By Yourself Explained

By Yourself
Cover:Ty Dolla Sign - By Yourself.png
Type:single
Artist:Ty Dolla Sign featuring Jhené Aiko and Mustard
Album:Featuring Ty Dolla Sign
Length:2:29
Label:Atlantic
Producer:
Chronology:Ty Dolla Sign
Prev Title:The Business Part II
Prev Year:2021
Next Title:Do You Believe
Next Year:2021

"By Yourself" is a song by American singer Ty Dolla Sign featuring Jhené Aiko and producer Mustard. The song was sent to rhythmic contemporary radio as the fourth single from the former's third studio album, Featuring Ty Dolla Sign (2020), on February 2, 2021.[1] However, it was originally released as a promotional single from the album on October 16, 2020. It was produced by Mustard and GYLTTRYP. The two wrote the song with the artists alongside Melvin Moore and Nye Lee, Jr. Mustard is also featured alongside American rapper Roddy Ricch on the song "Real Life" from the album, and contributes production to that song, as well as "Everywhere".[2] A remix also featuring Bryson Tiller was released on March 19, 2021, with a music video released a month later on April 28.

Background

Ty Dolla Sign spoke about his collaboration with Jhené Aiko and Mustard and explained the idea of the song:

One of my favorite parts of making this album was getting back in with my brother Mustard and just making hits after hits, like we've been doing for the past decade. The song needed the frequency of a strong woman, so I had to call my sis Jhené who came in and killed it like only she can do. "By Yourself" is an ode to all the amazing women, especially all the single women and the single mothers, who do this thing called life on their own. Especially now more than ever. Ladies if you're handling your responsibilities by yourself, just know we see you and appreciate you.[3] [4]

Composition

Floating over the production of the song, The songs intro is based around a direct high pitched sample of the 1997 hit single G.H.E.T.T.O.U.T. by the Changing Faces. Ty Dolla Sign and Jhené Aiko's vocals blend in together.[5] According to Wongo Okon of Uproxx, Ty Dolla Sign "takes a moment to praise the Miss Independents in his life and commends the women who push through life and take care of their needs by themselves" and Jhené Aiko "steps through with a verse of her own showing that she's an example of a woman who does it by herself".[6]

Live performances

Ty Dolla Sign and Jhené Aiko performed the song live on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on October 20, 2020. This performance was held only a few hours before the former released the single "Spicy", featuring Post Malone, as the third single of his album, Featuring Ty Dolla Sign.[7]

Charts

Chart (2020–2021)! scope="col"
Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[8] 30

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Urban/UAC Future Releases. All Access. February 2, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210116074731/https://www.allaccess.com/urban/future-releases. January 16, 2021.
  2. Ty Dolla $ign, Jhene Aiko, Mustard Team Up for 'By Yourself'. Rolling Stone. Shaffer. Claire. October 16, 2020. February 2, 2021.
  3. Web site: October 16, 2020. Ty Dolla $ign Enlists Jhené Aiko, Mustard for Motivational Track 'By Yourself'. live. February 2, 2021. Spin. https://web.archive.org/web/20201016111548/https://www.spin.com/2020/10/ty-dolla-ign-enlists-jhene-aiko-mustard-for-motivational-track-by-yourself/ . 2020-10-16 .
  4. Ty Dolla Sign. tydollasign. 1317128066154418177. October 16, 2020. 'By Yourself' is an ode to all the amazing women, especially all the single women and the single mothers, who do this thing called life on their own. Especially now more than ever. Ladies if you're handling your responsibilities by yourself, just know we see you and appreciate you.. February 2, 2021.
  5. Web site: Rose. Jordan. October 16, 2020. Listen to Ty Dolla Sign's New Song "By Yourself" f/ Jhené Aiko and Mustard. live. February 2, 2021. Complex. https://web.archive.org/web/20201018205050/https://www.complex.com/music/2020/10/ty-dolla-sign-by-yourself-jhene-aiko-mustard-stream . 2020-10-18 .
  6. Web site: Rose. Jordan. October 16, 2020. Ty Dolla Sign and Jhené Aiko's New Song "By Yourself" f/ Jhené Aiko and Mustard. live. February 2, 2021. Complex. https://web.archive.org/web/20201018205050/https://www.complex.com/music/2020/10/ty-dolla-sign-by-yourself-jhene-aiko-mustard-stream . 2020-10-18 .
  7. Web site: Blanchet. Brenton. November 6, 2020. Ty Dolla $ign - By Yourself (feat. Jhené Aiko & Mustard) on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. live. February 2, 2021. YouTube. https://web.archive.org/web/20201106005912/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLvOJr0FInA&feature=youtu.be . 2020-11-06 .
  8. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. June 28, 2021. June 26, 2021.