The Weekend (SZA song)

File:Justin Timberlake by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg's 2006 album FutureSex/LoveSounds.]]

Producer ThankGod4Cody was given the idea to Sample Justin Timberlake's "Set the Mood (Prelude)" (2006) by Script. After being handed the sample, ThankGod4Cody added some chords, a "glittery layer" and bass. He then presented the initial production to SZA, who enjoyed the sample.{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/outtakes-sza-on-writing-for-beyonce-and-sampling-timberlake/2017/12/20/ebb46138-e5b0-11e7-927a-e72eac1e73b6_story.html |title=Outtakes: SZA on writing for Beyonce and sampling Timberlake |last=Fekadu |first=Mesfin |date=December 20, 2017 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=December 20, 2017 |archive-date=June 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629235608/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/outtakes-sza-on-writing-for-beyonce-and-sampling-timberlake/2017/12/20/ebb46138-e5b0-11e7-927a-e72eac1e73b6_story.html |url-status=dead }} SZA wrote the lyrics in a few hours the following day, and shared the results with ThankGod4Cody, who was surprised by the lyrics about sharing a man in a relationship. After experimenting with the track's instrumental, ThankGod4Cody clipped the vocals from the sample, moved them to the beginning of the song, added drums and reverberation, and finally placed the song's snares, hi-hats, and a cymbal.{{cite web|url=https://genius.com/a/the-making-of-sza-s-the-weekend-with-thankgod4cody|title=The Making Of SZA's "The Weekend" With ThankGod4Cody|date=September 29, 2017|publisher= Genius|first= Robby|last= Seabrook III|access-date= February 19, 2018}}

SZA's vocals were recorded at Platinum Sounds Studios in New York City. The song was mixed by Derek Ali, and later mastered by Mike Bozzi at Bernie Grundman Mastering. In the U.S., "The Weekend" was sent to urban and rhythmic contemporary radio stations on September 26 and October 31, 2017, respectively.

"The Weekend" is a song characterized by a soft, slow-burning melody that runs throughout its four minutes and thirty-two seconds. Its sultry production draws from contemporary R&B and 1990s neo soul music genres.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2017/06/sza-ctrl-album-review|title=On 'Ctrl,' SZA Reveals Who She Really Is|date=June 13, 2017|magazine= Complex|first= Karizza|last= Sanchez|access-date= February 19, 2018}}{{cite magazine|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/sza-ctrl|title= SZA CTRL|magazine= Exclaim!|first= Ryan|last= B. Patrick|date= June 13, 2017|access-date= February 19, 2017}} Built around a synth-line, the song is completed with finger-snaps, key thumps that resemble the sound of a ticking clock, hi-hats and a high-pitched vocal sample.{{Cite news|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/exclaim_s_top_10_soul_and_r_and_b_albums-best_of_2017/page/2|title=Top 10 Soul and R&B Albums of 2017|work=Exclaim!|first=Yasmine|last= Shemesh|date=Nov 30, 2017|accessdate=Jan 9, 2018}} Lyrically, "The Weekend" is about polyamory.{{Cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11958924|title=Aldous Harding, Lorde and Kendrick Lamar: Here are the best albums of 2017|work=The New Zealand Herald|author=NZ Herald Entertainment Staff|date=December 14, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}} SZA sings about sharing her romantic partner with other women; she finds herself in the perspective of a woman who only sees her partner at weekends while others have him during the week. Some online publications called the song's narrator a "side chick",{{cite web|url=https://genius.com/a/sza-clarifies-the-meaning-behind-her-song-the-weekend|title= SZA Clarifies The Meaning Behind Her Song "The Weekend"|publisher= Genius|first= Robby|last= Seabrook III|date= July 9, 2017|access-date= February 19, 2018}} but according to SZA, "The Weekend" is about sharing a man with two other women at the same time. She sings in the hook, "My man is my man is your man / Heard it's her man too". For her, this song is about feeling empowered in a situation in which the narrator's lover tries to play her.{{cite web|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LwOIBNYIiBI|title= SZA Talks About Her New Album, Ex-Boyfriends, Sidechicks & More|publisher= YouTube|work= Breakfast Club Power 105.5 FM|date= July 7, 2017|access-date= February 19, 2018}} In interview with Vulture.com she said:

{{blockquote|So in this song, I'm opting in. Like, I know you have a bunch of girls, probably. Maybe you're not being honest with me—I just know that you have mad girls—and I still don't care, because I didn't want to be your girlfriend anyway! I'm not internalizing the way that you're acting as a disrespect towards me, it doesn't make me any less because you're not my boyfriend. And like, you're not her boyfriend, and you're not her boyfriend. You're just out here wildin'.{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/06/sza-ctrl-interview.html|title= SZA Is Finally in Ctrl|publisher= Vulture|first= Hunter|last= Harris|date= June 14, 2017|access-date= February 24, 2018}}}}

The song's producer Thank4GodCody considered its concept "crazy"; speaking to Genius he said: "I would have never thought it would have went that way. She really just did her thing on there, really came with a concept that's controversial on some levels. It's cool, because at least it's starting a conversation, and it's getting people's attention." Pitchfork{{'}}s Claire Lovenfeld wrote that SZA performs the song with "a tone of both freedom and a muted sadness over settling".{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/sza-ctrl/|title=SZA: CTRL|work=Pitchfork|date=June 13, 2017|accessdate=June 13, 2017|last=Lobenfeld|first=Claire}} Jessica McKinney of Vibe viewed its lyrical content as a "not-so-typical message of women empowerment", and said that instead of giving control to her lover, SZA is "forging a deal with the other woman that (hopefully) works for both of them".{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/2017/06/sza-ctrl-album-review/|title=Phenomenal Woman: The Vulnerability, Self-Awareness & Freedom Of SZA's 'Ctrl'|work=Vibe|date=June 12, 2017|accessdate=July 13, 2017|last=McKinney|first=Jessica}} A Billboard editor observed that in "The Weekend", SZA "finds herself as falling into sidepiece behavior".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/list/8062834/billboard-50-best-albums-of-2017-critics-picks|title=Billboard's 50 Best Albums of 2017: Critics' Picks|magazine= Billboard|date=December 12, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}} As the song advances, its original instrumental disappears and it becomes more uptempo where she sings, "bright ideas, we got bright ideas" over a thumbing percussion and backing chants. According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Alfred Publishing Co., Inc., "The Weekend" is written in the key of B major and is played in a "laid back" groove of 102 beats per minute. SZA's vocals range from the note of F (musical note) to G₅. It follows the chord progression of Bmaj7–Amaj7–Dmaj7–Cmaj7 in the verses and G{{music|sharp}}7–G7{{music|flat}}5 during the chorus.{{cite web|url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0180335|title= SZA "The Weekend" Sheet Music in B Major|publisher= Musicnotes.com|work= Alfred Publishing Co. Inc|date= 2 January 2018|access-date= February 19, 2018}}

Upon its release, "The Weekend" received critical acclaim from music critics. Gerrick D. Kennedy from Los Angeles Times described it as the "standout jam" of the record.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-what-to-listen-to-20170613-story.html|title= What to listen to now: SZA, Bleachers, Secret Sisters and more|newspaper= Los Angeles Times|first= Gerrick|last= Kennedy|date= June 14, 2017|access-date= February 19, 2018}} James Milton of NME appreciated its "glossy introspection" while Karas Lamb from Consequence of Sound observed that by "The Weekend" and "Go Gina"—another track from Ctrl—SZA's affection for the "slow-burning body roll classics popularized by artists like Guy and Keith Sweat and perfected by R. Kelly is pretty clear".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/sza-ctrl-album-review|title=SZA – 'CTRL' Review|magazine=NME|date=June 15, 2017|access-date= February 19, 2018|last=Milton|first=Jamie}}{{cite magazine|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2017/06/album-review-sza-ctrl/|title=SZA – Ctrl|magazine=Consequence of Sound|date= June 22, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018|last=Lamb|first=Karas}} New York Daily News{{'}}s editor Amy Rowe listed "The Weekend" and "Love Galore" as the catchiest songs of the album.{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/25-best-albums-2017-article-1.3666278|title=The 25 best albums of 2017|newspaper=New York Daily News|first=Amy|last= Rowe|date= November 30, 2017|accessdate= February 19, 2018}} Writing for Complex, Karazza Sanchez praised the sample used in the song, saying it sounds "faintly like a classic Brandy single". Echoing the sentiment of Kennedy from Los Angeles Times, Aaron Williams of Uproxx called "The Weekend" a "sexy, slow-burner" and "a clear standout from ... Ctrl".{{cite web|url=http://uproxx.com/hiphop/khalid-sza-the-weekend-cover/|title= Watch Khalid's Sweetly Acoustic Cover Of SZA's 'The Weekend'|publisher= Uproxx|first= Aaron|last= Williams|date= August 16, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}} Naasambala who writes for Crack Magazine highlighted "The Weekend" along with "Supermodel" and "Normal Girl", saying the candour with which SZA lays "her cards on the table" through these track "touched nerves beyond her core fans, in a time of political uncertainty and doublespeak".{{cite magazine|url=https://crackmagazine.net/article/feature-lists/albums-2017-50-1/#number04|title=The Top Albums of 2017|magazine=Crack Magazine|first= Natty|last= Kasambola|date= December 11, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}} Similarly, a Rap-Up editor called it one of the moments where SZA resonates with listeners through her "deeply personal songwriting".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2017/12/12/rap-up-20-best-albums-of-2017/|title=Rap-Up's 20 Best Albums of 2017|magazine=Rap-Up|date=December 12, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}}

The song's lyrical content drew attention from some critics. In their list of "Best Albums of 2017", Rolling Stone magazine placed Ctrl as the 20th best album of that year and called "The Weekend" a "side-chick manifesto". SZA expressed her displeasure about the commentary via social media, writing that she does not make "side-chick anthems" and that she had already explained the song's subject.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/50-best-albums-of-2017-w511763/sza-ctrl-w511783|title= 50 Best Albums of 2017|magazine= Rolling Stone|first= Britrany|last= Spanks|date= November 27, 2017|access-date= February 22, 2018}} Matt F. from HotNewHipHop was defensive about SZA's songwriting, saying her lyrics "carry with them more than a small hint of being someone's back-up plan".{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/sza-claps-back-at-rolling-stone-for-saying-she-makes-side-chick-anthems-news.40157.html|title= SZA Claps Back At Rolling Stone For Saying She Makes "Side Chick Anthems"|publisher= HotNewHipHop|author= Matt F.|date= November 29, 2017|access-date= February 22, 2018}} The subject also generated public debate on the internet; Celie Almeida of Miami New Times said questions such as "Has SZA fallen prey to the insecure side-chick mentality? Or does her agency transform this message into one of empowerment and control?" became a topic of conversation. Almeida recognized SZA appeared to be "less concerned with judgment calls than painting an honest portrait of her inner life, and that honesty has made her music accessible to listeners".{{cite news|url=http://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/szas-ctrl-tour-at-the-ground-miami-october-7-9696113|title= SZA Brings Alt-R&B Back Into the Mainstream With CTRL|newspaper= Miami New Times|first= Celia|last= Almeda|date= November 25, 2017|access-date= February 22, 2018}} Billboard{{'}}s Christopher Malone said SZA "expresses her disregard for men who play with her and empowers women who are strong enough to cast them aside".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/list/8063600/100-best-songs-of-2017-critics-picks|title= Best Songs of 2017: Critics' Picks|magazine= Billboard|first= Christopher|last= Malone|date= December 13, 2017|access-date= February 22, 2018}} For NPR's Jenny Gathright, "The Weekend" is an example of a moment in the album in which SZA "hasn't taken a super defined moral stance" still "feels like self-care to me".{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2017/06/14/532856441/taking-ctrl-why-szas-new-album-means-so-much|title= Taking 'Ctrl': Why SZA's New Album Means So Much|publisher= NPR|author= Jenny Gathright|date= June 14, 2017|access-date= February 22, 2018}}

Mathys Rennela from Drowned in Sound reflected about it saying:

The much talked about "The Weekend", in which she discusses being the other woman and being cool with it, is particularly within the context of a year marked by a strong advocacy for (sex-positive) feminism, and echoes to black female-led TV shows such as HBO's Insecure and Netflix's She's Gotta Have It which portray self-care and self-determination as acts of rebellion, telling young women that their lives can be messy, and that there's nothing wrong with that.{{cite magazine|url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/20165/reviews/4151538|title= Album Review: SZA – CTRL|magazine= Drowned in Sound|first= Kathy's|last= Rennela|date= December 14, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018|archive-date= March 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309121728/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/20165/reviews/4151538|url-status= dead}}

On the Village Voice{{'}}s annual Pazz & Jop year-end songs list, "The Weekend" was tied at number 36 with six other songs.{{cite news|url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2018/01/22/pazz-jop-the-top-albums-and-singles-of-2017/|title=Pazz & Jop: It's Kendrick's and Cardi's World. We're All Just Living in It.|newspaper=Village Voice|date=January 22, 2018|access-date= February 20, 2018}} Sidney Madden of NPR considered it the ninth best song of 2017, praising its sample, and commenting, "Offering something of an olive branch to her perceived rival, SZA courageously flips the negative connotation that comes with being the other woman on its head".{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/12/13/568725464/the-100-best-songs-of-2017-page-5 |title=The 100 Best Songs Of 2017|date=December 13, 2017|publisher=NPR|access-date=February 20, 2018|first= Sidney|last= Madden}} Meskin Fekadu of The Advocate was extremely positive, considering it the best song of 2017, saying, "SZA paints the picture vividly with her crisp vocals matched to a smooth beat". He described the song as "storytelling, creative, realistic and addictive".{{cite web|url=http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/entertainment_life/article_be643b90-e529-11e7-ad2d-736ff79b04aa.html|title= SZA, Bruno Mars top Associated Press' top songs of 2017|work=The Advocate|first= Meskin|last= Fekadu|date= December 22, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}} Pitchfork ranked it as the 22nd best song of the year,{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-100-best-songs-of-2017/?page=8 |title=The 100 Best Songs of 2017|work=Pitchfork|first=Katherine|last=St. Asaph|date= December 7, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}} while Complex placed it 45th.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.complex.com/music/best-songs-2017/sza-the-weekend|title= The Best Songs of 2017: 45. SZA, "The Weekend"|magazine= Complex|author= Khal|date= December 19, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}} Billboard ranked the song as the 77th best of 2017 and the fifth in their R&B category.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/events/year-in-music-2017/8078671/best-rb-songs-of-2017-top-20|title= The 20 Best R&B Songs of 2017: Critics' Picks|magazine= Billboard|date= December 26, 2017|access-date= February 22, 2018}} "The Weekend" was nominated for Best R&B Performance at the 60th Grammy Awards held on January 28, 2018, but lost to Bruno Mars' "That's What I Like" (2017).{{cite web |url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/60th-grammy-awards-full-nominees-list |title=60th GRAMMY Awards: Full Nominees List |date=November 28, 2017|website=The Recording Academy |access-date=November 28, 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jan/28/grammy-awards-2018-the-full-list-of-winners|title=Grammys awards 2018: full list of winners|date= January 29, 2018|newspaper= The Guardian|first= Jake|last= Nevis|access-date= February 20, 2018}}

Despite not being released as a single at the time, "The Weekend" debuted at number 12 on Billboard{{'s}} Hot R&B Songs chart issued for July 1, 2017.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-and-b-songs/2017-07-01|title= R&B Songs Chart – 2017-07-01|magazine= Billboard|date= July 1, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}} It remained on the chart until debuting on the Billboard Hot 100 five weeks later at number 89, earning SZA her second entry on the chart and the first as a solo artist.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2017-08-19|title= Music: Top 100 Songs – 2017-08-19|magazine= Billboard|date= August 19, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}} The song progressively climbed on both charts. and additionally entered the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay and Rhythmic charts following its release on radio stations in the United States.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-r-and-b-hip-hop-airplay/2017-09-30|title= Hip Hop/R&B Songs – 2017-09-30|magazine= Billboard|date= September 30, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}} On the Billboard Hot 100 chart issued for October 7, 2017, SZA had four simultaneous entries charting at the same time: "The Weekend" at number 52, "Love Galore" at number 33, "What Lovers Do" with Maroon 5 at number 23, and "Homemade Dynamite" with Lorde, Khalid and Post Malone at number 92.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2017-10-07|title= Music: Top 100 – 2017-10-07|magazine= Billboard|date= October 7, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}} For Gary Suarez of Forbes, with this accomplishment SZA "cement[ed] her star status".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/garysuarez/2017/09/29/sza-billboard/#2724c29b204d|title= With Four Simultaneous Hot 100 Hits, SZA Cements Her Star Status|magazine= Forbes|first= Gary|last= Suarez|date= September 29, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}} As of November 8, 2017, the song surpassed the mark of one million units sold in the United States, receiving a platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).{{cite magazine|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2017/11/09/sza-the-weekend-certified-platinum/|title= SZA's 'The Weekend' Goes Platinum|magazine= Rap-Up|date= November 9, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.vibe.com/2017/11/sza-weekend-platinum-ctrl-album/|title= SZA's 'The Weekend' Goes Platinum, Thanks Fans For 'Best Bday Gift Ever'|publisher= Vibe|first= Carl|last= Lamarre|date= November 8, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}} On the week of January 4, 2018, "The Weekend" reached number one on the Hot R&B Songs chart, giving SZA her first number one and making her the first woman to top the ranking since Rihanna's "Needed Me" in October 2016.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2017/12/sza-first-number-one-billboard-r-and-b-songs-chart|title= SZA Checks Another Milestone Off Her List by Earning First No. 1 on R&B Songs Chart|magazine= Complex|first= Eric|last= Skelton|date= December 30, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}} "The Weekend" also went on to reach its peak position at number 29 on the Hot 100.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2018-01-03|title= Music: Top 100 Songs – 2018-01-03|magazine= Billboard|date= January 3, 2018|access-date= February 20, 2018}} SZA's appearance as a guest performer during Saturday Night Live on December 9, 2017 also contributed to the song's increase in sales, as reported by Billboard{{'}}s Trevor Anderson.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8085529/sza-the-weekend-first-number-1-hot-rb-songs-chart|title= SZA Scores First No. 1 on Hot R&B Songs Chart With 'The Weekend'|magazine= Billboard|first= Trevor|last= Anderson|date= December 28, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}}

File:SZA-The_Weekend.png

File:Solange - Coachella 2014 (10).jpg (pictured in 2014) directed the music video for "The Weekend"]]

The accompanying music video for "The Weekend" was directed by American singer-songwriter Solange Knowles and was shot in August 2017. SZA teased the video for the first time during an interview with USA Today where she also concerned her chemistry with Knowles, revealing that they had met personally a year prior to the video's shoot and they were excited about working together: "I love her. I think the universe is just bringing us closer to each other. That's my homegirl." For the video, they had originally shot in ten different locations with a specified design for each location, however, only four were included in the final version of the video.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2017/08/25/sza-summer-breakout-star-ctrl-love-galore/596928001/|title= SZA on the 'dramatic' letter she wrote Drew Barrymore and her dream 'Insecure' guest spot|newspaper= USA Today|first= Patrick|last= Ryan|date= August 28, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}} It was released on December 22, 2017.{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/sza-shares-new-solange-directed-the-weekend-video-watch/|title= SZA Shares New Solange-Directed "The Weekend" Video: Watch|last=Wicks |first=Amanda|date=December 22, 2017|website= Pitchfork|access-date= February 20, 2018}}

The video opens with repetitive scenes of SZA moving her arm back through her head, behind her image, there are some subtitles in yellow: "One opted out, an imbalance of power, shifted out the whole tide, it waved and waved."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/see-szas-compelling-the-weekend-video-directed-by-solange-w514631|title= See SZA's Compelling 'The Weekend' Video Directed by Solange|magazine= Rolling Stone|first= Daniel|last= Kreps|date= December 22, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}} SZA then appears in a dark blue, strappy leotard on the balcony of a modern building. As the video progresses, she is seen dancing alone in a parking lot wearing yellow transparent clothing. During the second verse of the song, she is in an empty art studio surrounded by red and blue glasses and light sheets covering the scenery. She also appears in an empty garden in a checkered leotard. The video ends with Rowe in a stairwell, wearing a nude bodysuit, and the same subtitles from the beginning of the video are shown.

Lars Gotrich from NPR compared the song to the visuals of the video commenting that although in the song, "SZA is the other woman taking power from the man who cheats," in the video, "she takes space to dance alone, with her own power."{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/event/music/572825145/sza-dances-alone-in-the-weekend-video-directed-by-solange|title= SZA Dances Alone In 'The Weekend' Video, Directed By Solange|publisher= NPR|first= Lars|last= Gotrich|date= December 22, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}} Kevin Goddard from HotNewHipHop described the video as an "artistic and beautiful 4-minute clip find[ing] the TDE songstress showing off her seductive and elegant figure."{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/sza-releases-new-solange-directed-video-for-the-weekend-new-video.42992.html|title= SZA Releases New Solange-Directed Video For "The Weekend"|publisher= HotNewHipHop|first= Kevin|last= Goddard|date= December 22, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}} Harper's Bazaar{{'}}s Erica Gonzales appreciated SZA's looks stating that the "wardrobe choices carry hints of the artist's aesthetic, but mixed in with SZA's seductive personal style."{{cite magazine|url=http://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-books-music/a14485880/sza-the-weekend-music-video/|title= SZA's Solange-Directed Music Video for "The Weekend" Is Here and The Looks Are Incredible|magazine= Harper's Bazaar|first= Erica|last= Gonzales|date= December 22, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}} Writing for Vulture, Hunter Harris observed that "The Weekend" video goes for something "abstract", concluding that it "isn't a side-chick anthem; SZA is reclaiming her time, and Solange has stepped in with the best visual representation of it."{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/12/watch-sza-solange-the-weekend-music-video.html|title= SZA Reclaims Her Time in This New Solange-Directed Music Video for 'The Weekend'|publisher= Vulture|first= Hunter|last= Harris|date= December 22, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}} Anna Gaca of Spin was as positive as the other editors, she viewed the video as "super-stylish and strikingly contemporary," and further wrote that it is shot in a "cinematic widescreen that showcases the grand yet minimal backdrops."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.spin.com/2017/12/sza-the-weekend-video/|title= Video: SZA – "The Weekend"|magazine= Spin|first= Anna|last= Gaca|date= December 22, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}} Applauding the video's "soft appeal", Andrew Roberts from Uproxx felt that it "blows the intentionally risque clips put out by Nicki Minaj and other artists away." For him, the visuals present in the work "captures all the sensuality and sexuality without hitting you over the head with it."{{cite web|url=http://uproxx.com/hiphop/sza-the-weekend-video-solange/2/|title= Watch SZA's Sizzling, Solange-Directed Video For Her Sensual Track, 'The Weekend'|publisher= Uproxx|author= Andrew Roberts|date= December 20, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}}

However, the video also received criticism due its simple aesthetic, with negative commentaries from some publications and especially from the public whose anticipations for the video were high.{{cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2017/12/22/internet-mercilessly-dragging-solanges-directed-video-szas-highly-anticipated-music-video-7180316/|title= The internet is mercilessly dragging Solange's directed video for SZA's highly-anticipated music video|publisher= Metro UK|first= Tobi|last= Akingbade|date= December 22, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bet.com/article/q0emlr/the-internet-is-underwhelmed-by-sza-s-latest-music-video|title= The Internet Is Blaming Solange For SZA's Underwhelming 'The Weekend' Video|publisher= BET.com|author= BET Staff|date= December 22, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}} Bianca Grace from Fuse website for example, noted the video's resemblance to that of Solange Knowles's "Cranes in the Sky" (2016) describing it as a "watered-down version" of the mentioned song's music video. She continued by writing, "it's quite disappointing when the accompanying video doesn't share the same thrills as the tune, which is about women time-sharing the same man. Rather than laying out a storyline that could've been soap opera-worthy (in the most artful way possible), it plays more like a visual slow dance."{{cite web|url=https://www.fuse.tv/2017/12/sza-solange-the-weekend-video|title= Solange Directed Sza's Dull 'the Weekend' Video, Which Doesn't Portray The Thrilling Love Triangle We Wanted|publisher= Fuse|first= Bianca|last= Gracie|date= December 22, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}} Idolator's Mike Nied ranked the video as the 15th worst of 2017, opining that it lacks the "striking visuals" that made "Love Galore" "a stand-out". Instead, "it is a literal snooze-fest filled with basic glamour poses."{{cite web|url=https://www.idolator.com/7672947/worst-music-videos-2017|title= From Jake Paul To Jessie J, The Worst Music Videos Of 2017|publisher= Idolator|first= Mike|last= Nied|date= December 30, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}} Gabriela Tully Claymore agreed with a commentary made by one YouTube user who states that SZA "look[s] ready for a zombie apocalypse".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8078596/sza-ctrl-shares-new-solange-knowles-directed-video-for-the-weekend|title= SZA Shares New Solange-Directed Video for 'The Weekend': Watch|magazine= Billboard|author= Gabriela Tully Claymore|date= December 22, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}}

On August 3, 2017, R&B singer Miguel posted a video of him singing an a capella version of the song on his Instagram page. On the caption he wrote, "Foxy-ass song, definitely a favorite of mine on the album".{{cite magazine|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2017/08/miguel-smoothly-covers-szas-weekend-watch/|title= Miguel smoothly covers SZA's "Weekend": Watch|magazine= Consequence of Sound|first= Michelle|last= Geslani|date= August 3, 2017|access-date= February 21, 2018}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.thefader.com/2017/08/03/miguel-cover-sza-the-weekend|title= Watch Miguel Passionately Cover SZA's "The Weekend"|magazine= The Fader|first= Ben|last= Lemco|date= August 3, 2017|access-date= February 21, 2018}}

American singer Khalid sung a medley of "The Weekend" and "Love Galore" accompanied by the melody played on an acoustic guitar in a tempo faster than the original version. The singer filmed a video and published it on his Twitter account; it instantaneously went viral through the internet.{{cite web|url=https://www.vibe.com/2017/08/khalid-acoustic-cover-sza-love-galore-the-weekend/|title= Khalid Delivers Expressive Acoustic Medley Of SZA's "Love Galore" & "The Weekend"|publisher= Vibe|first= Jessica|last= MCKinney|date= August 16, 2017|access-date= February 21, 2018}} Jessica McKinney for Vibe called the cover "expressive" while Stereogum{{'}}s Chris DeVille said Khalid gave a "characteristically rich reading of SZA's source material".{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1957660/watch-khalid-cover-szas-love-galore/video/|title= Watch Khalid Cover SZA's "Love Galore"|website= Stereogum|first= Chris|last= DeVille|date= August 16, 2017|access-date= February 21, 2018}}

American rapper Wale released a remix of the song written from a male perspective, serving as a response to SZA's original version. He opens his version with a spoken poem before singing the verses. In the remix, he admits his unfaithfulness and explains his cheating ways, rapping, "Maybe cheaters is sociopaths / Maybe we be cheatin', we ain't heal from a ho in the past / Or maybe I'm a ho and I can show you this hole in my heart / I eat your liquid gold and go home to Golden Corral, you don't know".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2018/01/wale-sza-the-weekend-remix|title= Wale Gives SZA the Answers She's Looking for in "The Weekend" Remix|magazine= Complex|first= Victoria|last= Johnson|date= January 11, 2017|access-date= February 21, 2018}}{{cite magazine|title=Wale Remixes SZA's The Weekend - XXL|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/new-music/2018/01/wale-the-weekend-remix-sza/?trackback=tsmclip|magazine= XXL|first= Nick|last= Mojica|date= January 11, 2018|access-date= February 21, 2018}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8093915/wale-sza-the-weekend-remix|title= Wale Examines His Cheating Ways on His Remix to SZA's 'The Weekend': Premiere|magazine= Billboard|first= Carl|last= Lamarre|date= January 11, 2018|access-date= February 20, 2018}} Aron A. of HotNewHipHop praised Wale's honest lyrics, noting that he "dives deep on the song as he owns up to his infidelity and questions why he does it".{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/wale-puts-his-spin-on-szas-the-weekend-new-song.1976938.html|title= Wale Puts His Spin On SZA's "The Weekend"|publisher= HotNewHipHop|author= Aron A.|date= January 11, 2018|access-date= February 21, 2018}} "The Weekend" also gained another male perspective from rapper Maino, who responds to SZA's lyrics in his rap-sing verses about the privacy he needs with women.{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/maino-adds-his-own-perspective-to-sza-s-the-weekend-new-song.1976403.html|title= Maino Adds His Own Perspective To SZA's "The Weekend"|publisher= HotNewHipHop|author= Aron a.|date= November 25, 2017|access-date= February 21, 2018}} Writing for Uproxx, Aaron Williams recognized the song's impact while acclaiming Khalid's cover; he wrote, "It's been interesting to note that SZA's ostensibly female-empowering CTRL has resonated so strongly among male artists, but that's good music for you. It doesn't matter who you are, where you are, or why, sometimes you just have to sing."{{cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/hiphop/khalid-sza-the-weekend-cover/|title= Watch Khalid's Sweetly Acoustic Cover Of SZA's 'The Weekend'|publisher= Uproxx|first= Aaron|last= Williams|date= August 16, 2017|access-date= February 21, 2018}} In April 2018, American rapper WordPlay uploaded a remix to his YouTube channel, with an official music video released in July of that year.

File:Ctrl the tour(2).jpg in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in August 2017.]]

SZA first promoted "The Weekend" at the 2017 BET Awards on June 25, 2017, in front of a grassy backdrop that Billboard{{'}}s Lindsey Havens noted for being reminiscent of the cover artwork of Ctrl.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/7842151/sza-love-galore-the-weekend-bet-awards-2017|title= SZA Delivers Beautiful Performance of 'Love Galore' & 'The Weekend' at 2017 BET Awards|magazine= Billboard|first= Lindsey|last= Havens|date= June 25, 2017|access-date= February 22, 2018}} Before SZA started singing, the performance was interrupted by unexpected technical difficulties but her performance was immediately restarted.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.thefader.com/2017/06/25/sza-love-galore-the-weekend-ctrl-2017-bet-awards|title= Watch SZA Perform "Love Galore" And "The Weekend" At The 2017 BET Awards|magazine= The Fader|first= Ben|last= Lemco|date= June 25, 2017|access-date= February 22, 2018}} SZA also performed the song during the 2017 Day N Night Festival that took place from September 8 to 10, 2017, at the Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.{{cite news|url=http://www.laweekly.com/music/day-n-night-festival-highlights-included-chance-the-rapper-and-ygs-f-k-donald-trump-8637437|title= Chance the Rapper Took a Rowdy Day N Night Crowd to Church|author= Lynn Q. Yu|newspaper= LA Weekly|date=September 11, 2017|access-date= February 22, 2018}}{{cite magazine|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2017/07/kendrick-lamar-and-chance-the-rapper-to-headline-day-n-night-festival/|title= Kendrick Lamar and Chance the Rapper to headline Day N Night Festival|magazine= Consequence of Sound|first= Alex|last= Young|date= July 7, 2017|access-date= February 22, 2018}} On December 9, 2017, SZA appeared on the 43rd season of Saturday Night Live as the second artist from her label following Kendrick Lamar—who had performed a week before—on the program. She was introduced by host James Franco and performed "The Weekend" backed by a full-female choir, using sultry flute, clarinet and a trumpet as instrumentation. The set included piles of flickering televisions and computer monitors, resembling the cover artwork of Ctrl.{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/watch-sza-perform-the-weekend-and-love-galore-on-snl/|title= Watch SZA Perform "The Weekend" and "Love Galore" on "SNL"|website= Pitchfork|first= Amanda|last= Wicks|date= December 11, 2017|access-date= February 22, 2018}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.spin.com/2017/12/sza-love-galore-the-weekend-snl-performance-watch/|title= Watch SZA Perform "Love Galore" and "The Weekend" on SNL|magazine= Spin|first= Rob|last= Arcand|date= December 10, 2017|access-date= February 22, 2018}}

Entertainment Weekly{{'}}s David Canfield called her performances "powerful" and said SZA brought a different vibe to her first presence at the night show combining her signature vocals with some "soothing, unique instrumental choices".{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/tv/2017/12/10/snl-sza-the-weekend-love-galore/|title= SZA gives powerful performances of 'The Weekend,' 'Love Galore' on SNL|magazine= Entertainment Weekly|first= David|last= Canfield|date= December 10, 2017|access-date= February 22, 2018}} Daniel Kreps of Rolling Stone applauded her vocal performance and praised the choir's presence during the performance and stating that the backing singers gave the rendition an "ethereal tone".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/watch-sza-perform-the-weekend-love-galore-on-snl-w513708|title= Watch SZA Perform 'The Weekend,' 'Love Galore' on 'SNL'|magazine= Rolling Stone|first= Daniel|last= Kreps|date= December 10, 2017|access-date= February 22, 2018}} Clash{{'}}s editor Robin Murray expressed his enthusiasm by calling SZA's performance "emphatic" and "breathtaking".{{cite web|url=http://www.clashmusic.com/news/watch-szas-snl-performance-is-breathtaking|title= Watch: SZA's SNL Performance Is Breathtaking|publisher= Clash|first= Robin|last= Murray|date= December 11, 2017|access-date= February 22, 2018}}

Elsewhere, SZA performed "The Weekend" during the SOS Tour (2023–2024).{{Cite web |last=Kress |first=Bryan |date=February 22, 2023 |title=SZA Smoothly Sails Through 'SOS Tour' Opener in Columbus, Ohio: Setlist + Video |url=https://consequence.net/2023/02/sza-sos-tour-setlist-video-watch/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223075327/https://consequence.net/2023/02/sza-sos-tour-setlist-video-watch/ |archive-date=February 23, 2023 |access-date=April 21, 2025 |website=Consequence |language=en-US}} She has also included the song on the set list of her co-headlining Grand National Tour (2025) with Kendrick Lamar.{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Surej |date=2025-04-21 |title=Here's Everything Kendrick Lamar and SZA Played to Kick Off Their North American 'Grand National' Tour |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/heres-everything-kendrick-lamar-and-sza-played-to-kick-off-their-north-american-grand-national-tour-3856396 |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Ctrl.{{cite AV media notes|title=CTRL|others=SZA|type=CD|publisher=Top Dawg Entertainment/RCA Records|year=2017}}

Publishing

• W.B.M Music Corporation (SESAC) and Daniah Andz Muzic (SESAC). All rights administered by W.B.M Music Publishing Corp./Universal Music – Z Tunes LLC / o/b/o Tennman Tunes (ASCAP)/OLE Virginia Beach Music (ASCAP).

Recording

• Recorded at Platinum Sounds Studios, New York City, New York.
• Mixed at Larrabee Studios, Universal City, California
• Mastered at Bernie Grundman Mastering, Los Angeles, California.

Personnel

• Songwriting – Solána Rowe, Justin Timberlake, Cody Fayne, Timothy Mosley, Floyd Hills{{efn|"The Weekend" samples "Set the Mood (Prelude)" from the album FutureSex/LoveSounds by Justin Timberlake.}}
• Production – ThankGod4Cody
• Vocal production – ThankGod4Cody
• Vocal recording – SZA
• Mastering – Mike Bozzi
• Mixing – Derek "Mixedbyali" Ali
• Engineering – Chris Classick

{{col-start}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2017|certyear=2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=SZA|title=The Weeknd|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2017|relmonth=9|certyear=2023|access-date=December 6, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=single|award=Platinum|number=5|artist=SZA|title=The Weekend|relyear=2017|certyear=2023|access-date=September 19, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|type=single|award=Gold|artist=SZA|title=The Weekend|relyear=2017|certyear=2024|access-date=October 16, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|award=Platinum|number=4|artist=SZA|title=The Weekend|relyear=2017|id=2024-04-19|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|certyear=2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|award=Platinum|artist=SZA|title=The Weekend|relyear=2017|certyear=2021|id=11929-4680-1|access-date=April 1, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|award=Platinum|number=7|artist=SZA|title=The Weekend|relyear=2017|certyear=2025|access-date=February 8, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}

{{Infobox song

| name = The Weekend (Funk Wav Remix)

| cover =

| type = single

| artist = SZA and Calvin Harris

| released = {{start date|2017|12|15}}

| recorded =

| genre = *Funk

• house

| length = {{duration|m=2|s=51}}

| label =

| writer = {{hlist|Solána Rowe|Cody Fayne|Justin Timberlake|Timothy Mosley|Floyd Hills}}

| producer = Calvin Harris

| chronology = Calvin Harris singles

| prev_title = Faking It

| prev_year = 2017

| next_title = Nuh Ready Nuh Ready

| next_year = 2018

}}

On December 15, 2017, a remix by Scottish DJ Calvin Harris titled "The Weekend (Funk Wav Remix)" was released for digital download and on streaming platforms.{{cite magazine|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/calvin-harris-remixes-szas-the-weekend-listen/|title= Calvin Harris Remixes SZA's "The Weekend": Listen|magazine= Billboard|first= Noah|last= Yoo|date= December 15, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.spin.com/2017/12/sza-the-weekend-funk-wav-remix-ft-calvin-harris/|title= SZA – "The Weekend" (Funk Wav Remix) ft. Calvin Harris|magazine= Spin|first= Rob|last= Arcand|date= December 15, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}} On January 6, 2018, it impacted adult contemporary radio stations in the United Kingdom. This remix is used as an intro to the weekend version of Good Morning Football on NFL Network.

Kat Bein of Billboard noted SZA's "immaculate vocal" swings with "serious attitude" over the song's "sex-time synths."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/8070749/calvin-harris-sza-the-weekend-funk-wav-remix|title= Calvin Harris & SZA Spice Up 'The Weekend' on 'Funk Wav' Remix: Listen|magazine= Billboard|first= Kat|last= Bein|date= December 15, 2017|access-date= February 21, 2018}} Rose Lilah of HotNewHipHop had a similar notion, writing that Harris added "a bit of grooviness and funk to the record", creating a "more bouncy song" than the original song which for her, has a "sombre tone."{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/sza-and-calvin-harris-team-up-for-funky-the-weekend-remix-new-song.1976635.html|title= SZA & Calvin Harris Team Up For Funky "The Weekend" RRemix|publisher= HotNewHipHop|first= Rose|last= Lilah|date= December 15, 2017|access-date= February 21, 2018}}

The remix turned the song into a funk production with influences of old-school house music as noted by a Rap-Up{{'}}s writer.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2017/12/14/new-music-sza-calvin-harris-the-weekend-funk-wav-remix/|title= New Music: SZA & Calvin Harris – 'The Weekend (Funk Wav Remix)'|magazine= Rap-Up|date= December 15, 2017|access-date= February 20, 2018}} Harris also added piano chords and a "toe-tapping slap" bass,{{cite magazine|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/sza-the_weekend_calvin_harris_remix|title= SZA – "The Weekend" (Calvin Harris remix)|magazine= Exclaim!|first= Josiah|last= Hughes|date= December 14, 2017|access-date= February 21, 2018}} Kat Bein from Billboard observed that Harris produced the remix on the same "{{-'}}70s poolside vibe" present on his Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 (2017) album which draws from a throwback sound reminiscent of funk, disco musical styles.

The remix peaked at number 36 on the Belgium Urban Ultratop Flanders and RMNZ's New Zealand Heatseekers chart, peaking at number 3.

{{Track listing

| headline = Digital download – Funk Wav remix{{cite web|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/82377109|title=The Weekend (Funk Wav Remix) SZA & Calvin Harris|website=Tidal|date=15 December 2017 |access-date=22 January 2019}}

| title1 = The Weekend (Funk Wav Remix)

| note1 = with Calvin Harris

| length1 = 2:51

}}

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=SZA X Calvin Harris|title=The Weekend – Funk Wav Remix|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2017|certyear=2024|id=13424|access-date=January 17, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=SZA|title=The Weekend (Calvin Harris Remix)|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2017|certyear=2018|source=radioscope|access-date=December 25, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|award=Platinum|artist=SZA X Calvin Harris|title=The Weekend (Funk Wav Remix)|relyear=2017|certyear=2021|access-date=April 18, 2019}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{YouTube|PALMMqZLAQk|Audio}}

{{SZA songs}}

{{Calvin Harris}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Weekend}}

Category:2017 singles

Category:2017 songs

Category:SZA songs

Category:Songs written by SZA

Category:Songs written by Justin Timberlake

Category:Songs written by Timbaland

Category:Songs written by Danja (record producer)

Category:RCA Records singles

Category:Song recordings produced by ThankGod4Cody