ITZY 'SWIPE' (2021)

What is ITZY SWIPE?

SWIPE is a song by South Korean girl group ITZY from their first studio album Crazy in Love, released on September 24, 2021. The track conveys a warning to someone who crosses the line, featuring 808 drum beats, heavy bass, and melodic rap flowing over a retro clarinet. With a duration of 2:58, the song served as a side track that later became the group's follow-up promotional single following the conclusion of their title track LOCO's promotional activities.

The song leans heavily into the hip-hop genre, characterized by a herky-jerky beat structure that provides a backdrop for ITZY's sing-talk delivery style. The members employ both rapping and vocal techniques throughout the track, with a spoken delivery approach that defines the chorus hook. The production incorporates a carnival-like synth element that adds a robotic pulse to the overall groove, creating a low-key instrumental foundation.

SWIPE's thematic concept revolves around mobile devices and digital interactions, reflected in its title and lyrical content. The track features a distinctive "ring ring ring" hook integrated into the bridge section, cleverly connecting to the mobile phone theme central to the song's narrative. The production maintains a hip-hop aesthetic with 808 drum patterns and heavy bass lines, contrasted by the unexpected addition of retro clarinet melodies that distinguish the track's sonic palette from conventional hip-hop arrangements.

ITZY SWIPE Music Video

Concept and Theme

The music video premiered three days after LOCO and incorporates a TikTok-style interface throughout its presentation. The visual employs self-shot TikTok-style videos intercut with professional footage, featuring futuristic backdrops, fast-paced transitions, and fish-eye lens footage. Mobile phone references appear consistently, including portrait orientation shots, a polychromatic QR code dance floor, and oversized green and red accept/deny call buttons. The choreography integrates swiping movements during the chorus and vibration-mimicking motions synchronized with the "ring ring ring" lyrics.

Scene settings include a pastel yellow bedroom and bathroom decorated with posters, neon signs, ivy garlands, and fairy lights. The members perform mirror selfies and dance sequences within these spaces, reinforcing the digital dating app theme central to the track's narrative.

Fashion Highlights by Member

Yeji wore an Aries x Lee 191 floral jacket and pants set with an Ash Wings To Carry You corset top from Dolls Kill. Elsewhere, she layered a Perfect Moment Polar flare jacket over an Adidas zip-fastening top, and appeared in a Charles Jeffrey Loverboy tartan pleated wool miniskirt mixing aquamarine, dark blue, and red tones.

Ryujin styled a Paco Rabanne ribbed top with Alexander Wang acid-washed denim jacket and Re/Done cutoff shorts, completed with Converse Run Star Motion sneakers. She also wore an Off-White metallic gilet.

Chaeryeong combined an Alexander Wang pink Shibori satin bra top and cardigan with dELiA*s by Dolls Kill plaid pants.

Lia appeared in a Louis Vuitton slanted signature sporty mini dress and an Adidas x Dry Clean Only puff-sleeve T-shirt paired with Philipp Plein metallic-print shorts.

Yuna showcased a Zara linen-blend vest and pants co-ord set with a Vetements logo-embroidered cap, as well as a dELiA*s by Dolls Kill cow-print fuzzy sweater.

ITZY SWIPE Lyrics and Meaning

The lyrics address a controlling relationship where the narrator rejects increasing interference in personal choices. The opening verse establishes the rejection: "You wanted casting, but I'm sorry, I'll have to decline politely," followed by observations that restrictions have escalated over time, with the partner metaphorically locking the narrator inside their phone. The track criticizes attempts to control appearance and speech patterns, questioning double standards where certain behaviors remain acceptable for one party but forbidden for the other.

The chorus introduces the swiping metaphor, borrowing from dating app gestures to signify dismissal and moving forward. Phrases like "cherry picking" reference selective judgment, whereas "don't try to change me, honey" reinforces the independence theme. The bridge amplifies this rejection through repetitive "ring-ding-ding" sounds paired with direct commands: "please go away," "get out of my phone, baby," and instructions to remove oneself "from my side to the end, real quick".

The final chorus shifts from rejection to definitive closure, declaring "sit down, this is your seat" and "our relationship ends here, flush it down". Correspondingly, the lyrics maintain mobile device imagery throughout, referencing calls, messages, and phone notifications to reinforce the digital-age relationship dynamics central to the narrative.

ITZY SWIPE Performance and Chart Success

ITZY began follow-up promotional activities for the track on October 14, 2021, through Mnet's M Countdown, continuing throughout the week on additional music broadcasts. The group performed the song on Show! Music Core on October 16, and presented a medley including LOCO, Sooo LUCKY, and SWIPE at the 2021 Gangnam Festival on October 10.

The parent album Crazy in Love debuted at number two on the Gaon Album Chart in the September 19-25, 2021 chart issue. The album entered at number four on the Gaon Monthly chart with 335,610 copies sold, eventually surpassing 500,124 copies by the end of 2021. Correspondingly, the album peaked at number one on the Gaon Album Chart in the January 30-February 5, 2022 chart issue.

On the Billboard charts, Crazy in Love debuted at number 11 on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Top Album Sales chart with 22,000 sales. The album simultaneously topped the World Albums and Independent Albums charts. The track "SWIPE" entered the World Digital Song Sales chart at number 23, marking the group's tenth appearance on that roster. On streaming platforms, the song accumulated 67,348,930 streams on Spotify.

FAQs

When was SWIPE released? SWIPE was released on September 24, 2021, as part of ITZY's first studio album Crazy in Love. The track served as a B-side before becoming the follow-up promotional single after LOCO's promotional cycle concluded.

What genre is SWIPE? The track falls within the hip-hop genre, incorporating 808 drum beats, heavy bass lines, and retro clarinet melodies. The production features a herky-jerky beat structure with carnival-like synth elements and melodic rap sequences.

When did SWIPE promotions begin? Follow-up promotional activities commenced on October 14, 2021, through Mnet's M Countdown. The group performed on Show! Music Core on October 16 and included the song in a medley at the 2021 Gangnam Festival on October 10.

What is the theme of SWIPE? The song addresses relationship dynamics through mobile device and dating app metaphors. The narrative focuses on rejecting controlling behavior and maintaining personal independence, reflected in swiping gestures borrowed from dating applications.

How long is SWIPE? The track runs 2:58 in duration.

Did SWIPE chart? The song entered the World Digital Song Sales chart at number 23, marking ITZY's tenth appearance on that roster. The parent album debuted at number 11 on the Billboard 200.