keepin’ your heart safe, oh). Well, baby, you can bring a friend (Bring a friend). She can ride on top your face (Top your face). While I fuck you straight (While I fuck you straight, yeah).”
Nylon writer Jill Gutowitz slammed the lyrics calling them “actually fucking vile.”
“i used to joke that listening to The Weeknd was homophobic but the lyrics from his new song ‘lost in the fire’ are actually fucking vile. in 2019 we’re still doing ‘fuck you straight’ and calling female queerness a ‘phase?’” Gutowitz tweeted.
She added: “These are the kinds of lyrics that fucked me up when i was younger & subconsciously kept me in the closet. So it’s important to talk about and say ‘this is isn’t ok.’”
Musician Marika Hackman tweeted:”Well done to @theweeknd for managing to deride, fetishise and dismiss lesbianism all in one verse.”
Amber Bain (musically known as The Japanese House) also blasted the song tweeting “you can seriously fuck off with these lyrics @theweeknd.”
The Weeknd has not yet responded to the criticism.
