Better Days (feat. Polo G)

"Better Days" is a multi-layered pop anthem that explores themes of loneliness, hope, and the complex journey from struggle to success. At its core, the song is a powerful expression of yearning for a brighter future while feeling stuck in a period of emotional haze and isolation.

Mae Muller's verses articulate the primary emotional struggle. She sings about feeling lonely and 'jaded' following the end of a relationship, watching her former partner move on while she remains stagnant. The central lyrical motif, 'Livin' in a haze, stayin' in the shade / All I do is sit around and wait for better days,' serves as a potent metaphor for depression and passivity, capturing the feeling of being disconnected from life and waiting for external circumstances to bring happiness. Her plea for an 'Amen' is a cry for shared understanding and relief from this emotional weight.

Polo G's verse provides a compelling narrative counterpoint. He begins by echoing the prayer for better days but reveals that, for him, those prayers have been answered through massive financial success. However, his verse is not merely a boast. It delves into the nuances of his new life, including a poignant reflection on a new relationship with a woman whose heart is 'fragile' due to past experiences. This demonstrates a deeper emotional maturity, suggesting that 'better days' are not just about material wealth but also about navigating relationships with care and empathy. His description of a 'lavish life' contrasts with Muller's state of longing, effectively illustrating the destination she hopes to reach.

Ultimately, the song's meaning is found in the powerful juxtaposition of its melancholic, yearning lyrics and its vibrant, upbeat nu-disco production. It captures the universally relatable feeling of being in a difficult place while holding onto an unwavering hope for the future. It's a song that acknowledges pain and loneliness but chooses to be optimistic, encouraging listeners to dance through their hardships while anticipating the 'better days' to come.

The narrative of the song unfolds through two distinct perspectives, united by a chorus that yearns for a brighter future. It begins with a confession of profound loneliness and emotional fatigue. The singer, Mae Muller, expresses a deep need for comfort and companionship, articulating a feeling of being 'jaded' and uncertain about her path forward. She observes someone from her past moving on, which accentuates her own feeling of being stuck and left behind. This sense of stasis and isolation has stretched on for a long time, leaving her feeling completely on her own.

This personal struggle is crystallized in the recurring chorus, which becomes the song's central thesis. The imagery of 'livin' in a haze, stayin' in the shade' paints a vivid picture of a life lived without clarity or vibrancy, passively waiting for circumstances to improve rather than actively changing them. The plea, 'I could use a break, can I get an "Amen"?', is a universal cry for relief and validation, a shared prayer for 'better days' to finally arrive. This refrain is not just a personal wish but an invitation for listeners to join in this collective hope.

The song then shifts perspective with the arrival of Polo G's rap verse. He opens with the same call for an 'Amen' but from a different standpoint. He touches on being an introvert who struggles to make friends, linking his own past prayers for better days to his current success, where he now earns 'three hundred K' by the end of his day. His verse introduces a new narrative layer, recounting a recent memory of a night out. He describes being with a woman in an 'all-white dress' and reflects on her emotional vulnerability, noting that her heart is 'fragile' and that thinking about her past can cause her to 'lash out'. He positions himself as a source of stability and support, promising to be there for her without any worries. His verse transitions from personal success to a description of a 'lavish life'—cruising in a Maybach, 'chillin' with the stars like a satellite,' and wearing a shining Audemars Piguet watch. This depiction of a realized 'better day' serves as a powerful contrast to the yearning expressed in the chorus, offering a glimpse of what that brighter future could look like, while still acknowledging the emotional complexities that persist even in success.

The song continuously returns to the infectious, hopeful chorus, reinforcing the central theme. The repetition of 'better days' becomes a mantra, a hopeful chant that drives the song's uplifting and danceable energy. The juxtaposition of melancholic verses with an exuberant, funky production creates a dynamic and emotionally resonant experience, capturing the feeling of hoping for a better tomorrow while navigating the challenges of today.

"Better Days" is a collaboration between the Swedish production collective NEIKED, English singer-songwriter Mae Muller, and American rapper Polo G. NEIKED, a group founded by Victor Rådström and Mikael Rabus, is credited with producing the track. The songwriting credits are shared among Karl Ivert, Kian Sang, NEIKED, Polo G, and Von Tiger.

The creation process began in November 2020 when Mae Muller traveled to Sweden for a session with NEIKED. The production duo played her the track they had been working on, titled "Better Days." Muller later admitted that she was initially hesitant to record a song she hadn't written herself, as she primarily identifies as a songwriter. However, she recognized the song's potential, calling it a 'banger' and realizing that passing on it would be a missed opportunity.

The collaboration was a significant career moment for its artists. It became the first song to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100 for both NEIKED and Mae Muller. In promotional interviews, Muller expressed her excitement about working with Polo G, stating she was a big fan and that the collaboration was a 'dream.' NEIKED also shared their enthusiasm, calling the track a special creation and the first piece of a new musical puzzle for their collective. The accompanying music video, directed by Tom Dream, was released on October 7, 2021, and features a distinct retro, '70s-inspired aesthetic with all three artists.

The rhyme and rhythm of "Better Days" are key to its infectious, dance-pop appeal.

Rhyme Scheme:
The song's lyrical structure employs simple and effective rhyme schemes. Mae Muller's verses often use an AABB or ABCB pattern. For example, in the first verse, 'lonely' rhymes with 'hold me' (AABB) and 'jaded' is paired with 'play it' as a near rhyme. The chorus follows a clear AABB structure: 'shade' rhymes with 'days', and 'Amen' rhymes with 'days' again, reinforcing the hook. Polo G's rap verse utilizes more complex internal rhymes and multisyllabic rhymes typical of hip-hop, such as 'last night' with 'blacked out' and 'back out,' and the internal rhyme in 'Chillin' with the stars like a satellite / AP on my arm and it's shinin' bright.'

Rhythm and Meter:
The song maintains a consistent, upbeat tempo of approximately 110-111 beats per minute (BPM), placing it squarely in the dance-pop category. The rhythm is driven by a prominent four-on-the-floor drum pattern overlaid with a funky, syncopated bassline, which gives the track its nu-disco groove. The vocal rhythms vary between artists. Mae Muller's melody flows smoothly over the beat, emphasizing the song's melodic nature. In contrast, Polo G's verse introduces a more rhythmically complex, percussive flow that adds texture and variety. This interplay between the melodic chorus and the rhythmic verse is a classic pop-rap collaboration structure that enhances the song's dynamic energy.

"Better Days" combines literary and musical techniques to create its signature optimistic and catchy feel.

Musical Techniques:

• Genre Fusion: The song is a prime example of genre-blending, merging contemporary Pop with elements of Nu-disco and Funk. This is evident in its 'funky guitar baseline,' 'radiant horns,' and 'glittering synth' textures.
• Production: NEIKED's production is clean and vibrant, featuring a 'dance-ready' and 'pulse-pounding' beat that creates an energetic and euphoric atmosphere, contrasting with the more melancholic lyrics.
• Arrangement: The song is built around a consistently repeating chord progression (Fm7 – B♭ – E♭ – Cm), which makes it incredibly catchy and structurally cohesive. The instrumentation builds throughout, with strings and layered synths entering to elevate the emotional impact of the chorus.
• Vocal Delivery: The track features a dynamic interplay between Mae Muller's 'lush and lovely' lead vocals and Polo G's contrasting rap verse. Muller's delivery is melodic and emotive, conveying longing, while Polo G's 'heart-on-sleeve' rap provides a narrative, rhythmic shift that injects a different energy and perspective into the track.

Literary Techniques:

• Juxtaposition: The song's primary literary device is the juxtaposition of sad, introspective lyrics ('I've been feelin' lonely') with an overwhelmingly upbeat and joyful musical arrangement. This creates a feeling of hopeful melancholy that is central to its appeal.
• Imagery: The lyrics use simple but effective imagery, such as 'livin' in a haze, stayin' in the shade,' to create a clear mental picture of the singer's emotional state.
• Rhetorical Question: The line 'can I get an "Amen"?' acts as a rhetorical question, not seeking a literal answer but rather fostering a sense of shared feeling and solidarity with the listener.

"Better Days" achieved significant cultural influence shortly after its release, primarily through its viral success and strong chart performance. The song became a global hit, marking a major breakthrough for both NEIKED and Mae Muller.

Its most notable impact was on the social media platform TikTok, where it became the soundtrack to the popular 'Better Days challenge.' This viral trend helped the song garner millions of streams and propelled it into mainstream consciousness. The song's upbeat and optimistic nature made it a perfect fit for a wide range of short-form video content.

This online popularity translated directly into commercial success. In the United States, "Better Days" climbed to number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100, a first-time achievement for both NEIKED and Muller. It also performed well in the UK, peaking at number 32 on the Official Singles Chart. The song's success was sustained enough to warrant several official remixes to expand its reach, including a notable version featuring Colombian superstar J Balvin and a dance-focused remix by DJ Regard.

The music video, directed by Tom Dream, also contributed to its identity with a distinct, 1970s-inspired visual aesthetic filled with pastel colors and retro sets, further cementing the song's nostalgic and feel-good vibe. Hailed by some critics as one of the best songs of 2021, "Better Days" stands as a prime example of how a well-crafted pop song can leverage social media trends to achieve massive global success.

The lyrics of "Better Days" utilize straightforward yet effective symbolism and metaphors to convey its emotional themes.

• Haze and Shade: The most prominent metaphor is found in the chorus: 'Livin' in a haze, stayin' in the shade'. The 'haze' symbolizes a state of confusion, emotional fog, and lack of direction. 'Staying in the shade' represents a withdrawal from life, avoiding the spotlight and active participation, symbolizing a period of depression or stagnation. Together, they paint a powerful picture of someone passively waiting for life to happen to them.
• Fragile Heart: In his verse, Polo G refers to a woman he's with, cautioning himself to 'be careful with her heart 'cause it's fragile'. The 'fragile' heart is a direct symbol of emotional vulnerability and the lasting impact of past trauma or heartache. It adds a layer of depth to his verse, highlighting that even in the 'better days' of success, emotional complexities and the need for gentleness remain. NEIKED commented on this lyric, noting that it reflects how people who have been through tough times require extra care.
• Amen: The recurring request to 'get an "Amen"' functions as a symbolic plea for validation and solidarity. In a secular context, it's a call for agreement and shared experience, transforming the personal feeling of loneliness into a collective, almost spiritual, yearning for improvement.

"Better Days" is built around several powerful recurring motifs that enhance its thematic resonance and memorability.

• The Chorus Hook: The most significant recurring element is the entire chorus: 'Livin' in a haze, stayin' in the shade / All I do is sit around and wait for better days / I could use a break, can I get an "Amen"?'. This hook acts as the song's central thesis, encapsulating the core themes of stagnation and hope. Its repetition throughout the song transforms it into an anthem, making it incredibly memorable and singable.
• The Phrase "Better Days": The title phrase itself is a crucial motif. It appears repeatedly in the chorus and at the end of Polo G's verse, tying the different narrative threads together. The constant repetition of 'better days' functions as a mantra, reinforcing the song's ultimate message of optimism and hopeful expectation.
• "Can I get an 'Amen'?": This lyrical motif, appearing in both Mae Muller's chorus and the beginning of Polo G's verse, serves as a unifying call to action. It bridges the two distinct perspectives of the song, connecting the feeling of longing with the reflection on success. It's a plea for solidarity that directly engages the listener.
• Musical Motif: Musically, the song is defined by a recurring, looping chord progression (Fm7–B♭–E♭–Cm) and the funky bassline that accompanies it. This instrumental hook is just as important as the lyrical ones, establishing the track's infectious groove from the very beginning and providing a consistent, danceable foundation.