Dawn FM cover art

  Studio Album · No. 4

Dawn FM Songwriting Credits by The Weeknd

2022 XO / Republic Records 16 tracks 52 min

Produced by Daniel Lopatin, Max Martin, Oscar Holter, Matt Cohn, Swedish House Mafia, DaHeala, Calvin Harris, Rex Kudo

XO / Republic Records Synth-popNew WaveR&B
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 16 of 16 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 16 / 16 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 16 tracks with documented writers, by whether The Weeknd carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
16 trackswritten by The Weeknd 0 tracksoutside writers
The Weeknd's roles on this album

Share of the 16 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer0%
Producer100%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

16
Tracks
30
Lyricists
16
Producers
2022
Released

Awards & Recognition 2

Juno Award for Album of the Year (2023)
Juno Award for Pop Album of the Year (2023)
Data Insight

Dawn FM is a concept album framed as a radio broadcast guiding listeners through purgatory, narrated by Jim Carrey as the voice of the fictional station. The Weeknd built it primarily with Max Martin, Oneohtrix Point Never, and Oscar Holter, with additional production from Calvin Harris and Swedish House Mafia, giving the record its dense synth-pop and new wave palette. The Weeknd co-wrote and co-produced the project throughout, releasing "Take My Breath" and "Sacrifice" as the lead singles. Spoken interludes from Quincy Jones on "A Tale by Quincy" and guest verses from Tyler, the Creator and Lil Wayne extend the broadcast conceit across the tracklist.

Dawn FM is The Weeknd's fifth studio album, released January 7, 2022, through XO and Republic Records. The album is conceived as a late-night radio broadcast set in purgatory, its narrative held together by interludes, a DJ persona voiced by Jim Carrey, and a spoken word piece narrated by Quincy Jones, making it The Weeknd's most theatrical and concept-driven work to date. Daniel Lopatin (Oneohtrix Point Never) served as co-executive producer alongside Tesfaye, contributing ambient electronic textures that give the album its distinctly hypnagogic, liminal feel. Max Martin and Oscar Holter produced or co-produced the majority of the album's 16 standard tracks, continuing the partnership that began on Beauty Behind the Madness (2015) and delivering some of the most polished synth-pop production of the era. Swedish House Mafia co-produced two tracks, 'How Do I Make You Love Me?' and 'Sacrifice', while Tyler, the Creator contributed a verse to 'Here We Go... Again' and Lil Wayne appeared on 'I Heard You're Married,' co-produced by Calvin Harris. 'Out of Time' prominently samples 'Midnight Pretenders' by Japanese city pop artist Tomoko Aran, crediting both Aran and co-writer Tetsurō Oda. Tesfaye holds a co-writer credit on all 16 tracks, maintaining his near-complete lyricist ownership across his entire catalog. Dawn FM debuted at number two on the Billboard 200.

Track Listing & Credits 16 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Dawn FM
Abel TesfayeDaniel Lopatin Daniel LopatinMax MartinOscar Holter Abel TesfayeDaniel LopatinMax MartinOscar Holter Abel Tesfaye (Vocals)
2
Gasoline
Abel TesfayeDaniel LopatinMax MartinOscar HolterMatt Cohn Daniel LopatinMax MartinOscar HolterMatt Cohn Abel TesfayeDaniel LopatinMax MartinOscar HolterMatt Cohn Abel Tesfaye (Vocals)
3
How Do I Make You Love Me?
Abel TesfayeDaniel LopatinMax MartinAxel HedforsSteve AngelloSebastian IngrossoOscar HolterMatt Cohn Daniel LopatinMax MartinAxel HedforsSteve AngelloSebastian IngrossoOscar HolterMatt Cohn Abel TesfayeDaniel LopatinMax MartinSwedish House MafiaOscar HolterMatt Cohn Abel Tesfaye (Vocals)
4
Take My Breath #6
Abel TesfayeAhmad BalsheAndrea Di CeglieLuigi TutoloMax MartinOscar Holter Ahmad BalsheAndrea Di CeglieLuigi TutoloMax MartinOscar Holter Abel TesfayeMax MartinOscar Holter Abel Tesfaye (Vocals)
5
Sacrifice #11
Abel TesfayeMax MartinAxel HedforsSteve AngelloSebastian IngrossoCarl NordströmOscar HolterKevin McCord Max MartinAxel HedforsSteve AngelloSebastian IngrossoCarl NordströmOscar HolterKevin McCord Abel TesfayeMax MartinSwedish House MafiaOscar Holter Abel Tesfaye (Vocals)
6
A Tale by Quincy
Abel TesfayeQuincy JonesDaniel LopatinJeff Gitelman Daniel LopatinJeff GitelmanMax Martin Abel TesfayeDaniel LopatinMax MartinJeff Gitelman Abel Tesfaye (Vocals)Quincy Jones (Narration)
7
Out of Time #32
Abel TesfayeDaniel LopatinMax MartinOscar HolterTomoko AranTetsurō Oda Daniel LopatinMax MartinOscar HolterTomoko AranTetsurō Oda Abel TesfayeDaniel LopatinMax MartinOscar Holter Abel Tesfaye (Vocals)
8
Here We Go... Again
Abel TesfayeTyler OkonmaRex KudoBruce JohnstonChristian LoveBrian KennedyBenny BockCharlie Coffeen Rex KudoBruce JohnstonChristian LoveBrian KennedyBenny BockCharlie Coffeen Abel TesfayeRex KudoBruce JohnstonBrian KennedyBenny BockCharlie Coffeen Abel Tesfaye (Vocals)Tyler, the Creator (Rap)
9
Best Friends
Abel TesfayeJason Quenneville Jason Quenneville Abel TesfayeDaHealaDaniel LopatinMax MartinOscar HolterMatt Cohn Abel Tesfaye (Vocals)
10
Is There Someone Else?
Abel TesfayeDaniel LopatinMax MartinThomas BrownPeter Lee Johnson Daniel LopatinMax MartinThomas BrownPeter Lee Johnson Abel TesfayeDaniel LopatinThomas BrownPeter Lee JohnsonMax MartinOscar Holter Abel Tesfaye (Vocals)
11
Starry Eyes
Abel TesfayeDaniel LopatinThomas BrownPeter Lee Johnson Daniel LopatinThomas BrownPeter Lee Johnson Abel TesfayeDaniel LopatinMax MartinOscar Holter Abel Tesfaye (Vocals)
12
Every Angel Is Terrifying
Abel TesfayeDaniel LopatinMatt Cohn Daniel LopatinMatt Cohn Abel TesfayeDaniel LopatinMatt Cohn Abel Tesfaye (Vocals)
13
Don't Break My Heart
Abel TesfayeDaniel LopatinMax MartinOscar HolterMatt Cohn Daniel LopatinMax MartinOscar HolterMatt Cohn Abel TesfayeDaniel LopatinMax MartinOscar HolterMatt Cohn Abel Tesfaye (Vocals)
14
I Heard You're Married
Abel TesfayeDwayne CarterAdam WilesDaniel Lopatin Adam WilesDaniel Lopatin Abel TesfayeCalvin HarrisDaniel LopatinMax MartinOscar Holter Abel Tesfaye (Vocals)Lil Wayne (Rap)
15
Less than Zero
Abel TesfayeMax MartinOscar Holter Max MartinOscar Holter Abel TesfayeMax MartinOscar HolterDaniel Lopatin Abel Tesfaye (Vocals)
16
Phantom Regret by Jim
Abel TesfayeJim CarreyDaniel LopatinMax MartinOscar HolterMatt Cohn Daniel LopatinMax MartinOscar HolterMatt Cohn Abel TesfayeDaniel LopatinMax MartinOscar HolterMatt Cohn Abel Tesfaye (Vocals)Jim Carrey (Narration)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 35 contributors

AT
Abel Tesfaye
Writer · Producer · Vocals
On this album16 written
MM
Max Martin
Writer · Producer
On this album11 written
DL
Daniel Lopatin
Writer · Producer
On this album11 written
OH
Oscar Holter
Writer · Producer
On this album9 written
MC
Matt Cohn
Writer · Producer
On this album5 written
PL
Peter Lee Johnson
Writer · Producer
On this album2 written
TB
Thomas Brown
Writer · Producer
On this album2 written
AH
Axel Hedfors
Writer
On this album2 written
SI
Sebastian Ingrosso
Writer
On this album2 written
SA
Steve Angello
Writer
On this album2 written
BB
Benny Bock
Writer · Producer
On this album1 written
BK
Brian Kennedy
Writer · Producer
On this album1 written

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Frequently Asked Questions Dawn FM

What is the concept behind The Weeknd's Dawn FM?
Dawn FM is framed as a radio broadcast that listeners tune into while stuck in purgatory, waiting to cross over to the light of dawn. Jim Carrey voices the radio host who guides the listener through the album, tying the songs together as segments of one continuous transmission. The concept extends The Weeknd's storytelling from his previous album After Hours.
Who produced Dawn FM by The Weeknd?
The Weeknd co-produced the album alongside Max Martin, Oneohtrix Point Never, and Oscar Holter, who handled much of the record. Additional production came from Calvin Harris and Swedish House Mafia. The collaboration with Oneohtrix Point Never gives the album much of its experimental synth texture.
What were the singles from Dawn FM?
"Take My Breath" was released as the lead single in August 2021, followed by "Sacrifice" and "Out of Time" around the album's January 2022 release, with "Less than Zero" issued later in 2022. "Take My Breath" was the highest charting of the singles, reaching number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Who narrates A Tale by Quincy on Dawn FM?
"A Tale by Quincy" features spoken narration from the legendary producer Quincy Jones, who reflects on his own childhood and relationships. The interlude was assembled from Jones speaking about his life, fitting the album's late-night radio framing. It serves as one of several spoken segments across the record.
Who is featured on Here We Go... Again and I Heard You're Married on Dawn FM?
"Here We Go... Again" features a guest verse from Tyler, the Creator, while "I Heard You're Married" features Lil Wayne. These are the two main guest vocal appearances on the standard tracklist. The closing track "Phantom Regret by Jim" features a spoken-word piece performed by Jim Carrey.
Who wrote the songs on Dawn FM?
The Weeknd co-wrote every track on Dawn FM, working primarily with Max Martin, Oscar Holter, and Daniel Lopatin of Oneohtrix Point Never. Calvin Harris contributed to writing and production on "I Heard You're Married," and Swedish House Mafia co-wrote "Sacrifice." The lyrics carry the album's themes of mortality, regret, and moving toward the light.
How did Dawn FM perform on the charts?
Dawn FM debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200 and topped charts in several countries upon its January 2022 release. It was certified Platinum by the RIAA in the United States. The album also returned The Weeknd to number 1 on the Billboard Artist 100.
Did Dawn FM win any awards?
Dawn FM won Album of the Year and Pop Album of the Year at the 2023 Juno Awards. It also earned nominations at other ceremonies and appeared on numerous critics' year-end best-of lists for 2022.

Sources

Wikipedia: Dawn FM Wikipedia: The Weeknd singles discography Billboard: The Weeknd Returns to No. 1 on Artist 100 Thanks to Dawn FM Debut MusicBrainz: Dawn FM release group Cover Art Archive: front cover (release-group 3344452a) Cover Art Archive: Dawn FM by The Weeknd