"The Weekend" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter SZA for her debut studio album, Ctrl (2017). It was released to urban contemporary radio on September 26, 2017, as the album's third single (second radio single). The song was written by SZA and Cody Fayne, while Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, and Danja were also credited as the song samples "Set the Mood (Prelude)/Until the End of Time" from the 2006 album FutureSex/LoveSounds. Lyrically, the song is about sharing a lover with other women. A remix version by Calvin Harris was also released.

Producer ThankGod4Cody was given the idea to sample "Set the Mood (Prelude)/Until the End of Time" from a member of his team. After being handed the sample he added chords, a "glittery layer" and bass. After some experimentation with the vocals from the sample, the drums, and some additions in the reverb, he placed the song's snares and hi-hats, and rounded it all out with a cymbal, as he told the website Genius. The production was made with SZA in mind. SZA said about the sample in an interview with Associated Press:

I didn't even think about anything I was saying. I was just happy to be singing over that Justin Timberlake sample... I was just like, ‘This is for fun. This is crazy.'

"The Weekend" is an R&B track. Although some online publications called the song's narrator a "side chick", SZA sings from the perspective of a woman who only sees her partner on the weekend, while other girls have him during the week.

For NME's Jamie Milton the song features a "glossy introspection." Randall Roberts of Los Angeles Times described it as a "standout jam" while reviewing the album.NPR considered it the 9th best song of 2017, while Pitchfork ranked it as the 22nd best song of the year.

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