Sunflower - Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

"Sunflower" delves into the complex and often painful dynamics of a modern relationship fraught with inconsistency and emotional turbulence. The central metaphor of the sunflower represents a partner who is loyal, resilient, and persistent, much like a sunflower that continues to face the sun despite its environment. However, this devotion is also seen as potentially overwhelming, as expressed in the line, "I think your love would be too much." The song captures a push-and-pull narrative where the protagonists, voiced by Post Malone and Swae Lee, acknowledge their flaws and their transient nature ("I know I always come and go / But it's out of my control"). They recognize their partner's unwavering fight for the relationship but feel they might ultimately let her down, leaving her "in the dust." In the context of the film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, the song reflects Miles Morales's own journey. He is thrust into a role he feels unprepared for, much like the song's narrator feels overwhelmed by the love he receives. The song's heartfelt yet anthemic quality was specifically what Sony Pictures was looking for to represent Miles's emotional and heroic journey.

The song narrates the story of a turbulent and precarious romantic relationship from the perspective of the male partners, voiced by Swae Lee and Post Malone. It's a confession of their own shortcomings and the emotional rollercoaster they put their significant other through. The narrative opens with an acknowledgment of a difficult dynamic; the woman is described as "bad-bad," yet the narrator is a "wreck" at the thought of leaving her, indicating a deep, albeit chaotic, attachment. There's a constant state of conflict, with arguments and a feeling of instability, as if the relationship is a "party on tilt."

A central theme is the woman's unwavering persistence and loyalty, which is both a source of comfort and pressure for the narrators. She is the "sunflower," a symbol of resilience and devotion. Despite being treated poorly and often left feeling neglected, she continues to fight for the relationship and for their trust. This is a source of conflict for the narrators, who are caught between their desire for her and their fear that her love is "too much" for them to handle. They recognize that without their presence, she would be "left in the dust," highlighting a codependent dynamic where they feel both essential and detrimental to her well-being.

The lyrics convey a sense of transientness and an inability to fully commit. The narrators admit they "always come and go," a pattern that is out of their control. This constant leaving and returning makes things difficult for the woman, who desperately wants them to stay. They wish they could be there for her and are looking for a reason to remain, yet they are aware of their own destructive patterns. The core of the song is this emotional paradox: the fear of intimacy clashing with the fear of loneliness, and the acknowledgment that their partner is a source of light and stability (a sunflower) in their chaotic lives, even as they themselves cause the turmoil that threatens to wither her.

"Sunflower" was created during a late-night studio session in Los Angeles. Swae Lee recounted that after a long night of recording several other tracks, he was inspired to create one more. The producers, Carter Lang and Louis Bell, played a beat they had been working on. Swae Lee developed the melody, hook, and his verse within minutes, feeling a burst of creative energy around 5 a.m. Post Malone, who had previously collaborated with Swae Lee on the track "Spoil My Night," then added his verse. The credited songwriters are Austin Post (Post Malone), Khalif Brown (Swae Lee), Carter Lang, Louis Bell, William Walsh, and Carl Rosen. The directors of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse visited the studio, heard the track, and immediately chose it for the film's soundtrack. Spring Aspers, the head of music at Sony Pictures, noted that the song was a perfect fit, being "both heroic and emotional." The song was officially released on October 18, 2018, as the lead single for the movie's soundtrack and was later included on Post Malone's third album, Hollywood's Bleeding.

The dominant metaphor in the song is the "sunflower," which symbolizes the female partner in the relationship. Sunflowers are known for their loyalty (always turning to face the sun) and their ability to thrive even in harsh conditions, representing the woman's persistence and devotion despite the narrator's inconsistency. However, the metaphor is also complex; sunflowers can deplete the soil of nutrients, which can be interpreted as the relationship being emotionally draining for the narrator. The line "I think your love would be too much" reinforces this idea that her intense devotion is overwhelming. Another interpretation is that the woman is a source of beauty and light, but the narrator fears he cannot provide the stable environment she needs to flourish, ultimately leaving her "in the dust." The phrase "ride me like a cruise" is a simile for a casual sexual encounter, contrasting with the deeper emotional commitment the sunflower represents.

"Sunflower" creates a predominantly bittersweet and melancholic emotional atmosphere, tinged with a sense of longing and introspection. The song explores the emotional landscape of a dysfunctional relationship, creating feelings of both attachment and entrapment. This is achieved through the contrast between the upbeat, dreamy, and melodic instrumental and the more conflicted, regretful lyrics. The smooth, high-pitched vocals of Swae Lee convey a sense of yearning and vulnerability, while Post Malone's huskier, more grounded delivery adds a layer of weary resignation. There are emotional shifts throughout the song; the verses detail the turmoil and recklessness of the relationship ("Screamin' at my face, baby, don't trip"), while the chorus shifts to a more reflective and somber tone, acknowledging the potential for heartbreak ("And you'll be left in the dust"). The overall feeling is one of romantic ambivalence—a beautiful, catchy song that encapsulates the pain and paralysis of a love that is both desired and feared.

"Sunflower" achieved massive commercial success and cultural impact. It topped the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Post Malone's third number-one single and Swae Lee's first as a soloist. The song broke records by spending 33 weeks in the top ten of the Hot 100. Its success was amplified by its prominent feature in the Oscar-winning animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, where the protagonist Miles Morales sings along to it. The song received two Grammy Award nominations for Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. In February 2024, "Sunflower" made history by becoming the first single ever to be certified Double-Diamond by the RIAA, signifying 20 million units sold in the United States. Its lyric video has amassed over 2.5 billion views on YouTube. The song's blend of genres and its emotional depth resonated widely, solidifying its place as one of the most successful and memorable tracks of the late 2010s.

The song is set to a tempo of approximately 90 beats per minute (BPM) in the key of D major. Its rhythmic structure is built around a steady, mid-tempo hip-hop beat that gives it a relaxed and flowing feel. The rhyme scheme in the verses is generally straightforward, often relying on couplets (AABB), such as in Swae Lee's opening lines: "Needless to say, I keep her in check / She was all bad-bad, nevertheless (yeah) / Callin' it quits now, baby, I'm a wreck (wreck) / Crash at my place, baby, you're a wreck (wreck)." This simple structure makes the lyrics accessible and easy to follow. The artists use a combination of perfect rhymes ("check"/"wreck") and slant rhymes, which contributes to the song's melodic, sing-song quality. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is smooth and seamless, with the vocal cadences floating over the dreamy, synthesized instrumental, which enhances the song's overall laid-back and emotional atmosphere.

"Sunflower" blends multiple genres, including hip-hop, pop, R&B, and dream pop, creating a unique, melodic sound. The musical arrangement features a gentle, mid-tempo beat with synthesized horns and smooth guitar riffs, crafting a hazy and atmospheric backdrop. The vocal delivery is a key stylistic element. Swae Lee employs his signature high-pitched, crooning tenor and falsetto, which contrasts with Post Malone's gruffer, laconic vocal style that blurs the line between singing and rapping. This duality in their voices complements the song's theme of emotional conflict. The production, handled by Louis Bell and Carter Lang, is polished and creates what has been described as a "glitchy, soulful record." Lyrically, the song uses colloquial language and a narrative structure with each artist taking a verse to describe their perspective, enhancing the storytelling feel. The repetition of the hook and chorus makes the song incredibly catchy and memorable.