
Peak
22
Weeks
23
Score
3,138
Chart Year
2023
The music video was directed by Raye and Otis Dominique and was released on 10 November 2022. It reflects the song's lyrics, with Raye turning to "partying, drinking and drugs to escape her emotions and numb her feelings" after breaking up with her boyfriend. The video makes use of point-of-view cameras
Escapism" is a trip-hop inspired song about dealing with emotional pain by pursuing hedonism. Following a breakup, Raye consumes coke, gets drunk, and sleeps with men rather than facing up to her feelings. She concludes the song by saying she has no regrets about her self-destructive episode, as she's forgotten her heartache. "Escapism is about running away from reality as fast as you possibly can," said Raye. "Going out alone, ignoring everybody who has your best interest at heart. Chasing a maze of smoke and mirrors because clarity is bitterly intimidating. When you're your lowest of lows, it's like survival mode mind numbing, running from real life because it's not something you want to see." New Jersey rapper 070 Shake joins Raye on the track. She regrets the anger-fueled manic events, as reality is something you can't escape. Raye and 070 Shake wrote "Escapism" with Mike Sabath. The Los Angeles pop songwriter and producer has also worked with Camila Cabello ("Don't Go Yet") and Shawn Mendes ("It'll Be Okay"). Raye released "Escapism" as a single from 21st Century Blues. Back in July 2021, the singer left Polydor Records and became an independent artist because the label had been withholding her debut album for several years. The Otis Dominique-directed video depicts a night of drink, drugs, and partying. "We worked really hard to create an honest depiction of where I was at that time in my life," Raye told Shots. "It was fun and wild. We shot it over a couple of days and wore point-of-view cameras during a wild night out at many different clubs. I pushed myself outside of my comfort zone and I ran 150 meters in 5-inch heels. We really took it there!" Since featuring on Jonas Blue's 2016 single "By Your Side," Raye has established herself as one of the UK's most in-demand vocalists. Working with the likes of Jax Jones, Regard, David Guetta and Joel Corry, she clocked up a string of hits as a featured artist. "Escapism" is her first Top 10 solo single.
Sleazin' and teasin', I'm sittin' on him All of my diamonds are drippin' on him I met him at the bar, it was twelve or somethin' I ordered two more wines, 'cause tonight I want him A little context if you care to listen I find myself in this shit position The man that I love sat me down last night And he told me that it's over, dumb decision And I don't wanna feel how my heart is rippin' Fact, I don't wanna feel, so I stick to sippin' And I'm out on the town with a simple mission In my little black dress and this shit is sittin' Just a heart broke bitch High heels six inch In the back of the nightclub, sipping champagne I don't trust any of these bitches I'm with In the back of the taxi sniffing cocaine Drunk calls, drunk texts, drunk tears, drunk sex I was looking for a man who's on the same page Now it's back to the intro, back to the bar To the Bentley, to the hotel, to my old ways 'Cause I don't wanna feel how I did last night I don't wanna feel how I did last night Doctor, doctor, anything, please Doctor, doctor, have mercy on me Take this pain away You're asking me my symptoms, doctor I don't wanna feel Took this joint how I'm blowing this steam Back to my ways like 2019 Not 24 hours since my ex did dead it I got a new man on me, it's about to get sweaty Last night really was the cherry on the cake Been some dark days lately and I'm findin' it cripplin' Excuse my state I'm as high as your hopes that you'll make it on my bed Get me hot and sizzlin' If I take a step back to see the glass half full At least it's the Prada two-piece that I'm trippin' in And I'm already actin' like a dick Know what I mean? So you might as well stick it in Just a heart broke bitch High heels six inch In the back of the nightclub, sipping champagne I don't trust any of these bitches I'm with In the back of the taxi sniffing cocaine Drunk calls, drunk texts, drunk tears, drunk sex I was looking for a man who's on the same page Now it's back to the intro, back to the bar To the Bentley, to the hotel, to my old ways 'Cause I don't wanna feel how I did last night I don't wanna feel how I did last night Doctor, doctor, anything, please Doctor, doctor, have mercy on me Take this pain away You're asking me my symptoms, doctor I don't wanna feel (What?) 'Cause I don't wanna feel like I felt last night I don't wanna feel like I felt last night Be at peace with the things you can't change (Last night) I'll be naked when I leave and I was naked when I came, yeah Out of reach, out of touch, too numb, I don't feel no way Toast up, so what, street small but it go both ways So, you'll run, but you'll never escape Sunset in the maze (You're asking me my symptoms, doctor, I don't wanna feel) I don't wanna feel how I did last night I don't wanna feel how I did last night, oh Doctor, doctor, anything, please Doctor, doctor, have mercy on me You're asking me my symptoms, doctor I don't wanna feel I don't wanna feel how I did last night I don't wanna feel how I did last night I don't, I don't- how I did last night Mhmm lipstick smudged like modern art I don't know where the fuck I am Or who's driving the fucking car Speeding down the highway sippin' Mixing pills with the liquor 'Cause fuck these feelings I left everyone I love on read (Uh-uh) Spilling secrets to the stranger in my bed (Uh-uh) I remember nothing so there's nothing to regret (Uh-uh)
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dec 17, 2022 | 100 | 26 |
| 2 | Dec 24, 2022 | 79 | 47 |
| 3 | Dec 31, 2022 | 72 | 54 |
| 4 | Jan 7, 2023 | 75 | 51 |
| 5 | Jan 14, 2023 | 43 | 83 |
| 6 | Jan 21, 2023 | 28 | 98 |
| 7 | Jan 28, 2023 | 22 | 104 |
| 8 | Feb 4, 2023 | 22 | 104 |
| 9 | Feb 11, 2023 | 23 | 103 |
| 10 | Feb 18, 2023 | 24 | 102 |
| 11 | Feb 25, 2023 | 26 | 100 |
| 12 | Mar 4, 2023 | 23 | 103 |
| 13 | Mar 11, 2023 | 22 | 104 |
| 14 | Mar 18, 2023 | 33 | 93 |
| 15 | Mar 25, 2023 | 23 | 103 |
| 16 | Apr 1, 2023 | 24 | 102 |
| 17 | Apr 8, 2023 | 22 | 104 |
| 18 | Apr 15, 2023 | 23 | 103 |
| 19 | Apr 22, 2023 | 26 | 100 |
| 20 | Apr 29, 2023 | 30 | 96 |