Better Days (Neiked, Mae Muller and Polo G song)

"Better Days" is a song by Swedish music collective Neiked, English singer Mae Muller and American rapper Polo G. It was released on 24 September 2021 via Capitol Records and EMI Records.^[5] The song was written by Karl Ivert, Kian Sang, Polo G, Von Tiger and Neiked, who also produced it.^[6] It also went viral on TikTok as part of the "Better Days challenge",^[7][8] which helped the song garner over one million streams.^[9] The song was later remixed by Colombian rapper J Balvin. The song was included on Muller's debut studio album, Sorry I'm Late, released in 2023.

"Better Days"
Single by Neiked, Mae Muller and Polo G[a]
Released	24 September 2021 (2021-09-24)
Genre	Nu-disco pop[3] funk[4]
Length	2:40
Label	Capitol EMI
Songwriter(s)	Karl Ivert Kian Sang Neiked Polo G Von Tiger
Producer(s)	Neiked
Neiked singles chronology
"Sometimes" (2019) "Better Days" (2021) "I Just Called" (2022)
Mae Muller singles chronology
"Gone" (2021) "Better Days" (2021) "American Psycho" (2022)
Polo G singles chronology
"Trenches (Remix)" (2021) "Better Days" (2021) "Last One Standing" / "Want It All" (2021)
J Balvin singles chronology
"Una Nota" (2021) "Better Days" (2022) "Niño Soñador" (2022)
Music video
"Better Days" on YouTube

Composition

In a press release, Universal Music Canada described the song as "a dreamy, upbeat slice of pop perfection that is filled with joy and hope".^[6] Out Now felt that it is "a high-energy pop anthem whose optimistic outlook is undeniably catchy".^[10] The song is written in the key of E-flat major, with a tempo of 110 beats per minute.^[11]

Music video

An accompanying music video was released on 7 October 2021, and directed by Tom Dream. It showcases the three artists "living in a retro world with Mae Muller taking center stage".^[12]

Track listing and formats

Digital download / streaming^[5]

1. "Better Days" – 2:40

Digital download – Acoustic^[1]

1. "Better Days" (Acoustic) – 2:55

Streaming – Acoustic^[13]

1. "Better Days" (Acoustic) – 2:55
2. "Better Days" – 2:40

Digital download / streaming – Regard remix^[2]

1. "Better Days" (Regard Remix) – 2:46

Digital download / streaming – extended play^[14]

1. "Better Days" (with J Balvin) – 3:42
2. "Better Days" – 2:40
3. "Better Days" (Regard Remix) – 2:46
4. "Better Days" (Acoustic) – 2:55

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from AllMusic.^[15]

• Taurus Bartlett – vocals
• Elin Bergman – composer
• Clint Gibbs – mixing
• Karl Ivert – composer
• Mae Muller – primary artist, vocals
• Neiked – composer, primary artist, producer
• Polo G – composer, primary artist
• Victor Rådström – programming
• Kian Sang – composer

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Better Days" Chart (2021–2023) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[16] 16 Belarus Airplay (TopHit)[17] 93 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[18] 23 Canada AC (Billboard)[19] 35 Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[20] 12 Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[21] 16 CIS Airplay (TopHit)[22] 15 Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[23] 47 Denmark (Tracklisten)[24] 28 Estonia Airplay (TopHit)[22] 399 Global 200 (Billboard)[25] 33 Greece International (IFPI)[26] 55 Ireland (IRMA)[27] 20 Kazakhstan Airplay (TopHit)[28] 60 Lithuania (AGATA)[29] 52 Mexico Airplay (Billboard)[30] 34 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[31] 30 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[32] 49 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[33] 13 Norway (VG-lista)[34] 29 Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[35] 35 Portugal (AFP)[36] 107 Romania Airplay (TopHit)[22] 210 Russia Airplay (TopHit)[37] 13 San Marino (SMRRTV Top 50)[38] 42 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[39] 78 Ukraine Airplay (TopHit)[22] 117 UK Singles (OCC)[40] 32 UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[41] 9 US Billboard Hot 100[42] 23 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[43] 21 US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[44] 11 US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[45] 18 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[46] 10 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[47] 22

Monthly charts Monthly chart performance for "Whatever" Chart (2022–2023) Peak position CIS Airplay (TopHit)[48] 17 Kazakhstan Airplay (TopHit)[49] 66 Russia Airplay (TopHit)[50] 16 Year-end charts 2022 year-end chart performance for "Better Days" Chart (2022) Position Australia (ARIA)[51] 73 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[52] 55 CIS Airplay (TopHit)[53] 82 Global 200 (Billboard)[54] 184 Russia Airplay (TopHit)[55] 92 US Billboard Hot 100[56] 73 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[57] 38 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[58] 29

Certifications

Certifications for "Better Days"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[59]	Platinum	70,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[60]	Platinum	40,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[61]	Platinum	80,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[62]	Gold	45,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[63]	Platinum	30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[64]	Gold	400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[65]	Platinum	1,000,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history and versions for "Better Days"

Region	Date	Format(s)	Version	Label	Ref.
Various	24 September 2021	Digital download streaming	Original	Capitol EMI	[5]
United States	26 October 2021	Contemporary hit radio		Captiol	[66]
	8 November 2021	Adult contemporary radio hot adult contemporary radio modern adult contemporary radio			[67]
Various	19 November 2021	Digital download streaming	Acoustic		[1]
	3 December 2021		Regard remix		[2]
Italy		Radio airplay	Original	Universal	[68]
United States	11 January 2022	Rhythmic contemporary radio		Capitol	[69]
Various	28 January 2022	Digital download streaming	EP	Capitol EMI	[14]
Italy		Radio airplay	J Balvin remix	Universal	[70]

Footnotes

1. Polo G is credited as a featured artist on Regard remix release and he is absent on acoustic rendition of single.^[1][2]