Maniac

Album: single release only (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This darkly sexual song off Jhene Aiko's sophomore solo album is full of dirty talk. "There are so many layers to my personality," the singer told Rolling Stone. "One of them is very sexual and 'Maniac' is me sharing that side of myself."
  • The song's music video was co-directed by Aiko and Topshelf Junior. It finds the singer playing the part of a mental patient that has to be chained and caged. "When I started putting together the concept for the 'Maniac' visual, I wanted to explore what it meant to be manic," she explained.

    "I learned that lots of women were admitted for absurd reasons, including being 'nymphomaniacs' and were basically tortured in the name of treatment," Aiko added. "Ironically, I released 'Maniac' at a time where I had recently been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, so my interest in the research was genuine. I think we all have some sort of imbalance, but I also believe that we can overcome it. I find my balance through creating art. The 'Maniac' visual is the story of a mental patient who finds her own cure."
  • "Maniac" - possibly short for "nymphomaniac" - finds Aiko sharing what she gets up to in the bedroom and just how freaky she can get between the sheets. It isn't the first time the songstress has indulged in some dirty talk on disc. Aiko's contribution to Omarion's 2014 hit "Post to Be," included her famous "eat the booty like groceries" lyric. Jhené spoke with Billboard magazine about channeling her sexual side.

    "A few years ago I might have felt a little shy about expressing my sexuality, my silliness or my playfulness but now it's whatever," the singer said. "I definitely have manic tendencies, especially when I'm alone in my head, there's a lot of stuff that goes on. There's those moments where I'm in the mood and I'm just like, ah, I feel like I have to express myself to the fullest level of expressing myself where I'm just like… hop on a d--k like a maniac."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Dwight Twilley

Dwight TwilleySongwriter Interviews

Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.

Bryan Adams

Bryan AdamsSongwriter Interviews

What's the deal with "Summer of '69"? Bryan explains what the song is really about, and shares more of his songwriting insights.

Lace the Music: How LSD Changed Popular Music

Lace the Music: How LSD Changed Popular MusicSong Writing

Starting in Virginia City, Nevada and rippling out to the Haight-Ashbury, LSD reshaped popular music.

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," Kiss

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," KissSong Writing

After cutting his teeth on hardcore punk videos, Paul defined the grunge look with his work on "Hunger Strike" and "Man in the Box."

Music Video Director David Hogan

Music Video Director David HoganSong Writing

David talks about videos he made for Prince, Alabama, Big & Rich, Sheryl Crow, DMB, Melissa Etheridge and Sisters of Mercy.

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."