Calm Down

"Calm Down" explores the whirlwind of emotions associated with instant attraction and the initial stages of a romantic pursuit. The song's narrative centers on Rema's perspective after seeing a girl at a party who immediately mesmerizes him. He is struck by her unique, 'mellow' presence compared to others. The core message is his attempt to bridge the distance between them, pleading with her to 'calm down' and ease into the connection he feels. This phrase serves a dual purpose: it's a literal request for her to relax and not be shy, but it also reflects his own internal state of excitement and anxiety in her presence. The lyrics delve into themes of vulnerability and the fear of rejection. Rema expresses his deep admiration, using metaphors like his heart being on 'lockdown' to convey the intensity of his feelings. He also touches upon past romantic pains, which makes his current pursuit both more urgent and more perilous. The song captures the universal experience of being so captivated by someone that it feels both exhilarating and nerve-wracking, and the hope that the other person feels the same way.

The song narrates the experience of a young man, Rema, who spots an attractive woman at a party. She immediately captivates him, standing out from everyone else with her calm and composed demeanor. He is instantly smitten and decides to approach her. The narrative unfolds as he musters the courage to talk to her and express his feelings. The central theme revolves around his plea for her to 'calm down' and give him a chance, as he senses her hesitation and shyness. He tells her that her beauty has his heart on 'lockdown,' a metaphor for being completely captivated and unable to think of anyone else. He compares her sweetness to the popular soft drink, Fanta, emphasizing her irresistible charm. The lyrics convey his struggle to win her affection, noting that her friends are protective and create a barrier between them. Despite this initial obstacle, he persists, eventually getting a chance to dance with her. However, he feels she is holding back, being reserved and insecure, possibly because her friends have left her side. He reassures her of his genuine feelings, confessing that if she were to leave, he wouldn't be able to love again, hinting at past heartbreaks. The song is a declaration of his deep infatuation and a vulnerable plea for her to trust him and reciprocate his feelings. He acknowledges the risk involved in falling in love but is willing to take it for her. The remix version adds Selena Gomez's perspective, where she embodies the role of the woman, expressing her own interest but also her reservations about committing too quickly, adding a layer of push-and-pull to the love story.

"Calm Down" was released on February 11, 2022, as the second single from Rema's debut studio album, Rave & Roses. The song was produced by Andre Vibez and London. Rema has stated that the song was inspired by a real-life experience at a party where he saw a woman who stood out to him. The creative process began sometime in 2021 when Rema visited Andre Vibez's studio. The producer played him several beats, and the one for "Calm Down" immediately caught Rema's attention. He reportedly came up with the melodies and lyrics on the spot. The collaboration was natural, as Andre Vibez and Rema had known each other since Rema's early teenage years in Benin City. A remix featuring American singer Selena Gomez was released on August 25, 2022. The idea for the collaboration came about organically, with Gomez being a fan of Rema's music and reaching out to him. Their teams connected, and the remix was created, which significantly amplified the song's global reach.

"Calm Down" is built on a relaxed, mid-tempo Afrobeats rhythm that gives it a characteristic danceable yet laid-back feel. The song is written in the key of B Major. The rhythmic structure is straightforward, designed to be catchy and accessible to a global audience. The drum pattern is subtle but provides a consistent groove that drives the song forward. The rhyme scheme is not strictly formal but relies on a combination of perfect rhymes and assonance to create a melodic flow. For example, in the chorus, 'lockdown' rhymes with 'calm down,' and 'Fanta' creates a slant rhyme with 'yanga.' The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the instrumental beat is seamless, with Rema's vocal phrasing often playfully weaving in and out of the main beat. This creates a syncopated, groovy feel that is central to the song's charm.

Musically, "Calm Down" is a prime example of Rema's self-coined 'Afrorave' genre, a fusion of Afrobeats and elements that create a vibrant, rave-like atmosphere. The production by Andre Vibez and London features a catchy, mid-tempo rhythm with a prominent, hypnotic guitar melody that runs throughout the track. Rema's vocal delivery is smooth and melodic, effortlessly switching between English and Nigerian Pidgin, which adds a layer of authenticity and cultural richness. He employs a signature 'garbled-speech' style in parts, a unique vocal flair that contributes to the song's infectious and playful quality. Lyrically, the song uses a direct, narrative style, telling a clear story of a party encounter. The repetition of the hook "Baby, calm down, calm down" makes the song incredibly memorable. The structure is relatively simple, which has been cited as a key factor in its global appeal, making it easy to sing along to regardless of language barriers.

"Calm Down" has had a monumental cultural impact, becoming one of the most successful Afrobeats songs of all time and significantly contributing to the genre's global popularization. The song, particularly the remix with Selena Gomez, achieved massive international chart success, peaking at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and spending a record-setting 58 weeks at number one on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart. It became the first Afrobeats song to surpass one billion on-demand streams in the United States and the first track led by an African artist to join Spotify's 'Billions Club'. The music video for the remix is the most-viewed by a Nigerian artist on YouTube. The song's success has been attributed to its simple, catchy melody, the strategic collaboration with Selena Gomez, and the growing global appetite for Afrobeats music. It has been hailed as a landmark achievement for African music, breaking barriers and opening doors for other artists from the continent. The song's ubiquity on platforms like TikTok and its constant radio play solidified its status as a global anthem.

The lyrics of "Calm Down" are rich with metaphors that enhance its romantic and emotional narrative.

• Heart on Lockdown: This is a central metaphor in the song. It equates the feeling of falling in love with a state of quarantine or confinement, suggesting that the girl's beauty has completely arrested his heart, making it impossible for him to feel anything for anyone else.
• Sweet like Fanta: This simile is a culturally specific and vivid way of describing the girl's sweetness and appeal. Fanta is a popular, sweet soda in Nigeria, making the comparison instantly relatable and evocative for the local audience while being universally understood.
• Friends as Chewing Gum: In one line, Rema describes the girl's friends as sticking to her 'like chewing gum,' a metaphor for them being overprotective and preventing him from getting close to her. This imagery effectively conveys his frustration and the obstacle they present.

The most prominent recurring phrase and motif in the song is the line, "Baby, calm down." This phrase acts as the central hook and encapsulates the song's primary theme. Its repetition throughout the chorus makes the song highly memorable and serves as a direct address to the object of his affection. It functions as a plea for her to relax and be open to his advances. Another recurring lyrical motif is the description of the girl's effect on him, specifically the line "this your body dey put my heart for lockdown." This phrase is repeated to emphasize the overwhelming and captivating nature of his infatuation. The repetition of these key phrases reinforces the song's narrative and emotional core, making it easy for listeners to connect with the story and the feeling Rema is conveying.