Escapism by RAYE, 070 Shake is among the hottest songs of 2022. The music has topped the charts in a number of international locations, obtained vital acclaim, and gone viral on TikTok, with tens of millions of customers taking part in numerous challenges and developments. However what’s the story behind this catchy and rebellious pop music? How did Raye and 070 Shake create this masterpiece? What’s the which means behind Escapism lyrics? And what are among the references and influences within the music?
On this article, we’ll discover the themes of heartbreak, self-destruction, and denial which are expressed on this music. We may even see how this music pertains to the present social and cultural context of the twenty first century.
The Inspiration and Writing Course of Behind the Escapism Lyrics
RAYE is a British singer-songwriter who has been making waves within the music trade since her debut EP, Welcome to the Winter in 2014. She has collaborated with artists resembling David Guetta, Jax Jones, Charli XCX, and Stefflon Don. She has additionally written songs for Beyoncé, Little Combine, Ellie Goulding, and John Legend.
070 Shake is an American rapper and singer who rose to fame after that includes on Kanye West’s album Ye in 2018. She has additionally labored with artists resembling Pusha T, DJ Khaled, Child Cudi, and Nas. She launched her debut album, Modus Vivendi, in 2020.
The 2 artists met by their mutual good friend and producer Mike Sabath, who has produced hits for Lizzo, Meghan Trainor, Liam Payne, and Sabrina Carpenter. Sabath prompt that they work collectively on a music for Raye’s debut album, My twenty first Century Blues.
RAYE revealed that she wrote Escapism lyrics in a log cabin in Utah after a breakup. She stated: “Me and a good friend employed a automobile and drove up there, in the course of winter, by the snow and every thing! ‘Escapism’ is a narrative about operating away from every thing as quick as you’ll be able to. The lyrics are about leaving everybody behind and going out by yourself. It got here from a messy time, however as people, we simply should hold surviving!”
She additionally stated that she needed to create a rebellious music that breaks the pop music construction. She stated, “I really like how rebellious ‘Escapism’ is for disregarding the usual of pop music construction. It’s longer than three minutes and twenty seconds. It’s acquired a rap verse from one among my favorite artists ever. It’s acquired a trip-hop beat. It’s acquired every thing I really like in music.”
The style and elegance of the music
Escapism is an uptempo music that includes components of R&B, electropop, and hip hop. The music makes use of a trip-hop beat that offers it a darkish and edgy vibe. The music additionally showcases Raye’s vocal vary and 070 Shake’s rap abilities.
The music has been in comparison with among the works of Rihanna, Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, and Lana Del Rey. The music has additionally been praised for its catchy refrain and hook.
The which means and message of Escapism lyrics
Escapism lyrics depicts Raye’s unhealthy coping mechanisms after a breakup. She engages in hookups, medication, and alcohol to flee from actuality and her feelings. She sings: “Sleazin’ and teasin’, I’m sittin’ on him / All of my diamonds are drippin’ on him / I met him on the bar, it was twelve or somethin’ / I ordered two extra wines ’trigger tonight, I would like him.”
She additionally expresses her want to not really feel something and to numb her ache. She sings: “Physician, physician, something, please / Physician, physician, have mercy on me / Take this ache away / You’re askin’ me my signs, physician, I don’t wanna really feel.”
How Raye’s Verses Depict Her Reckless Conduct After a Breakup
Within the first verse, Raye reveals that her lover dumped her the night time earlier than and that she was heartbroken. She says she doesn’t need to really feel how her coronary heart is ripping and that she would quite get drunk and excessive as an alternative. She additionally says that she is in search of a person who’s on the identical web page as her, which means somebody who will not be excited about a severe relationship.
Within the pre-chorus, Raye calls herself a “coronary heart broke bitch” who wears excessive heels and sips champagne. She additionally admits that she doesn’t belief any of her pals and that she snorts cocaine behind a taxi. She says that she used to have drunk calls, texts, tears, and intercourse along with her ex, however now she is again to her outdated methods of hooking up with random males.
RAYE’s verses within the Escapism lyrics present how she makes use of intercourse, medication, and alcohol as a approach to escape from her actuality and keep away from feeling her feelings. She additionally reveals how she has low vanity, belief points, and no hope for love. Her lyrics distinction with the upbeat manufacturing and catchy refrain of the music, creating a way of irony and sarcasm.
How 070 Shake’s Verse Exhibits How Numbness and Detachment Can Outcome From Escapism
Within the second verse of Escapism lyrics, 070 Shake joins Raye and provides one other perspective to the music. She reveals how numbness and detachment may result from escapism. She says that she doesn’t need to really feel like she did final night time and that she needs to be at peace with the issues she will’t change.
She additionally says that she can be bare when she leaves and that she was bare when she got here, implying that she has no emotional attachment to or intimacy along with her sexual companions. She says that she is out of attain, out of contact, out of affection, out of luck, out of time, out of thoughts, out of line, out of sight, and out of life. These phrases present how disconnected and remoted she feels from herself and others.
She additionally says that she doesn’t care about something or anybody anymore and that she simply needs to get excessive and fly away. She says that she doesn’t want love, cash, fame, or anything that individuals chase after in life. She says that she simply needs to flee from every thing.
070 Shake’s verse reinforces Raye’s refrain and reveals how escapism can result in numbness and detachment. She additionally reveals how disillusioned, apathetic, and remoted she feels. Her lyrics join with Raye’s refrain and create a way of irony and sarcasm.
How the Escapism Lyrics’ Title and Refrain Reveal the Hidden Message and Which means Behind the Track
The music’s title and refrain are a very powerful elements of the music, as they reveal the hidden message and which means behind the lyrics. The phrase “escapism” means the tendency to hunt distraction and aid from disagreeable realities, particularly by in search of leisure or participating in fantasy. That is precisely what Raye and 070 Shake do within the music: they escape from their actuality by indulging in intercourse, medication, and alcohol.
The refrain is catchy and upbeat, but in addition ironic and sarcastic.
RAYE sings: ‘Trigger I don’t wanna really feel how I did final night time
I don’t wanna really feel how I did final night time
Physician, physician, something, please
Physician, physician, have mercy on me
Take this ache away
You’re askin’ me my signs, physician, I don’t wanna really feel
She repeats this, emphasising her desperation and habit. She additionally makes use of a paradox: she needs to really feel like she did final night time, however final night time she was making an attempt to not really feel something in any respect. She needs to flee from her ache, however she additionally needs to relive it.
The refrain additionally expresses the principle thought of the music: escapism will not be an answer, however an issue. Raye and 070 Shake will not be joyful or free, however trapped and depressing. They aren’t therapeutic, however hurting themselves extra. They aren’t going through their actuality however operating away from it.
The refrain additionally pertains to the present social and cultural context of the twenty first century. Many younger individuals at this time face challenges and pressures resembling stress, nervousness, despair, loneliness, insecurity, violence, injustice, and so forth. A few of them could resort to escapism as a manner to deal with their issues. Nonetheless, this will have unfavourable penalties for his or her psychological and bodily well being, in addition to their relationships and targets.
Due to this fact, the refrain serves as a cautionary story and a wake-up name for anybody who’s contemplating escapism.It additionally invitations the listeners to replicate on their very own lives and decisions.
The music additionally displays Raye’s private struggles and experiences. She stated, “I’ve been by a whole lot of sh*t in my life. I’ve had a whole lot of heartbreak. I’ve had a whole lot of trauma. I’ve had a whole lot of ache. And I believe that’s why I join with individuals a lot by my music. As a result of I’m not afraid to be weak, sincere, and uncooked.”
The references and influences within the music
Escapism by Raye 070 Shake pays homage to a few of Raye’s musical idols. She stated: “I grew up listening to Rihanna, Beyoncé, Amy Winehouse, Lauryn Hill, and Erykah Badu. They’re all girls who’ve impressed me a lot with their music and their perspective. They’re all girls who’ve damaged boundaries and guidelines and created their very own lane.”
The music additionally attracts inspiration from a few of Raye’s favorite songs and genres. She stated, “I really like trip-hop. I really like Large Assault, Portishead, and Difficult. I really like how they combine completely different genres and create one thing distinctive, darkish, and moody. I additionally love pop music. I really like Dua Lipa, Ariana Grande, and Taylor Swift. I really like how they make catchy songs that make you need to dance and sing alongside.”
The music additionally references a few of RAYE’s earlier songs and tasks. She stated: “I needed to make a music that connects with my followers, who’ve been following me because the starting. ‘Escapism’ is sort of a sequel to ‘Please Don’t Contact’, which was one other music a few breakup that I launched in 2019. It’s additionally like a sister to ‘Black Mascara’, which was one other music about dealing with ache that I launched earlier this 12 months.”
The recognition and influence of the music on TikTok and past
Escapism went viral on TikTok, with tens of millions of customers taking part in numerous challenges and developments. A few of the hottest ones embrace:
- The #EscapismChallenge, the place customers lip-sync to the refrain of the music and act out completely different situations of escaping from actuality
- The #EscapismDance, the place customers carry out a choreography to the music created by dancer @jadebug98
- The #EscapismMakeup, the place customers showcase their make-up appears impressed by the music and the music video
- The #EscapismLyrics, the place customers clarify the which means behind their favorite lyrics from the music
The music additionally grew to become RAYE’s first number-one single within the UK and different international locations. It has obtained a platinum BPI certification for promoting over 600,000 items within the UK. It additionally topped the charts in Eire and Denmark and entered the highest ten of the charts in over twenty music markets, together with Australia, Germany, New Zealand, and Switzerland, in addition to the highest twenty in Hungary and Belgium and the highest forty in Nigeria and France.
Moreover, it grew to become each RAYE and 070 Shake’s first music to chart on the US Billboard Scorching 100, peaking at quantity 22.
The music has additionally obtained vital acclaim and recognition from followers and friends. It has been nominated for a number of awards, together with Finest British Single on the BRIT Awards 2023 and Finest Pop Duo/Group Efficiency on the Grammy Awards 2023.
The music’s accompanying music video, directed by RAYE and Otis Dominique, depicts the singer turning to “partying, consuming, and medicines to flee her feelings and numb her emotions” after breaking apart along with her boyfriend. The video options cameo appearances from Mike Sabath, Jax Jones, and Charli XCX.
RAYE has carried out the music reside on Later with Jools Holland and The Late Present with Stephen Colbert.
Escapism is a music that has captured the hearts and minds of tens of millions of individuals all over the world. It’s a music that explores the themes of heartbreak, self-destruction, and denial by the lens of two girls who’re making an attempt to flee from their actuality. The escapism lyrics are highly effective and poignant, expressing their emotions and experiences in a relatable and sincere manner.
The music reveals how they use intercourse, medication, and alcohol as a approach to keep away from feeling their feelings. It additionally reveals how numbness and detachment may result from escapism. The music’s title and refrain reveal the hidden message and which means behind escapism lyrics: escapism will not be an answer, however an issue. The music additionally pertains to the present social and cultural context of the twenty first century and challenges the listeners to consider their very own lives and decisions.
When you loved this text, you might also wish to learn our different articles on music evaluation:
You may as well watch the official video of “Escapism” by RAYE and 070 shake