Middle

"Middle" by DJ Snake, featuring the soulful vocals of Bipolar Sunshine, is a poignant narrative about relationship turmoil and the earnest desire for reconciliation. The song delves into the complexities of a love that has been strained by problems and miscommunication. The central theme revolves around the acknowledgment of fault and the profound promise to make amends. The lyricist, Adio Marchant (Bipolar Sunshine), revealed the song was inspired by a significant argument with his girlfriend, and the lyrics flowed from that raw emotional state. The title itself, "Middle," is a direct metaphor for compromise and finding common ground. The repeated promise to “build a new world for us two, with you in the middle” serves as the song's emotional anchor, signifying a commitment to recenter the relationship on the partner's happiness and well-being, treating them as the priority. The lyrics paint a picture of two people at a standstill, represented by imagery like “staring at two different views on your window ledge” and cold coffee, symbolizing the neglect and distance that has grown between them. Ultimately, the song is a universal plea for a second chance, expressing a deep yearning to turn back time, correct past mistakes, and build a stronger future together.

The narrative opens with a scene of quiet tension and emotional distance between two lovers. They are physically together, sharing a space, yet their minds are in completely different places, symbolized by them “staring at two different views on your window ledge.” The cold coffee between them acts as a metaphor for the warmth that has faded from their connection, a moment frozen in unresolved conflict. The narrator acknowledges their role in the turmoil, admitting to “always causing problems, causing hell.” There's a clear sense of regret and a confession of having unintentionally hurt their partner. The line “we cannot sweep this under the carpet” signifies a crucial turning point—an understanding that avoiding the issues is no longer an option and that true resolution requires facing the problems head-on.

This realization leads to a heartfelt plea and a profound promise in the chorus. The narrator expresses a desperate wish to reverse time, to go back and undo the mistakes to make everything “all right for us.” This is not just about apology; it’s about a commitment to actively rebuild what has been broken. The central promise is to “build a new world for us two, with you in the middle.” This powerful imagery suggests creating a new reality where the partner’s happiness and importance are the central focus, a world designed around their shared love and mutual respect, moving away from the past troubles.

The second verse deepens the introspection. Lying next to their partner, the narrator is consumed by uncertainty, wondering what thoughts are running through the other's mind. The silence is heavy and feels “so wrong,” amplifying the emotional gap. The narrator is caught in a cycle of overthinking and concealing their true feelings, a vulnerability they are struggling to overcome. There's a poignant hope that they can find their “missing pieces,” implying that they are both incomplete without each other and that by coming together, they can become whole again. It's a desire to not just patch things up superficially but to truly heal and reconnect on a fundamental level.

The song's core message is encapsulated in the recurring promise to meet in the middle, both literally and figuratively. It’s a message of hope, compromise, and the hard work required to salvage a meaningful relationship. It’s about acknowledging fault, expressing sincere remorse, and dedicating oneself to creating a better future where the partner is cherished and prioritized. The song captures that delicate, emotionally charged space between conflict and reconciliation, filled with the hope of turning a painful chapter into a new, beautiful world built for two.

"Middle" was released on October 16, 2015, as the lead single from DJ Snake's debut studio album, Encore (2016). The song was written by DJ Snake (William Grigahcine), Bipolar Sunshine (Adio Marchant), and Aaron Kleinstub, with production handled by DJ Snake and Aalias (Aaron Kleinstub). The collaboration came about after a representative from BMG, who was working with Bipolar Sunshine, sent the track to DJ Snake. DJ Snake immediately connected with the song and messaged Bipolar Sunshine on Twitter, expressing his desire to release it as a single.

The lyrical inspiration for the song was deeply personal for Bipolar Sunshine. He stated that the lyrics were written in just a few hours following a major argument with his girlfriend, capturing the raw emotion and dilemma of that experience. At the time of writing, Bipolar Sunshine had been dropped by his label, Polydor, and was feeling a dip in his confidence. The unexpected and massive success of "Middle" was a life-changing moment for him. He recalled being on a bus in his hometown of Manchester with very little money in his bank account when he received the news that the song had gone platinum in Australia and America, a surreal and validating experience.

"Middle" utilizes a relatively simple and direct rhyme scheme that supports its conversational and heartfelt lyrical style. The verses often follow an AABB or ABCB pattern, making the lyrics feel natural and sincere. For instance, in the first verse, "ledge" rhymes with "well" (a slant rhyme) and "hell" rhymes with "tell," creating a cohesive flow.

The song's rhythm is a key component of its identity. It has a tempo of approximately 105 BPM (Beats Per Minute). This moderate tempo gives the track a laid-back, yet danceable feel, aligning with its future bass and tropical house influences. The rhythmic structure is built around a 4/4 time signature. The interplay between the emotive, flowing vocal rhythm delivered by Bipolar Sunshine and the more syncopated, trap-influenced drum patterns creates a compelling contrast. This is most evident in the transition to the chorus, where the pitched-up vocal chops create a rhythmic hook that is both catchy and emotionally expressive, driving the song forward.

"Middle" is a prime example of DJ Snake's ability to blend emotive songwriting with innovative electronic production, showcasing several key stylistic techniques.

Musical Techniques:

• Vocal Chops: The song is famous for its distinctive vocal chop melody in the drop. DJ Snake sampled and manipulated parts of Bipolar Sunshine's vocal track, specifically the phrase "all right," pitching it up and arranging it into a catchy, stuttering hook that serves as the instrumental centerpiece. This technique is a hallmark of the future bass genre and adds a unique, emotive texture that is both rhythmic and melodic.
• Genre Blending: The track masterfully fuses elements of future bass, pop, and a subtle tropical house vibe. It moves away from the aggressive, "loud" style of earlier hits like "Turn Down for What," opting for a more restrained, atmospheric, and emotionally resonant sound.
• Instrumentation and Arrangement: The production is built on a foundation of warm synth pads, a prominent bassline, and trap-influenced percussion, including crisp hi-hats and snares. The arrangement builds dynamically from the verse to the pre-chorus, leading into the impactful yet smooth drop, creating a sense of emotional release.

Literary Techniques:

• Narrative Voice: The song is told from a first-person perspective, creating an intimate and confessional tone. The narrator's voice is one of regret and earnest hope, which allows listeners to connect directly with the emotional core of the story.
• Imagery: The lyrics employ vivid sensory imagery, such as the "cold coffee" and the silence that "felt like so wrong," to effectively build the atmosphere of a strained relationship.

"Middle" became a significant global hit and a defining track of the mid-2010s electronic music scene. It was the lead single from DJ Snake's highly anticipated debut album, Encore, and showcased a more melodic and emotionally nuanced side of his production style compared to his previous high-energy anthems. The song achieved major chart success worldwide, peaking at number 5 in Australia, number 10 in the UK, and number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It has been certified multi-platinum in numerous countries, cementing its status as a commercial powerhouse.

The song's music video, directed by Colin Tilley, also garnered significant attention. It stars actors Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games) and Kiersey Clemons (Dope) as two lonely, misunderstood individuals with superhero-like abilities who find a connection with each other. The cinematic and imaginative video visualizes the song's themes of finding a kindred spirit and being an outsider, resonating with a wide audience and accumulating hundreds of millions of views on YouTube. The song's blend of accessible pop structure with innovative future bass production helped popularize the genre and influenced many producers. It remains one of DJ Snake's most streamed and beloved tracks.

The lyrical content of "Middle" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that illustrate the song's theme of relationship conflict and reconciliation.

• The Middle: The most significant metaphor is the concept of meeting "in the middle." This represents compromise, common ground, and the act of resolving differences by moving towards each other's perspectives. Promising to build a world with the partner "in the middle" symbolizes a shift in priorities, making the partner the central focus of the narrator's life.
• Two Different Views: The opening line, “Staring at two different views on your window ledge,” metaphorically depicts the couple's emotional and psychological distance. Though they share the same physical space, they are experiencing the situation from completely different, unaligned perspectives, highlighting their disconnect.
• Cold Coffee: The image of coffee going cold serves as a potent metaphor for a relationship that has been neglected. The warmth, passion, and energy have dissipated, leaving behind a stale and unattended connection, frozen in time by unresolved issues.
• Wishing Well: The phrase "floating down our wishing well" suggests a sense of hopelessness and passivity. Instead of actively solving their problems, they are lost in wishful thinking, hoping for a magical fix that won't come without effort.
• Sweeping Under the Carpet: This well-known idiom is used to signify the unhealthy habit of ignoring problems. The narrator's realization that they “cannot sweep this under the carpet” marks a pivotal moment of maturity, acknowledging that the issues must be confronted directly to achieve genuine resolution.

The most prominent and significant recurring motif in "Middle" is the lyrical phrase: "I'll promise to build a new world for us two, with you in the middle." This line is the heart of the song's message. Its repetition in the chorus reinforces the narrator's central promise and commitment to reconciliation and prioritizing their partner. It functions as the song's thesis, encapsulating the themes of hope, rebuilding, and placing love at the center.

Another key recurring lyrical phrase is the wish to "turn back the time to make it all alright." This reflects the deep regret for past mistakes and the universal human desire to undo harm and start fresh. It's a vulnerable admission that fuels the commitment expressed in the main promise.

Musically, the most important recurring motif is the vocal chop melody that defines the song's drop. Created by sampling and manipulating Bipolar Sunshine's vocals, this wordless, stuttering hook is instantly recognizable and serves as the song's primary instrumental hook. Its repetition provides the song with its signature sound, structure, and a feeling of euphoric, hopeful release that contrasts with the melancholic verses.