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Acquainted

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For acquaintanceship in relationships, see Interpersonal relationship § Stages.

"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
"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.

Background and promotion

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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

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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

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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

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[18] Platinum 70,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[19] Gold 30,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[20] Platinum 80,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[21] Gold 45,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[22] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[23] 4× Platinum 4,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Country Date Format Label Ref.
United States November 17, 2015 Urban contemporary radio
[24]
February 16, 2016 Rhythmic contemporary [25]

References

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  1. ^ "Acquainted liner notes". August 28, 2015.
  2. ^ Hawkins, Autumn (July 11, 2023). "The Weeknd: 10 Best Songs, Ranked". k104.7.com. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  3. ^ "The Weeknd "Acquainted"". Republic Records. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  4. ^ Abel, Tesfaye (January 11, 2016). "Acquainted". www.musicnotes.com. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  5. ^ "The 50 Best Weeknd Songs". Rolling Stone. February 14, 2022. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  6. ^ Messitte, Nick. "The Curious Trend Behind The Weeknd's Number One Streak". Forbes. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  7. ^ a b ""Acquainted" by The Weeknd". songmeaningsandfacts.com. May 4, 2021. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  8. ^ "NABIL on Instagram: "First day of sumtin sumtin @abelxo"". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2016. [permanent dead link]
  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. 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. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  19. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – The Weeknd – Acquainted" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  20. ^ "Canadian single certifications – The Weeknd – Acquainted". Music Canada. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  21. ^ "Danish single certifications – The Weeknd – Acquainted". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  22. ^ "British single certifications – Weeknd – Acquainted". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  23. ^ "American single certifications – The Weeknd – Acquainted". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  24. ^ Navjosh (November 15, 2015). "The Weeknd Picks Next Singles From 'Beauty Behind The Madness'". Hip Hop N More. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  25. ^ "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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