Left and Right (Feat. Jung Kook of BTS)

"Left and Right" explores the universal experience of being unable to move on from a past relationship. The song's core meaning revolves around the concept of memories being an inescapable presence, haunting the protagonist from every direction. Charlie Puth explained that the song is about the inner workings of his brain and how memories of a former lover follow him from the left side to the right side of his mind. This creates a vivid picture of someone who is completely consumed by their thoughts, where every corner of their mind is occupied by the person they've lost. The lyrics juxtapose an upbeat, catchy pop melody with the melancholic theme of heartbreak, highlighting the emotional dissonance often felt after a breakup where one might try to appear fine on the outside while struggling internally.

The song narrates the experience of being completely consumed by the memories of a past lover. From the moment this person departed, a persistent and inescapable haunting began. The protagonist finds their thoughts dominated by this individual, with memories assailing them from all directions, metaphorically from the "left and right." This overwhelming presence occupies every single corner of their mind, leaving no room for respite or mental peace. The feeling is so vivid and constant that it's as if the former lover is physically present, felt intensely "over here" and "over there."

There's a sense of desperation in trying to cope with the emotional pain. The narrator questions how much more they need to drink to numb the heartache, acknowledging that such attempts at distraction are futile. The memories are relentless, particularly of intimate moments, like being "tangled up in your bed." These thoughts create a dizzying loop, a circular pattern of remembrance that keeps them mentally stuck. The feeling of being trapped in this cycle is palpable, as the past love's presence goes "'round in circles," firmly lodged in their head.

The chorus reinforces this central theme of inescapable memory, emphasizing how these recollections follow constantly and how the ex-partner's essence fills every mental space, both day and night. It’s a declaration of how profoundly this past love has imprinted itself on their consciousness. The bridge introduces a layer of unresolved feeling and regret. It poses direct questions to the departed lover, asking if they were aware that they were "the one that got away." This reveals a deep sense of loss and the belief that the relationship was uniquely special. The protagonist admits to still not being "okay" and reveals that their dreams are perpetually haunted by the same recurring images of this person, indicating that even in sleep, there is no escape. The repetition of the central hook throughout the song mirrors the obsessive and cyclical nature of these thoughts, creating a powerful and relatable portrayal of post-breakup fixation.

The creation of "Left and Right" stems from a long-standing mutual appreciation between Charlie Puth and BTS's Jung Kook. Jung Kook had famously covered Puth's song "We Don't Talk Anymore" in 2016, which caught Puth's attention and led to online interactions and eventually a joint performance of the song at the Genie Music Awards in 2018. Puth first teased "Left and Right" as a solo track on TikTok in February 2022. The idea for the collaboration reportedly came to him in a dream in April 2022, where he dreamt of BTS featuring on the track. The song's melody came to Puth at 3 AM; he woke up with it in his head, played a simple four-chord loop on his piano (D major, E minor, B minor, G major), and the addition of a snare drum sound sparked the lyrical concept "memories follow me left and right".

Puth officially confirmed the collaboration with Jung Kook in June 2022 via a TikTok video where he directed Jung Kook to sing parts of the song, demonstrating the track's signature stereo panning effect. He announced that the single would be released on June 24 if it reached 500,000 pre-saves. According to Puth, the song was already finished when he sent the MP3 to Jung Kook, making the collaboration process smooth and natural. The song was written by Puth and his frequent collaborator Jacob Kasher Hindlin, with Puth also handling the production. It was released on June 24, 2022, as the third single from Puth's album, "Charlie".

The most prominent metaphor in "Left and Right" is the spatial representation of memory. The title itself and the recurring line, "Memories follow me left and right," symbolize the all-encompassing nature of the protagonist's thoughts about a past lover. It suggests a constant, inescapable presence that surrounds them from all physical and mental directions. This is not just a lyrical theme but is also sonically represented through the use of stereo panning, where the vocals move between the left and right audio channels, immersing the listener in the same disorienting experience. The music video further enhances this symbolism, with Charlie Puth visiting a "Love Doctor" in an attempt to cure his lovesickness, portraying the internal struggle as a literal ailment that needs fixing. In the video, Jungkook can be interpreted as a manifestation of Puth's thoughts or his subconscious mind, constantly appearing and reinforcing the idea that these memories are an internal part of him.

The emotional landscape of "Left and Right" is distinctly bittersweet. On the surface, the song presents a cheerful and upbeat atmosphere, driven by a bubbly pop melody and a danceable rhythm. This creates a feeling of summery, breezy fun. However, this musical positivity is directly contrasted by the lyrical content, which delves into the pain and obsession of heartbreak. The lyrics express a deep sense of longing and sadness, with the singers pining over a lost relationship they can't move past. This juxtaposition of a happy sound with sad lyrics creates a complex emotional tone. It captures the feeling of trying to put on a brave face and go through the motions of life, while internally being consumed by sorrow and nostalgia. There are no major emotional shifts; the song maintains this consistent state of melancholic obsession set to a cheerful beat from beginning to end.

"Left and Right" was a significant global commercial success, demonstrating the powerful appeal of the collaboration between a Western pop star and a K-pop idol. Upon its release, the song debuted at number one on iTunes charts in at least 93 regions, including major markets like the United States, Canada, and France. It made a strong debut on the Billboard charts, entering the Hot 100 at number 22, which was the highest new entry of that week. The single also topped the Billboard Digital Song Sales chart. Globally, it debuted at number five on the Billboard Global 200 and number two on the Global Excl. US chart, marking the first top-10 entry on these charts for both Puth and Jung Kook (as a soloist). The song achieved Platinum certification in Canada and Gold in the United States. The quirky and colorful music video, directed by Drew Kirsch, also garnered massive attention, quickly accumulating tens of millions of views on YouTube. The collaboration was widely celebrated by fans of both artists and highlighted the increasing crossover between mainstream pop and K-pop.

"Left and Right" employs a simple and effective rhyme scheme that enhances its catchy, pop quality. The song largely follows a structure where the second and fourth lines of a verse rhyme, such as in the lines, "Ever since the day you went away / Someone tell me how how much more do I gotta drink for the pain?" This consistent pattern contributes to the song's memorable and easy-to-follow lyrical flow. The rhythm is upbeat and driven by a prominent drum beat and a groovy bassline, creating a danceable feel that contrasts with the melancholic lyrics. This rhythmic energy keeps the song light and engaging, despite its subject matter of lingering heartbreak. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is key; the steady, almost hypnotic beat mirrors the persistent and unchanging loop of memories described in the lyrics, while the vocal melody floats smoothly over the top.

Musically, "Left and Right" is characterized by its bright, bubbly pop production which contrasts with the song's theme of heartbreak. A key stylistic technique is the prominent use of stereo panning, where vocals and sounds are shifted between the left and right speakers. Charlie Puth specifically advised listening with headphones to experience the full effect of this technique, which sonically mimics the lyrical theme of being surrounded by memories. The production is minimalistic, featuring fresh percussion-guitar sounds and a rhythmic melody that accentuates the singers' smooth vocal performances. Puth's signature falsetto is a notable feature of his vocal delivery. The use of a simple, repetitive chord structure makes the song incredibly catchy and accessible. Lyrically, the song employs direct address ("Did you know you're the one that got away?") and repetition of the main hook ("Memories follow me left and right / I can feel you over here") to emphasize the obsessive and cyclical nature of the protagonist's thoughts.

What is the song 'Left and Right' by Charlie Puth and Jung Kook about?

The song is about being unable to get over a past relationship. The lyrics describe how memories of an ex-lover constantly follow the singer, occupying every part of their mind, making it impossible to move on despite the heartbreak.

What is the meaning behind the title 'Left and Right'?

The title 'Left and Right' is a metaphor for how memories of a past love are inescapable, coming from every direction. Charlie Puth explained it represents thoughts haunting him from the left to the right side of his brain. This is also reflected in the song's production through stereo panning of the vocals.

When was 'Left and Right' released?

'Left and Right' was officially released on June 24, 2022. It was the third single from Charlie Puth's third studio album, titled 'Charlie'.

Who wrote and produced 'Left and Right'?

The song was written by Charlie Puth and his frequent collaborator Jacob Kasher Hindlin. Charlie Puth is also credited as the sole producer of the track.

How did the collaboration between Charlie Puth and Jung Kook happen?

The collaboration grew out of mutual admiration that started when Jung Kook covered Puth's music in 2016. They later performed together in 2018. Puth, after teasing the song solo, eventually reached out to Jung Kook, feeling the song needed another perspective.

What is the genre of 'Left and Right'?

'Left and Right' is primarily a Pop song, described as a bubbly, upbeat pop tune with elements of Pop-Rock.

What is the significance of the panning effect in 'Left and Right'?

The audio panning, which moves the vocals from the left to the right speaker, is a deliberate stylistic choice to sonically represent the song's main theme. It immerses the listener in the feeling of being surrounded by memories, as described in the lyrics.