The Middle

"The Middle" is a song about the critical moment in a relationship where a conflict has reached its peak, and the only way forward is through compromise. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the immediate aftermath of a fight, with a messy kitchen and emotional distance setting the stage. The central theme is a desperate plea for reconciliation. The phrase "meet me in the middle" serves as the song's core message, representing a desire to find common ground, set aside pride, and work through differences rather than letting the relationship fall apart. It's about acknowledging that both parties are at fault ("how did we get into this mess, got so aggressive") and that their original "good intentions" have been lost in the heat of the moment. The song captures the vulnerability and emotional exhaustion of being at a crossroads, where one is willing to do anything to salvage the connection, even if it means being the first to extend an olive branch.

The song unfolds in the immediate aftermath of a heated argument between a couple. The scene is one of disarray and tension. The narrator begins by asking their partner to sit down on the stairs, presenting a stark choice: stay or leave. The environment reflects their emotional turmoil; the kitchen cabinets are bare, and the narrator is dazed, unsure how their conflict escalated to such an aggressive point. Despite the mess, the narrator acknowledges that both of them started with good intentions.

This leads to the song's central plea, a recurring chorus where the narrator desperately asks their partner to meet them in the middle. This isn't just a physical request but an emotional one, a call for compromise and a way to bridge the distance that has grown between them. The narrator confesses to "losing my mind just a little," highlighting the mental and emotional strain the conflict is causing. This repeated appeal underscores the song's main theme: the longing for resolution and the struggle to find common ground before it's too late.

The second verse deepens the imagery of their fight's collateral damage. The narrator asks for a moment of reflection, pointing out the wet floors from a running tap and broken dishes—physical manifestations of their aggressive argument. Again, they question how things got so out of hand, reiterating that their intentions were good. This verse reinforces the sense of chaos and regret, making the subsequent plea in the chorus feel even more urgent and heartfelt.

A bridge shifts the perspective slightly, moving from describing the scene to a direct, vulnerable admission. The narrator, looking at their partner, confesses they can't lie about their feelings anymore. They are ready to set aside their pride and objections, expressing a deep physical and emotional need for closeness. The lines "I need you on my skin, just come over, pull me in" are a raw expression of desire for intimacy to overcome the conflict. This moment of vulnerability serves as the final, powerful argument for why their partner should meet them in the middle, leading into the final, impassioned repetition of the chorus.

The creation of "The Middle" is a well-documented and complex story of perseverance. The song began with Australian songwriter Sarah Aarons and the production team The Monsters and the Strangerz. Aarons developed the core lyrical idea and melody, recording a demo that immediately felt special to the team. The demo was then sent to the producer duo Grey (brothers Kyle and Michael Trewartha), who added their production style to it before it reached Zedd.

What followed was an extensive, year-long search for the right vocalist. An estimated 12 to 14 prominent female artists recorded demos for the track, including Demi Lovato, Camila Cabello, Bebe Rexha, Carly Rae Jepsen, Anne-Marie, Charli XCX, Tove Lo, and Elle King. For various reasons, none of these versions were finalized. Lovato felt the song was "too pop," Cabello backed out to focus on her single "Havana," and Anne-Marie's version was shelved to avoid conflicting with another release. The producers nearly gave up on the song.

The breakthrough came when country singer Maren Morris recorded her vocals. Zedd, who was previously unfamiliar with her work, heard her demo and was immediately impressed by her unique tone and the emotion she brought to the lyrics. He flew to Nashville to record with her, and her version was finalized. The final song was a collaboration between Zedd, Maren Morris, and Grey, with production credits for Zedd, Grey, and The Monsters and the Strangerz. It was released on January 23, 2018.

"The Middle" employs a relatively straightforward rhyme scheme in its verses, primarily using couplets (AABB), as seen in "stairs"/"unaware" and "mess"/"aggressive," which gives the lyrics a simple, direct, and memorable quality. The pre-chorus and chorus deviate slightly but maintain a strong sense of lyrical cohesion. The song's rhythm is one of its most defining features. It is built upon a driving, upbeat dance-pop tempo that contrasts with the emotional desperation of the lyrics. This juxtaposition creates a compelling tension; the listener can dance to the beat while simultaneously feeling the singer's heartache. The rhythmic foundation is famously marked by a distinct ticking sound, which not only provides the beat but also enhances the song's theme of time running out for the couple to resolve their issues. This percussive clock motif makes the rhythm integral to the song's narrative and emotional weight.

Musically, "The Middle" is a masterclass in pop-EDM production. A signature element is the use of a ticking clock sound as a primary percussive element instead of a traditional hi-hat, which creates a sense of urgency and tension that complements the lyrical theme of a relationship at a breaking point. The production, handled by Zedd, Grey, and The Monsters & Strangerz, blends electronic elements with organic-sounding textures, like a sound described as a "medieval axe whipping noise," to create a unique sonic palette. Maren Morris's vocal delivery is a key stylistic component; her country-inflected voice, with its characteristic "husk," adds a layer of raw emotion and authenticity that sets it apart from typical pop vocals. The vocal melody, written by Sarah Aarons, is expertly crafted, using a mix of ascending and descending melodic lines to mirror the emotional shifts from despair to pleading hope. Lyrically, the song uses direct address and rhetorical questions ("Why don't you pull me close?") to create an intimate and conversational feel, drawing the listener directly into the conflict.

"The Middle" was a massive commercial success and had a significant cultural impact upon its release in 2018. It peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a global hit, reaching the top ten in numerous countries. The song broke records on Billboard's Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart, where it held the number one position for a then-record 28 weeks. In January 2021, it surpassed one billion streams on Spotify, a first for all three artists. The song's popularity was heavily boosted by its prominent feature in a high-profile marketing campaign for Target. The music video, directed by Dave Meyers, premiered as a commercial during the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, exposing it to a massive television audience. This collaboration cemented the song's place in the public consciousness. "The Middle" was also critically acclaimed, earning three Grammy nominations for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. The track is considered a landmark in the pop-country crossover trend, successfully launching country star Maren Morris to a mainstream pop audience.

The primary metaphor in the song is the concept of "the middle." It functions as a powerful symbol for compromise, reconciliation, and common ground in a relationship. When the singer pleads, "Why don't you just meet me in the middle?" she is not referring to a physical location but an emotional and psychological space where both partners can put aside their pride and resolve their conflict.

The physical disarray described in the lyrics—"cabinets are bare," "floors are wet," "dishes are broken"—serves as a potent symbol for the state of the relationship itself. This imagery externalizes the internal chaos, aggression, and messiness of their emotional conflict. The broken objects mirror the broken trust and communication between the two individuals. The request to "pull me closer" is both literal and metaphorical, representing a desire to close the emotional chasm that the fight has created.

The most significant recurring phrase in "The Middle" is the chorus line, "Why don't you just meet me in the middle?". This hook is the lyrical and thematic core of the entire song, encapsulating the central plea for compromise and reconciliation. Its constant repetition throughout the choruses drills the song's main message into the listener's mind, making it incredibly memorable. Another recurring lyrical motif is the acknowledgment of good intentions turning sour, with the line "I know we meant all good intentions" appearing in both verses, highlighting the tragedy of their current conflict. Musically, the most prominent recurring motif is the ticking clock sound that forms the song's rhythmic backbone. This sound acts as a sonic metaphor for urgency and mounting tension, suggesting that time is running out for the couple to fix their relationship. This ticking becomes an instantly recognizable hook, as central to the song's identity as the vocal melody itself.