2022 single by the Weeknd
"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 .
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]
"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]
^ 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 .
^ "British single certifications" . British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 1, 2024 .