Less Than Zero

Album: Dawn FM (2022)
Charted: 53
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The Weeknd often sings about his hedonistic lifestyle and how he can't stop himself. He presents himself as a heartless person unwilling to make the necessary sacrifices to engage in a committed relationship. Here, he regrets his self-destructive behavior. Abel Tesfaye's cheating and drug habits have ruined a romance where once he was the girl's hero. Now she considers him "less than zero" and the guilt is eating him up.
  • This is the penultimate song from Dawn FM, a concept album of sorts where The Weeknd takes a journey in the afterlife. By now, the singer is feeling utterly unworthy and torturing himself because of his nihilistic conduct. It's only on the final track, "Phantom Regret," that Tesfaye lets go of his regrets, makes peace with himself, and walks into the light.
  • The Weeknd co-wrote and co-produced this electronic track with Max Martin and Oscar Holter. The two Swedish producers also played guitar, bass and keys on the song. Martin and Holter contributed to 13 out of the 16 tracks on Dawn FM, including its lead single, "Take My Breath."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Emmylou Harris

Emmylou HarrisSongwriter Interviews

She thinks of herself as a "song interpreter," but back in the '80s another country star convinced Emmylou to take a crack at songwriting.

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo Lyric

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo LyricMusic Quiz

In this quiz, spot the artist who put Romeo into a song lyric.

James Williamson of Iggy & the Stooges

James Williamson of Iggy & the StoogesSongwriter Interviews

The Stooges guitarist (and producer of the Kill City album) talks about those early recordings and what really happened with David Bowie.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

Shawn Mullins

Shawn MullinsSongwriter Interviews

"Lullaby" singer Shawn Mullins on "Beautiful Wreck," beating the Devil, and his writing credit on the Zac Brown Band song "Toes."

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.