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Sweet but Psycho

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The track is about a girl who's misunderstood in a relationship. She feels like she's going out of her mind and psycho, but in reality, she's just a strong, independent female, right? So, in the end, the guy loves all of her sides. Sweet, psycho as he likes to call it. 'Cause it's kind of like he's mocking her through the song and she's feeling psycho, but she's actually not. And the music video, obviously, takes it to a crazy place because I love theatrics and that's what I did to the video.

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"Sweet but Psycho" (originally titled "Psycho")[3] is a song by American singer Ava Max. It was released on August 17, 2018, through Atlantic Records as the first single from her debut studio album, Heaven & Hell.

Upon global release, it reached #1 in Sweden and followed suit in Norway and Finland.[4] It appeared on various Spotify playlists and Viral Charts, and subsequently reached number one in 17 countries including Germany and the United Kingdom,[5] where it stayed at number one for four consecutive weeks. According to The Official Charts, the song remained in the top 100 for 53 weeks.[6]

Background[]

In an interview, Max told Idolator,

"I think for me personally, I have a lot of sides to me. I think everybody has a lot of sides to them and it's basically about a girl who's not afraid to show all of her sides and her dualities, and about a guy loving all those sides. She's a girl who's misunderstood in the relationship, and she's basically being told she's psycho and she's out of her mind when she's feeling it, but really she's an outspoken girl and she's speaking her mind. And that's how I am in real life."[7]

According to an interview with Paper Magazine, the song title was inspired by her parents referring to her as "sweet but psycho" as a child due to her open personality.[8]

Prior to the song's release, Max stated she remembered "crying in a ball alone. I was scared. I was like "if this doesn't go, and if this is the best I can do and people still don't like my music, then I don't know. Is this really my path?" So I was praying and praying all night, and then in a matter of weeks it went No. 1 everywhere. So who knows, it might've been God."

Critical reception[]

Writing for Billboard, Jon Ali called the song an "instantly addictive" slice of pop.[9]

Track listing[]

Digital Download[10]

  1. Sweet but Psycho: 3:07

Acoustic[11]

  1. Sweet but Psycho (Acoustic): 2:59

Sweet but Psycho (Remixes)

  1. Sweet but Psycho (Morgan Page Remix): 3:46
  2. Sweet but Psycho (Paul Morrell Remx): 3:24

Sweet but Psycho (The Remixes) [2018][12]

  1. Sweet but Psycho (Kat Krazy Remix): 3:09
  2. Sweet but Psycho (Elijah Hill Remix): 3:58
  3. Sweet but Psycho (Leon Lour Remix): 4:09
  4. Sweet but Psycho (Morgan Page Remix): 3:46
  5. Sweet but Psycho (Paul Morrell Remx): 3:24

Sweet but Psycho (The Remixes) [2019][13]

  1. Sweet but Psycho (Kat Krazy Remix): 3:09
  2. Sweet but Psycho (Elijah Hill Remix): 3:58
  3. Sweet but Psycho (Leon Lour Remix): 4:09
  4. Sweet but Psycho (Morgan Page Remix): 3:46
  5. Sweet but Psycho (Paul Morrell Remx): 3:24
  6. Sweet but Psycho (Ricky Retro Remix): 3:05
  7. Sweet but Psycho (Majestic Remx): 5:32

Song Meaning[]

The song 'Sweet but Psycho' explores the dynamics of a relationship where the female protagonist is perceived as both sweet and 'psycho' by her partner. This duality sets the stage for a deeper analysis of societal labels and expectations.

Through the emotional journey depicted in the lyrics, the audience is taken on a rollercoaster of feelings, from love and attraction to frustration and confusion. The protagonist's multifaceted personality challenges the traditional notion of how women should behave in relationships.

Ava Max's intent with the song is to showcase the strength and complexity of women, highlighting that being labeled as 'psycho' can stem from a place of empowerment and authenticity. The impact on the listener is one of introspection, urging them to reconsider preconceived notions of female behavior.

In conclusion, 'Sweet but Psycho' delivers a powerful message about embracing one's true self, even in the face of societal judgment. The song serves as a reminder that women are multifaceted beings who deserve to be accepted and loved for all aspects of their personality.

Lyrics[]

[Chorus]
Oh, she's sweet but a psycho
A little bit psycho
At night she's screamin', "I'm-ma-ma-ma out my mind"
Oh, she's hot but a psycho
So left but she's right though
At night she's screamin', "I'm-ma-ma-ma out my mind"

[Verse 1]
She'll make you curse, but she a blessing
She'll rip your shirt within a second
You'll be coming back, back for seconds
With your plate, you just can't help it

[Pre-Chorus]
No, no
You'll play alo-o-ong, let her lead you o-o-on
You'll be saying, "No, no"
Then saying, "Yes, yes, yes," 'cause she messin' with your head (With your head)

[Chorus]
Oh, she's sweet but a psycho
A little bit psycho
At night she's screamin', "I'm-ma-ma-ma out my mind"
Oh, she's hot but a psycho
So left but she's right though
At night she's screamin', "I'm-ma-ma-ma out my mind"

[Post-Chorus]
Grab a cop gun kinda crazy
She's poison but tasty
Yeah, people say, "Run, don't walk away"
'Cause she's sweet but a psycho
A little bit psycho
At night she's screamin', "I'm-ma-ma-ma out my mind"

[Verse 2]
See, someone said, "Don't drink her potions
She'll kiss your neck with no emotion
When she's mean, you know you love it
'Cause she tastes so sweet, don't sugarcoat it"

[Pre-Chorus]
No, no
You'll play alo-o-ong, let her lead you o-o-on
You'll be saying, "No (No, no, no), no (No)"
Then saying, "Yes, yes, yes," 'cause she messin' with your head (With your head, ah-ah-ah)

[Chorus]
Oh, she's sweet but a psycho
A little bit psycho
At night she's screamin', "I'm-ma-ma-ma out my mind"
Oh, she's hot but a psycho
So left but she's right though
At night she's screamin', "I'm-ma-ma-ma out my mind"

[Post-Chorus]
Grab a cop gun kinda crazy
She's poison but tasty
Yeah, people say, "Run, don't walk away"
'Cause she's sweet but a psycho
A little bit psycho
At night she's screamin', "I'm-ma-ma-ma out my mind"

[Bridge]
You're just like me, you're out your mind
I know it's strange, we're both the crazy kind
You're tellin' me that I'm insane
Boy, don't pretend that you don't love the pain

[Chorus]
Oh, she's sweet but a psycho
A little bit psycho
At night she's screamin', "I'm-ma-ma-ma out my mind"
Oh, she's hot but a psycho
So left but she's right though
At night she's screamin', "I'm-ma-ma-ma out my mind" ("I'm-ma-ma-ma out my mind")

[Post-Chorus]
Grab a cop gun kinda crazy
She's poison but tasty
Yeah, people say "Run, don't walk away" ("Run, don't walk away")
'Cause she's sweet but a psycho
A little bit psycho (Oh, a little bit psycho)
At night she's screamin', "I'm-ma-ma-ma out my mind"

[Intro]
When you lie and cheat
To a woman who's sweet
I really must forewarn you
There is no doubt, the psycho will come out
And in your dreams, she'll haunt you

Music video[]

The music video was directed by Bengali-American filmmaker Shomi Patwary and was released on August 27, 2018.[14] As of December 2022, the video has amassed over 800 million views on YouTube.[15]

Trivia[]

  • Max had an interview with Genius, in which she explained the meaning of the lyrics.[16]
  • An early demo revealed that the song originally contained an instrumental intro that was later replaced with a chorus in the final version.
  • In an interview with Zach Sang, Max was asked if she thinks she'll be able to make a song as big as Sweet but Psycho. She responded with, "No. I was like, 'This is crazy, it's a phenomenon - I'm done after this.' I believe that."
  • Along with "Million Dollar Baby", the song is featured on Just Dance 2023 Edition. These are Max's first songs in the franchise.

Gallery[]

Behind the Scenes[]

References[]

  1. ↑ 0 Sweet and Psycho_121117 instrumental_(mastered) 2017-12-19
  2. ↑ 0 Sweet and Psycho_121117 instrumental_(mastered) 2017-12-19
  3. ↑ Interview - AfterBuzz TV
  4. ↑ "Ava Max's debut album is 'pretty much finished'" December 9, 2019. Retrieved March 12th, 2023.
  5. ↑ Karp, Hannah (October 2, 2018)."Full Stop Management Signs 'Sweet But Psycho' Singer Ava Max". Billboard. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  6. ↑ Magnocavallo, Fabio (December 9, 2019) "Ava Max’s ‘Unapologetically Pop’ Debut Album Will Be Out In The Next Few Months" Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Ava Max On "Sweet But Psycho" & Making Pop Fun Again: Interview". Idolator. October 31, 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  8. ↑ Goldfine, Jael (March 28, 2020). "Ava Max Talks Quarantine and How Khaleesi Inspired Her New Single" Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  9. ↑ Ali, Jon (September 5, 2018). "Queer Necessities September 2018 Playlist: Lauren Sanderson, Sam Smith, Mario Jose & More". Billboard. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  10. ↑ "Sweet but Psycho – Single". Apple Music. August 17, 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  11. ↑ "Sweet but Psycho (Acoustic) – Single". Apple Music. August 15, 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  12. ↑ "Sweet but Psycho (The Remixes) - EP". Apple Music. August 16, 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  13. ↑ "Sweet but Psycho (The Remixes)". Apple Music. March 4, 2019. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  14. ↑ "VIDEO: Watch Ava Max's Video for 'Sweet but Psycho'". Broadway World. August 27, 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  15. ↑ "Ava Max - Sweet but Psycho [Official Music Video"]. YouTube. August 27, 2018. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Ava Max Breaks Down “Sweet but Psycho” On Genius’ Series ‘Verified’". Genius. Retrieved November 27, 2019.

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