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

"Better Days"
Single by Neiked, Mae Muller and Polo G[a]
from the album Sorry I'm Late
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

"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.

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]	Silver	200,000^‡
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]

References

1. "Better Days (Acoustic) - Single by NEIKED & Mae Muller". Retrieved 15 February 2022 – via Apple Music.
2. "Better Days (feat. Polo G) (Regard Remix) - Single by NEIKED & Mae Muller". Retrieved 15 February 2022 – via Apple Music.
3. "SONG: NEIKED x Mae Muller x Polo G - 'Better Days'". Scandipop. 26 September 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
4. Mancinelli, Ale (13 October 2021). "#Release – NEIKED, Mae Muller, Polo G – Better Days". EDM Lab. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
5. "Better Days - Single by NEIKED, Mae Muller & Polo G". Retrieved 6 November 2021 – via Apple Music.
6. "Neiked x Mae Muller x Polo G Release New Single "Better Days"". Universal Music Canada. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
7. VibeLord, VJ (27 October 2021). "NEIKED ft. Polo G & Mae Muller – "Better Days"". Newbanger. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
8. "Better Days created by Neiked & Mae Muller | Popular songs on TikTok".
9. Connolly, Chad (9 October 2021). "Neiked x Mae Muller x Polo G Debut Magnetic New Single "Better Days"". Static. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
10. "NEIKED, Mae Muller and Polo G Goes For a Euphoric New Single 'Better Days'". Out Now. 26 September 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
11. "Better Days (NEIKED x Mae Muller x Polo G) by NEIKED, Mae Muller, Polo G BPM and Key".
12. Cho, Regina (8 October 2021). "Polo G joins Mae Muller and Neiked in new "Better Days" visual". Revolt.tv. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
13. "Better Days (NEIKED X Mae Muller) [Acoustic]". 19 November 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2022 – via Spotify.
14. "Better Days (feat. Polo G) - EP by NEIKED & Mae Muller". Retrieved 15 February 2022 – via Apple Music.
15. "Mae Muller / Neiked / Polo G – Better Days / Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
16. "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 15 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
17. "Top Radio Hits Belarus Weekly Chart: Mar 16, 2023". TopHit. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
18. "Polo G Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
19. "Polo G Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
20. "Polo G Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
21. "Polo G Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
22. Neiked & Mae Muller feat. Polo G — Better Days. TopHit. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
23. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 50. týden 2021 in the date selector. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
24. "Track Top-40 Uge 44, 2021". Hitlisten. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
25. "Polo G Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
26. "Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Week: 44/2021". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 15 November 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
27. "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
28. "Top Radio Hits Kazakhstan Weekly Chart: Jan 12, 2023". TopHit. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
29. "2021 45-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. 12 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
30. "Polo G Chart History (Mexico Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
31. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 48, 2021" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
32. "Neiked x Mae Muller x Polo G – Better Days" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
33. "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 8 November 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
34. "VG-lista – Topp 20 Single 2021-44". VG-lista. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
35. "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
36. "Neiked x Mae Muller x Polo G – Better Days". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
37. "Top Radio Hits Russia Weekly Chart: Feb 17, 2022". TopHit. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
38. "Top 50 – Radio San Marino RTV – 20/01/2022" (in Italian). San Marino RTV. 20 January 2024. Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
39. "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 44". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
40. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
41. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
42. "Polo G Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
43. "Polo G Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
44. "Polo G Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
45. "Polo G Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
46. "Polo G Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
47. "Polo G Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
48. "Top Radio Hits Global Monthly Chart: February 2022". TopHit. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
49. "Top Radio Hits Kazakhstan Monthly Chart: January 2023". TopHit. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
50. "Top Radio Hits Russia Monthly Chart: February 2022". TopHit. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
51. "ARIA Top 100 Singles Chart for 2022". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
52. "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
53. "Top Radio Hits Global Annual Chart 2022". Retrieved 28 July 2024.
54. "Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
55. "Top Radio Hits Russia Annual Chart 2022". TopHit. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
56. "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
57. "Adult Pop Airplay Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
58. "Pop Airplay Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
59. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2022 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
60. "Brazilian single certifications – Neiked – Better Days" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
61. "Canadian single certifications – Neiked – Better Days". Music Canada. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
62. "Danish single certifications – Neiked, Mae Muller & Polo G – Better Days". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
63. "New Zealand single certifications – Neiked, Mae Muller and Polo G – Better Days". Radioscope. Retrieved 21 December 2024. Type Better Days in the "Search:" field.
64. "British single certifications – Neiked/Mae Muller/Polo G – Better Days". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
65. "American single certifications – Neiked x Mae Muller x Polo G – Better Days". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
66. "A Recap of Radio Add Recaps". Hits. 26 October 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
67. "Hot/Modern/AC Radio Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
68. "Neiked, Mae Muller, Polo G "Better Days" | (Radio Date: 03/12/2021)". radiodate.it (in Italian). Retrieved 2 December 2021.
69. "A Recap of Radio Add Recaps". Hits. 11 January 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
70. "Neiked, Mae Muller, J Balvin, Polo G "Better Days" | (Radio Date: 28/01/2022)". radiodate.it (in Italian). Retrieved 29 January 2022.