Maniac (Macklemore song) explained
| Maniac |
| Cover: | Macklemore - Maniac.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Macklemore featuring Windser |
| Album: | Ben |
| Released: | August 19, 2022 |
| Length: | 3:00 |
| Label: | Bendo |
| Chronology: | Macklemore |
| Prev Title: | Chant |
| Prev Year: | 2022 |
| Next Title: | Faithful |
| Next Year: | 2022 |
"Maniac" is a song by American rapper Macklemore featuring singer Windser. It was released on August 19, 2022 as the second single from the former's third solo studio album Ben (2023) and produced by Budo, Brian Wall and Ryan Lewis. The song is the second collaboration between the artists, following their song "Next Year" (2021).
Background
Macklemore said of the song:
The first time I heard Windser singing the hook on "Maniac" I fell in love with it. It's infectious and relatable and I couldn't get it out of my head. "Maniac" is about the euphoria of a relationship that isn't perfect, but an addictive journey of the ups and downs that make you both who you are.[1] [2] [3] [4]
Composition and lyrics
"Maniac" has been described as a pop track with rapped verses from Macklemore,[5] as well as a sung chorus from Windser: "I don't wanna dance with a maniac / 'Cause the moment we touch, it's a heart attack / You know I love you, honey, but you got me running, yeah / I could give a damn, you're a maniac / And you're talking like a killer, got me on my back / You know I love you, honey, but you got me running, yeah".[6]
Music video
The music video was directed by Jake Magraw and released alongside the single. It pays homage to the video of "Hey Ya!" by Outkast, finding Macklemore dressed in a green suit and dancing in a similar fashion to that of André 3000 as seen in the aforementioned video. It also features a cameo from music journalist Nardwuar and Eva Walker of The Black Tones, who dances and shows off a pearl-white bass.
Live performances
On September 8, 2022, Macklemore and Windser performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.[7]
Charts
Notes and References
- Web site: Callas . Brad . Macklemore Releases New Single and Video for "Maniac" . . 26 November 2023 . August 19, 2022 . 26 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230826092429/https://www.complex.com/music/a/brad-callas/macklemore-maniac-new-video . live .
- Web site: Cummings-Grady . Mackenzie . Macklemore Channels André 3000 In Video For New Song 'Maniac' . . 26 November 2023 . August 19, 2022 . 8 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230608060335/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.72733/title.macklemore-andre-3000-maniac-hey-ya . live .
- Web site: Hynes . Hayley . Macklemore Shares "Maniac" Single With Windser Amid Imagine Dragons Arena Tour . . 26 November 2023 . August 19, 2022.
- Web site: Kelly . Dylan . Macklemore Delivers New Track and Video "Maniac" . . 26 November 2023 . August 19, 2022 . 29 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221029225248/https://hypebeast.com/2022/8/macklemore-new-track-video-maniac . live .
- Web site: Chelosky . Danielle . Macklemore And Windser Unveil The Gentle, Pop-Tinged Song 'Maniac' With A Nardwuar-Featuring Video . . 26 November 2023 . August 19, 2022 . 12 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230412020234/https://uproxx.com/music/macklemore-windser-maniac-video/ . live .
- Web site: Uitti . Jacob . Macklemore Releases New Song, "Maniac" with Accompanying Music Video (Watch) . . 26 November 2023 . August 19, 2022 . 27 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627175940/https://americansongwriter.com/macklemore-releases-new-song-maniac-with-accompanying-music-video-watch/ . live .
- Zemler . Emily . Macklemore Taps Windser for Nostalgic Performance of 'Maniac' on 'Kimmel' . . 26 November 2023 . September 8, 2022 . 27 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627185545/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/macklemore-maniac-kimmel-1234588498/ . live .
- Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. August 29, 2022. November 26, 2023. September 2, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220902220309/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/hotsingles?chart=5391. live.
- Web site: Schweizer Airplay Charts 36/2022 - hitparade.ch. hitparade.ch. November 26, 2023. October 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231010200527/https://hitparade.ch/charts/airplay/36-2022. live.
