Whatever

"Whatever" by Kygo and Ava Max is a song about reclaiming personal power and independence after a difficult breakup. It explores the emotional journey of moving on from a past relationship that, despite its initial pain, is ultimately deemed insignificant. The lyrics convey a message of self-confidence and embracing one's true self, regardless of the past. The song flips the narrative of Shakira's "Whenever, Wherever," which it famously interpolates. While Shakira's original is a declaration of boundless love and devotion, "Whatever" is a "harsh rebuke" of that sentiment, transforming it into a "lazy breakup anthem." The core message is one of dismissal and emotional detachment, as the singer declares they were "never good together" and that the "truth is, I never cared." This reinvention of the original lyrics creates a story of a relationship that has ended, with the protagonist confidently moving forward.

The song begins with the acknowledgment of a lingering emotional connection to a past relationship. The singer admits that hearing their ex-partner's name or being in the same town brings back a visceral, uncomfortable feeling, described as knots in the stomach. There's a candid confession that moving on from this person was a difficult process, but ultimately a necessary one.

The chorus serves as a powerful declaration of indifference and a rewriting of the past. The repeated word "Whatever" dismisses the significance of the former relationship. The lyrics assert that they were never a good match and establishes a clear boundary: "I'll be here and you stay there." The most cutting line, "Truth is, I never cared," acts as a protective shield, a way to reclaim power after the pain of the breakup. The finality is emphasized with the statement that no tears will be shed over the end of this two-year relationship, diminishing its importance.

The second verse reinforces the theme of moving on and erasing the past. The phrase "never mind" is used to brush off any remaining feelings, claiming it feels as though the ex was "never mine." The singer resolves to lose themselves in the arms of a stranger, a classic trope for getting over someone. There's a moment of raw honesty where they admit that love can be painful and that even one's best efforts don't always lead to a happy ending. However, this is immediately followed by a nonchalant "it don't matter either way," reinforcing the song's central theme of detachment and self-preservation.

The bridge and outro are filled with vocalizations that amplify the song's energetic and carefree mood, with repeated chants of "Whatever" and the promise of not crying. This repetition transforms the word from a simple dismissal into a mantra of liberation and newfound freedom from the emotional baggage of the past relationship. It's an anthem for anyone who has had to sever ties for their own well-being, choosing to look forward rather than dwell on what once was.

The collaboration between Kygo and Ava Max was first teased in early January 2024 when both artists posted snippets of the upcoming track on their social media accounts. On January 10, 2024, Kygo officially announced the song's release date. "Whatever" was released on January 19, 2024, through RCA Records. The song was written by Kygo (Kyrre Gørvell-Dahll), Ava Max (Amanda Ava Koci), Cleo Tighe, Jonah Shy, Petey Martin, and Rollo. Due to the interpolation of Shakira's 2001 hit "Whenever, Wherever," Shakira, Gloria Estefan, and Tim Mitchell are also credited as co-writers. Kygo mentioned in an interview that he received a demo of the song with the rewritten chorus and was immediately drawn to the concept of using a recognizable melody. He produced the track around the summer of the previous year and Ava Max recorded her vocals separately. They later met in a studio in Los Angeles to listen to the final mix together. The track is the lead single from Kygo's fifth studio album, also titled "Kygo".

The rhyme scheme in the verses of "Whatever" is relatively simple, with an AABB pattern in the first verse ("down"/"town" and "public"/"stomach"). The pre-chorus follows a similar AABB structure ("true"/"you" and "easy"/"do"). This straightforward rhyme scheme makes the lyrics easy to follow and adds to the song's pop accessibility. The chorus utilizes a more repetitive structure, with the key phrase "Whatever, whatever" establishing a strong rhythmic and lyrical motif. The end rhymes in the chorus are also straightforward AABB ("together"/"forever" and "there"/"cared"). The song's rhythm is rooted in Kygo's tropical house production, featuring a consistent four-on-the-floor kick drum pattern that drives the track forward. The tempo is upbeat and danceable, creating a juxtaposition with the song's theme of a painful breakup. This contrast between the melancholic lyrics and the energetic rhythm creates a feeling of catharsis and empowerment, as if dancing away the pain.

Musically, "Whatever" is a prime example of Kygo's signature tropical house style, characterized by a relaxed tempo, acoustic elements like guitar strums, and a prominent, "pumping" kick drum. The song is built around an interpolation of the melody from Shakira's "Whenever, Wherever," a technique both Kygo and Ava Max are known for in their respective careers. This creates an immediate sense of familiarity for the listener. A notable musical feature is the use of what some have described as an 8D audio effect, where a male background vocal saying "whatever, whatever" pans between the left and right channels, creating a more immersive listening experience. Ava Max's vocal delivery is powerful and clear, contrasting with the raspier tones of Shakira in the original. The song is written in the key of C Minor. Lyrically, the song employs direct address and a conversational tone, making the narrative of the breakup feel personal and relatable. The repetition of the word "whatever" serves as a strong lyrical hook.

"Whatever" achieved significant chart success, particularly in Europe, reaching number one in Norway and charting within the top 10 in Sweden. It also entered the UK Top 40, becoming Kygo's 10th and Ava Max's 6th single to do so. The song is part of a larger trend in dance music of interpolating well-known hits from the 1990s and 2000s, a practice that has seen a resurgence in popularity. Both Kygo and Ava Max have a history of successfully reimagining classic songs, with Kygo having remixed tracks by Whitney Houston and Tina Turner, and Max having sampled artists like Bon Jovi and Aqua. The release was met with mixed reviews from critics. Some praised it as an "infectious" and "undeniable club smash," while others criticized the interpolation as "lazy." The song and its music video, directed by Dano Cerny, are presented as the first chapter in a series of visuals from Kygo's 2024 album. Kygo and Ava Max performed the song live on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in February 2024. The track has also spawned several official remixes, including a notable one by Tiësto.

The primary symbolic element in "Whatever" is its direct interpolation and lyrical inversion of Shakira's "Whenever, Wherever." This isn't just a sample; it's a thematic counter-narrative. Shakira's song is a global anthem of destined, unconditional love. By taking its iconic melody and replacing the lyrics with sentiments of indifference and separation ("Whatever, whatever / We were never good together"), the song symbolically dismantles the very idea of fated romance that the original championed. This act of lyrical replacement is a powerful metaphor for rewriting one's own history and narrative after a breakup, taking something that once represented connection and transforming it into a declaration of independence.

The music video adds another layer of symbolism. It features Ava Max in a desolate desert highway setting. Deserts in literature and film often symbolize isolation, emptiness, and periods of testing or spiritual journey. Max walking away from a car in this vast emptiness can be seen as her leaving the relationship behind and embarking on a new path alone, finding strength in her solitude. The appearance of reflective blue gems floating around her could symbolize a newfound clarity, resilience, or even the magical, surreal quality of her newfound freedom.

The most prominent recurring motif in "Whatever" is the titular phrase "Whatever, whatever." This phrase is repeated extensively throughout the chorus and post-chorus, functioning as the central hook of the song. Its repetition serves to emphasize the singer's dismissive attitude towards a past relationship, transforming the word into a mantra of indifference and emotional liberation. Another key recurring phrase is the couplet, "I'll be here and you stay there," which reinforces the theme of separation and boundaries. The antithetical structure of this line clearly delineates the singer's newfound independence. The melody of the chorus, interpolated from Shakira's "Whenever, Wherever," is a recurring musical motif that provides a sense of familiarity while being re-contextualized with new, oppositional lyrics. The contrast between the original's romantic sentiment and the new, breakup-oriented lyrics is a central element of the song's identity.