Professional

The Weeknd's song 'Professional' delves into the complexities of success, love, and emotional detachment. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who has achieved a certain level of success and recognition but at the cost of their emotional well-being. The opening lines suggest a sense of disillusionment, as the protagonist is told how to feel and believes their happiness is genuine, yet there's an underlying sense that they are missing out on deeper, more meaningful experiences. The phrase 'what's a somebody in a nobody town' underscores the emptiness that can accompany fame and success, especially when it is not rooted in genuine self-fulfillment.

The chorus, 'I love, you love, this love, we're professional,' highlights a relationship that is more transactional than emotional. The term 'professional' implies a level of detachment and sophistication, suggesting that both parties are adept at maintaining a facade of love without truly feeling it. This is further emphasized by the line 'won't treat it like it's personal,' indicating that the protagonist has become numb to genuine emotions, treating love as something dispensable and replaceable. The song explores the idea that past experiences and hardships have made the protagonist stronger but also more detached and cynical.

The latter part of the song reflects on the protagonist's journey to success and the sacrifices made along the way. Lines like 'getting rich to the drums of your favorite song' and 'your freedom was here in this cage all along' suggest that the protagonist has achieved financial success but at the cost of their personal freedom and emotional well-being. The imagery of draining the soul from one's eyes and teaching oneself to smile in a world where dreams can't be real speaks to the profound sense of loss and disillusionment. The song ultimately questions the true value of success and whether it is worth the emotional toll it takes.