Jump to content

The Weekend (SZA song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by BlaccCrab (talk | contribs) at 07:43, 19 January 2018 (Drew Barrymore was never sent to radio.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

"The Weekend"
Song

"The Weekend" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter SZA for her debut studio album, Ctrl (2017). It was released to urban contemporary radio on September 26, 2017, as the album's third single (second radio single). The song was written by SZA and Cody Fayne, while Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, and Danja were also credited as the song samples "Set the Mood (Prelude)/Until the End of Time" from the 2006 album FutureSex/LoveSounds.[2] Lyrically, the song is about sharing a lover with other women.[3] A remix version by Calvin Harris was also released.[4]

Background and composition

Producer ThankGod4Cody was given the idea to sample "Set the Mood (Prelude)/Until the End of Time" from a member of his team. After being handed the sample he added chords, a "glittery layer" and bass. After some experimentation with the vocals from the sample, the drums, and some additions in the reverb, he placed the song's snares and hi-hats, and rounded it all out with a cymbal, as he told the website Genius. The production was made with SZA in mind.[2] SZA said about the sample in an interview with Associated Press:

I didn't even think about anything I was saying. I was just happy to be singing over that Justin Timberlake sample... I was just like, ‘This is for fun. This is crazy.'[5]

"The Weekend" is an R&B[6] track. Although some online publications called the song's narrator a "side chick", SZA sings from the perspective of a woman who only sees her partner on the weekend, while other girls have him during the week.[5]

Critical reception

For NME's Jamie Milton the song features a "glossy introspection."[7] Randall Roberts of Los Angeles Times described it as a "standout jam" while reviewing the album.[8] NPR considered it the 9th best song of 2017.[9] Pitchfork Media ranked it as the 22nd best song of 2017.

Music video

Directed by Solange Knowles,[10] the music video for the song was released on December 22, 2017. In the video, SZA dances alone in a parking lot, on the balcony of a modern building, and in other empty spaces.[11][12]

Track listing

Digital download[13]
No.TitleLength
1."The Weekend" (Funk Wav Remix) (SZA and Calvin Harris)2:51

Charts

Chart (2017–18) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[14] 49
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[15] 63
New Zealand Heatseekers (RMNZ)[16]
Calvin Harris Remix 		3
UK Singles (OCC)[17] 73
US Billboard Hot 100[18] 29
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[19] 13
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[20] 16

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[21] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
United States September 26, 2017 Urban contemporary radio Original
[22]
October 31, 2017 Rhythmic contemporary radio [23]
United Kingdom December 1, 2017 Urban contemporary radio [24]
Various December 15, 2017 Digital download Calvin Harris remix [13]
United Kingdom January 6, 2018 Hot adult contemporary radio [25]

References

  1. ^ "The Weekend (Funk Wav Remix) - Single by SZA & Calvin Harris on Apple Music". iTunes (AU). Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  2. ^ a b "The Making Of SZA's "The Weekend" With ThankGod4Cody". Genius. September 29, 2017. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  3. ^ Lobenfeld, Claire (June 13, 2017). "SZA: CTRL". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  4. ^ Yoo, Noah (December 15, 2017). "Calvin Harris Remixes SZA's "The Weekend": Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
  5. ^ a b Fekadu, Mesfin (December 20, 2017). "Outtakes: SZA on writing for Beyonce and sampling Timberlake". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
  6. ^ "On 'Ctrl,' SZA Reveals Who She Really Is". Complex. June 13, 2017.
  7. ^ Milton, Jamie (June 15, 2017). "SZA – 'CTRL' Review". NME. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  8. ^ "What to listen to now: SZA, Bleachers, Secret Sisters and more". Los Angeles Times. June 14, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  9. ^ "The 100 Best Songs Of 2017". NPR. December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  10. ^ "Solange Is Directing SZA's Video For "The Weekend"". Hot New Hip Hop. August 27, 2017. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  11. ^ Claymore, Gabriela Tully (December 22, 2017). "SZA Shares New Solange-Directed Video for 'The Weekend': Watch". Billboard. Retrieved December 24, 2017.
  12. ^ Wicks, Amanda (December 22, 2017). "SZA Shares New Solange-Directed "The Weekend" Video: Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 24, 2017.
  13. ^ a b "The Weekend (Funk Wav Remix) – Single". iTunes Store (US). Retrieved January 6, 2018. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |website= (help)
  14. ^ "ARIA Australian Top 50 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. January 15, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  15. ^ "SZA Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
  16. ^ "NZ Heatseeker Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. December 25, 2017. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  17. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  18. ^ "SZA Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
  19. ^ "SZA Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  20. ^ "SZA Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
  21. ^ "American single certifications – SZA – The Weekend". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  22. ^ "Urban/UAC Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on September 24, 2017. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  23. ^ "Rhythmic Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on October 23, 2017. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
  24. ^ "BBC – Radio 1Xtra – Playlist". BBC Radio 1Xtra. Archived from the original on December 2, 2017. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
  25. ^ "BBC – Radio 2 – Playlist". BBC Radio 2. Archived from the original on January 4, 2018. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Weekend_(SZA_song)&oldid=821246194"