“Escapism” is RAYE’s breakup track where she depicts the events that occurred during the times of her relationship and the breakup’s aftermath. This single was released alongside RAYE’s October 2022 track “The Thrill Is Gone.” and marks RAYE’s first UK #1 single as a solo artist and appeared on her...
[Intro: RAYE]
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 something
I ordered two more wines 'cause tonight, I want him
[Verse 1: RAYE]
A little context if you care to listen
I find myself in a 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'
In 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'
[Pre-Chorus: RAYE]
Just a heart broke bitch, high heels six inch
In the back of the nightclub, sippin' champagne
I don't trust any of these bitches I'm with
In the back of the taxi sniffin' cocaine
Drunk calls, drunk texts, drunk tears, drunk sex
I was lookin' for a man who was 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
[Chorus: RAYE]
'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 askin' me my symptoms, doctor, I don't wanna feel
[Verse 2: RAYE & 070 Shake]
Toke this joint how I'm blowin' this steam
Back to my ways like 2019
Not twenty-four 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 to 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 (What?)
[Pre-Chorus: RAYE]
Just a heart broke bitch, high heels six inch
In the back of the nightclub, sippin' champagne
I don't trust any of these bitches I'm with
In the back of the taxi sniffin' cocaine
Drunk calls, drunk texts, drunk tears, drunk sex
I was lookin' for a man who was 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
[Chorus: RAYE & 070 Shake]
'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 askin' me my symptoms, doctor, I don't wanna feel, mm (What?)
[Verse 3: 070 Shake & RAYE]
'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, yeah
But you'll never escape
Sunset in the maze
(You're askin' me my symptoms, doctor, I don't wanna feel)
[Chorus: RAYE]
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 askin' me my symptoms, doctor, I don't wanna feel
[Bridge: RAYE & 070 Shake]
I don't wanna feel how I did last night
I don't wanna feel how I did last night
How I did, how I did, how I did last night
[Outro: RAYE]
Mm, lipstick smudged like modern art
I don't know where the fuck I am or who's drivin' the fuckin' car
Speedin' down the highway, sippin'
Mixin' pills with the liquor 'cah fuck these feelings
I left everyone I love on read (Uh-huh)
Spilling secrets to the stranger in my bed (Uh-huh)
I remember nothing so there's nothing to regret (Uh-uh)
Other than this 4/4 kick drum poundin' in my head (Mm)
Escapism. was written by RAYE & Mike Sabath & 070 Shake.
Escapism. was produced by Mike Sabath.
RAYE & 070 Shake released Escapism. on Wed Oct 12 2022.
Escapism as a topic, it’s something I feel like a lot of people relate to when you’re going through hardships in life. You’ll just do anything to run away from that feeling. Then you have to go to work and smile and pretend everything’s okay, but it’s not. I think especially as a woman, we must alwa...
“Escapism” is about running away from reality as fast as you possibly can. 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, run...
Addiction is a subject I talk about a lot in the album – especially on the “Escapism”. As a woman, I felt like I couldn’t talk about that. The industry makes us understand that it’s not sexy. But silence does not help, on the contrary. For years, I kept this part of me a secret. I consumed products...
We worked really hard to create an honest depiction of where I was at that time in my life. 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 metres in 5-inch...
Live on Later with Jools Holland
Live at Metropolis Studios
Live at Radio 1 Live Lounge
Live at The Other Songs KOKO
Live at SiriusXM
Live at Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2023
Live at Capital’s Summertime Ball 2023
Live at Spotify 2023 Wrapped in London
Live at The Tonig...
“Escapism.” debuted at #100 on the Billboard Hot 100 during the chart week ending of December 17, 2022. During the week ending January 28, 2023, the song reached a new peak of #22. It became the first entry on the chart for both RAYE and 070 Shake.
Certified platinum by the BPI on February 17, 2023.
Certified gold by the RIAA on February 8, 2023.