The Weekend

"The Weekend" by SZA delves into the complex dynamics of a non-monogamous relationship, told from the perspective of one of the women involved. The central theme is the sharing of a romantic partner. Lyrically, SZA outlines an arrangement where she has the man on the weekends, while another woman (or women) has him during the weekdays. However, SZA has clarified that the song is not a simple "side-chick anthem." Instead, she portrays a scenario involving three women who are all being played by the same man. From her perspective, the song is about reclaiming power in a situation designed to be disempowering. Rather than internalizing the man's behavior as a sign of her own inadequacy, the narrator "opts in" to the arrangement, carving out her own space and terms within the complicated dynamic. It explores a sense of agency and empowerment within a traditionally disempowering context. The song navigates the gray areas of love and lust, examining the tension between societal norms of monogamy and the reality of modern dating complexities.

The narrator begins by questioning a man who desires her despite already having a girlfriend. She acknowledges the recklessness and selfishness of the situation, admitting to her own desperation that draws her into his love. She describes their intimate moments, waiting for him late at night, not caring about his other commitments as long as he comes to her. The core of the song revolves around an unconventional arrangement where she shares this man with at least one, and possibly two, other women. This is captured in the recurring line, "My man is my man, is your man, heard it's her man too."

She outlines a schedule: the other women have him during the weekdays, from Tuesday to Friday. Her time with him is reserved for the weekend. She draws a clear parallel between the other woman's role and a conventional job, singing, "You're like nine to five, I'm the weekend." This isn't a lament but a statement of her role as the exciting, passionate escape. Her purpose is to make him "lose his mind every weekend," providing a thrill that the routine of the weekdays lacks. There's a sense of a cooperative, if unspoken, agreement among the women, as she says, "You take Wednesday, Thursday, then just send him my way."

As the song progresses, the narrator's initial satisfaction with just two days starts to feel insufficient. She expresses a desire for more of him, questioning the teasing nature of their limited time together and admitting she needs at least four days. This reveals a crack in her seemingly content facade, showing a deeper longing. She declares she's ready to take the other woman's place on a Monday, eager to provide what he's been missing. However, she always returns to the established structure of their arrangement, the weekend affair. The song concludes without a clear resolution, leaving the listener in the midst of this emotionally complex and morally ambiguous situation, sustained by a blend of desire, desperation, and a fragile sense of control.

"The Weekend" was written by SZA (Solána Rowe) and its producer, Cody Fayne, who is professionally known as ThankGod4Cody. The song was recorded for SZA's debut studio album, Ctrl (2017). The production originated when producer Script suggested to ThankGod4Cody that he sample "Set the Mood (Prelude)" from Justin Timberlake's 2006 album, FutureSex/LoveSounds. Consequently, Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, and Danja also received writing credits. ThankGod4Cody built upon the sample by adding chords, a bassline, and what he described as a "glittery layer." He then presented the instrumental to SZA, who was immediately drawn to it. She wrote the lyrics in just a few hours the next day. ThankGod4Cody expressed surprise at the controversial concept SZA came up with, noting that he never anticipated the track would go in that direction but appreciated that it sparked conversation. The song's vocals were recorded at Platinum Sounds Studios in New York City. Initially considered a "throwaway" track by SZA, its unexpected popularity on streaming platforms and social media after the album's release prompted RCA Records to officially release it as the album's third single on September 26, 2017.

"The Weekend" employs a relaxed, slow-burning tempo that aligns with its classic R&B and neo-soul feel. The rhythmic structure is smooth and fluid, driven by a steady beat with prominent synth keys and subtle percussion, allowing SZA's vocals to float on top. The song doesn't adhere to a rigid, traditional rhyme scheme, favoring a more free-verse and conversational style that enhances its lyrical authenticity. SZA uses slant rhymes and internal rhymes to create a sense of cohesion without sounding forced (e.g., "reckless," "selfish," "desperate"). The lyrical rhythm often mirrors natural speech patterns, making the narrative feel personal and direct, as if the listener is hearing a confession. This interplay between the musical rhythm and the lyrical flow is central to the song's intimate and introspective atmosphere. The chorus introduces a more structured and memorable melodic and rhythmic pattern, creating a powerful hook that contrasts with the freer verses.

"The Weekend" is a prime example of SZA's signature blend of alternative R&B and neo-soul. The song's production, handled by ThankGod4Cody, is built around a prominent sample of Justin Timberlake's "Set the Mood (Prelude)", which provides a smooth, atmospheric foundation. The instrumentation is characterized by a glossy synth-line, subtle hi-hats, minimalist drums, and distinctive 'clocking key thumps' that create a laid-back, yet insistent rhythm. A key musical element is the high-pitched vocal sample from the original track, which is looped to create a hypnotic, slightly melancholic hook. SZA’s vocal delivery is a defining feature; she employs a conversational, almost freestyle-like flow that feels both intimate and raw. Her singing is fluid and melismatic, effortlessly moving between sung passages and more spoken-like confessions, which enhances the lyrical narrative's honesty and vulnerability. The song's structure is relatively simple, allowing the focus to remain on the lyrical storytelling and SZA's emotive performance. The key of B Major provides a rich harmonic landscape for the complex emotional themes.

"The Weekend" became a standout track from SZA's critically acclaimed debut album, Ctrl, significantly contributing to her rise as a major voice in contemporary R&B. Despite not being an initial single, the song's immense popularity on streaming services led to its official release, eventually peaking at number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming SZA's first solo song to enter the chart. It also topped the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart, making SZA the first woman to do so since Rihanna in 2016. The song was certified triple platinum by the RIAA. "The Weekend" received a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards. The track sparked widespread discussion about modern relationships, infidelity, and female perspectives on polyamory, often being labeled a "side-chick manifesto," a term SZA herself disputed. The music video, directed by Solange Knowles, was highly anticipated, though its abstract, artistic style drew mixed reactions from fans who expected a more narrative-driven visual. The song's cultural resonance solidified Ctrl as a landmark album and cemented SZA's status as an artist known for raw, relatable, and boundary-pushing songwriting.

The song's central and most powerful metaphor is the comparison of the narrator to "the weekend" and the other woman to the "nine to five." The "nine to five" symbolizes the routine, the mundane, and the obligatory aspects of a primary relationship. In contrast, "the weekend" represents escape, pleasure, excitement, and a break from the norm. This metaphor establishes a hierarchy of roles, not in terms of importance, but in terms of function and emotional experience. The weekdays (Tuesday through Friday) are used literally to denote the time the man spends with the other woman, but they also metaphorically signify a structured, perhaps passionless, routine that the narrator is exempt from. By positioning herself as the weekend, the narrator claims the role of the passionate, exhilarating partner, flipping a potentially disempowering situation into one where she holds a unique form of power. The phrase "Bright ideas, we got bright ideas" in the bridge can be interpreted as a sarcastic or ironic nod to the supposed cleverness of their complicated arrangement.

The most significant recurring motif in "The Weekend" is the line: "My man is my man, is your man, heard it's her man too." This phrase is the song's lyrical centerpiece, explicitly stating the theme of a shared partner and a polyamorous situation involving at least three women. Its repetition in the chorus drills home the central conflict and the narrator's candid acceptance of it. Another key recurring motif is the framing of the relationship through the days of the week. The lines "Tuesday and Wednesday, Thursday and Friday / I just keep him satisfied through the weekend" and the comparison "You like nine to five, I'm the weekend" are repeated to establish the structure of the time-sharing arrangement. This motif reinforces the central metaphor of the narrator as an escape or a temporary pleasure, distinct from the daily routine represented by the other woman. The arrival time, "10:30, no later than," also recurs, grounding the abstract emotional situation in a concrete, recurring event that signals the beginning of her time with him.