Earned It

The Weeknd stepped away from his usual dark, atmospheric sound to create a sultry, chamber-pop ballad for the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack. Released in late December 2014 as the lead single, this track became a global sensation despite the film it accompanied receiving harsh reviews from critics. The song found its way onto the singer's second studio album, Beauty Behind the Madness, later that year, marking a pivotal moment where his artistry bridged the gap between underground R&B and mainstream pop radio.

Musically, the composition relies on a slow-tempo groove supported by lush orchestral strings and piano rather than the trap-influenced beats common in his earlier work. Abel Tesfaye co-wrote the piece with Stephan Moccio, Jason Quenneville, and Ahmad Balshe while sharing production duties with DaHeala and Moccio. This shift toward a more cinematic arrangement emphasized sensuality over aggression, creating a sonic landscape that matched the visual themes of desire presented in the movie.

Critics praised the mature vocal delivery and production quality even as they remained divided on the source material. The track earned nominations at the Golden Globe Awards and the Critics' Choice Movie Awards for Best Original Song before securing a nomination for Best Song Written for Visual Media at the 58th Grammy Awards in 2016. Although it did not win the award, the recognition highlighted the song's ability to transcend its commercial origins. [edit]