In the Night (song)

For other songs with the same title, see In the Night (disambiguation) § Music.

2015 single by the Weeknd

"In the Night"

Single by the Weeknd
from the album  Beauty Behind the Madness
Released| November 17, 2015
Studio|

* MXM (Los Angeles, California)
* Wolf Cousins (Stockholm, Sweden)

Genre|

* Disco[1]

Length| 3:55
Label|

* XO
* Republic

Songwriter(s)|

* Abel Tesfaye
* Ahmad Balshe
* Ali Payami
* Savan Kotecha
* Max Martin
* Peter Svensson

Producer(s)|

* Max Martin
* Ali Payami
* The Weeknd (co.)

The Weeknd singles chronology
| "Can't Feel My Face"
(2015)  | "In the Night" / "Acquainted"
(2015)  | "Might Not"
(2015)

|
|

Music video
"In The Night" on YouTube
"In The Night" (Short version) on YouTube

"In the Night" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd, from his second studio album, Beauty Behind the Madness (2015). The song was written by the Weeknd, Max Martin, Ali Payami, Savan Kotecha, Peter Svensson, and Belly. Martin and Payami produced the song with co-production from the Weeknd. The song was serviced to contemporary hit radio through XO and Republic Records on November 17, 2015, as the album's fourth single.

## Background and release

[edit]

In 2013, the Weeknd released his debut studio album, Kiss Land. Although receiving praise from critics, it commercially underperformed. Demotivated from this, the Weeknd went to the head of urban A&R for Republic Records, Wendy Goldstein, for advice. Goldstein arranged for him to feature on the American singer Ariana Grande's 2014 song, "Love Me Harder", directing him to the Swedish producer Max Martin. After, the Weeknd secured Martin as a producer for his second studio album. The producer presented him with some pre-written material, which were all rejected. Writing songs from scratch, "In the Night" was the first song the two wrote.[2]

"In the Night" and two other songs by the Weeknd leaked on May 26, 2015.[3] On August 4, the track list for Beauty Behind the Madness was revealed; "In the Night" appeared as the tenth track.[4] On October 17, Rolling Stone reported that the song would be the next single from Beauty Behind the Madness.[5] The song was serviced to contemporary hit radio on November 17, as the album's fourth single.[6] Nearly five years after its release, on April 6, 2020, it was serviced to hot and modern adult contemporary radio stations.[7]

## Composition and production

[edit]

"In the Night" was written by the Weeknd, Belly, Martin, Savan Kotecha, Peter Svensson, and Ali Payami. Production was handled by Martin and Payami, with co-production from the Weeknd. Payami played live drums, synthesizers, keys, and bass, and provided programming for the song with additional contributions from Martin. At MXM Studios in Los Angeles, California, and Wolf Cousins Studios in Stockholm, Sweden, Sam Holland engineered the track with assistance from Cory Rice and Jeremy Lertola. It was mixed at MixStar Studios in Virginia Beach by Serban Ghenea, with John Hanes serving as mixing engineer. The track was mastered by Tom Coyne at Sterling Sound in New York City.[8]

"In the Night" is a disco track.[1] The song's sheet music shows a composition of A minor in compound meter at a moderate tempo of 112 beats per minute. The vocals span from E3 to D5.[9] Lyrically, "In the Night" details the story of a woman who is a victim of sexual abuse.[10]

## Critical reception

[edit]

The song was well received by critics. Like the Weeknd's previous collaboration with Max Martin, "Can't Feel My Face", it has been widely compared to works by Michael Jackson. Jon Dolan of Rolling Stone wrote "Sometimes, the album stirs up real drama. 'In the Night' could be just one more 'Dirty Diana'-style ode to a predatory babe — until we learn the woman in the song is the victim of abuse, 'dancing to relieve the pain.'"[11] Harley Brown of Spin wrote that the song "comes the closest to the wall-scaling studio and automobile airwave euphoria of 'Can't Feel My Face', ratcheting up to background synths on the scope of '80s spectacles like 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World.'" He adds, "The real star here is, as usual, his voice, tapping at the uppermost fragile glass of his register without quite breaking it".[12]

## Music video

[edit]

The song's music video, directed by BRTHR, was released on December 8, 2015,[13] and features the Weeknd's then-girlfriend, model Bella Hadid. It depicts Hadid as a waitress at a seedy nightclub of dancers frequented by dangerous gangsters. The leading gangster takes a particular liking to the waitress, as the Weeknd watches helplessly as she and the dancers are being taken advantage of by gangsters. The clip grows increasingly disorienting, building to a chaotic sequence in which the waitress and her fellow dancers finally kill off the gangsters. The leading gangster, however, tracks down the Weeknd in the final scene, placing a gun to his head — but is saved by who appears to be the waitress, who kills the gangster, before the two ride off on a motorcycle. The video ends with the dancers dragging a gangster's corpse into a sea, with shaky camera footage, as the screen goes to black. A shortened version of the video was released on February 14, 2016.

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

| Chart (2015–2016)  | Peak
position

|

Argentina (Monitor Latino)[14] | 10
Australia (ARIA)[15] | 13
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[16] | 29
Belgium Urban (Ultratop Flanders)[17] | 21
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[18] | 7
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[19] | 12
Canada AC (Billboard)[20] | 26
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[21] | 4
Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[22] | 8
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[23] | 63
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[24] | 26
Denmark (Tracklisten)[25] | 26
France (SNEP)[26] | 124
France Airplay (SNEP)[27] | 35
Germany (GfK)[28] | 72
Hungary (Stream Top 40)[29] | 35
Ireland (IRMA)[30] | 42
Italy (FIMI)[31] | 39
Lebanon (OLT20)[32] | 5
Mexico (Billboard Mexican Airplay)[33] | 9
Mexico Anglo (Monitor Latino))[34] | 9
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[35] | 13
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[36] | 22
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[37] | 22
Norway (VG-lista)[38] | 38
Portugal (AFP)[39] | 40
Scotland (OCC)[40] | 97
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[41] | 40
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[42] | 67
UK Singles (OCC)[43] | 48
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[44] | 8
US Billboard Hot 100[45] | 12
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[46] | 27
US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[47] | 17
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[48] | 34
US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[49] | 11
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[50] | 3
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[51] | 3
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[52] | 1

### Year-end charts

[edit]

| Chart (2016)  | Position

|

Argentina (Monitor Latino)[53] | 48
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[54] | 67
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[55] | 69
US Billboard Hot 100[56] | 61
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[57] | 20
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[58] | 23
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[59] | 19

## Certifications

[edit]

Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Australia (ARIA)[60] | Platinum  | 70,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[61] | Platinum  | 60,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[62] | 2× Platinum  | 160,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[63] | Platinum  | 90,000‡
Mexico (AMPROFON)[64] | Gold  | 30,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[65] | Platinum  | 30,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[66] | Gold  | 10,000‡
Sweden (GLF)[67] | Platinum  | 40,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[68] | Gold  | 400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[69] | 3× Platinum  | 3,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

## Release history

[edit]

Region  | Date  | Format  | Label  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

United States  | November 17, 2015  | Contemporary hit radio |

* XO
* Republic

| [6]
April 6, 2020  | Hot/Modern/AC  | [7]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Ryce, Andrew (September 2, 2015). "The Weeknd - Beauty Behind the Madness". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
2. ^ Caramanica, Jon (July 27, 2015). "Can the Weeknd Turn Himself Into the Biggest Pop Star in the World?". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 27, 2015. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
3. ^ White, Caitlin (May 26, 2015). "The Weeknd – "I Can't Feel My Face" + "In The Night" + "In The '90s"". Stereogum. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
4. ^ Frydenlund, Zach (August 4, 2015). "Here's the Tracklist For The Weeknd's 'Beauty Behind the Madness' Album (Updated)". Complex. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
5. ^ Eells, Josh (October 17, 2015). "Sex, Drugs and R&B: Inside the Weeknd's Dark Twisted Fantasy". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 12, 2018. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
6. ^ a b "Top 40/Mainstream - Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on November 12, 2015.
7. ^ a b "Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases". Archived from the original on April 6, 2020. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
8. ^ Beauty Behind the Madness, The Weeknd (CD liner notes). Republic Records. 2015. 50330-5.
9. ^ "In the Night – The Weeknd". Musicnotes. January 15, 2016. Archived from the original on January 26, 2016. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
10. ^ Herd, Mackenzie (August 30, 2015). "The Weeknd - Beauty Behind the Madness". Exclaim!. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
11. ^ "Beauty Behind the Madness". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 13, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
12. ^ "Review: All Hail the King of P*ssy-Pop on the Weeknd's 'Beauty Behind the Madness'". August 28, 2015. Archived from the original on November 19, 2015. Retrieved December 6, 2015.
13. ^ "The Weeknd - in the Night - YouTube". YouTube. December 8, 2015. Archived from the original on December 9, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
14. ^ "Top 20 Argentina – Del 13 al 19 de Junio, 2016" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. June 13, 2016. Archived from the original on August 2, 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
15. ^ "The Weeknd – In the Night". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved December 19, 2015.
16. ^ "The Weeknd – In the Night" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
17. ^ "The Weeknd – In the Night" (in Dutch). Ultratop Urban. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
18. ^ "The Weeknd – In the Night" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
19. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
20. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
21. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
22. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
23. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 10. týden 2016 in the date selector. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
24. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 03. týden 2016 in the date selector. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
25. ^ "The Weeknd – In the Night". Tracklisten. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
26. ^ "The Weeknd – In the Night" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
27. ^ "Top de la semaine". Retrieved March 15, 2016.
28. ^ "The Weeknd – In the Night" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
29. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
30. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography The Weeknd". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
31. ^ "The Weeknd – In the Night". Top Digital Download. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
32. ^ "The Official Lebanese Top 20". The Official Lebanese Top 20. Archived from the original on August 6, 2018. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
33. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Mexico Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
34. ^ "Top 20 Inglés Del 1 al 7 de Febrero, 2016". Monitor Latino. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
35. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 5, 2016" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 19, 2015.
36. ^ "The Weeknd – In the Night" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
37. ^ "The Weeknd – In the Night". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
38. ^ "The Weeknd – In the Night". VG-lista. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
39. ^ "The Weeknd – In the Night". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
40. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
41. ^ "The Weeknd – In the Night". Singles Top 100. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
42. ^ "The Weeknd – In the Night". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
43. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
44. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
45. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
46. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
47. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
48. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
49. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
50. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
51. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
52. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
53. ^ "Top 100 Anual 2016". Monitor Latino. Archived from the original on August 22, 2017. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
54. ^ "Canadian Hot 100 Year End 2016". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 10, 2016. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
55. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2016". Dutch Top 40. Archived from the original on June 19, 2018. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
56. ^ "Hot 100 Songs - Year-End 2016". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 26, 2017. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
57. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 22, 2016. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
58. ^ "Pop Songs: Year-End 2016". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 22, 2016. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
59. ^ "Rhythmic Songs: Year-End 2016". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 22, 2016. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
60. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2016 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
61. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – The Weeknd – In The Night" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
62. ^ "Canadian single certifications – The Weeknd – In the Night". Music Canada.
63. ^ "Danish single certifications – The Weeknd – In the Night". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
64. ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved October 6, 2021. Type The Weeknd in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and In the Night in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
65. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – The Weeknd – In the Night". Radioscope. Retrieved December 23, 2024. Type In the Night  in the "Search:" field.
66. ^ "Portuguese single certifications – The Weeknd – In the Night" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
67. ^ "Sverigetopplistan – The Weeknd" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
68. ^ "British single certifications – The Weeknd – In the Night". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
69. ^ "American single certifications – The Weeknd – In the Night". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 6, 2022.

* v
* t
* e

The Weeknd songs

* Discography
* Songs

Trilogy|

| House of Balloons|

* "High for This"
* "House of Balloons / Glass Table Girls"
* "The Morning"
* "Wicked Games"
* "Twenty Eight"

|

Thursday|

* "The Zone"
* "Rolling Stone"

Echoes of Silence|

* "D.D"
* "Echoes of Silence"

Kiss Land|

* "Belong to the World"
* "Live For"
* "Wanderlust"
* "Kiss Land"
* "Odd Look"

Beauty Behind the Madness|

* "Tell Your Friends"
* "Often"
* "The Hills"
* "Acquainted"
* "Can't Feel My Face"
* "Earned It"
* "In the Night"
* "Prisoner"

Starboy|

* "Starboy"
* "Party Monster"
* "False Alarm"
* "Reminder"
* "Rockin'"
* "Secrets"
* "Stargirl Interlude"
* "Sidewalks"
* "Six Feet Under"
* "A Lonely Night"
* "All I Know"
* "Die for You"
* "I Feel It Coming"

My Dear Melancholy|

* "Call Out My Name"
* "Try Me"
* "Wasted Times"
* "I Was Never There"
* "Hurt You"

After Hours|

* "Alone Again"
* "Too Late"
* "Hardest to Love"
* "Scared to Live"
* "Snowchild"
* "Escape from LA"
* "Heartless"
* "Faith"
* "Blinding Lights"
* "In Your Eyes"
* "Save Your Tears"
* "Repeat After Me (Interlude)"
* "After Hours"
* "Until I Bleed Out"

Dawn FM|

* "Gasoline"
* "How Do I Make You Love Me?"
* "Take My Breath"
* "Sacrifice"
* "Out of Time"
* "Here We Go... Again"
* "Is There Someone Else?"
* "I Heard You're Married"
* "Less than Zero"
* "Moth to a Flame"

The Idol|

* "Double Fantasy"
* "Popular"
* "One of the Girls"

Hurry Up Tomorrow|

* "Wake Me Up"
* "Cry for Me"
* "São Paulo"
* "Baptized in Fear"
* "Open Hearts"
* "Reflections Laughing"
* "Enjoy the Show"
* "Timeless"

Other songs|

* "King of the Fall"
* "Love Me Harder"
* "Might Not"
* "Pray for Me"
* "Lost in the Fire"
* "Power Is Power"
* "Smile"
* "Over Now"
* "Off the Table"
* "Hawái"
* "You Right"
* "Better Believe"
* "Die for It"
* "Hurricane"
* "One Right Now"
* "Creepin'"
* "Nothing Is Lost (You Give Me Strength)"
* "K-pop"
* "Another One of Me"
* "Young Metro"
* "We Still Don't Trust You"
* "Dancing in the Flames"
* "Rather Lie"

Featured songs|

* "Crew Love"
* "Remember You"
* "One of Those Nights"
* "Sexodus"
* "Elastic Heart"
* "Or Nah"
* "Might Not"
* "Nocturnal"
* "Low Life"
* "6 Inch"
* "Wild Love"
* "Some Way"
* "Comin Out Strong"
* "Lust for Life"
* "A Lie"
* "Curve"
* "What You Want"
* "Skeletons"
* "Wake Up"
* "Price on My Head"
* "La Fama"
* "Tears in the Club"
* "Poison"
* "Circus Maximus"

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