The meaning of the lyrics of the song "Alone Again" by the artist "Weeknd, The"

In "Alone Again," The Weeknd delves into themes of loneliness, self-destruction, and the search for identity amidst the trappings of fame and fortune.

The lyrical protagonist feels lost and empty, hiding behind a facade and living "someone else's life." He confesses to suppressing his true self ("Pushing away the real me"), which leads to reckless behavior symbolized by his extravagance ("Throwing two thousand ones in the sky"). The line "We were alone together" hints at a toxic relationship where both partners were emotionally unavailable. Vegas, known for its superficiality and hedonism, becomes a metaphor for the protagonist's escape from reality.

He seeks solace in fleeting nighttime encounters ("I only fall in love at night"), but this only intensifies his feelings of emptiness. The protagonist questions the cost of returning to himself ("What's it gonna take to get my star back?"), as if he has lost his true essence. He pleads with a lover to help him remember who he is and to break down the walls around his hardened heart.

However, the fear of loneliness paralyzes him. Despite all the excesses and attention, the protagonist is terrified of being alone, as evidenced by the recurring line: "I don't know if I can be alone again / I don't know if I can sleep alone again." In this pursuit of filling the void, he resorts to substances ("I took too much, but I don't wanna die"), which further plunges him into a vicious cycle.

The final repetition of "count it up" can be interpreted in two ways. On the one hand, it could be addressed to the girl, as confirmation of his wealth and willingness to do anything for her. On the other hand, it could be a message to himself, an attempt to convince himself that money and material possessions can fill the internal void. Ultimately, the song leaves the listener with a feeling of despair and the realization that true intimacy and self-discovery cannot be bought.