"Less than Zero" is a song by Canadian singer
the Weeknd
Abel Makkonen Tesfaye (born February 16, 1990), known professionally as the Weeknd, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor. Known for his sonic versatility and dark lyricism, his music explores escapism, romance, and ...
. It was released to French
contemporary hit radio on July 7, 2022, as the fourth single from his fifth studio album ''
Dawn FM'' (2022).
The song was written by the Weeknd,
, and
Oscar Holter
Oscar Thomas Holter (born 26 February 1986) is a Swedish record producer and songwriter based in the United States. He is best known for his work with record producer and fellow Swede Max Martin and Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd on the ...
, and produced by the three alongside
Oneohtrix Point Never
Daniel Lopatin (born July 25, 1982), best known as Oneohtrix Point Never or OPN, is an American experimental electronic music producer, composer, singer and songwriter. His music has experimented with tropes from various music genres and eras, s ...
.
Background and promotion
The song's name was first revealed on January 5, 2022, when Canadian singer
the Weeknd
Abel Makkonen Tesfaye (born February 16, 1990), known professionally as the Weeknd, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor. Known for his sonic versatility and dark lyricism, his music explores escapism, romance, and ...
posted the track listing for the song's parent album ''
Dawn FM'' (2022). A lyric video for the song directed by Micah Bickham was released on January 9, 2022. It was also one of the songs performed in the television music special ''The Dawn FM Experience''.
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.
"Less than Zero" also serves as the official theme song for
WWE
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., d/b/a as WWE, is an American professional wrestling promotion. A global integrated media and entertainment company, WWE has also branched out into other fields, including film, American football, and vari ...
's
WrestleMania 39. This marks the fourth straight year a song by the Weeknd serves as the theme song for the annual event.
Lyrics and composition
"Less than Zero" has been described as a slow-dance
new wave 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.
Critical reception
"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.
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.
Charts
Release history
References
External links
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2022 songs
Songs written by the Weeknd
The Weeknd songs
Song recordings produced by the Weeknd
Song recordings produced by Max Martin
Republic Records singles
Songs written by Max Martin
Songs written by Oscar Holter
Song recordings produced by Oscar Holter