Sweet_but_psycho Link

Ava Max explains the song as being about a person who is often misunderstood; "psycho" in this context refers to being passionate and uninhibited rather than a literal mental health diagnosis.

Mental health advocates criticized the track for using terms like "psycho" and "out of her mind," arguing it stigmatizes those with actual mental illnesses.

Directed by Shomi Patwary, the video features a highly stylized, cinematic aesthetic: sweet_but_psycho

The song explores the "crazy girlfriend" trope and high-intensity romantic relationships.

is the debut breakthrough single by American singer Ava Max , released on August 17, 2018. The track served as the lead single for her debut studio album, Heaven & Hell . Commercial Performance Ava Max explains the song as being about

The song received a divisive response from critics and the public:

Max has described it as a song about embracing all aspects of one's personality, including flaws and "weirdness," as a form of female empowerment. Music Video is the debut breakthrough single by American singer

As of early 2026, the song has surpassed 2 billion streams on Spotify and its music video has over 1 billion views on YouTube. Lyrical Meaning & Themes