Be Like That - feat. Swae Lee & Khalid

"Be Like That" is a collaborative track that explores the turbulent and often contradictory nature of a passionate relationship. The core message of the song revolves around the acceptance of the ups and downs inherent in love. The title phrase, "sometimes it be like that," acts as a recurring mantra of resignation and understanding, suggesting that conflict, frustration, and intense attachment are all normal parts of the experience.

The lyrics, contributed by Kane Brown, Swae Lee, and Khalid, each present a slightly different facet of this theme. Kane Brown sets the stage by describing the love-hate dynamic: one moment he wishes he were alone and had never met his partner, and the next, he admits he's not himself when she's gone and can't move on. He calls it a "roller coaster ride of a tumultuous, but addictive, romance." Swae Lee's verse continues this idea, while Khalid's contribution focuses on the role of miscommunication in creating conflict. Brown explained the song is about navigating "all the different feelings you can have in a relationship. And trying not to overthink it. When it gets tough, you want to be on your own, but then you miss the person a second later." It captures a universal experience of romantic struggle and codependence, making it relatable to a wide audience.

The song delves into the turbulent and contradictory emotions that define a modern, complicated relationship. The narrative, shared across three distinct artistic voices, paints a picture of a love that is simultaneously frustrating and indispensable. It begins with an expression of exasperation, a feeling that being alone would be simpler. The constant phone calls and arguments are overwhelming, leading to a wish that the paths of the two lovers had never crossed. This sentiment, however, is immediately undercut by a confession of deep dependence. The nights spent alone feel empty and inauthentic, revealing an inability to move on and a profound need for the other person's presence. The central idea is an acceptance of this duality, summed up in the recurring phrase, "Sometimes it be like that."

The first verse, delivered by Kane Brown, elaborates on this push-and-pull dynamic. It describes a cycle where both partners desire love and intimacy but are also prone to arguments, each insisting on being right. Simple acts of affection like a hug and a goodnight kiss coexist with moments of sheer madness, suggesting a relationship teetering on the edge of chaos. The partner's tantrums are a source of conflict, yet no easy solution or 'medicine' can fix their inherent volatility. This constant friction leads to moments of wanting to give up, yet the underlying attachment remains unshakable.

Swae Lee's verse adds another layer, reflecting on the unexpected nature of the relationship and the wildness that comes with it. He speaks of crossing seas for his partner, indicating a deep commitment, even though the relationship itself feels unplanned. The nights are described as crazy and sleepless, filled with the kind of passionate conflict that, paradoxically, keeps the connection alive. He acknowledges the lover's fiery personality and the public nature of their disputes, yet he is drawn to her 'dangerous' allure. The intensity is both the problem and the appeal.

Khalid’s perspective focuses on the theme of miscommunication and the difficulty of finding common ground. He describes a scenario where he's ready to apologize and make amends, but his partner is already confrontational. He feels like he's walking on eggshells, constantly trying to say the right thing to avoid triggering another fight. His verse highlights the exhaustion that comes from this emotional rollercoaster, where one partner is calm while the other is looking for a reason to argue. Despite this, he concludes with the same realization as the others: the difficulty is just part of their dynamic, an accepted facet of their connection. The song collectively portrays a relationship that is far from perfect, marked by fights, frustration, and doubt, but ultimately bound by a powerful, undeniable need for each other. It’s a candid admission that love isn't always serene or straightforward; sometimes, it’s a chaotic, contradictory, yet essential part of life.

"Be Like That" was released on July 10, 2020, as a single from Kane Brown's EP, Mixtape, Vol. 1. The song is a multi-artist collaboration, written by Kane Brown, Swae Lee (Khalif Brown), Khalid (Khalid Robinson), Alexander Izquierdo, Michael Len Williams II (Mike WiLL Made-It), and Ryan Vojtesak (Charlie Handsome). The production was handled by Mike WiLL Made-It and Charlie Handsome.

Kane Brown had previously worked with Khalid on a remix of Khalid's "Saturday Nights" in 2019. Brown was enthusiastic about creating an original song with him, stating, "I was like, 'Could you imagine if we did a song and it hasn't been out yet?'". After falling in love with the initial version of "Be Like That," Brown made some changes to better suit his style, including removing some profanity. The collaboration with Swae Lee came about through the writers who were friends with him. Getting Khalid on the track was a last-minute effort, as he was traveling extensively. Brown noted, "we got him last second. The next day we were about to put the song out, so we got fortunate enough that the timing worked out."

The official music video was released on August 19, 2020. Directed by Alex Alvga, it was filmed at the Pink Motel, a 1940s-era location in Sun Valley, California, and features the three artists in various retro settings, including a classic diner and an empty swimming pool.

The song employs a relatively simple and consistent rhyme scheme, primarily in the chorus, following an AABB pattern: "own" (A) rhymes with "phone" (A), and "ass" (B) rhymes with "that" (B, as a slant rhyme). This straightforward structure makes the chorus catchy and memorable. The verses also utilize simple rhyme pairs, such as "slide" and "right" or "hug" and "goodnight" in Brown's verse, which maintains a conversational and unforced flow.

Rhythmically, "Be Like That" is built on a relaxed, mid-tempo pop beat. The foundation of a simple guitar strum and finger snaps gives it a laid-back, almost acoustic feel, which is then layered with subtle hip-hop percussion. This creates a gentle, head-nodding groove that persists throughout the track. The vocal cadences of the three artists play with this rhythm differently. Brown's delivery is melodic and follows the main beat closely. Swae Lee introduces a more syncopated, rap-influenced flow, while Khalid brings a smoother, R&B-style phrasing. This rhythmic interplay between the vocalists adds variety and texture, preventing the song from becoming monotonous and highlighting the unique style of each collaborator.

"Be Like That" is defined by its fusion of genres, blending country, pop, and hip-hop into a cohesive sound. This cross-pollination is its most significant stylistic feature, allowing three artists from different musical worlds to find common ground. The production, handled by Charlie Handsome and Mike WiLL Made-It, features a relaxed, tropical-influenced guitar line and simple finger snaps, creating a laid-back, summery vibe that contrasts with the lyrical tension.

Musically, the song relies on a catchy, pop-forward structure with a memorable chorus. The vocal delivery varies between the artists, showcasing Kane Brown's country-inflected pop vocals, Swae Lee's signature melodic rap style, and Khalid's smooth R&B croon. This variation in vocal texture adds depth and perspective to the song's narrative. The use of colloquial language, particularly the grammatically informal phrase "it be like that," grounds the song in a modern, relatable vernacular, enhancing its authenticity and appeal to a broad audience. The arrangement is clean and uncluttered, putting the focus on the vocal performances and the simple, infectious hook.

"Be Like That" achieved significant commercial success and cultural resonance as a prominent genre-blending hit. The song was lauded as a "Pop-forward summer anthem" and performed well on multiple charts. Upon its release to Top 40 radio, it became the No. 1 most-added song with 103 station adds, marking the biggest first-week launch for both Kane Brown and Khalid at that format. It reached number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its success was a testament to the growing trend of country artists collaborating with pop and hip-hop acts to reach broader audiences.

According to the National Music Publishers' Association (NMPA) Gold and Platinum Program, based on RIAA certifications, "Be Like That" was the most listened-to country song in the U.S. for the eligibility period of July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021. This highlights its massive streaming and sales performance. The song's retro-themed music video, set in a 1940s-era motel, also garnered significant attention. The track solidified Kane Brown's reputation as a versatile artist capable of moving fluidly between genres and collaborating with major stars from outside the country music sphere.

The song primarily uses the ongoing conflict and reconciliation as a metaphor for the addictive and cyclical nature of a passionate, if turbulent, relationship. The lyrical structure itself, which swings between wanting to leave ("I might be better on my own / I wish I never met yo' ass") and needing to stay ("But I'm not myself the nights you're gone / There ain't no way I'm movin' on"), mirrors the emotional whiplash the song describes. This back-and-forth isn't just a description of events; it symbolizes the internal conflict and codependence that defines the connection. The line "No medicine is fixin' us" serves as a metaphor to suggest their relationship issues are not a sickness to be cured but a fundamental part of their dynamic that they must accept. The title phrase, "Sometimes it be like that," acts as a symbolic acceptance of this beautiful chaos, acknowledging that some things in life and love are messy and beyond simple control.

The most prominent recurring motif in "Be Like That" is the titular phrase, "Sometimes it be like that." This line appears at the end of both the negative and positive couplets in the chorus, serving as the song's central thesis. Its repetition reinforces the theme of acceptance and resignation towards the relationship's volatility. It's a verbal shrug, an acknowledgment that the chaos and the need are two sides of the same coin.

Another recurring lyrical motif is the direct juxtaposition of contradictory feelings. The chorus is built on this: "I might be better on my own" is immediately followed by "But I'm not myself the nights you're gone." This pattern of stating a frustration and then confessing a deep-seated need is the structural and emotional core of the song. It highlights the internal conflict and the addictive push-pull dynamic of the relationship, making it a powerful and relatable hook.