Savage Love (Laxed - Siren Beat)

"Savage Love (Laxed - Siren Beat)" explores the theme of a toxic, one-sided relationship where infatuation and desire clash with the painful reality of being used. The lyrics, sung by Jason Derulo, tell the story of a man who falls hard for a woman, only to discover her love is not genuine. He learns that her affection is merely a tool to get back at her ex-lover. Despite this knowledge, he is so captivated by her that he's willing to accept the situation, pleading for her to stay and admitting he still wants her “savage love.”

The term “savage love” itself is a central metaphor, describing a type of affection that is wild, untamed, and hurtful, yet intensely desirable. It highlights the duality of the woman who looks like an “angel” but possesses a cruel and manipulative side. The song delves into the emotional turmoil of the protagonist, who grapples with feelings of hurt and confusion while being unable to break free from the addictive, albeit damaging, connection. There's also a layer of introspection where he questions if this situation is karma for his own past behavior of “getting around.” Ultimately, the song portrays a raw and relatable conflict between self-worth and overwhelming desire, set against an upbeat, danceable rhythm that contrasts with the lyrical pain.

The narrative begins with a declaration of surprise. The singer, who once believed he was destined to be single forever, finds himself falling head over heels for someone new. This person has an irresistible pull, keeping him coming back repeatedly. He’s falling faster than he ever has before, a testament to his new love's captivating power.

However, a sharp turn reveals the complex and painful reality of the situation. He discovers that the affection he's receiving is not genuine. His lover's only motive for being with him is to provoke jealousy in her ex-partner. This revelation is heartbreaking, yet his feelings are too strong to simply walk away. Normally, he wouldn't care about such games, but this time is different. He admits his desperation, pleading with her to stay and confessing his willingness to be used, just to keep her in his life. He can sense her dishonesty and creeping behavior, feeling it in the air, yet his desire for her “savage love” overrides his better judgment.

The central conflict is the singer’s internal battle between his knowledge of her toxic intentions and his overwhelming emotional and physical attraction. The term “savage love” encapsulates this dynamic: it’s a love that is wild, untamed, and ultimately hurtful, yet fiercely desired. He questions her, wondering if a past heartbreak is the cause of her cruel behavior, observing that she looks angelic but her love is savage.

A moment of self-reflection occurs when the singer wonders if this painful experience is a form of karma. He acknowledges his own past of “getting around” and not committing, questioning if this is the universe's way of balancing the scales. While he wants to settle down and “lock it down” with her, she seems content to “run it up,” treating the relationship as a casual, perhaps transactional, affair. This dynamic is further highlighted by her ability to make him spend all his money, showing her control and his willingness to do anything to keep her. Despite the clear signs that this relationship is unhealthy and one-sided, the chorus repeatedly affirms his persistent desire: “But I still want that savage love.” He openly invites her to use him, as his craving for her affection, no matter how damaging, remains unshakable.

The creation of "Savage Love" is a notable story of viral trends and modern music collaboration. It began with an instrumental track called "Laxed (Siren Beat)," created in 2019 by Joshua Nanai, a New Zealand high school student known as Jawsh 685. Nanai created the beat in about four hours after school, feeling relaxed, hence the title "Laxed." The "685" in his name is a reference to the country code for Samoa, honoring his Samoan and Cook Islander heritage. The track is an example of a "siren jam," a Pasifika music subculture in New Zealand where producers create treble-heavy beats designed to be played loudly through siren speakers.

"Laxed (Siren Beat)" went viral on TikTok in 2020, sparking the "Culture Dance" trend where users would showcase their heritage by changing into traditional attire while dancing to the song. American singer Jason Derulo noticed the trend and recorded his own vocals over the beat, teasing a song called "Savage Love" on his TikTok on May 11, 2020. This led to significant controversy, as Derulo initially released the teaser without having officially cleared the sample or crediting Jawsh 685. After public backlash and negotiations, the two artists resolved their issues. The song was officially released on June 11, 2020, as a collaboration, with Jawsh 685 credited as a lead artist, co-writer, and the sole producer. A highly successful remix featuring the K-pop group BTS was later released on October 2, 2020, which helped propel the song to number one on the US Billboard Hot 100.

The primary metaphor in the song is the concept of "savage love." This phrase symbolizes a relationship that is simultaneously irresistible and deeply damaging. The word "savage" here implies something untamed, wild, and potentially cruel, contrasting with the traditional, nurturing idea of love. It represents the woman's behavior—using the protagonist to make her ex jealous—which is emotionally brutal, yet he is addicted to the passion and intensity of it.

The woman is described as "looking like an angel, but your savage love," which is a classic juxtaposition of appearance versus reality. The angelic image symbolizes innocence, purity, and desirability, while the “savage” nature reveals her hidden, hurtful intentions. This imagery highlights the deceptive nature of the attraction and the protagonist's inner conflict.

In the BTS remix, member Suga introduces the metaphor of love being a "sandcastle collapsing weakly, helplessly before a calm wave." This powerfully symbolizes the fragility and transient nature of the love described in the song, suggesting that it's built on a weak foundation and can be destroyed with little effort, reinforcing the theme of its impermanence and instability.

The emotional landscape of "Savage Love" is a complex mixture of upbeat energy and underlying heartbreak, creating a distinctively bittersweet atmosphere. On the surface, the song's bouncy, tropical-infused rhythm and catchy siren hook create a joyful and danceable mood. This cheerful sound directly contrasts with the lyrical content, which expresses feelings of pain, confusion, and desperation.

The lyrics, delivered with Jason Derulo's emotive vocals, convey the story of being knowingly used by a lover. This creates a sense of longing and frustration, as the singer is caught between the hurt of betrayal and an insatiable desire for his partner's affection. The central emotion is this torturous conflict—the pleasure derived from the connection versus the pain of its toxic nature. While the verses build a narrative of dawning realization and heartache, the chorus, with its repeated "I still want that," shifts into a feeling of resigned, almost defiant, infatuation. This emotional push-and-pull makes the song relatable to anyone who has been in a complicated relationship.

"Savage Love (Laxed - Siren Beat)" had a massive cultural impact, primarily driven by its viral success on TikTok. The original instrumental by Jawsh 685, "Laxed (Siren Beat)," sparked the "Culture Dance" challenge, where millions of users celebrated their ethnic heritage. This brought global attention to the "siren jam" subculture of New Zealand's Pasifika community, a musical style previously unknown to most of the world.

The song became a worldwide commercial success, topping the charts in over seventeen countries, including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Germany. The controversy surrounding Jason Derulo's initial unauthorized use of the beat sparked important conversations about crediting and compensating creators in the digital age, particularly independent and non-Western artists.

Its popularity was further amplified by a remix featuring the globally renowned K-pop group BTS, which propelled the song to number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. This achievement made Jawsh 685 the first Pasifika artist to top the US charts and gave Jason Derulo his first number-one hit in 11 years. The collaboration itself became a point of discussion when fans felt Derulo did not properly acknowledge BTS's contribution to the song's chart-topping success.

The rhythmic foundation of "Savage Love" is the "Laxed (Siren Beat)," which is built on a relaxed, mid-tempo reggaeton drum pattern. This pattern gives the song its characteristic island or dancehall feel, creating a groove that is both laid-back and danceable. The tempo is steady, making it easy to follow and contributing to its success in TikTok dance challenges. A key rhythmic element is the interplay between the bass guitar, which often plays on the beat, and an acoustic guitar playing on the off-beats, creating a syncopated, swaying feel, particularly in the chorus sections. The track is sparse on percussion, notably lacking hi-hats in many parts, which puts more emphasis on the melodic siren hook and the core drum pattern.

The rhyme scheme in the verses is relatively straightforward, often following simple couplet patterns (AABB) or alternating rhymes to maintain a pop structure. For example, in the lines, "If I woke up without ya, I don't know what I would do / Thought I could be single forever 'til I met you," "do" and "you" create a simple, effective rhyme. The lyrical rhythm is conversational and flows easily over the syncopated musical rhythm, with Derulo often stretching syllables in his signature style to match the melodic phrases.

Musically, the song's most defining feature is its foundation on Jawsh 685's "Laxed (Siren Beat)". This instrumental hook is a prime example of the "siren jam" genre, characterized by a catchy, treble-focused melody designed to be played on siren speakers, giving it a unique, piercing quality. The underlying rhythm is a relaxed, tropical-infused reggaeton and dancehall beat, which creates a stark contrast with the song's lyrically painful theme. The structure is simple and repetitive, typical of pop music, built for virality and radio appeal. Jason Derulo's vocal delivery is characterized by his signature high-pitched, emotive wailing and ad-libs, which add a layer of dramatic desperation to the track.

Lyrically, the song employs a direct, narrative style. It uses rhetorical questions like "Savage love, did somebody, did somebody break your heart?" to directly address the love interest and speculate on the cause of her behavior. The repetition of the hook "savage love" and the phrase "I still want that" serves as a strong lyrical motif that emphasizes the singer's inescapable and conflicting desires. The juxtaposition of the upbeat, danceable tune with lyrics about a toxic relationship is a form of irony, making the song's sad tale more palatable and catchy for a mass audience.

What is the story behind the song 'Savage Love'?

The song began as an instrumental called 'Laxed (Siren Beat)' by New Zealand teen producer Jawsh 685. It went viral on TikTok with the 'Culture Dance' challenge. Jason Derulo then added lyrics, initially without permission, which caused controversy before an official collaboration was released.

What does the term 'savage love' mean in the song?

'Savage love' refers to a relationship that is passionate and intensely desirable but also wild, toxic, and hurtful. It describes the singer's lover, who appears angelic but is using him to get back at her ex, making their connection painfully one-sided.

What is a 'siren beat' or 'siren jam'?

A 'siren jam' is a musical subgenre from New Zealand's Pasifika communities. It involves creating treble-heavy tracks, often inspired by reggae and dancehall, that are designed to be played loudly through public address systems or siren speakers, frequently attached to cars or bikes.

Why was there controversy surrounding Jason Derulo and 'Savage Love'?

Jason Derulo was criticized for initially using Jawsh 685's 'Laxed (Siren Beat)' for his song without giving proper credit or getting clearance. After backlash, they reached an agreement, and the song was released as an official collaboration crediting both artists.

Who is Jawsh 685?

Jawsh 685, whose real name is Joshua Nanai, is a music producer from South Auckland, New Zealand, of Samoan and Cook Islander heritage. He was still in high school when his instrumental 'Laxed (Siren Beat)' became the basis for the global hit 'Savage Love'.

Did BTS sing on 'Savage Love'?

Yes, the K-pop group BTS featured on an official remix of 'Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)'. The remix, released in October 2020, includes new verses in Korean from members Suga and J-Hope, and helped the song reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.

What is the 'Culture Dance' on TikTok?

The 'Culture Dance' was a viral TikTok trend set to Jawsh 685's 'Laxed (Siren Beat)'. Participants would start in their everyday clothes and then transition into traditional attire from their own culture, using the dance to celebrate their heritage.