Weak
by SWV

Album: It's About Time (1993)
Charted: 33 1
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • SWV is an acronym for Sisters With Voices. The R&B vocal group was formed by three friends: Tamara "Taj" Johnson, Cheryl "Coko" Clemons and Leanne "Leelee" Lyons. Between 1993 and 1998 they charted twelve times on the Billboard Hot 100. This song was their most successful, spending two weeks at #1 in July 1993. SWV disbanded in 1999, though they reunited at the 2008 BET Awards to perform this number with Alicia Keys.
    In 2004, Tamara Johnson married the football star Eddie George. She was a contestant on the TV show Survivor: Tocantins in 2009.
  • This set the record for the fewest number of characters needed to make up a title and artist's name on a US #1 single. (Before you start counting - it's seven!)
  • The song was written and produced by Brian Alexander Morgan. He composed the lyrics as an expression of his feelings towards R&B singer Chante Moore. Morgan originally intended Moore to record the song, but be shyed out because of his crush on her.
  • Teen singer JoJo covered this song on her 2004 self-titled debut album.
  • Kanye West recorded a gospel remix of "Weak" for his 2019 Sunday Service Jesus Is Born album. Yeezy repurposes the song's original meaning of a lover making the singer go weak in the knees for more God-centered lyricism. West also reworked another SWV hit tune for Jesus Is Born: 1997's "Rain."

Comments: 1

  • Mark from CaliforniaThe next single of SWV, “Right Here (Human Nature)” peaked at #2 on the Hot 100 during the weeks of 2, 9, and 16 October 1993, with Mariah Carey’s “Dreamlover” being the #1 record for those three weeks.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

George Harrison

George HarrisonFact or Fiction

Did Eric Clapton really steal George's wife? What's the George Harrison-Monty Python connection? Set the record straight with our Fact or Fiction quiz.

Rick Astley

Rick AstleySongwriter Interviews

Rick Astley on "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Cry For Help," and his remarkable resurgence that gave him another #1 UK album.

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."