Escapism

Album

My 21st Century Blues

Label

Top Dawg Entertainment

Genre

Dance-pop

Composer(s)

Rachel Keen;Mike Sabath;Danielle Balbuena

Entered Chart

Dec 17, 2022

Peak Date

Jan 28, 2023

Released

12 October 2022

Recorded

Unknown

B-Side

N/A

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)