Acquainted

For acquaintanceship in relationships, see Interpersonal relationship § Stages.

"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, along with In The Night. He wrote and produced the song with DaHeala, DannyBoyStyles, Illangelo, and Ben Billions.

"Acquainted"
Single by the Weeknd
from the album Beauty Behind the Madness
Released	November 17, 2015 (2015-11-17)
Recorded	2015
Studio	Jungle City Studios[1]
Genre	Alternative R&B
Length	5:49 (album version) 4:06 (radio edit)
Label	XO Republic
Songwriter(s)	Abel Tesfaye Jason Quenneville Danny Schofield Carlo Montagnese Ben Diehl
Producer(s)	The Weeknd Illangelo Ben Billions Jason Quenneville Danny Boy Styles
The Weeknd singles chronology
"Can't Feel My Face" (2015) "Acquainted" / "In The Night" (2015) "Might Not" (2015)

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

Weekly charts Chart (2015–2016) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[9] 96 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[10] 79 UK Singles (OCC)[11] 90 US Billboard Hot 100[12] 60 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[13] 21 US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)[14] 14 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[15] 12

Year-end charts Chart (2015) Position US Hot R&B Songs (Billboard)[16] 31 Chart (2016) Position US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[17] 81

Certifications

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‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[22]	Platinum	30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[23]	Gold	400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[24]	4× Platinum	4,000,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Country	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
United States	November 17, 2015	Urban contemporary radio	XO Republic	[25]
	February 16, 2016	Rhythmic contemporary		[26]