Mood Swings (feat. Lil Tjay)

"Mood Swings" by Pop Smoke featuring Lil Tjay is a multi-faceted exploration of a modern romantic relationship, characterized by its intense passion and emotional volatility. The song's title itself is a direct reference to the unpredictable nature of the female partner, who is depicted as both a desirable "baddie" and a cherished "boo thing." The lyrical content oscillates between candid descriptions of their sexual life and the emotional turbulence that defines their connection. Pop Smoke's verses emphasize a dynamic of care and provision, where he lavishes his partner with luxurious gifts like a Bentley and designer clothing, suggesting that material generosity is a key component of his expression of love and commitment. This is juxtaposed with raw, intimate details that highlight the physical aspect of their bond. Lil Tjay's contribution adds a layer of vulnerability and deep emotional attachment, confessing her significant influence over his actions and feelings. The song ultimately portrays a relationship that is a rollercoaster of highs and lows, a blend of lust, love, and the complexities of navigating a romance in the context of a high-flying, street-savvy lifestyle.

The song delves into the complexities of a passionate and somewhat turbulent relationship. It opens with Pop Smoke highlighting the duality of his partner, describing her as both a "baddie" and his "boo thing," immediately introducing the theme of her unpredictable "mood swings." The lyrics paint a picture of intense physical intimacy, with explicit references to their sexual encounters. Pop Smoke emphasizes a sense of discretion and loyalty, stating he doesn't "kiss and tell." He portrays himself as a provider and a protector, lavishing his partner with luxury items like a Bentley and designer brands such as Chanel and Celine. This gesture is framed as a way to soothe her and demonstrate his affection, suggesting a dynamic where material wealth is intertwined with emotional expression. He positions himself as her best friend, someone she can be honest with. The narrative continues with a cycle of intimacy, separation, and reunion, highlighted by the lines about putting her in an Uber and then repeating their encounter the next day. This cyclical nature underscores the addictive and perhaps tumultuous quality of their connection.

Lil Tjay's verse shifts the focus slightly, offering a more introspective and emotionally vulnerable perspective. He confesses the depth of his attachment, admitting she is the only one who can make him act against his own crew and the only one who elicits such a strong physical and emotional reaction from him. He acknowledges the ups and downs of their relationship, referring to it as a journey through a "storm" that they can weather together. He expresses a desire for a deeper connection, asking about her astrological sign and expressing hope for their future. His lyrics touch on themes of loyalty and the work required to maintain a relationship, promising to keep her looking like a "dime" and acknowledging her as his "biggest fan." The verse also contains a mix of bravado and tenderness, as he talks about spoiling her and his ambitions, such as bringing her to the Grammys. The song, in its entirety, captures the essence of a modern love story characterized by intense passion, emotional volatility, and a strong, albeit complex, bond between two people.

"Mood Swings" is a track from Pop Smoke's posthumous debut studio album, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon, released in 2020. The song was written by Pop Smoke (Bashar Jackson) and Lil Tjay (Tione Merritt), along with the producers Beat Menace (Omar Gomez) and Dizzy Banko (Deandre Sumpter), with additional production from Kiwi. According to Beat Menace, an initial beat for the song existed but was not favored by Pop Smoke's record label. Consequently, Beat Menace was brought in to create a new version. The producers had to craft a new instrumental while adhering to the cadence Pop Smoke had already recorded over the old beat. Dizzy Banko contributed the drums and snares at the request of Beat Menace, and was personally contacted by Pop Smoke just weeks before his death. Following the approval of the new beat by Pop Smoke's team, Lil Tjay was added to the track, solidifying the collaboration. The song was released as the third single from the album on August 21, 2020. A remix featuring Summer Walker was later released on September 18, 2020.

The rhyme scheme in "Mood Swings" is relatively straightforward, primarily utilizing couplets and occasional internal rhymes, which contributes to its catchy and memorable quality. The chorus follows a simple AABB rhyme scheme with "baddie" rhyming with "fatty" and "boo thing" with "mood swings." This simple structure makes the hook easy to remember and sing along to. The verses also employ a consistent end-rhyme pattern, which helps to drive the narrative forward. The rhythm of the song is built around a relaxed, mid-tempo beat, characteristic of contemporary R&B and melodic trap. Pop Smoke and Lil Tjay's vocal deliveries play with this rhythm. Pop Smoke's flow is often laid-back and conversational, while Lil Tjay's delivery is more intricate and melodically complex, creating a dynamic rhythmic interplay. The juxtaposition of their distinct vocal rhythms adds a layer of texture to the track, reflecting the song's thematic focus on contrast and duality.

"Mood Swings" marks a stylistic departure from Pop Smoke's signature Brooklyn drill sound, showcasing his versatility as an artist. The song leans into a more melodic and R&B-influenced style, which is evident in Pop Smoke's smoother, more sung vocal delivery, a contrast to his typically deep and gravelly rap voice. He even playfully acknowledges this at the beginning of the song with the ad-lib, "Oh, you ain't know I could sing?". The production, handled by Beat Menace, Dizzy Banko, and Kiwi, features a mellow, guitar-driven beat with trap-influenced drums, creating a laid-back yet sensual atmosphere. The song's structure relies on the interplay between Pop Smoke's baritone vocals and Lil Tjay's higher-pitched, more melodic flow, creating a dynamic contrast that enhances the track's theme of duality. Lyrically, the song employs a narrative and conversational tone, with direct address to the female subject. The use of contemporary slang and brand names firmly roots the song in a modern, luxurious context.

"Mood Swings" achieved significant cultural influence, largely propelled by its viral success on the social media platform TikTok. The song became the soundtrack to numerous trends and lip-sync videos, with the chorus, in particular, becoming widely recognized. This online popularity translated into impressive chart performance. The song peaked at number 17 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached number 5 on the UK Singles Chart. It also topped the charts in Portugal and entered the top five in several other countries. The song was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). A visualizer for the song featuring Jordyn Woods and the Gonzalez twins was released, followed by an official music video starring Lil Tjay and Lala Baptiste. The video depicts the on-again, off-again nature of the relationship described in the song. A remix featuring R&B singer Summer Walker was also released, further extending the song's reach. The success of "Mood Swings" demonstrated a different, more melodic side of Pop Smoke's artistry, contributing to the broader appreciation of his talent following his untimely death.

While not heavily laden with complex symbolism, "Mood Swings" employs several metaphors and images to convey its themes. The most prominent is the concept of "mood swings" itself, which serves as a central metaphor for the unpredictable and volatile nature of the relationship described. This isn't just a literal reference to emotional changes but symbolizes the constant shifts between passion, conflict, and affection that define their bond. Pop Smoke compares his partner to "Nefertiti," a queen of ancient Egypt renowned for her beauty. This comparison elevates her status, portraying her not just as attractive but as royalty in his eyes. The luxury items mentioned, such as the "Bentley," "Chanel," and "Celine," function as symbols of his success and his method of expressing care and devotion. In the music video, Pop Smoke is represented by an eternal blue flame, a poignant symbol of his enduring legacy and spirit, even in his physical absence. This visual motif suggests that his presence and influence continue to fuel the narrative and emotions of the song.

The most significant recurring phrase in the song is the chorus, particularly the lines "Shorty a lil' baddie / Shorty my lil' boo thing / And shorty got the fatty / Shorty be catching mood swings." This hook encapsulates the central theme of the song: the dual nature of the woman and the relationship. Its repetition throughout the track reinforces this core idea and makes the song highly memorable. Another recurring motif is the juxtaposition of intimacy and material wealth. Phrases like "I gave her keys to the Bentley" and references to high-end brands like "Chanel to Celine" are repeatedly used to illustrate the way the narrator expresses his affection and deals with the relationship's challenges. The act of unprotected sex is also a recurring theme, mentioned in the chorus with the line "Every time I fuck without a rubber / I nutted on the covers," highlighting the raw passion and perhaps recklessness within their relationship.