It was written by The Weeknd accompanied with Max Martin & Oscar Holter and produced by all of the former mentioned.
Less Than Zero
The Weeknd Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd wear your heart like a symbol
I couldn't save you from my darkest truth of all
I know
I'll always be less than zero
Oh yeah
You tried your best with me, I knowI couldn't face you with my darkest truth of all
Oh
'Cause I can't get it out of my head
And no, I can't shake this feeling that crawls in my bed
I try to hide it, but I know you know me
I try to fight it, but I'd rather be free
Oh, oh
Oh yeah
Can we meet in the middle?
Oh yeah
'Cause you were just like me before
Now you'd rather leave me
Than to watch me die in your arms
Oh, whoa
But I can't get it out of my head
No, I can't shake this feeling that crawls in my bed
I try to hide it, but I know you know me
I try to fight it, but I'd rather be free
Oh, whoa (hey)
(I can't get it out of my head)
(No, I can't shake this feeling that crawls in my bed) ooh
(I try to) ooh(I try to)
I can't get it out of my head
No, I can't shake this feeling that crawls in my bed
I try to hide it, but I know you know me (know me)
I try to fight it, but I'd rather be free (be free)
Yeah
I'll always be less than zero
You tried your best with me, I know
Less Than Zero by The Weeknd is a song about the singer's struggle with depression and the impact it has had on his relationships. The lyrics suggest that the singer feels guilty for not being able to be the hero that his partner needed, despite wearing her heart as a symbol. He acknowledges that he couldn't save her from his "darkest truth of all", which is presumably his depression. This truth is something that he can't seem to shake off and is constantly in his head, causing him to feel stunted and less than whole. The chorus of the song, "I'll always be less than zero," emphasizes this feeling of worthlessness.
The second verse seems to be a plea to his partner to stick by him and meet him in the middle, for she was once like him before. He recognizes that she would rather leave him than watch him die in her arms, which is likely a reference to the emotional toll that being with someone who suffers from depression can take. However, he is still powerless to get this feeling out of his head, no matter how much he tries to hide it or fight it. Ultimately, he would rather be free from it all.
Line by Line Meaning
Remember I was your hero, yeah
At one point, I was the person you looked up to and relied on.
I'd wear your heart like a symbol
I wore your love like a badge of honor.
I couldn't save you from my darkest truth of all
My deepest secret was too much for me to protect you from.
I know
I understand.
I'll always be less than zero
In comparison to your expectations and desires, I will always be a disappointment.
You tried your best with me, I know
You did everything you could to help me, and I recognize that.
'Cause I can't get it out of my head
I can't stop thinking about it.
And no, I can't shake this feeling that crawls in my bed
I can't get rid of this uncomfortable emotion that haunts me even when I sleep.
I try to hide it, but I know you know me
I attempt to conceal it, but I'm aware that you understand me.
I try to fight it, but I'd rather be free
I struggle against it, but ultimately, I prefer to be liberated from it.
Can we meet in the middle?
Can we compromise or find a solution that satisfies us both?
'Cause you were just like me before
You used to be in a similar situation as me.
Now you'd rather leave me
Now you prefer to abandon me.
Than to watch me die in your arms
Rather than witness me perish in your embrace.
I can't get it out of my head
I cannot forget it.
No, I can't shake this feeling that crawls in my bed
No, I cannot alleviate this emotion that invades me even in bed.
I try to hide it, but I know you know me (know me)
I attempt to cover it up, but I acknowledge that you comprehend me.
I try to fight it, but I'd rather be free (be free)
I work to combat it, but I'd rather be emancipated from it.
Oh whoa (hey)
An expression of emotional distress.
Yeah
Yes.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Abel Tesfaye, Max Martin, Oscar Thomas Holter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kalebbricelybricely2253
I dont why this gives me goosebumps. Such a great song. Enjoy WrestleMaina everyone.
@coatioanioles
Yesssir you too
@Be-MeBalu
♡
@Roy-ml5fn
Such a vibe. This is one of the songs that immediately makes you feel nostalgic about the past or the eventual good times you’ll experience 😌
@GamingClipz125
I know right
@marianarivas3891
Yesterday I went to his concert and I was so excited!!! It only happened one day and this song makes me very nostalgic for when I was singing it when I was there.
@musictube6994
take me back man
@dylanthetyrantyoshi1280
such as going to WrestleMania with my boyfriend 🥰
@greatman5836
😢😢😭😭😭😭
@tsutsunh721
I got the chance to see The Weeknd LIVE in PARIS and it was one of the best nights of my life guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!