“A Better Son/Daughter” by Rilo Kiley, is a song about the fluctuating emotional state of someone suffering from Bipolar Disorder – a disorder characterized by alternating periods of extreme elation and depression. The lyrics describe the instant an individual goes from being completely depressed, to having uncontrollable bouts of energy and excitement in a manic state. This song also provides an example of the unpredictable nature of the disorder, through a synthesis of upbeat and sedative melodies.