Better Days (NEIKED x Mae Muller x Polo G)

"Better Days" is a vibrant and optimistic anthem about overcoming periods of hardship and looking forward to a brighter future. The song captures a collective feeling of being stuck in a rut, characterized by loneliness and a sense of stagnation, as expressed in Mae Muller's verses: "Livin' in a haze, stayin' in the shade / All I do is sit around and wait for better days." This sentiment resonated widely, particularly in the context of the global pandemic during which the song was created. It speaks to the universal human experience of enduring difficult times and holding onto hope for improvement. Polo G's rap verse adds another layer, contrasting the past struggles with a present reality of success and financial stability ('Pray for better days, now it's three hundred K when my day ends'), while also acknowledging the emotional complexities and the importance of loyalty. Ultimately, the song is a message of hope, encouraging listeners to believe in the promise of a better future and the joy that lies ahead after a period of struggle.

The song begins from a perspective of loneliness and emotional fatigue. The narrator, voiced by Mae Muller, expresses a deep sense of isolation and a need for comfort, singing about feeling lonely and needing someone to hold her. She feels jaded and uncertain about how to navigate her current situation. There's a palpable sense of being left behind, as she observes someone else moving on with their life and wonders if she can join them, highlighting how long she has been on her own. This feeling of stagnation is powerfully captured in the chorus, where she describes her life as 'living in a haze, staying in the shade.' This imagery paints a picture of a life lived without vibrancy or direction, passively waiting for circumstances to improve. The repeated plea, 'Can I get an Amen?', serves as a call for solidarity and a break from the monotony and emotional weight she carries.

The central theme is a profound yearning for 'better days,' a recurring motif that encapsulates the hope for a brighter future. This isn't just a passive wish but a deep-seated need for change and relief from a prolonged period of difficulty. The chorus acts as the song's emotional anchor, a universally relatable anthem for anyone who has felt stuck and longed for improvement.

Polo G's verse shifts the narrative perspective, introducing a voice of someone who has overcome similar struggles and is now reaping the rewards of perseverance. He starts by echoing the call for 'better days,' mentioning being introverted and praying for a positive change. His prayer is answered, as he now makes 'three hundred K when my day ends.' This line provides a stark contrast to the earlier verses, showing a transition from hope to reality. He also touches on themes of wealth and a 'lavish life,' but grounds his verse in personal connection and emotional awareness. He recalls a night with a woman, noting her fragility ('be careful with her heart 'cause it's fragile') and how her past can make her 'lash out.' This moment of empathy adds depth to his character, showing that his success hasn't made him forget the complexities of human emotion. He promises loyalty and support, reinforcing the idea that connection is a vital part of the 'better days' he now enjoys. His verse bridges the gap between waiting for hope and living it, suggesting that better days involve both material success and meaningful relationships.

"Better Days" was released on September 24, 2021. The song is a collaboration between the Swedish production duo NEIKED (Victor Rådström & Mikael Rabus), British singer Mae Muller, and American rapper Polo G. The track was written by NEIKED, Polo G (Taurus Bartlett), Karl Ivert, Kian Sang, and Von Tiger. Mae Muller has a long-standing working relationship with NEIKED and had been in Stockholm for a two-week writing session with them. It was during this time that NEIKED presented her with the song "Better Days," which they had already written. Although Muller primarily identifies as a songwriter and was initially hesitant to record a song she didn't write, she fell in love with it, recognizing it as a 'banger'. After she recorded her vocals, they felt the track could be enhanced by a feature. Muller, a fan of Polo G, suggested him for the collaboration, and her A&R team reached out to his. Polo G's addition was seen as the perfect finishing touch. The song was recorded while Muller herself was feeling in a 'rut', and she has said the song gave her a sense of hope during that time.

"Better Days" is built on a catchy and driving rhythm that defines its dance-pop and nu-disco feel. The tempo is upbeat, at approximately 110 beats per minute, creating a feeling of forward momentum and optimism. The song's rhythmic foundation consists of bouncy beats, a funky guitar baseline, and shimmering synth grooves. The lyrical rhythm in Mae Muller's verses flows conversationally, leading into the highly structured and memorable chorus. The chorus uses a simple, effective rhyme scheme, with 'haze' rhyming with 'days' and the internal 'Amen' providing a satisfying beat. The structure is built for sing-alongs, with the repetition of 'All I do is sit around and wait for better days' creating a powerful hook. Polo G's rap verse introduces a more complex rhythmic flow with multisyllabic rhymes and a syncopated delivery that contrasts with the straightforward rhythm of the chorus, adding texture and dynamism to the track.

"Better Days" employs a successful blend of musical and literary techniques to create its infectious, optimistic feel. Musically, the song is a high-energy, post-disco pop anthem with a funky guitar bassline and sun-soaked synths. This nu-disco and funk-pop production by NEIKED creates a vibrant, danceable soundscape that is inherently joyful and upbeat. The song is noted for its melodic complexity and above-average chord progression novelty. Lyrically, Mae Muller's vocal delivery is expressive and carries a witty, relatable, and slightly vulnerable tone. Her verses establish a narrative of longing. Polo G's verse provides a stylistic contrast with his signature melodic rap style. He uses a narrative approach, recounting his rise from struggle to success and incorporating specific, vivid details ('introverted, can't make friends / Pray for better days, now it's three hundred K when my day ends'). The use of a simple, repetitive, and anthemic chorus makes the song extremely catchy and memorable, a key factor in its viral success.

"Better Days" achieved significant cultural impact shortly after its release, largely driven by its viral success on TikTok. The song became the soundtrack to the "Better Days challenge," which helped it garner massive streaming numbers almost overnight. This organic online popularity translated into major chart success worldwide. In the US, it peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the first entry on the chart for both NEIKED and Mae Muller. It also reached number 32 on the UK's Official Singles Chart and charted in numerous other countries. The song was hailed by critics and fans as a post-pandemic anthem, a 'dreamy, upbeat slice of pop perfection' that captured a collective longing for joy and hope. Its success was further amplified by a remix featuring Colombian superstar J Balvin, which added a Spanish verse and expanded its global reach. The song was included on Mae Muller's 2023 debut album, "Sorry I'm Late," cementing its place as a cornerstone of her career.

The song's central metaphor is the concept of "better days," which serves as a powerful symbol for hope, happiness, and a future free from current struggles. This future is contrasted with the present, described with imagery of being in a "haze" and "staying in the shade." The 'haze' symbolizes confusion, lack of clarity, and a feeling of being lost, while the 'shade' represents a life lived without the warmth and brightness of joy and success. Waiting for 'better days' is a metaphor for enduring hardship with the faith that things will eventually improve. Polo G's verse introduces contrasting imagery of a 'lavish life' with a 'backseat Maybach' and 'chilling with the stars like a satellite,' symbolizing the realization of those awaited better days. He also uses the metaphor of a fragile heart ('be careful with her heart 'cause it's fragile'), adding an emotional depth and symbolizing the lingering vulnerability that can persist even after overcoming difficult times.

The most prominent recurring motif in the song is the titular phrase "better days." It appears repeatedly in the chorus sung by Mae Muller and is referenced in Polo G's verse, acting as the central theme and the song's primary hook. Its repetition drills the core message of hope and optimistic anticipation into the listener's mind, making it a powerful and memorable anthem. The line, "I could use a break, can I get an 'Amen'?" is another significant recurring phrase. It functions as a moment of catharsis and a call for shared understanding, reinforcing the song's relatable message of needing relief from struggle. This phrase breaks the lyrical flow slightly, drawing emphasis and creating a moment of audience participation. The repetition of these key phrases makes the song incredibly catchy and contributed significantly to its viral success on platforms like TikTok.