Acquainted

Last updated

"Acquainted"
The Weeknd - Acquainted.jpg
Single by the Weeknd
from the album Beauty Behind the Madness
ReleasedNovember 17, 2015 (2015-11-17)
Recorded2015
Studio Jungle City Studios [1]
Genre Alternative R&B
Length
  • 5:49(album version)
  • 4:06(radio edit)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
The Weeknd singles chronology
"Can't Feel My Face"
(2015)
"Acquainted" / "In The Night"
(2015)
"Might Not"
(2015)

"Acquainted" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd, from his second studio album, Beauty Behind the Madness (2015). It was sent to urban contemporary stations on November 17, 2015, by XO and Republic Records, serving as the album's fifth single. He wrote and produced the song with DaHeala, DannyBoyStyles, Illangelo, and Ben Billions.

Contents

Background and promotion

In May 2015, multiple tracks from the Weeknd were leaked, including a song titled "Girls Born in the '90s", which was the original version of "Acquainted". Following this, the song was heavily reworked before the release of Beauty Behind the Madness . [2]

After being released on August 28, 2015, as the sixth track from Beauty Behind the Madness, the song was promoted to urban contemporary radio on November 17, 2015, serving as the album's fifth and final single, and would be further promoted to the rhythmic contemporary format on February 16, 2016. The song was later intended to impact contemporary hit radio on April 12, 2016, but its release never occurred. [3]

Composition and lyrics

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]

The song has the Weeknd sing about vulnerability relating to whether a commitment to real love might be a risk worth taking, and questionably hints at something more than just sex. [5] [6]

Music video

The music video was directed by Australian filmographer Nabil Elderkin. [7] Production commenced on February 9, 2016, but the video was never officially released. [8] [7]

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [18] Platinum70,000
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [19] Gold30,000
Canada (Music Canada) [20] Platinum80,000
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [21] Gold45,000
United Kingdom (BPI) [22] Silver200,000
United States (RIAA) [23] 4× Platinum4,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

CountryDateFormatLabelRef.
United StatesNovember 17, 2015 Urban contemporary radio [24]
February 16, 2016 Rhythmic contemporary [25]

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