“Wake Me Up” is the opening track from The Weeknd’s sixth studio album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, released on January 31, 2025. The synth-pop song was co-produced by French electronic duo Justice, Oneohtrix Point Never, and MIKE DEAN. It creatively samples the intro of Giorgio Moroder’s “Main Title” from the Scarface soundtrack and draws inspiration from Michael Jackson’s iconic “Thriller.”

Lyrically, “Wake Me Up” delves into themes of existential introspection and the search for authenticity. The Weeknd’s evocative vocals explore the blurred lines between reality and illusion, encapsulated in lines like, “Are you real or are you an illusion? / ‘Cause I fear your love’s my delusion.”

Originally recorded for the Hurry Up Tomorrow film project directed by Trey Edward Shults—and starring The Weeknd and Jenna Ortega—the track holds significant importance within the movie. According to an on-set extra, “Wake Me Up” is the film’s central song, featured in a pivotal concert scene where The Weeknd’s character dramatically loses his voice—a moment reminiscent of his real-life incident at SoFi Stadium.

An early version of the song leaked online on January 7, 2024, generating significant buzz among fans. The finalized version made its live debut during a one-night-only concert in São Paulo, Brazil, on September 7, 2024, and was subsequently performed during the Australian leg of the After Hours til Dawn Tour.