"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 (love), ...

. It was released to French

contemporary hit radio Contemporary hit radio (also known as CHR, contemporary hits, hit list, current hits, hit music, top 40, or pop radio) is a radio format that is common in many countries that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by ...

on July 7, 2022, as the fourth single from his fifth studio album ''

Dawn FM ''Dawn FM'' is the fifth studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd. It was released on January 7, 2022, through XO and Republic Records. The album features narration by Jim Carrey, guest vocals from Tyler, the Creator and Lil Wayne ...

'' (2022). The song was written by the Weeknd,

Max Martin Karl Martin Sandberg (; born 26 February 1971),Max Martin
allmusic.com known profess ...

, 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 th ...

, 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

posted the track listing for the song's parent album ''

'' (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

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 var ...

'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 A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertis ...

'' 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

* * * {{Authority control 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