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

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

Art Alexakis of Everclear

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Tim McIlrath of Rise Against

Tim McIlrath of Rise AgainstSongwriter Interviews

Rise Against frontman Tim McIlrath explains the meanings behind some of their biggest songs and names the sci-fi books that have influenced him.

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.