XO / The Host

About this song

The track samples George Frideric Handel's "Sarabande," which the description calls a masterpiece of 17th century British classical music. The Host is positioned as an interlude that sets up the initiation the girl faces in the next track.

What it's about

The song serves as an anthem for The Weeknd's clique, named XO. He tries to get his girl to join him and take part in his lifestyle, a pressure that becomes a key theme of the project.

Summary written with AI, based on the song's page on Genius.

Fun facts

• Samples “Sarabande by Georg Friedrich Händel” and “Every Little Thing I Do by Soul for Real”.
• Sampled in 3 other songs, like “Touch Da Sky First by Juicy J”.
• Covered once, including “XO / The Host (cøzybøy Version) by cøzybøy”.
• Written by The Weeknd and Illangelo.
• Produced by Illangelo.