LOCO

"LOCO," the Spanish word for 'crazy,' serves as the central theme of the song, which delves into the overwhelming and tumultuous emotions of being head-over-heels in love. The lyrics express a powerful attraction that feels like a rollercoaster, a whirlwind of passion that makes the speaker feel out of control. It represents a departure from ITZY's previous themes of self-love and confidence, instead exploring a state of being so captivated by another person that it borders on obsession. The song portrays love as an addictive and intoxicating force, described metaphorically as a 'sweet poison'—something simultaneously delightful and dangerous. It's about being trapped in a world that revolves entirely around one person, losing oneself in the intensity of the emotion, and embracing the madness rather than fighting it. The narrative voice belongs to someone who feels they were 'born to love' this person, fully aware of the emotional highs and lows but choosing to dive in completely.

The narrative unfolds from the perspective of someone who is utterly and completely consumed by a passionate, all-encompassing love. At the outset, there's a moment of self-realization, an acknowledgment that they are beginning to understand what it truly means to go 'crazy' for someone. This feeling is immediately characterized as a 'sweet poison'—something known to be potentially dangerous and toxic, yet irresistibly alluring. The world of the protagonist has shrunk, becoming a room with no exit where every surface reflects the image of their beloved. This sense of entrapment isn't frightening; instead, it's accepted with a feeling of destiny, as if they were born for the sole purpose of loving this person.

This obsession is further depicted through the metaphor of a thirsty 'kitty' searching for an oasis, circling the object of their affection, completely captivated and blinded by love—a state represented by their eyes turning 'yellow'. There's a desperate plea for the loved one to reignite their heart, which feels extinguished without them. The speaker recognizes that it's too late to turn back; the desire has become overwhelming, and they are now blind to everything else, willing to follow this path to its ultimate conclusion. The central hook repeatedly declares that this person drives them 'half-crazy' and has them 'cray-cray-crazy in love', questioning what it is about this person that causes such a volatile emotional state, with moods swinging high and low. They are fully aware that they are 'outta control'.

This emotional rollercoaster is described in vivid terms. One day feels like heaven, and the next, they are pushed to the very edge of a abyss. Despite this acknowledged danger, there's a paradoxical plea for the loved one to keep them entangled, to give them no choice but to trust and believe in them, even if it leads to their own ruin. The pursuit is relentless, with no thought of 'brakes' or stopping. The song climaxes with the declaration that they are not just half-crazy, but completely and utterly madly in love, fully surrendering to the chaotic, overwhelming, and powerful force of their emotions.

"LOCO" was released on September 24, 2021, as the lead single from ITZY's first full-length studio album, Crazy in Love. The announcement of the album and its title track was made by JYP Entertainment on August 13, 2021. The song marked ITZY's third collaboration with the hit-making production team Star Wars (Galactika), who were also behind their previous successful singles "DALLA DALLA" and "WANNABE". The lyrics were penned by Star Wars (Galactika), while the composition was handled by Star Wars (Galactika), Atenna (Galactika), and Woo Bin (Galactika), with Team Galactika arranging the track. An English version of the song was also included on the album, with lyrics adapted by Sophia Pae. The release was preceded by a promotional schedule that included teaser photos, an album trailer, a highlight medley, and music video teasers to build anticipation.

The rhythmic foundation of "LOCO" is complex and dance-oriented, reflecting its hybrid genre. The song moves at a tempo of 102 beats per minute (BPM) in the key of C-sharp major. Its rhythm is a fusion of Latin dance, Moombahton, and trap, creating a driving and energetic feel perfect for its intense choreography. The song is built on a foundation of 808 drum beats and a heavy bass that gives it a powerful punch. The lyrical rhythm often follows a fast-paced, almost rap-like cadence in the verses, which then flows into a more melodic and sung chorus. This contrast creates a dynamic push-and-pull that mirrors the song's theme of emotional volatility. The rhyme scheme is modern and pop-focused, utilizing a mix of perfect and near rhymes to enhance catchiness, particularly in the pre-chorus and chorus sections. The interplay between the frenetic instrumental rhythm and the members' sharp, charismatic vocal delivery is central to the song's energetic and 'crazy' atmosphere.

"LOCO" employs a variety of musical and literary techniques to create its high-energy, impactful sound. Musically, the song is described as a 'Neo Fusion Groove' track, a hybrid genre that blends elements of Fusion Groove, Latin dance, Moombahton, and trap. This combination results in a frenetic and dynamic instrumental backdrop. The production is characterized by a hard-hitting bassline, colorful synths, and the notable inclusion of a distorted electric guitar, which adds a gritty, punk-pop edge to the track. The song's structure moves through different segments with smooth transitions, maintaining a relentless energy from start to finish. The vocal delivery from the ITZY members is intentionally strong and bold, designed to cut through the complex and powerful instrumentation. Lyrically, the song uses direct address and a confessional narrative voice, speaking with the candid and unfiltered 'Z generation's way of speaking' to express the raw, instinctive pull of love. The repetition of the hook 'I'm gettin' loco, loco' serves as a powerful auditory motif that reinforces the central theme.

"LOCO" served as the title track for ITZY's first full studio album, Crazy in Love, a significant milestone in their career. Upon release, the song and album achieved considerable commercial success. The album debuted at number 11 on the US Billboard 200, ITZY's highest entry on the chart at the time, and was certified 2x Platinum in South Korea for selling over 500,000 copies. The song itself charted on South Korea's Gaon Digital Chart and Billboard's Global 200 and World Digital Song Sales charts. The music video was a major success, surpassing 100 million views on YouTube, becoming the group's sixth video to do so. "LOCO" won three first-place awards on South Korean music shows: Music Bank, Inkigayo, and M Countdown. Critically, the song was seen as a return to the energetic style of their earlier hits like "DALLA DALLA" and "WANNABE," solidifying their 'girl crush' identity while exploring new thematic territory centered on the intensity of love rather than self-empowerment.

The lyrics and music video for "LOCO" are rich with symbolism and metaphors that illustrate the chaotic nature of obsessive love.

• Sweet Poison: This is a key metaphor used to describe the love interest's effect. It signifies an attraction that is both irresistible and potentially harmful, highlighting the addictive and toxic aspects of such an intense passion.
• Kitty Seeking an Oasis: This image portrays a sense of desperation and thirst for affection. The 'kitty' symbolizes the speaker's vulnerability and primal need for the love they are chasing, which is seen as a life-sustaining oasis.
• Yellow Eyes: The lyric '(My two eyes are gleaming yellow)' refers to the Korean phrase 'kongkkakji kkyeo beorin,' which means to be blinded by love, similar to wearing rose-colored glasses. The color yellow in the video signifies being completely captivated and focused on the target of their affection, like a predatory cat.
• Room of Mirrors: The feeling of being in a room with no exit, where every wall is a mirror reflecting the loved one, symbolizes a state of being completely surrounded and trapped by thoughts of that person.
• Bulldozer and Dynamite: In the music video, these massive, destructive objects are used to visually represent the overwhelming and unstoppable force of the emotions being felt, showing how love can tear through one's life.

The most prominent recurring motif in "LOCO" is the titular phrase itself, repeated in the hook, "I'm gettin' loco, loco." This phrase, along with its English counterpart, "You got me like cray-cray-crazy in love," acts as the song's central thesis, constantly reinforcing the theme of losing one's mind to an overwhelming love. Its repetition makes it an incredibly memorable and effective hook that encapsulates the entire narrative. Another recurring lyrical motif is the idea of being a 'kitty,' which appears in the verses ('Oasis for this kitty, I circle around you'). This imagery suggests a mix of predatory focus and a vulnerable yearning for affection, adding a layer of complexity to the speaker's emotional state. The repeated question, "대체 네가 뭔데?" (daeche nega mwonde?), which translates to 'What on earth are you?', emphasizes the speaker's confusion and helplessness in the face of such a powerful attraction.