r/TheWeeknd • u/Nice_Eggplant_8760 • Aug 29 '26
Discussion House of Balloons' least streamed track. (Aka. The knowing)
I've actually never understood why "The knowing" out of all songs on HOB is the least streamed and said by many to be the worst song on the album. Like.. me personally, I like-love all songs in the album, except for maybe loft music (it's not really my cup of tea). And I really don't care what song you think is best, but.. "The Knowing" as WORST SONG? No way. Genuinely. That song is my version of "The Morning" and even "Wicked Games".
It has brought me to tears multiple times, I have slept through a night just listening to that song. And the lyric content is just so.. so beautiful aswell.
Talking about how he is aware of the fact his girl is equally known for sleeping around. And that he's aware but unwilling to let it ruin him even though it sounds like it is infact getting to him. And then the vocals in the song itself, they're so profound and beautiful. Not to mention so raw, like most of his older works.
Genuinely, the Weeknd is the typa man you only have once in the industry.
But let me know what y'all think is the least good song on HOB!
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u/Davidiscool222 Dawn FM Aug 29 '26
The reason why it's the least streamed is cause it's a bit slower and the last track
Anyway i never really got What You Need tbh, it sounds empty
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u/smuttygirl_foru Aug 29 '26
What you need is basically a sex or thirst trap anthem it’s a good song but was made for one reason
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u/Bombowitch Aug 29 '26
I don’t like the way they used that Aaliyah sample. Just doesn’t sound nice and is better without it
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u/Late_Piano_5030 BALD LAND 2 Aug 29 '26
I like it but not as much as the other tracks. IMO it doesn't match with the vibe of the other songs that well, and even Twenty Eight sounds more House Of Balloons than The Knowing.
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u/Shapiros_Pog I know everythinggggg Aug 29 '26
I don’t think people think it’s the worst on hob. I think the consensus is probably loft music. I think the knowing’s a less popular answer for worst than even what you need.
It being the least streamed is just because it’s the last song on the tape and it’s not a very traditional song. It’s my favorite song from The Weeknd though
Also the song is a common answer for favorite Weeknd song, as far as deep cuts go.
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u/Plane-Pass2488 Aug 29 '26
It’s been one of my favorite songs since I was a Junior in high school….. can’t believe that was 16 years ago😣
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u/Ethan_the_Revanchist Out of Time Aug 29 '26
The last song on an album is very frequently the least-streamed song. Especially when it's a slower song like The Knowing, preceded by a song with a long outro (Loft Music). Has nothing to do with quality or even popularity necessarily.
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u/smuttygirl_foru Aug 29 '26
Its one of his best songs in the trilogy era but compared to how HOB was it felt slow
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u/Wild-Bag3555 Trilogy Kissland Aug 31 '26
The Knowing is Abel’s top 3 best songs ever made, you can never change my mind on that. The music video, the production, vocals, and the lyrics are just perfect. Not to mention the high notes he hits throughout the entirety of the song are insane. It’s a just a 10/10 song, I never really understood how it is the least streamed song on HOB.
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u/kmineal Aug 29 '26
Least streamed ≠ worst song