Escapism (Raye song) explained

Escapism
Cover:Raye - Escapism.png
Type:single
Artist:Raye featuring 070 Shake
Album:My 21st Century Blues
Genre:
Length:4:32
Label:Human Re Sources
Producer:Mike Sabath
Chronology:Raye
Prev Title:Black Mascara
Prev Year:2022
Title2:The Thrill Is Gone
Next Title:Ice Cream Man
Next Year:2023

"Escapism" is a song by British singer and songwriter Raye featuring American rapper 070 Shake. It was released independently on 12 October 2022, as the third single from her debut album, My 21st Century Blues (2023), as a double A-side with "The Thrill Is Gone". It was co-written by Raye, 070 Shake, and Mike Sabath, with Sabath handling production. "Escapism" is an uptempo R&B, electropop, and hip-hop song with lyrics speaking of escaping from reality and dealing with heartbreak.

"Escapism" is considered Raye's breakout single as a solo artist. It gained attention on TikTok in 2022, became her first number-one single in the UK, and has been certified platinum by the BPI. It also topped the charts in Ireland and Denmark and entered the top ten of the charts in over twenty countries. It has been certified gold, platinum, or higher in over twelve regions. It became both Raye's and 070 Shake's first song to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 22.

The song's accompanying music video, directed by Raye and Otis Dominique, depicts the singer turning to "partying, drinking, and drugs to escape her emotions and numb her feelings" after breaking up with her boyfriend. It won "Best Social Trended Song" at the Global Awards, "Best Contemporary Song" at the Ivor Novello Awards, and was nominated for "Best Independent Track" and "Best Independent Video" at the AIM Independent Music Awards. It also received a nomination for "Best British Pop Single" at the Popjustice £20 Music Award Show. In 2024, it won "Song of the Year" at the Brit Awards 2024.

Composition and lyrics

"Escapism" incorporates trip-hop in its production.[4] Raye stated that she "love[s] how rebellious" "Escapism" is for disregarding "the standard" of "pop music structure", particularly being "longer than three minutes and twenty seconds".

The song depicts Raye on a post-breakup spree of unhealthy coping mechanisms, engaging in hookups, drugs, and alcohol.[5] Raye explained that the song is about escaping from reality and dealing with heartbreak.[4] [6] In an interview with Clash, Raye revealed that she wrote the song in a log cabin in Utah: "Me and a friend hired a car, and drove up there, in the middle of winter, through the snow and everything! 'Escapism' is a story about running away from everything as fast as you can. The lyrics are about just leaving everyone on read, and going out on your own. It came from a messy time, but as humans, we just have to keep surviving!"[7]

The song is written in the key of E minor with a key change to C minor and a tempo of 100 beats per minute.[8]

Critical reception

Amit Vaidya of Rolling Stone India named "Escapism" one of the Best International Songs of 2022. They added how "Escapism" showcases Raye's "journey to achieving her musical freedom" and how "Escapism" "perfectly captures the angst and the aura of the singer—a vocal shape-shifter who now is the boss and we just love it!"[9]

"Escapism" won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Contemporary Song at The Ivors in London on Thursday, 18 May 2023.[10]

Year-end lists

Publication! scope="col"
ListRankRef.
BBC NewsBest Songs of 2022
BillboardBest Songs of 2023
Harpsichord ZineBest Songs of 2023[11]

Commercial performance

After going viral on TikTok, "Escapism" charted on the UK Singles Chart at number 31 on 25 November 2022, which marked 070 Shake's first entry on the chart.[12] The feat marked the singer's first charting solo single since Raye became an independent artist in 2021. The following week, the song ascended to number six, becoming Raye's first single as a solo artist to reach the top ten in the UK.[13] On 9 December, "Escapism" climbed to number two, becoming Raye's highest-charting single to date, passing her collaborations "You Don't Know Me" with Jax Jones (2016) and "Bed" with Joel Corry and David Guetta (2021).[12] Following the Christmas period, "Escapism" ascended to number one on the UK Singles Chart in January 2023, marking both Raye and 070 Shake's first chart-topping single of their careers.[14]

In the United States, "Escapism" became both artists' first song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 22. In Canada, "Escapism" became Raye's first charting single as a lead artist of her career on the Canadian Hot 100, peaking at number nine on the chart dated 21 January 2023.

Music video

A music video for the song was released on 9 November 2022, directed by Raye and Otis Dominique. 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.[5] In an interview with Shots, Raye mentioned, "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 meters in 5-inch heels. We really took it there!"[15]

Live performances

On 15 October 2022, Raye performed "Escapism" live for the first time on Later with Jools Holland.[16] In December 2022, the singer released a live performance recorded at Metropolis Studios in London.[17] On 13 February 2023, Raye made her US network television debut performance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.[18] On 26 September 2023, Raye performed a live version of "Escapism" at the Royal Albert Hall, London, accompanied by the Heritage Orchestra and the Flames Collective gospel choir, with Anna Lapwood on the venue's organ.[19] [20]

Raye performed Escapism on 6 April 2024, edition of Saturday Night Live.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2022–2024)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Croatia (Billboard)[21] 21
Greece International (IFPI)[22] 2
Iceland (Billboard)[23] 2
India International Singles (IMI)[24] 8
Italy (FIMI)[25] 59
Latvia (LAIPA)[26] 7
Latvia Airplay (LAIPA)[27] 7
Lebanon (Lebanese Top 20)[28] 3
Lithuania (AGATA)[29] 5
Luxembourg (Billboard)[30] 5
MENA (IFPI)[31] 4
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[32] 2
Nigeria (TurnTable Top 100)[33] 33
Norway (VG-lista)[34] 4
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[35] 10
Romania (Billboard)[36] 13
Singapore (RIAS)[37] 8
South Africa (Billboard)[38] 22
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[39] 4

Year-end charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Position
Australia (ARIA)[40] 10
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[41] 41
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[42] 68
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[43] 57
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[44] 12
Denmark (Tracklisten)[45] 30
France (SNEP)[46] 198
Germany (Official German Charts)[47] 24
Global 200 (Billboard)[48] 23
Iceland (Plötutíðindi)[49] 11
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[50] 66
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[51] 19
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[52] 12
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[53] 88
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[54] 49
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[55] 24
UK Singles (OCC)[56] 3
US Billboard Hot 100[57] 48
US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[58] 28
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[59] 22
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[60] 22

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormat(s)VersionLabel(s)
Various12 October 2022OriginalHuman Re Sources[61]
25 November 2022Sped up[62]
30 November 2022Live at Metropolis[63]
7 December 2022Slowed down[64]
United States9 February 2023Original[65]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: RAYE Drops Dual Release With 070 Shake, "Escapism/The Thrill Is Gone". HotNewHipHop. Nevares. Gabriel Bras. 12 October 2022. 7 January 2023. 8 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221208210047/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/440947-raye-drops-dual-release-with-070-shake-escapism-the-thrill-is-gone. live.
  2. Web site: Raye on Escapism.'s rise on the Official Singles Chart and the possibility of her first Number 1: "This is proof, let your artists decide what's best for them". Official Charts Company. Griffiths. George. 4 January 2023. 7 January 2023. 4 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230104211024/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/raye-on-escapisms-rise-on-the-official-singles-chart-and-the-possibility-of-her-first-number-1-this-is-proof-let-your-artists-decide-whats-best-for-them__38222/. live.
  3. Web site: Notion Now: Hope Tala, Stormzy & The 1975. Notion. 14 October 2022. 7 January 2023. 8 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221208210029/https://notion.online/notion-now-hope-tala-stormzy-the-1975/. live.
  4. Web site: Raye. Euphoria. Magnocavallo. Fabio. 17 October 2022. 6 January 2023. 6 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230106051238/https://www.euphoriazine.com/blog/2022/10/covers-raye/. live.
  5. Web site: Raye Mashes Reality and Fiction for a Night of Debauchery in Video 'Escapism'. Little Black Book. 10 November 2022. 6 December 2022. 6 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221206122220/https://www.lbbonline.com/news/raye-mashes-reality-and-fiction-for-a-night-of-debauchery-in-video-escapism. live.
  6. Web site: Raye announces debut album 'My 21st Century Blues'. DIY. 14 October 2022. 6 January 2023. 6 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230106051234/https://diymag.com/news/raye-new-album-my-21st-century-blues. live.
  7. Web site: Shooting Her Shot: RAYE Is Embracing Her Freedom. Clash. 14 October 2022. 28 December 2022. 26 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221226120905/https://www.clashmusic.com/features/shooting-her-shot-raye-is-embracing-her-freedom/. live.
  8. Web site: Raye & 070 Shake "Escapism" Sheet Music in E Minor. musicnotes.com. December 29, 2023.
  9. Web site: The 100 Best International Songs of 2022. Rolling Stone India. Vaidya. Amit. 26 December 2022. 26 December 2022. 26 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221226080403/https://rollingstoneindia.com/the-100-best-international-songs-of-2022/. live.
  10. Web site: Ophelia . Maya . 2023-05-18 . Winners of The Ivors 2023 announced . 2023-07-12 . The Ivors Academy . en-GB.
  11. Web site: Harpsicord's Top 33 Songs of 2023 [11-1] ]. 2024-01-05 . Harpsichord . en-US.
  12. Web site: Pop justice: Raye scores personal best on Official Singles Chart with Escapism.. Official Charts Company. 9 December 2022. 9 December 2022. 9 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221209175232/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/pop-justice-raye-scores-personal-best-on-official-singles-chart-with-escapism__38060/. live.
  13. Web site: Raye celebrates her first-ever Top 10 single as a solo artist with Escapism.: "It's such a blessing". Official Charts Company. Smith. Carl. 2 December 2022. 6 December 2022. 5 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221205223459/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/raye-celebrates-her-first-ever-top-10-single-as-a-solo-artist-with-escapism-its-such-a-blessing__38007/. live.
  14. Web site: Raye claims her first-ever Official Number 1 single with Escapism. ft. 070 Shake: "I'm an independent artist – this is proof you should back yourself, no matter what!". Official Charts Company. 6 January 2023. 6 January 2023. 6 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230106180304/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/raye-claims-her-first-ever-official-number-1-single-with-escapism-ft-070-shake-i-m-an-independent-artist-this-is-proof-you-should-back-yourself-no-matter-what-__38244/. live.
  15. Web site: Raye and 070 Shake indulge in some Escapism. Shots. 11 November 2022. 26 December 2022. 26 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221226122945/https://www.shots.net/news/view/raye-and-070-shake-indulge-in-some-escapism. live.
  16. Web site: Raye – Escapism. (Later with Jools Holland). Today. 28 December 2022. 26 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221226121327/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0d5frdf. live.
  17. Web site: Raye – 'Escapism' Live at Metropolis Studios. YouTube. 28 December 2022. 26 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221226162837/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vyA9cBE_Eo. live.
  18. Web site: 2023-02-16 . Escapism--RAYE Performs with 070 Shake .
  19. News: Kennedy . Áine Kim . 2023-09-27 . Raye, Royal Albert Hall review — a resounding victory . Financial Times . 2023-11-08.
  20. Web site: RAYE Royal Albert Hall events . 2023-11-08 . www.royalalberthall.com.
  21. Raye Chart History (Croatia Songs). Billboard. 26 January 2023.
  22. Web site: Official IFPI Charts: Digital Singles Chart (International) . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20221214112653/https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_iel.html . 14 December 2022 . 21 December 2022 . IFPI Greece.
  23. Raye Chart History (Iceland Songs). Billboard. 13 January 2022. 13 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221213063349/https://www.billboard.com/artist/raye/chart-history/i17/. live.
  24. Web site: IMI International Top 20 Singles for week ending 20th February 2023 Week 7 of 52. IMIcharts.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20230221194520/https://imicharts.com/. 21 February 2023. dead. 22 February 2023.
  25. Web site: Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 4. Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. it. 28 January 2023.
  26. Web site: Mūzikas Patēriņa Tops/ 02. nedēļa. en, lv. LAIPA. June 18, 2023. January 11, 2023.
  27. Web site: Latvijas radio stacijās spēlētākās dziesmas TOP. lv. LAIPA. May 28, 2023. March 17, 2023.
  28. Web site: The Official Lebanese Top 20 - Raye Chart History. The Official Lebanese Top 20. 27 December 2022.
  29. Web site: 2023 3-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100). AGATA. lt. 20 January 2023. 20 January 2023. 20 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230120083715/https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/s3/. live.
  30. Raye Chart History (Luxembourg Songs). Billboard. 17 January 2022. 13 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221213063350/https://www.billboard.com/artist/raye/chart-history/i12/. live.
  31. Web site: The Official Mena Chart - This Week's Official MENA Chart Top 20 from 06/01/2023 to 12/01/2023. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. theofficialmenachart.com. https://archive.today/20230117190745/https://www.theofficialmenachart.com/weeklychart. 17 January 2023. 17 January 2023. 20 January 2023.
  32. Web site: NZ Top 40 Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. 16 January 2023. 14 January 2023. 13 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230113213817/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/singles?chart=5487. live.
  33. TurnTable Nigeria Top 100. TurnTable. 18 January 2023. 8 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230108203840/https://www.turntablecharts.com/Charts/Top50. live.
  34. Web site: Singel 2023 uke 01. VG-lista. 7 January 2023. 7 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230107002106/https://topplista.no/charts/singles/2023-w01/. live.
  35. Web site: OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie. OLiS. pl. 27 January 2023. Select week 13.01.2023–19.01.2023..
  36. Raye Chart History (Romania Songs). Billboard. 21 January 2023.
  37. Web site: RIAS Top Charts Week 3 (13 - 19 Jan 2023) . https://web.archive.org/web/20230127045055/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/ . 27 January 2023 . 27 January 2023 . RIAS.
  38. Web site: South Africa Songs: Week Of 28 January 2023. Billboard. 14 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230210101319/https://www.billboard.com/charts/south-africa-songs-hotw/2023-01-28/. 10 February 2023. live.
  39. Web site: Veckolista Singlar, vecka 2. Sverigetopplistan. 14 January 2023. 10 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230110052932/https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/41?dspy=2023&dspp=2. live.
  40. Web site: ARIA Top 100 Singles Chart for 2023. Australian Recording Industry Association. 12 January 2024.
  41. Web site: Ö3 Austria Top 40. Ö3 Austria Top40 Jahrescharts 2023: Singles. 28 December 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231228090016/https://oe3.orf.at/charts/stories/3020713/. 28 December 2023. live.
  42. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2023. Ultratop. nl. 7 January 2024.
  43. Web site: Rapports annuels 2023. Ultratop. fr. 7 January 2024.
  44. Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2023. Billboard. 22 November 2023.
  45. Web site: Track Top-100 2023. Hitlisten. 13 January 2024.
  46. Web site: Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP) . Top de l'annéeTop Singles2023 . 15 January 2024 . fr .
  47. Web site: Jahrescharts 2023. GfK Entertainment charts. de. 10 December 2023.
  48. Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2023. Billboard. 22 November 2023.
  49. Web site: TÓNLISTINN – LÖG – 2023. Plötutíðindi. 8 March 2024. is.
  50. Web site: Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2023. Dutch Top 40. nl. 1 January 2024. 31 December 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231231221518/https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/2023.
  51. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Single 2023. dutchcharts.nl. nl. 3 January 2024.
  52. Web site: Top Selling Singles of 2023. Recorded Music NZ. 22 December 2023. 20 December 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231220081641/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/index_chart?chart=5732.
  53. Web site: Top 100 OLiS – single w streamie 2023. OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. pl. 16 February 2024.
  54. Web site: Årslista Singlar, 2023. Sverigetopplistan. 18 January 2024.
  55. Web site: Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2023. hitparade.ch. 31 December 2023.
  56. Web site: The Official Top 40 Biggest Songs of 2023. Official Charts Company. Griffiths. George. 29 December 2023. 29 December 2023.
  57. Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2023. Billboard. 22 November 2023.
  58. Dance/Mix Show Airplay Songs – Year-End 2023. Billboard. 24 November 2023.
  59. Pop Airplay Songs – Year-End 2023. Billboard. 22 November 2023.
  60. Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2023. Billboard. 23 November 2023.
  61. Web site: Escapism. / The Thrill Is Gone. – Single by Raye. Apple Music. 7 December 2022. 6 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221206114959/https://music.apple.com/us/album/escapism-the-thrill-is-gone-single/1646318963. live.
  62. Web site: Escapism. (Sped Up) [feat. 070 Shake] – Single by Raye]. Apple Music. 7 December 2022. 7 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221207101735/https://music.apple.com/us/album/escapism-sped-up-feat-070-shake-single/1656088261. live.
  63. Web site: Escapism. (Live at Metropolis) [feat. 070 Shake] – Single by Raye]. Apple Music. 7 December 2022. 7 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221207101736/https://music.apple.com/us/album/escapism-live-at-metropolis-feat-070-shake-single/1657042140. live.
  64. Web site: Escapism. (Slowed Down) [feat. 070 Shake] – Single by Raye]. Apple Music. 7 December 2022. 7 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221207101733/https://music.apple.com/us/album/escapism-slowed-down-feat-070-shake-single/1658199213. live.
  65. Web site: Raye (Human Re Sources/The Orchard). Hits. 3 February 2023. 23 December 2023.

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