If you’ve spent any time scrolling through the deeper corners of the Planet Her tracklist, you’ve probably hit that one song that feels a bit like a fever dream. I’m talking about Doja Cat Been Like This. It’s not the flashy, TikTok-viral explosion that "Kiss Me More" was, and it definitely doesn’t have the "Say So" glitter.
Honestly? That’s exactly why it’s good.
There is this weird thing that happens with Doja Cat where everyone focuses on her trolling or her shaved eyebrows or whatever chaos she’s stirring up on Instagram Live. But the music—specifically the stuff where she isn’t trying to be a "pop star"—usually hits the hardest. "Been Like This" is the perfect example of her being completely unhinged in the best way possible. It’s moody. It’s toxic. It sounds like a 3:00 AM realization you shouldn't have had.
The Vibe Shift Nobody Saw Coming
Most people forget that Planet Her was supposed to be this celestial, feminine pop utopia. Then you get to the deluxe tracks, and suddenly Doja is dragging us into the mud. Doja Cat Been Like This is a slow-burn R&B track that feels like it’s melting as you listen to it.
The production is handled by Aaron Bow and Tizhimself, and they lean heavy into this underwater, distorted trap sound. It isn't "happy" music. It’s the sound of a relationship that has already curdled, but both people are too tired to throw it out yet.
You’ve got her singing these airy, almost ghostly vocals: "Since you've been like this / Baby, I don't really wanna be in like this." It’s simple. Maybe too simple? No. It works because it captures that specific kind of exhaustion you feel when someone you love starts acting like a stranger. It’s not a "breakup song" in the traditional sense; it’s a "I don't recognize you anymore" song.
Why the Lyrics Actually Matter
I’ve seen people online say Doja’s lyrics are just "vibes over substance." Usually, I’d agree—I mean, the woman has a song about being a cow. But "Been Like This" is surprisingly grounded in some pretty heavy trauma.
She literally says: "Can't put my trauma to the side / When you told me I was lyin' / Had me feelin' like I died, baby."
That isn't just catchy filler. It’s raw.
For an artist who spends 90% of her time making fun of her fans and the industry, hearing her talk about feeling "disheartened" or "crying" feels like a glitch in the simulation. It’s one of the few times we see Amala (her real name) instead of "Doja Cat" the character.
That One Controversy (Because There's Always One)
You can't talk about a Doja track from the Planet Her era without acknowledging the elephant in the room: Dr. Luke. While he didn't produce "Been Like This"—that credit goes to Aaron Bow and Tizhimself—he is the executive producer of the parent album.
This has always been the sticking point for fans. How do you enjoy the music when the "architect" behind the era is so polarizing?
Some listeners find it impossible. Others argue that Doja’s own creative input—she’s an executive producer too, by the way—is what defines the sound. On Doja Cat Been Like This, you can really hear her fingerprints. The weird vocal inflections, the way she stretches out words until they don't sound like English anymore... that's all her.
It’s worth noting that by the time she released Scarlet in 2023, she was actively trying to distance herself from the "pop" label that Planet Her gave her. She even called her old albums "cash grabs."
But if Planet Her was a cash grab, then "Been Like This" was the accidental bit of soul she left in the register.
Comparing "Been Like This" to the New Doja
If you listen to her 2024 and 2025 output—like the stuff on Vie or the Scarlet 2 Claude tracks—you can see where the seeds of "Been Like This" were planted. She’s leaning way more into the "masculine," rap-heavy, aggressive energy now.
But back in 2021, she was still balancing the two.
"Been Like This" is the bridge. It’s got the R&B melody that made her a star, but the lyrics have that "I don't care if you like me" edge that defines her current era.
- The Flow: It’s sluggish, but intentional.
- The Mood: Darker than "Need to Know," but smoother than "Demons."
- The Impact: It’s a fan favorite for a reason.
Basically, if you only know Doja from her radio hits, you’re missing the point of her artistry. This track is where she proves she can actually feel things, even if she spends the rest of her day trolling people on Twitter.
How to Actually Listen to It
Don't play this at a party. You’ll kill the mood.
Doja Cat Been Like This is for:
- Long drives when you’re annoyed at your partner.
- Staring at the ceiling at 2:00 AM.
- Feeling slightly superior because you know the "underrated" tracks.
It’s a mood-setter. It’s messy. It’s honest. In a world of over-polished pop music, hearing someone admit they’re "too nervous" and "disheartened" is actually kind of refreshing.
What You Should Do Next
If you want to understand the full evolution of this sound, you need to listen to "Been Like This" back-to-back with her newer tracks like "Agora Hills." You’ll see the pattern. She’s been telling us who she is for years; we just weren't always listening to the lyrics.
Check out the Planet Her (Deluxe) version on Spotify or Apple Music to find the track. It’s hidden near the end, but it’s the most rewarding listen on the whole project. Give it three listens—it’s a grower, not a shower.