"The Weekend" is a song by English DJ Michael Gray, with vocals provided by singer Shèna. It was released on 1 November 2004 and peaked at number seven on the UK Singles Chart, topped the UK and Hungarian dance charts, and reached the top 20 in several other countries, including Australia, Italy, and the Netherlands. In the United States, it peaked at number five on the Billboard Dance Radio Airplay chart in February 2005.

Composition The song uses the lyric "I can't wait for Saturday to begin", from the 1983 single "Get Down Saturday Night" by American singer Oliver Cheatham, but changing the word "Saturday" with "the weekend"; Cheatham is credited as co-writer, accordingly. The track also contains in the hook a reworked sample from the 1984 song "Back at Ya" by American group Kerr.

Critical reception Michael Paoletta of Billboard called the song, a "decidely pop jam-with dollops of disco memories".

Music video A music video directed by Mike Harris was made for the song.

Track listings

UK CD single "The Weekend" (radio edit) "The Weekend" (extended vocal mix) "The Weekend" (original 12-inch mix) "The Weekend" (Nic Fanciulli vocal mix) "The Weekend" (video)

UK 12-inch single 1 A. "The Weekend" (extended vocal mix) B. "The Weekend" (original 12-inch mix)

UK 12-inch single 2 A. "The Weekend" (Nic Fanciulli vocal mix) B. "The Weekend" (Nic Fanciulli dub mix)

German, Austrian, and Swiss CD single "The Weekend" (radio mix) – 3:12 "The Weekend" (vocal 12-inch version) – 8:09 "The Weekend" (original 12-inch version) – 7:52 "The Weekend" (Nic Fanciulli vocal mix) – 8:52 "The Weekend" (Da Loop Brothers Meets Sunloverz remix) – 6:49 "The Weekend" (video) – 3:12

Australian CD single "The Weekend" (radio edit) "The Weekend" (extended vocal mix) "The Weekend" (original 12-inch mix) "The Weekend" (Nic Fanciulli vocal mix)

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2004–2006)PeakpositionAustralian Club Chart (ARIA)1Greece (IFPI) See Best Position column.10Ireland Dance (IRMA)3Romania (Romanian Top 100)60

Year-end charts Chart (2004)PositionAustralian Club Chart (ARIA)15Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)102UK Singles (OCC)113

Chart (2005)PositionAustralian Club Chart (ARIA)43US Hot Dance Airplay (Billboard)41

Certifications

References