Less than Zero (The Weeknd song)
"Less Than Zero" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by the Weeknd | ||||
from the album Dawn FM | ||||
Released | July 7, 2022 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:32 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | ||||
The Weeknd singles chronology | ||||
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"Less than Zero" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd. It was released to French contemporary hit radio on July 7, 2022, as the fourth and final single from his fifth studio album Dawn FM (2022).[1] The song was written by the Weeknd, Max Martin, and Oscar Holter, and produced by the three alongside Oneohtrix Point Never.
Background and promotion
[edit]The song's name was first revealed on January 5, 2022, when Canadian singer the Weeknd posted the track listing for the song's parent album Dawn FM (2022).[2][3] A lyric video for the song directed by Micah Bickham was released on January 9, 2022.[4] It was also one of the songs performed in the television music special The Dawn FM Experience.[5]
The song was given a limited single release in France, with it being sent to contemporary hit radio on July 7, 2022, in the country.[1]
"Less than Zero" served as one of the two official theme songs for WWE's WrestleMania 39, marking the fourth straight year a song by the Weeknd served as the theme song for the annual event.[6]
Lyrics and composition
[edit]"Less than Zero" has been described as a slow-dance new wave and synth-pop track where the Weeknd sings about remaining regretful sentiments he has after the end of a relationship and how he blames himself. It is in the key of C major.[7][8][9][10][11]
Critical reception
[edit]"Less Than Zero" was met with widespread acclaim. Critics noted the song as a highlight on the record, with particular praise being given to the song's production, lyrics, its acoustic ending and The Weeknd's emotionally resonant vocals.[7][12] Critics from Billboard noted that the song had the ability to potentially achieve the top 40 success that the singles from the Weeknd's previous After Hours predecessors.[13]
Charts
[edit]Chart (2022) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[14] | 47 |
Australia Hip-Hop/R&B Singles (ARIA)[15] | 18 |
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[16] | 32 |
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[17] | 46 |
Denmark (Tracklisten)[18] | 33 |
France (SNEP)[19] | 82 |
Global 200 (Billboard)[20] | 24 |
Greece International (IFPI)[21] | 14 |
Iceland (Tónlistinn)[22] | 21 |
India International Singles (IMI)[23] | 16 |
Lithuania (AGATA)[24] | 30 |
Portugal (AFP)[25] | 39 |
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[26] | 56 |
South Africa (TOSAC)[27] | 63 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[28] | 67 |
UK Audio Streaming (OCC)[29] | 57 |
US Billboard Hot 100[30] | 53 |
Certifications
[edit]Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[31] | Gold | 35,000‡ |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[32] | Gold | 20,000‡ |
France (SNEP)[33] | Gold | 100,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
[edit]Region | Date | Format | Label(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
France | July 7, 2022 | Contemporary hit radio | [1] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Pineau, Marine (July 7, 2022). "Après Take My Breath, The Weeknd choisit Less Than Zero en guise de single". Retrieved August 22, 2022.
- ^ Kaufman, Gil (January 5, 2022). "The Weeknd Reveals Tracklist For 16-Song 'Dawn FM' Album". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
- ^ "The Weeknd Enlists Jim Carrey and Quincy Jones for His New 'Dawn FM' Album". GQ. January 5, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
- ^ "The Weeknd – Sacrifice Video". Contactmusic.com. January 9, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
- ^ Kreps, Daniel (February 21, 2022). "The Weeknd to Premiere 'Dawn FM Experience' Special This Weekend". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
- ^ "WWE WrestleMania 39 Official Theme Song Reportedly Picked". WWE. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
- ^ a b Barr, Natalia (January 26, 2022). "The Weeknd's New Hit, Gunna's Hotshot Single and the Other Best Songs of January". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved August 22, 2022 – via www.wsj.com.
- ^ "THE WEEKND Less Than Zero". ElectricityClub.co.uk. January 15, 2022.
- ^ Grow, Tomás Mier,Waiss David Aramesh,Julyssa Lopez,Charles Aaron,Angie Martoccio,Elias Leight,Jon Freeman,Mosi Reeves,Jon Blistein,Sarah Grant,Joe Gross,Simon Vozick-Levinson,Jon Dolan,Kory; Mier, Tomás; Aramesh, Waiss David; Lopez, Julyssa; Aaron, Charles; Martoccio, Angie; Leight, Elias; Freeman, Jon; Reeves, Mosi; Blistein, Jon; Grant, Sarah; Gross, Joe; Vozick-Levinson, Simon; Dolan, Jon; Grow, Kory (February 14, 2022). "The 50 Best Weeknd Songs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
{{cite magazine}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Muñoz-Schaefer, Ursula. "The Weeknd Is Our Most Prescient Pop Star". Miami New Times. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
- ^ Holiday, Harmony (January 14, 2022). "On 'Dawn FM,' The Weeknd is both suffering and saved". Retrieved August 22, 2022 – via NPR.
- ^ Caramanica, Jon (January 10, 2022). "The Endless Pop Shimmers of the Weeknd". The New York Times. Retrieved August 22, 2022 – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ Mamo, Heran (January 7, 2022). "Every Song on The Weeknd's 'Dawn FM' Album, Ranked: Critic's Picks". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
- ^ "The Weeknd – Less than Zero". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
- ^ "ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. January 17, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
- ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
- ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
- ^ "The Weeknd – Less than Zero". Tracklisten. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
- ^ "The Weeknd – Less than Zero" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
- ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
- ^ "Official IFPI Charts - Digital Singles Chart (International) - Week: 02/2022". ifpi.gr. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
- ^ "Tónlistinn – Plötur – Vika 2 – 2022" [The Music - Albums - Week 2 - 2022] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on January 15, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
- ^ "Top 20 Charts". Indian Music Industry. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. January 17, 2022. Archived from the original on January 17, 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
- ^ "2022 2-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. January 14, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
- ^ "The Weeknd – Less than Zero". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI". IFPI ČR. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
- ^ "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100 Week 02-2022". The Official South African Charts. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ "The Weeknd – Less than Zero". Singles Top 100. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
- ^ "Official Audio Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
- ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
- ^ "Brazilian single certifications – The Weeknd – Less than Zero" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
- ^ "French single certifications – The Weeknd – Less Than Zero" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved November 24, 2023.