Less Than Zero

Album

Dawn FM

Label

XO

Genre

Synth-popxxx

Composer(s)

Max Martin;Oscar Holter

Entered Chart

Jan 22, 2022

Peak Date

Jan 22, 2022

Released

July 7, 2022

Recorded

Unknown

Catalog #

XO

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."

Remember I was your hero, yeah
I'd wear your heart like a symbol
I couldn't save you from my darkest truth of all

I know
I'll always be less than zero
Oh yeah
You tried your best with me, I know
I couldn't face you with my darkest truth of all
Oh

'Cause I can't get it out of my head
And no, I can't shake this feeling that crawls in my bed
I try to hide it, but I know you know me
I try to fight it, but I'd rather be free
Oh, oh

Oh yeah
Can we meet in the middle?
Oh yeah
'Cause you were just like me before
Now you'd rather leave me
Than to watch me die in your arms
Oh, whoa

But I can't get it out of my head
No, I can't shake this feeling that crawls in my bed
I try to hide it, but I know you know me
I try to fight it, but I'd rather be free
Oh, whoa (hey)

(I can't get it out of my head)
(No, I can't shake this feeling that crawls in my bed) ooh
(I try to) ooh
(I try to)

I can't get it out of my head
No, I can't shake this feeling that crawls in my bed
I try to hide it, but I know you know me (know me)
I try to fight it, but I'd rather be free (be free)

Yeah
I'll always be less than zero
You tried your best with me, I know