The first interlude on The Weeknd’s Dawn FM finds famed music producer Quincy Jones reflecting on his troubled upbringing, and how it impacted his relationships with both women, and his kids. This ties into the themes of the album since the Weeknd is often lamenting over relationships that have gone poorly because of his behavior; no small part due to his upbringing as well.
Lyrics of A Tale By Quincy
Looking back now I didn't know what it was supposed to be
And, and it's like raising' kids, man
If you weren't raised, you don't know how to raise, you know?
I just did the best thing I could with them because
They know fucking well I love them
But I didn't do the best I could
I didn't know what the fuck I was doing
I didn't
I will never forget watching my mother get put in a straight jacket
And taken out of my home when I was only seven years old
She was diagnosed with dementia praecox and put in a mental institution
Leaving my daddy alone with me and my little brother Lloyd
I later had an evil stepmother
Who further cemented the idea that I didn't need a mother
Growing up without one
Had long lasting impressions I didn't fully understand until much later in life
It bled into my relationships with family
And those I had become romantically involved with
Whenever I got too close to a woman I would cut her off
Part of that was vindictive and partially based on fear
But it was also totally subconscious
Looking back is a bitch, innit?