| Acquainted | |
| Cover: | The Weeknd - Acquainted.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | the Weeknd |
| Album: | Beauty Behind the Madness |
| Recorded: | 2015 |
| Studio: | Jungle City Studios[1] |
| Genre: | Alternative R&B |
| Prev Title: | Can't Feel My Face |
| Prev Year: | 2015 |
| Acquainted | |
| Title2: | In The Night |
| Next Title: | Might Not |
| Next Year: | 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.
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]
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]
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]
| Country | Date | Format | Label | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | November 17, 2015 | Urban contemporary radio | [12] | |
| February 16, 2016 | Rhythmic contemporary | [13] | ||