"Acquainted"
Single by the Weeknd
from the album Beauty Behind the Madness
ReleasedNovember 17, 2015 (2015-11-17)
Recorded2015
StudioJungle City Studios[1]
GenreAlternative R&B
Length
  • 5:49 (album version)
  • 4:06 (radio edit)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
The Weeknd singles chronology
"In the Night"
(2015)		 "Acquainted"
(2015)		 "Might Not"
(2015)

"Acquainted" is a song by Canadian singer the Weeknd recorded for his second studio album Beauty Behind the Madness (2015). It was written and produced by him along with Jason "DaHeala" Quenneville, Danny "DannyBoyStyles" Schofield, Carlos "Illangelo" Montagnese and Ben "Billions" Diehl. The track was sent to urban contemporary stations on November 17, 2015, by XO and Republic Records, serving as the record's fifth and final single, being also released to rhythmic contemporary on February 16, 2016. It was set to impact contemporary hit radio on April 12, 2016, though its release to those stations did not occur.[2] The song was well received by music critics upon its release, being praised for its production, catchiness and the Weeknd's vocals.

Background

A working version of "Acquainted" referred to as "Girls Born in the 90s" leaked in May 2015, before being heavily reworked prior to its release on the album.[3]

Lyrics

On this song, the Weeknd is expressing his happiness with being “acquainted” with a certain lady, who is also the addressee. And of course she would be someone whom he is romantically involved with.

But the story is at hand not that simple. Rather this lady is presented, even by the narrator himself, as being “no good”. Indeed his homies have “warned” him about getting mixed up with her “type” of woman. What type that is exactly is not specified. However, all lyrics considered, it is feasible to deduce that perhaps, in some capacity or another, she is mixed up with another man or men. This postulation is buttressed during the third verse. It is here where we are introduced to an idea like The Weeknd, under inspiration from his mother, desiring to find a good girl. However, the “fast life keeps gaining on” him. That is a metaphor that reads as if, as expressed in many of his other songs, Abel is unable to escape the excitable celebrity lifestyle that has been made accessible to him via his fame and wealth.

Composition

The song is written in the key of G minor with a moderate tempo of 106 beats per minute in common time. The song alternates between the chords Gm and F, and the vocals span from F3 to C6.[4]

Music video

The music video was directed by Australian filmographer Nabil Elderkin.[5] Production commenced on February 9, 2016, but the video was never officially released.[6][5] However in February 2023, the music video starring the Weeknd and Monic Perez, was leaked onto the internet.[7][8]

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[18] Platinum 80,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[19] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[20] 4× Platinum 4,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Country Date Format Label Ref.
United States November 17, 2015 Urban contemporary radio [21]
February 16, 2016 Rhythmic contemporary [22]

References

  1. ↑ "Acquainted liner notes". August 28, 2015.
  2. ↑ "The Weeknd "Acquainted"". Republic Records. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  3. ↑ "The Weeknd – Girls Born in the 90's".
  4. ↑ Abel, Tesfaye (January 11, 2016). "Acquainted". www.musicnotes.com. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  5. 1 2 ""Acquainted" by The Weeknd". songmeaningsandfacts.com. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  6. ↑ "NABIL on Instagram: "First day of sumtin sumtin @abelxo"". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Abel / The Weeknd - Acquainted (Music Video Leak)". YouTube. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Acquainted leaked music video the weeknd". TikTok. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  9. ↑ "CHART WATCH #361". auspOp. March 26, 2016. Archived from the original on March 4, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
  10. ↑ "The Weeknd Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
  12. ↑ "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
  13. ↑ "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
  14. ↑ "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  15. ↑ "The Weeknd Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved August 31, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Hot R&B Singles: Year-End 2015". Billboard. Billboard.com. December 13, 2013. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2016". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
  18. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – The Weeknd – Acquainted". Music Canada. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  19. ↑ "British single certifications – Weeknd – Acquainted". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  20. ↑ "American single certifications – The Weeknd – Acquainted". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  21. ↑ Navjosh (November 15, 2015). "The Weeknd Picks Next Singles From 'Beauty Behind The Madness'". Hip Hop N More. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  22. ↑ "Top 40/R Future Releases". All Access. All Access Group. Archived from the original on February 15, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
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