Hurt You (The Weeknd song)

"Hurt You" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd and French producer Gesaffelstein. Released as the fifth track from the Weeknd's debut extended play My Dear Melancholy (2018), it was written by the Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye), Gesaffelstein (Mike Lévy), Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo of Daft Punk, and Cirkut, with the latter three producing the track.

"Hurt You"
Song by The Weeknd and Gesaffelstein
from the EP My Dear Melancholy
Released	March 30, 2018 (2018-03-30)
Genre	Alternative R&B
Length	3:50
Label	XO Records, Republic Records
Songwriter(s)	Abel Tesfaye Mike Lévy Guillaume Emmanuel de Homem-Christo Henry Russell Walter
Producer(s)	Cirkut Gesaffelstein Guy Manuel de Homem-Christo

Critical reception

The song received mixed reviews from critics. Jordan Bassett of NME referred to the melody of the track as "sliding into in a squealing cacophony of electronic beats, howling synths and sound effects that evoke a ray gun blasting into your heart".^[1] While ranking every song on My Dear Melancholy, Michael Saponara of Billboard ranks the song at fourth place; "The second collaboration with Gesaffelstein is reminiscent of classic Abel," says Saponara, "'Hurt You' sees The Weeknd exude his wide-ranging singing abilities here more than any other track on the EP".^[2]

Craig Jenkins of Vulture described that the track, in particular the lyric "between your legs, not between your heart", as "feel[ing] like eavesdropping on a gross couples’ squabble teetering between high drama and base chauvinism".^[3] Larry Fitzmaurice of Pitchfork stated that "Homem-Cristo and fellow Frenchman Gesaffelstein draw from the same well that produced Starboy’s title track and 'I Feel It Coming,' but fail to match the radiance of either".^[4]

Composition and lyrics

"Hurt You" is an alternative R&B song. In the song's lyrics, Tesfaye warns his partner to keep her distance, as he is, in reality, not fully in love with his partner.^[2]

Charts

Chart performance for "Hurt You"

Chart (2018)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)[5]	37
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[6]	17
France (SNEP)[7]	103
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[8]	63
Portugal (AFP)[9]	28
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[10]	33
UK Audio Streaming (OCC)[11]	45
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[12]	23
US Billboard Hot 100[13]	43

Certifications

Certifications for "Hurt You"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[14]	Platinum	70,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[15]	Platinum	40,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[16]	Gold	40,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[17]	Silver	200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[18]	Platinum	1,000,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. Bassett, Jordan (April 3, 2018). "The Weeknd – 'My Dear Melancholy,' EP Review". NME. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
2. Saponara, Michael (March 30, 2018). "Ranking Each Song From The Weeknd's 'My Dear Melancholy' EP: Critic's Pick". Billboard. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
3. Jenkins, Craig (April 3, 2018). "The Weeknd's My Dear Melancholy Is a Jarring Breakup Album". Vulture. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
4. "The Weeknd: My Dear Melancholy". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
5. "The Weeknd – Hurt You". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
6. "The Weeknd Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
7. "The Weeknd – Hurt You" (in French). Les classement single.
8. "The Weeknd – Hurt You" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
9. "The Weeknd – Hurt You". AFP Top 100 Singles.
10. "The Weeknd – Hurt You". Singles Top 100.
11. "Official Audio Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
12. "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
13. "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
14. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
15. "Brazilian single certifications – The Weeknd – Hurt You" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
16. "Canadian single certifications – The Weeknd – Hurt You". Music Canada. February 21, 2019.
17. "British single certifications – Weeknd Ft Gesaffelstein – Hurt You". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
18. "American single certifications – The Weeknd – Hurt You". Recording Industry Association of America. December 6, 2022.