Dark times & starry eyes: Substance use themes in the Weeknd’s discography

Societal preoccupations are manifest in popular culture, including music. Canadian award-winning musician, The Weeknd, explores substance use and pain in his discography. This study employs inductive thematic analysis to explore how substance use and pain are referenced in his songs. Lyrics from his five studio albums and three mixtapes were reviewed, revealing 399 substance use references. The analysis revealed seven overarching themes, including substance use as a symbol of celebration and luxury, its role in coping with hardship but also potentially leading to problematic use and romantic turmoil. Uncovering these recurrent themes highlights how the narratives that The Weeknd's music constructs around substance use. Knowledge of these themes and narratives could be leveraged in educational initiatives to engage a wide range of trainees on substance misuse, addiction, and its societal impact.