Maniac

"Maniac" by Conan Gray is a cathartic and anthemic pop song that delves into the frustrating and often confusing aftermath of a toxic relationship. The central theme revolves around an ex-lover who, after the breakup, actively spreads lies and portrays Gray as being the obsessive and unstable one. However, their actions completely contradict their words, as they are the one who continuously tries to re-initiate contact, expressing that they want him back. The song serves as a powerful reclamation of the narrative. Gray flips the script, exposing his ex's hypocritical and manipulative behavior and labeling them as the true 'maniac.' It’s a song about the exasperation of dealing with someone who refuses to let go, all while painting you as the villain. The lyrics are filled with a sense of dark humor and biting sarcasm, capturing the feeling of being both hurt and amused by the absurdity of the situation. Ultimately, "Maniac" is an anthem for anyone who has experienced a 'psychotic ex' and has had to navigate the confusing space between their public accusations and their private pleas.

The song begins by setting a dramatic and slightly unhinged scene. The narrator addresses a former lover, recalling a night when, under the influence of alcohol, they expressed a desire for the narrator's death and even showed up at their house with a shovel and a rope. This hyperbolic imagery immediately establishes a tone of dark humor and disbelief, as the narrator questions if they are being treated like a joke. The core of the conflict is then revealed: the ex-partner is spreading rumors and painting the narrator as a 'psycho' to all their friends.

The chorus acts as a direct and sarcastic confrontation. The narrator dares the ex to continue their smear campaign, to tell everyone that the narrator is a 'stalker, a watcher, a psychopath.' This is juxtaposed with the contradictory behavior of the ex, who, despite professing hatred and claiming their past relationship was a joke, continues to call and express a desire to get back together. The narrator's explosive declaration, 'You maniac!', turns the accusation back on the ex, highlighting their erratic and obsessive behavior.

The second verse details another instance of the ex's dramatic and manipulative actions. They wreck their car and call the narrator, crying and emotionally distraught. Despite the turmoil, the narrator rushes to their side, wiping away their tears as they beg for them to stay. This moment of vulnerability, however, is quickly framed by the narrator's realization of a toxic pattern. They observe that people like their ex only want what they can no longer have.

The bridge delivers a sharp and decisive blow. The narrator describes the relationship as 'magic' that the ex turned 'tragic.' They label the ex as 'manic' and state that they've had enough, even suggesting the ex needs professional help. This section solidifies the narrator's perspective and their decision to move on from the unhealthy dynamic. The song concludes with a final, powerful repetition of the chorus, reinforcing the central theme of the ex's hypocrisy and earning them the title of 'maniac' once and for all.

"Maniac" was written by Conan Gray and Dan Nigro, with Nigro also handling the production. The song was released on October 24, 2019, as the third single from Gray's debut studio album, Kid Krow. The inspiration for the song came from a personal experience. Gray has stated that he wrote the song in the shower after receiving a drunken, sobbing text message from an ex-lover at midnight. This ex had been telling mutual acquaintances that Gray was a 'freak' who wouldn't leave them alone, when in reality, they were the one exhibiting obsessive behavior, such as sending strange late-night texts and showing up unannounced at his shows. Gray found the situation hilarious and decided to write a 'cathartic post break-up song dedicated to psychotic exes,' a sentiment he felt many of his friends could also relate to. The accompanying music video, directed by BRUME, was released on October 25, 2019, and features actress Jessica Barden. The video pays homage to classic horror films like Dawn of the Dead and Zombieland, with Gray and Barden fending off her zombie ex-boyfriends. Gray has also mentioned that for "Maniac," he simply wanted to create a "killer pop song" that you could scream in the car.

"Maniac" is built on a fast and fierce, pulsing beat with a tempo that makes you want to dance. The song is set in the key of E♭ Major and features a catchy, melodic chorus. The rhythmic structure is primarily upbeat and driving, consistent with its synth-pop and dance-pop influences. The song employs a relatively straightforward rhyme scheme, often using couplets (AABB) within its verses to create a sense of directness and narrative flow, for example: "You were with your friends partyin' / When the alcohol kicked in / Said you wanted me dead / So you showed up at my home, all alone with a shovel and a rope." The chorus, however, has a more complex rhyme scheme that contributes to its anthemic quality: "Tell all of your friends that I'm crazy and drive you mad (A) / That I'm such a stalker, a watcher, a psychopath (A) / Then tell them you hate me and dated me just for laughs (B) / So why do you call me and tell me you want me back? (C)". This structure, with the unrhymed final line, emphasizes the central question and the ex's hypocrisy. The rhythm of the vocals often plays against the steady beat, with Gray sometimes delivering lines in a more spoken, conversational manner, which enhances the storytelling aspect of the song. The interplay between the driving musical rhythm and the more varied lyrical rhythm creates a dynamic and engaging listening experience.

"Maniac" is characterized by its 80s-inspired synth-pop sound, featuring shimmering synths, a driving dance-hall bass, and energetic vocals. The song's production, handled by Dan Nigro, creates a retro and rage-filled atmosphere. The vocal delivery by Gray is a key stylistic element, dancing between being amused and hurt, and at times cold and sharp. The inclusion of his breaths in the mix adds a layer of emotional vulnerability. Lyrically, the song employs a narrative structure, telling the story of a manipulative ex. Gray uses direct address, speaking to the ex, which creates a confrontational and personal tone. There's also a strong use of irony and sarcasm, particularly in the chorus where he lists the names his ex calls him while simultaneously questioning why they still want him back. The use of hyperbole in the opening verse with the "shovel and a rope" imagery immediately grabs the listener's attention and sets a darkly comedic tone. The song's structure includes a shift in tempo and instrumentation before the verse concludes with the single, impactful word "trash," creating a dramatic pause.

"Maniac" has had a significant cultural impact since its release, becoming one of Conan Gray's most popular and recognizable songs. It was certified Platinum in several countries, including the United States, Australia, Brazil, and Canada. The song gained considerable traction on the social media platform TikTok, where it trended and was featured in numerous videos, which helped it debut on the app's Top 25 trending chart. This viral success contributed to its mainstream popularity and performance on various music charts. For instance, it reached number 25 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart. The song was also included on Billboard's list of the 50 Best Songs of 2020. The music video, co-starring Jessica Barden from "The End of the F***ing World," was also widely praised for its cinematic quality and horror-comedy concept, further boosting the song's visibility. "Maniac" solidified Gray's status as a rising star in the pop scene and is considered a fan favorite. Its success has been a key factor in the popularity of his debut album, "Kid Krow," which was the biggest new artist debut of 2020 in the US upon its release.

The song “Maniac” employs vivid and often hyperbolic imagery to convey its themes of a toxic relationship and emotional manipulation. The opening lines, which mention a “shovel and a rope,” are not meant to be taken literally but serve as a powerful metaphor for the ex-lover's extreme and threatening behavior. It immediately establishes a sense of dark humor and the unhinged nature of the ex. The recurring motif of the ex spreading rumors that Gray is a “stalker, a watcher, a psychopath” is a form of projection, where the ex attributes their own obsessive qualities to Gray. The title itself, “Maniac,” is the central metaphor of the song. Initially used by the ex to describe Gray, he reclaims the word and turns it back on them, highlighting their erratic and hypocritical actions. The music video further enhances the symbolism by depicting the exes as zombies, a clear metaphor for past relationships that refuse to stay dead and continue to haunt the present. The setting of a movie theater in the video could also symbolize the public and performative nature of the ex's accusations.

The most prominent recurring phrase in "Maniac" is the title word itself, "maniac," which is repeated throughout the chorus and outro. This repetition serves as the central hook of the song, drilling home the accusation Gray levels at his ex-lover. Initially, the ex-lover is the one who is likely calling him a maniac, but by the end of the song, Gray has completely flipped the narrative, and the repetition of "You maniac" becomes his own defiant declaration. The phrase "So why do you call me and tell me you want me back?" is another key recurring line. Its repetition highlights the central contradiction in the ex's behavior and is the lyrical linchpin of the song's argument. The list of insults in the chorus – "crazy," "drive you mad," "stalker," "watcher," "psychopath" – also functions as a recurring motif, sarcastically echoing the rumors being spread by the ex. This repetition emphasizes the absurdity of the situation. Musically, the song is built around a recurring 80s-style synth hook that gives the track its signature retro feel and contributes to its memorability.