“Sunflower” marks the second collaboration by Post Malone and Swae Lee. It serves as the second single for Post Malone’s 2019 album, Hollywood’s Bleeding, and is part of the soundtrack for the 2018 animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. The track would end up breaking the record for most weeks spent in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart after notching its 45th week.

Sunflowers are a symbol of loyalty and longevity because of the flower’s ability to retain its beauty in the face of environmental factors that would leave other flowers wilted. The sunflower in this song represents a girl—a woman who’s shown persistence, despite a lack of affection shown to her. However, sunflowers also deplete nutrients from soil much quicker than other plants and can inhibit the growth of other plants. Post Malone’s verses could imply that the person he’s with is in constant need of help and attention, yet he is unable to tend to them as much as they would like.

This mystery girl ends up being the subject matter for both Post Malone and Swae Lee. In their verses, the girl seems to be trying much harder in the relationship than either of the two stars. However, even after all of the poor treatment the girl has received, she remains by Post and Swae’s side.

Post first teased the song at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on October 1, 2018. He then confirmed on Facebook that the song would include Swae Lee. Two snippets from the lyric video were shown on both of their Instagram accounts on October 15, 2018.