maybe (feat. Bring Me The Horizon)

"Maybe" is a powerful anthem of heartbreak, self-destruction, and the painful decision to end a toxic relationship. The song delves into feelings of regret, loss, and the internal chaos that accompanies a tumultuous breakup. The lyrics portray a narrative where the protagonist has reached a breaking point, deciding to escape a situation that has cost him his sense of self, metaphorically having "thrown away" his soul. It's about acknowledging the irreparable damage and choosing to walk away, even if it means resorting to self-destructive coping mechanisms like drinking to numb the pain and quiet a guilty conscience. The collaboration between Machine Gun Kelly and Oli Sykes of Bring Me The Horizon creates a dual perspective on this shared experience of anguish. Sykes' verse emphasizes the heartbreak and the feeling of being broken beyond repair, mourning the loss of someone irreplaceable. The song's bridge, however, shifts from sorrow to a raw, unfiltered anger and apathy towards the ex-partner's feelings, suggesting the relationship was doomed from the start ("We were built to fall apart") and that there is no sympathy left to give. Ultimately, the song is a declaration of letting go, a painful but necessary act of self-preservation amidst emotional turmoil.

The narrative unfolds from the perspective of someone grappling with the aftermath of a toxic relationship, standing at a crossroads of regret and the desperate need for escape. The opening lines, beginning with an unconventional "2, 3, 5!" count-in, immediately signal a break from the norm and an unsettled state of mind. The protagonist reflects on recent events, suggesting a 'butterfly effect' from the last three days has led to this critical moment. There's a profound sense of loss, not just of the relationship, but of the self; a soul that feels thrown away. This internal decay is externalized through imagery of shadows on the wall, creating a paranoid atmosphere where the individual feels like a "wanted man" who must flee before being caught, perhaps by their own conscience or the confrontation with their partner. The chorus is a declaration of finality, a decision made in the quiet of the evening. It’s a moment of surrender and self-destruction, choosing to numb the pain with a final drink while a guilty conscience gnaws away. The repetition of "I'm taking the last" underscores the desperation and the finality of this act, whether it's the last drink, the last chance, or the last moments of the relationship. It's a painful but resolute cry of "I'm ready to let you go."

The second verse, delivered by Bring Me The Horizon's Oli Sykes, deepens the sense of despair and heartbreak. It introduces a layer of regret, pondering how things might have been different. The pain of the present is magnified by the realization that the person they've lost is irreplaceable. This verse is a raw cry of anguish, with falling tears that go unnoticed by the other person, a plea to be put out of his misery. The feeling of being broken beyond repair is palpable, as he declares his heart is "history." This perspective reinforces the song's theme of irreversible damage. The bridge intensifies the song's anger and sense of finality. It's a cold, unsympathetic dismissal of the other person's feelings. The line "We were built to fall apart" suggests a fatalistic view of the relationship, that its destruction was inevitable from the start. The emotional detachment is stark: "I can't feel you now." The bridge culminates in a brutal rejection, telling the other person that it's too late for screaming or apologies. The line "Dug your grave so fuck your feelings" is a powerful, aggressive statement that shifts the tone from sorrow to bitter resentment, leaving the ex-partner to face the consequences alone. The song concludes with a final, echoing repetition of the chorus, cementing the decision to let go, a mantra of painful liberation repeated until it becomes real.

"Maybe" was released on March 16, 2022, as the fourth single from Machine Gun Kelly's sixth studio album, Mainstream Sellout. The track is a significant collaboration with members of the British rock band Bring Me The Horizon. The song was co-written by a team that included Machine Gun Kelly (Colson Baker), Bring Me The Horizon's Oli Sykes and Jordan Fish, Travis Barker, Nick Long, Omer Fedi, Brandon Allen, and Stephen Basil. The production was handled by Travis Barker, Omer Fedi, SlimXX, BazeXX, and Nick Long, with Barker being a key figure in MGK's transition into the pop-punk genre. The song was first teased and premiered live at an "Emo Nite" event in Los Angeles on March 4, 2022, where MGK and Oli Sykes performed it together, generating significant anticipation before its official studio release. The official music video, directed by Marc Klasfeld, was released on March 25, 2022, and was filmed inside The Shard in London, featuring MGK, Oli Sykes, and Travis Barker performing as the glass shatters around them.

The rhyme scheme in "Maybe" is relatively straightforward, primarily using couplets (AABB) within its verses to create a driving, forward momentum that complements the song's high tempo. For instance, in the first verse, "say" rhymes with "away," and "ran" rhymes with "man" (as a near rhyme). This simple structure makes the lyrics punchy and memorable. The rhythm is fast-paced and energetic, characteristic of the pop-punk genre. The drums, played and produced by Travis Barker, provide a relentless, driving beat that underpins the track's sense of urgency and angst. The lyrical rhythm often follows the musical rhythm closely, with phrases delivered in a staccato and forceful manner, especially in the chorus. This synchronization between the vocal delivery and the instrumentation creates a powerful, unified sound that enhances the song's emotional impact. The bridge section introduces a rhythmic shift, slowing down momentarily before building into Oli Sykes' aggressive screams, creating a dynamic contrast that highlights the song's emotional climax.

"Maybe" showcases a blend of pop-punk energy with post-hardcore aggression, defined by its stylistic choices. Musically, the song is built on a foundation of fast-paced, driving guitar riffs and racing percussion, characteristic of Travis Barker's production style, which heavily influenced the track. Many critics have noted the guitar riff's similarity to Paramore's hit "Misery Business." The vocal performance is a key stylistic element, featuring an interplay between Machine Gun Kelly's melodic, angst-filled delivery and Oli Sykes' contributions, which range from clean vocals to his signature "deathcore-styled screaming," particularly in the bridge. This dynamic vocal exchange enhances the emotional volatility of the song. Lyrically, the song uses direct and visceral language to convey its message. The opening count-in of "2, 3, 5!" is a deliberate subversion of the typical "1, 2, 3, 4," with MGK stating he did it because the standard count was boring, adding a touch of rebellious flair from the very start. The narrative structure alternates between introspective verses detailing personal pain and an explosive, declarative chorus that acts as the song's emotional core.

Upon its release, "Maybe" was met with considerable attention, largely due to the high-profile collaboration between Machine Gun Kelly and Bring Me The Horizon, two major figures in the rock and alternative scenes. The song was featured as BBC Radio 1's "Hottest Record in the World," highlighting its immediate impact. Commercially, the song performed well, becoming a frequently streamed track and contributing to the success of the album Mainstream Sellout, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. Critical reception was mixed; some praised it as a "massive banger" and a standout track for alternative fans, while others criticized it for a perceived lack of originality, with many pointing out its strong sonic resemblance to Paramore's 2007 hit "Misery Business." Despite the critiques, the song solidified MGK's position in the pop-punk revival movement and was seen as a successful fusion of his style with the heavier elements brought by Oli Sykes, whose performance was often highlighted as a standout feature.

The lyrics of "Maybe" employ several powerful metaphors and symbols to convey its themes of emotional decay and finality.

• Throwing Away the Soul: MGK's line, "I used to have a soul until I threw it away," is a direct metaphor for losing his identity and moral compass within the toxic relationship. It signifies a profound sense of self-destruction and spiritual emptiness.
• Hiding as a Wanted Man: The imagery of trying to "hide my face like a wanted man" symbolizes the guilt, shame, and desire to escape the consequences of his actions or the relationship itself. It paints a picture of being a fugitive from his own emotional turmoil.
• The Last Drink: The recurring phrase "I'm taking the last" refers to a final drink, which acts as a symbol for numbing pain and silencing a guilty conscience. It represents a final, self-destructive act before severing ties, a ritual to mark the end.
• Dug Your Grave: The aggressive line from the bridge, "Dug your grave so fuck your feelings," is a harsh metaphor for placing the final blame on the other person. It suggests they are responsible for the death of the relationship, and therefore, their feelings are no longer of any concern.

The most significant recurring phrase in the song is the chorus's central declaration: "I made up my mind this evening / I'm taking the last, I'm taking the last / Drink while my conscious eats me / I'm taking the last, I'm taking the last / I'm ready to let you go." This entire section acts as a powerful hook and the song's core message. The repetition of "I'm taking the last" emphasizes the finality of the decision, creating a sense of desperate resolve. The phrase "I'm ready to let you go" is repeated multiple times as the chorus closes, functioning as a mantra to convince both the speaker and the listener of this difficult choice. The word "maybe," the song's title, appears in the opening lines of both verses ("Maybe if I had something to say," "Maybe if we went another way"). This motif introduces the element of contemplation and regret, suggesting a lingering doubt or a reflection on past possibilities before the definitive decision in the chorus is announced.