Calling (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse) (Metro Boomin & Swae Lee, NAV, feat. A Boogie Wit da Hoodie)

"Calling" is a multi-layered song that functions both as a universal love ballad and a specific narrative piece for the film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. At its core, the song delves into the complex themes of love, sacrifice, and the conflict between personal desire and a greater duty. The lyrics articulate the internal turmoil of a hero, largely interpreted as Miles Morales, who is deeply in love with Gwen Stacy but understands that his life as Spider-Man inherently brings danger and distance into their relationship. The recurring chorus, "Just to save you, I'd give all of me," is a direct expression of this willingness to sacrifice everything for the person he loves.

The song explores the emotional weight of this responsibility. The artists express feelings of guilt ("It's my fault, made you fall for me"), acknowledging that their unique path has caused their partner distress. There's a profound sense of longing and an admission of personal flaws ("It hurts me when you start to see my flaws"), which humanizes the superhero figure and makes the theme relatable to anyone in a challenging long-distance relationship. The different verses add unique perspectives: NAV speaks on overcoming obstacles and using his influence for his partner, while A Boogie Wit da Hoodie touches on providing material security and seeking his partner's pride in his success. Ultimately, "Calling" is about an unwavering commitment to be a hero for a loved one, even when faced with personal shortcomings and the immense pressures of a difficult life.

The song narrates a story of profound love, duty, and the inherent struggles that come with a life of extraordinary responsibility, mirroring the journey of Miles Morales in "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse". It opens with a heartfelt pledge of ultimate sacrifice, where the protagonist, voiced with soulful vulnerability by Swae Lee, expresses a willingness to give everything to save a loved one. This central theme is driven by a sense of guilt and responsibility, captured in the line, "It's my fault, made you fall for me." The hero acknowledges that his unique circumstances have inadvertently placed his love interest in peril, and now he hears her metaphorical (or literal) screams calling out to him across a vast distance.

The narrative deepens as it explores the internal conflict of the hero. He admits his own imperfections and the pain it causes when his partner sees his human flaws beneath the superhero persona. There's a poignant recognition of the limitations his life imposes on their relationship; he is perpetually "short on time" and can never give her the attention she deserves. This wasn't a love he planned for, but it has become a profound and central part of his existence, making the sacrifices both necessary and heartbreaking.

NAV's verse shifts the perspective slightly, focusing on a sincere, albeit flawed, attempt to be the partner she needs. He acknowledges his difficulty with honesty but reaffirms his commitment to overcome any obstacle for her. The metaphor, "Treat the world like my guitar, I'm pullin' strings for you," illustrates his desire to use his power and influence to protect and provide for her, even if he can't always be physically present. It’s a confession of his dedication, balancing his public duties with his private affections.

A Boogie Wit da Hoodie’s contribution adds another layer, blending the theme of romantic devotion with the realities of his success. He frames his lavish gifts, like a "bust down" watch, not just as material offerings but as symbols of his ability to elevate and care for his partner. He links his success on the music charts to his hope that she is proud of him, intertwining his professional ambition with his personal desire for her approval. The verse concludes with a powerful reaffirmation of the hero's promise: if she can't save herself, he will be the "last one left" to do it, reinforcing the core theme of unwavering, heroic love against all odds.

"Calling" was released on May 31, 2023, as the lead single from the soundtrack for the animated film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. The soundtrack was executive produced by the acclaimed record producer Metro Boomin, who was announced as the project's curator in May 2023. Metro Boomin crafted a diverse and eclectic soundtrack to mirror the film's unique visual style and multiversal narrative.

The song is a significant collaboration between Metro Boomin, Swae Lee, NAV, and A Boogie Wit da Hoodie. The production was handled by Metro Boomin himself, alongside Chris XZ, with co-production from Johan Lenox. The songwriting credits are shared among the producers and the performing artists: Leland Wayne (Metro Boomin), Khalif Brown (Swae Lee), Navraj Goraya (NAV), Artist Dubose (A Boogie Wit da Hoodie), Jordan Holt-May (Chris XZ), Christopher Townsend (Landstrip Chip), and Johan Lenox. This collaboration brought together influential figures in melodic rap, with Swae Lee having previously found massive success with "Sunflower" from the first film's soundtrack, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. An official music video, directed by Hidji Films and blending live-action shots of the artists with animation from the film, was released on September 6, 2023.

The rhyme and rhythm of "Calling" are crafted to support its smooth, melodic, and reflective mood.

• Rhyme Scheme: The song largely employs a simple, flowing rhyme scheme within its verses, often using couplets (AABB) or alternating rhymes to maintain a conversational and lyrical feel. For example, in NAV's verse, "truth" rhymes with "you," and "thing for you" rhymes with "strings for you." This straightforward structure makes the lyrics accessible and allows the emotional delivery to take precedence. The hook, sung by Swae Lee, uses a consistent rhyme pattern with "me" and "all" to create a memorable and anthemic chorus.
• Rhythmic Flow: The rappers' flows are syncopated and ride the mid-tempo beat in a relaxed manner. The delivery is not aggressive or complex, but rather smooth and rhythmically aligned with the song's synth-driven melody. This creates a cohesive interplay between the vocal rhythm and the instrumental's steady trap percussion (hi-hats, snares, and 808 bass).
• Tempo and Pacing: The song maintains a consistent, mid-tempo pace throughout, which contributes to its contemplative and somewhat melancholic atmosphere. There are no drastic shifts in tempo, allowing the listener to become immersed in the song's dreamy and emotional landscape. The instrumental outro, featuring an orchestral arrangement, provides a gentle, cinematic decay, allowing the song's emotional weight to linger.

"Calling" showcases a blend of musical and literary techniques that create its distinct emotional texture.

• Melodic Rap Delivery: The vocal performances from Swae Lee, NAV, and A Boogie wit da Hoodie are prime examples of melodic rap. This style, which blurs the line between rapping and singing, uses smooth, emotive vocal lines over the beat, enhancing the song's romantic and melancholic themes. The use of Auto-Tune is subtle, employed to polish the melodies and contribute to the dreamy, synth-heavy atmosphere.
• Lush, Cinematic Production: Metro Boomin's production is characterized by its cinematic and atmospheric quality. The track is built on a foundation of synth pads, a gentle but persistent trap beat, and an arpeggiated electric guitar melody, which creates a feeling of longing and movement. The use of the F Lydian scale is a deliberate music theory choice to evoke a "dreamy feeling." The addition of strings, arranged by co-producer Johan Lenox, adds a layer of orchestral grandeur, elevating the song beyond a typical rap track.
• Contrasting Vocal Textures: The song benefits from the distinct vocal styles of its featured artists. Swae Lee's high, airy tenor delivers the hook with a sense of yearning, NAV's verse has a more grounded and earnest tone, and A Boogie Wit da Hoodie's flow is confident yet reflective, providing a dynamic listening experience.
• Narrative Perspective: The lyrics are sung from the first-person perspective, creating an intimate connection with the listener. This point of view allows the audience to directly access the hero's internal conflicts, his love, and his insecurities, making the song's narrative deeply personal.

As the lead single from the soundtrack for the critically and commercially successful film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, "Calling" achieved significant cultural relevance. The soundtrack itself debuted at number seven on the US Billboard 200 chart. "Calling" peaked at number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song's success built upon the legacy of the first film's soundtrack, which produced the chart-topping hit "Sunflower."

The song resonated with fans of the movie, who saw it as a perfect musical encapsulation of the romantic and emotional core of Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy's story. Its blend of hip-hop and emotive pop found a wide audience, and it became popular on social media platforms like TikTok, where users created content centered around the song's themes and its connection to the film. The artists performed the song at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, further boosting its visibility. The track solidified Metro Boomin's reputation as a go-to producer for curating culturally significant hip-hop soundtracks, following the model of projects like the Black Panther album.

The lyrics of "Calling" are rich with symbolism and metaphors that tie directly into the superhero narrative of Spider-Man.

• The "Calling": The titular word "calling" serves a dual purpose. On a literal level, it represents the cry for help from a loved one in distress ("I can hear you screamin' out, callin' me"). Symbolically, it refers to the hero's calling—his inescapable duty and destiny to save others, which often conflicts with his personal life.
• Giving "All of Me": The repeated promise to "give all of me" symbolizes the ultimate sacrifice, a common trope in superhero lore. It's not just about physical sacrifice in battle, but also the emotional sacrifice of a normal life and a conventional relationship.
• Pulling Strings: NAV's line, "Treat the world like my guitar, I'm pullin' strings for you," is a powerful metaphor for using one's influence and power to protect a loved one. It suggests a level of control over complex situations, much like a hero manipulating events to ensure a positive outcome for someone they care about.
• The Hero as the "Last One Left": A Boogie's declaration, "Need a hero? I'm the last one left," symbolizes the isolation and immense pressure of being the sole person capable of saving the day. It highlights the loneliness of the hero's journey and reinforces the unwavering commitment to his partner, even when all other hope is gone.

The central recurring element in the song is the chorus, which acts as its emotional and thematic anchor.

• "Just to save you, I'd give all of me / I can hear you screamin' out, callin' me": This lyrical motif is the heart of the song. Its repetition throughout the track constantly reinforces the primary themes of sacrifice, love, and heroic duty. Each time it reappears, it deepens the emotional impact, reminding the listener of the protagonist's unwavering commitment despite the pain and distance.
• The Act of "Calling": The title itself is a motif. It signifies the connection between the two lovers across dimensions or distance. This call is both a literal cry for help and a symbolic representation of their bond that transcends physical separation.
• The Confession of Fault: The line, "It's my fault, made you fall for me," also recurs and is crucial. It's a motif of self-blame and responsibility, highlighting the hero's awareness that his own existence is the source of his lover's peril. This adds a layer of tragic romance to the narrative.
• Musical Motif: The arpeggiated electric guitar melody that opens the song and weaves through it serves as a recurring musical motif. Its dreamy, slightly melancholic sound establishes the song's atmosphere from the beginning and acts as a consistent sonic identifier for the track's emotional landscape.