Belong to the World

"Belong to the World"
"Belong to the World"
Single by the Weeknd
from the album Kiss Land
Released	July 16, 2013
Recorded	2013
Genre	Synth-pop; EDM; dubstep;
Length	5:07
Label	XO; Republic;
Songwriter(s)	Abel Tesfaye; Danny Schofield; Ahmad Balshe; Jason Quenneville;
Producer(s)	DannyBoyStyles; The Weeknd; DaHeala;
The Weeknd singles chronology
Music video
	"Belong to the World" on YouTube

"Belong to the World" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd from his debut studio album Kiss Land (2013). The song was released as the album's second single on July 16, 2013. The song was written by DannyBoyStyles, DaHeala, and the Weeknd, with Belly receiving additional writing credits.

Background and release

Prior its official release as a single, he previewed the song at the Mod Club Theatre on June 13, 2013, which was tentatively called "You Belong to the World".^[1]

Music video

The music video for "Belong to the World" was first released on July 15, 2013, via MTV.^[2] It was later uploaded to the Weeknd's Vevo account on YouTube the day following on July 16, 2013. The video is set in Japan and was directed by Anthony Mandler. It has so far been viewed over 20 million times.

Controversy

The song gained some controversy due to Geoff Barrow of Portishead accusing the Weeknd of allegedly sampling the drums used in their song "Machine Gun" without their permission.^[3] The Weeknd would later deny the accusations and no lawsuits came as a result of the contest.^[4]

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "Belong to the World"
Chart (2013)	Peak position
US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles (Billboard)^[5]	7
US Hot R&B Songs (Billboard)^[6]	22

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label(s)	Ref
Worldwide	July 16, 2013	Digital download	XO Republic	^[7]

References

^ Nostro, Lauren (June 14, 2013). "The Weeknd Debuts New Music at Toronto Performance". Complex. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
^ "The Weeknd's Portishead-Inspired 'Belong to the World' Video: Watch Now!". MTV. November 6, 2017. Archived from the original on July 10, 2016.
^ "Portishead Vs. The Weeknd Battle Heats Up Again". Pitchfork. May 5, 2014.
^ "The Weeknd Denies Sampling Portishead". July 17, 2013. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
^ "The Weeknd Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Chart History". Retrieved November 6, 2017 – via Billboardbiz.^{[permanent dead link]}
^ "The Weeknd Chart History - Hot R&B Songs". Billboard. August 3, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
^ "Belong to the World". January 2013 – via iTunes.

[1] Nostro, Lauren (June 14, 2013). "The Weeknd Debuts New Music at Toronto Performance". Complex. Retrieved February 21, 2024.

[2] "The Weeknd's Portishead-Inspired 'Belong to the World' Video: Watch Now!". MTV. November 6, 2017. Archived from the original on July 10, 2016.

[3] "Portishead Vs. The Weeknd Battle Heats Up Again". Pitchfork. May 5, 2014.

[4] "The Weeknd Denies Sampling Portishead". July 17, 2013. Retrieved January 27, 2020.

[5] "The Weeknd Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Chart History". Retrieved November 6, 2017 – via Billboardbiz.^{[permanent dead link]}

[6] "The Weeknd Chart History - Hot R&B Songs". Billboard. August 3, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2017.

[7] "Belong to the World". January 2013 – via iTunes.

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