"The Motto" is a song by Dutch DJ and producer Tiësto and American singer and songwriter Ava Max from the former's seventh studio album, Drive (2023).

The first video depicts Tiësto and Max time traveling and partying in the 1920s, with the end being inspired by the 1980 psychological horror film The Shining.

[2] It was released for digital download and streaming in various countries by Atlantic and Musical Freedom on the scheduled date as the third single from Tiësto's seventh studio album Drive (2023).

[3][10] Ellie Mullins for We Rave You complimented the artists' collaboration, commenting that "Max's pop prowess shines spectacularly against Tiësto's signature dance soundscape".

[11] Bradley Stern of MuuMuse labeled the song as a "dance floor anthem", writing that "Max is […] refusing to let her grip on the industry loose for even a moment, this time in the form of a tag-team with the legendary Tiësto".

[10] JB from Fun Radio similarly commended the song as an "electro anthem", commenting that "[it] will remind you of [Tiësto's] prominent 'The Business' [2020], with an inflated bass line".

[13] Gabriel Krongold for EDM Tunes acclaimed the song's beat, adding that "Max mixes her enthralling vocals with Tiësto's electronic magic to make a track that'll bring most everyone off their feet".

[14] A writer of Rádió 1 characterised the song as a "massive-sounding", annotating that Tiësto's "characterful house style" with Max's "brilliant vocals" created an "unbeatable pair".

[52][53][54] To accompany the release, a music video for "The Motto" debuted to Tiësto's official YouTube channel on 4 November 2021, with a broadcast premiere on MTV Live, MTVU and ViacomCBS Times Square billboards.

[57][58] The two-minute and 42-second video was directed and choreographed Charm La Donna and includes appearances from Cache Melvin, Caho Kitaori, Candice Savage, Darrion Gallegos, Gato Waddell, Honey Balenciaga, Joseph John Perez and Maggie Anne Wade as dancers.

[58] A third, drag version of the music video was published on Max's official YouTube channel, with scenes featuring appearances of Derrick Barry, Jaida Essence Hall, Kameron Michaels and Pangina Heals.