I think the lyrics is him talking to his old self. You can see in the musicvideo he kills his old self. So first he starts bragging about the most superficial things, using every cliche of bitches, drugs and money there is to use. Therefore sculpting the impression that he's nothing but a egocentrical celebrity living a fabulous lifestyle. And in the chorus, the lyrics turn around by saying "Look what you've done.", giving the impression he blames someone else for his behaviour. What I believe is, he's not saying that to the fans or anyone at all but to his old self. The old mini-Weeknd who made songs in his bedroom dreaming of becoming big and famous. He's saying like "Look what you've done, old-me. I've achieved everything you ever wanted and ever dreamed of. I made your whole-year salary in about a week. I get bitches way out of your league and snort coke all day. But as much as I've become a titan as a musician, I've become an empty shell and a mere shadow of you as a human being. I'm a motherfucking starboy." He says 'starboy' as if it's a term he once used to describe or mock superficial celebrities, but now that he has become one it gets kinda ironic, hence the use of 'motherfucking.'

You forgot to mention the visual symbolism in the music video. how he kills himself and comes forth with a new hair cut symbolizing change and rebirth. Also how he destroys his possessions in the house with a lit up cross and burns his closet - good destroying evil and maybe even baptism by fire. Then when the cat walks with him to the car and changes into a Jaguar us a throw back to Michael Jackson video symbolizing confidence strength and valor and the ability to face ones enemies. Then they drive off away from his house and possessions.

I feel like he's talking to the record company when he says "look what you've done"

Thanks for watching, everyone!

I'm soooo happy to have found someone out there who analyzes songs like this. Thanks Pop Song Professor! I actually came here from your blog post on this song, and I just wanted to say that I agree with your interpretation. I would add also as well that The Weeknd seems to have a fascination with "the fall", referring to not only his successes in the fall, but his descent towards corruption or his 'fallen state', or even his older song "The Fall". There's actually a lot going on in a lot of his songs if you listen closely enough. Keep it up, seems like your fanbase is only growing from here :)

Hey, everyone! Don't forget to comment a song you'd like to hear me explain! Let's go deep together! Oh, and comment your own theories about "Starboy" too. And read what others have said! The Song Meaning Community is alive and well!

I realy love the way you undetstand lirycs, i'ts so deep ... congrats

The "Starboy" album gonna have 18 songs in it im hype af

Don't forget the laughing in the chorus before the lines "look what youve done." We could argue that he is literally laughing at his audience because they made him into what he is.

I think his fame is distroying his religion and that's why he is distroying all of his stuff with a cross or "look what you've done" is him talking to the devil and he wants to get back to normal and that's why he destroy all of his stuff using a cross and I think the black cat is the devil in disguise following him in his car trying to get out of that live

Thanks! I love the beat and crank it up when I'm driving around with the top down, but wanted to make sure he wasn't saying anything too crazy.

Yo dude he gave his soul to the devil so that why he is famous and in starboy he destroys his trophy’s and all that cause the devil helped him

Really helpful video -- thanks. A lot of it rings true. Some of the comments do, too. Great to have this as a resource!

My interpretation when he says "look what you have done" probably refers to a girl that must of broken his heart that caused him to give up on love and become a womanizer

The "star" part of "Star"boy comes from the song lonely star where he is wondering what would happen to him if he becomes famous

Thanks for your explanation, it made me understand a few of the lyrics better!!

I had just read the lyrics to the song. I came to the same conclusion as you for the most part

that wasnt what i was expecting and very good. good job, keep them coming

Here is an actual explanation of the lyrics since so much was missed in this video In the first verse, he is talking to his younger self, that is made evident by the music video. In the video he kills his "old" self and takes over. This first verse is directly targeted at himself in the past I'm tryna put you in the worst mood, ah - he is trying to make his "former self" jealous by what he has become P1 cleaner than your church shoes, ah - referencing a McLaren P1 and "cleaner" infers the car specification is "on point" Milli point two just to hurt you, ah - He spent 1.2 million USD on the car but this line is saying "I bought it just because I can" All red Lamb' just to tease you, ah - Referencing a Lamborghini Aventador SV - www.lamborghinivancouver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/v7g859-aventador-sv-rosso_15-1170x700.jpg None of these toys on lease too, ah - Most high-end cars are leased. Even the richest people and celebrities will typically lease or finance a car. They can clearly afford the car but this makes it easier for turn-around. Let's say you currently have a 2018 Rolls Royce on lease and you want to get into the 2021 Rolls Royce. Being on lease means the dealer is going to give you a better dealer to "swap" into the new car and adjust for the difference. This works with financing as well. You can sell the car at a good value, pay the remaining owed balance to the bank and then purchase a new car from the dealer. This is especially good when the dealer is the one offering the financing. People that work at dealers like Mercedes will commonly use this practice to keep switching into different cars. However, in this specific lyric he is implying that most people lease a car because they cannot afford to purchase the car outright. Made your whole year in a week too, yah - Remember that he is speaking to his younger self and looking down on him Main bitch out your league too, ah - This is how you know he is speaking to a male and not his audience or an ex-girlfriend. He is saying that his main girl is out of another mans league. His current girl is too good for his former self Side bitch out of your league too, ah - In fact, even his girl on the side is out of "your" league, his younger self Chorus House so empty, need a centerpiece - This is an important lyric as he references his main girl as his bitch and not his lover. So he has sex with beautiful women but he has yet to find true love that he feels is worthy 20 racks a table cut from ebony - 20 kilos of cocaine, ebony being a veiled reference to cocaine Cut that ivory into skinny pieces - referencing making lines of cocaine Then she clean it with her face man I love my baby - speaks for itself.. You talking money, need a hearing aid - Now he switches and is talking to haters/fans/doubters. They are not on his level You talking bout me, I don't see the shade - This is how you know he is not speaking to his former self because his former self, which no longer exists cannot be talking about this future/current version of him.. so he must be addressing haters during the chorus Switch up my style, I take any lane - Lane referencing skill set, in the "stay in your lane" inference. He infers that he can sing in any style, so they are all his lane I switch up my cup, I kill any pain - Absolutely referring to cup of lean and then other alcohol (switching), but it is deeper as it shows he is using these substances to rid himself of various pains Look what you've done - This is where it is confusing because in the first verse he is speaking to his younger self but then in the chorus he is clearly speaking to haters/doubters. This is opaque at best I'm a motherfuckin' starboy - Jamaican reference to someone that is famous. A celebrity. But he is saying that someone forced him to get to this stage. Almost as if he is spiting someone and now he is famous Second verse (will only explain lines that require it) Pull off in that Roadster SV, ah - Referencing the aforementioned Lamborghini Aventador SV I come alive in the fall time, I - As referenced in this KZfaq video he is circling back to his previous song I'm in the blue Mulsanne bumping New Edition - New Edition was a rap group from the 1980's. Bentley Mulsanne is considered their flagship (top) product - st.motortrend.com/uploads/sites/5/2013/01/2014-Bentley-Mulsanne-front-side-view-in-blue.jpg Third verse Let a n**** brag Pitt - Note that he does not say BRAD Pitt, he says Brag. "Let others brag, it does not matter" Legend of the fall took the year like a bandit - Explained in this KZfaq video Bought mama a crib and a brand new wagon - New wagon refers to the Mercedes G500 Wagon which is popular among rappers - www.hushhush.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/2016-mercedes-benz-g500-4x4-brabus-kit-10.jpg Star Trek roof in that Wraith of Khan - This lyric appears to be missed by everyone. First, he is using a play on words referencing the Star Trek movie the Wrath of Khan. Wraith (not Wrath) refers to the Rolls Royce Wraith which is a coupe. He says Star Trek roof. This lyric refers to the very expensive option to have a "night sky" installed in the headliner of Rolls Royce cars. Here is an example - cdn.bmwblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Rolls-Royce-Wraith-Eagle-VIII-12-830x623.jpg and here is a photo of a Wraith - www.carscoops.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/rolls-royce-wraith-white-forgiato-0.jpg In the music video for this song there is a moment when he is walking through his garage and the aforementioned cars are shown there. A red Lamborghini Aventador SV. A black Bentley Mulsanne. A red McLaren P1 In the start of the video you see someone being killed, that is his former self, which is revealed in the video. At the end of the video you see a black panther riding along with him in the McLaren P1, which symbolizes death and rebirth

I think he just means he's a star but doesn't actually deserve all of the "fortune" that's gone his way. Because it happen more miraculously than anything.

Great interpretation, thanks!

He is born again... A "rebirth if you will" from the moment he cut his hair. Its the beginning of the rest of his life!

You got it all wrong bro it’s him saying he’s embarrassed about being like this

can you do The Weeknd - Twenty Eight (Explicit) pls?

I just discovered your channel. I so wish this was more common. I hate not knowing what a song means. I assumed he was talking to someone and I mentally added a comma between star and boy.

I feel like the American dad episode is a sequel to Starboy

Well I feel proud that I at least got the cocaine part but that was it for me. I had to read the lyrics to know what he was even saying. When I first heard the song I thought it was in Catalan or something, I did not realize it was in English.

i think when he says look what u done he is talking to the devil.he blames him for making him sign the paper that makes him famous but he does not want to be famous the devil way.so he is destroying everything the devil gave him in his career.when he is driving with the panther he is trying to get away from the devil.that is what i think.

Starboy is his religion per say, Its hard to explain. But him being a starboy, is why hes special. Star childern have unique talents to change themself to whaterever they want to achive their dreams. "Switch up my cup i kill any pain" star child reference, and that he kills the old him. Most star childen know how to kill the old you and make themself into a better versions of themself. The cross? Star children know the power comes from within themself. NOT god. But within us, all of us.

I think it's a whole different meaning altogether. Yes he kill his old self, the whole new him is an alter ego. He sold his soul to the devil. If you watch carefully in the music video of (starboy), at 2:19 he throws up the sign. If you know you, you know. He's showing his appreciation towards ' them '... letting them know he's with them! You may think it's a load of tosh but if you're interested to find out more, go to through ( stranger than fiction ) youtube. Many actors, actresses, musicians everyone in the so called business they all have said " I sold my soul to the devil ". Oh also watch ' out of shadows '

i get the song now thanks

Starboy also means Celebrity!!

I thought the ivory part was about piano keys well thanks, Professor.

You should do This Girl by Kungs next

HEY! omg im so early 😂 and can you please do a future, partynextdoor or drake song? 😊

Proffesor what is the meanning of this verse, "Switch up my style i take any lane" Could you give me some example,what type of act and role he do.

Does he blame his fans, or does he blame himself? I get the feeling he's being self-referential there. He definitely acknowledges the shallowness of, I think, not just fame but modern life in general. I mean, "famous" has become a thing that children say they want to be when they grow up. And if he is being self-referential, then it was his own pre-success striving for fame that has made him a "motherfucking starboy."

Explain the happy birthday song

break down the music video.

Brendon urie did a brilliant cover- I hadn't heard it till Beebos cover😅

also thanks

great, logical, explaining, just liked and subbed, good luck

Do tears in the rain

The song has a more sinister meaning that that described by you!

But what about the individual lines of the song? The cocain bit was a revelation for me, and I'd love to get the other picked apart as well...

He's not bragging to us he is bragging to another artist

I really enjoyed your description of this song, I totally agree with your interpretation. But were a few references that I didn't get, that you didn't mention. The black cat; turn to a panther. . .what is that? And whose house is vandalizing? Also, why the crosses? They are everywhere. . . Thanks so much. I really love what you do.

so the author was actually singing? not the weekend? and the red cross represent Lucifer and starboy represents that he's the star of Lucifer and he's the main one that he actually follows please write back :)

I think there's a deeper occult imagery in this song. We all know that the industry is illuminati and all that *ish. Just follow me. He's accepted that he's part of the industry, that he's signed on with all that. He says "look what you've done." So, it's kind of like Nirvana when Curt Cobain sang, "Here we are now... Entertainers". Anyway, during his performance at the AMA's he wore a jacket with the all-seeing eye and pyramid imagery. So, he's in that illuminati club. He's singing about things that they do, and how that lifestyle is, specifically for him. I read your analysis on your website, so I'm really down with your saying that he is self-aware. He's one of the club, and he's accepted it. Maybe there's more to it than that, but I'll just leave it there.

Love your video

Ok, I loved this !! I always wondered myself what Starboy meant.

Thank you very much

grats for 901 subs

you rock man excellent job

spot on!

Explain Next!!!!!!

nice video! Have you done the explanation for nothing is promise by Rihanna, mike will?

thanks for this, most of the time I have no idea what songs really mean

what the meaning of the red cross he is olding in that song?

You have to do the party and the after party by the weeknd

thanks, now you make more fun in song by explained meanings 👍👍

what does he mean by we dont pray for love we just pray for cars?

can u please describe "one last night" by vaults

Your meaning is exactly what I thought! So good how he's put the message together

What's the point of the cross he is banging around smashing things with in the video?

Great video, can you please explain 'riverside' by Agnes Obel?

What are some the books on the shelf? I see some thick penguin classics...

Just to make sure: "Cancer" by My Chemical Romance is still on the list, right?

wow useful

Can you do bridge over troubled water or sound of silence by Simon and Garfunkel?

Everybody knows that Mace went through the same scenario. He eventually converted back to his original beliefs because he felt like the limelight was destroying him. I believe that some people do not allow the light to destroy them but some people just don't know how to manage money and fame. It's the same way were people don't know how to manage drugs, and alcohol is a drug too by the way. And it can become illegal by two at 45 min... then driving - challenges - it's a problem. I am guilty

can you tell us who is who in the video

Clif, this is atomicmars but im on my sisters laptop and I love your vids. Can you do Kitchen Sink by Twent One Pilots?

I really liked this video

can you explain the video for starboy

can you do one for false alarm by the weekend

Is the song "Gold" by imagine dragons about or somewhat similar to midas's (a Greek story)?

subbed

You really need to duck your intro music. It's drowning your narration entirely. Either easy off on the intro, or use a dynamic processor having your narration duck the music through a side-chain. Thank me later. Also put a mic closer to your chest please. The timber of your audio is literally your room and the books. I'm gonna charge you for that last advice ;) Edit: Honestly, you could also just use some towels to dampen flat surfaces in your room, that'll work too. put many old towels together in a frame. Put a silk print over it so it looks nice. Now you've got art doubling as an echo catcher.

It's a "gargoyle" over Lucifer's head that gets him into the international prestige/lambos he's supposed to have! ;) Gilgamesh of the Mystic Shadows (;

also can you please do renegades

I always wonder how the girlfriend feels about these kinds of lyrics referring to multiple partners

adjunct instructors earn less than rock stars? I'm in shock

Please do Melanie!!!!!

Ngl the lyrics being explained and just being bout cars and stuff kinda ruined the song for me in my opinion

Actually, it's literally about his haircut. That's all.

Your explanations sounds right, but what about all religious stuff and clues? Whats the point of them? What is the point of that big red cross and also that black cat?

wow there is wrong and then there is this which is more than wrong

Sounds logic

And he is trying to get his soul back

You should do "Scars to your beutiflul - Allesia Caria" or "sit still look pretty -Daya" Came here from you Ride theory on your website by the way

I think he was taking shots at Drake.

Do a Jon Bellion video

Ok so with the ebony and the cutting the ivory into skinny pieces. I was thinking about a piano. Then he said “she cleans it with her face “ and how he loves his baby. I was thinking he was smashing her on the piano. Lmao. I’m far off. I also thought “Starboy” could be in reference to that fact that at this point or a previous point , he was always HIGH. As in as high as the stars. And talking about drinking also to kill the pain. He seems to not be happy with it at all. And to say “look what you’ve done”. Isnt a good thing. He also admits to seeing that people pray for plastic nonsense instead of god. I have to dissect it alittle more. I put some of myself into this as most would I think.

You make ~$200,000 per year?

Favorite thing about college english: Deconstruction.

A lot of times I go by the song not the video because video direction is separate than producing and lyrics. But you helped clear some things. Now he is rapping so it could mean a battle rap! Also family and people and church judging him for his fortune. Most singers start from church. Overall I get, don't talk trash about me I'm a star you can't compete! Most of the time they speak on their relations so the women molded him now "look what you done" but to me line by line he was punching hitting it back to back as if sexually. Those were all punch lines so definitely a fight. There are some hints chris brown said I make year salary two days in "loyal" It just means the girls ain't loyal. Only a relationship can cause such tension. But damn that weeknd song is bad! In a damn good way and I don't really listen to him

Nah, sounds more like he's blaming himself. He's now got the fame, and all the things. And somehow he should feel fulfilled. But all he sees are the hungry hordes that he can never, ever satiate. And they are a mirror of his own hunger, where no amount of cocaine and meaningless sex can fill that void, fancy cars notwithstanding. In a word, he's still looking for MEANING in this life.

I really enjoy the weekend but the lyrics don't do it for me.... This song sounds amazing but the lyrics are honestly kinda dog

no homo... but i love you man..