For My Sunday Song #367, we are now on the 7th selection in the Morgan’s Choice Series. This time around we are talking about the song “Escapism” by British singer Raye which features 070 Shake. The song started off as a huge TikTok sensation and became the third single off her 2022 album, ‘My 21st Century Blues’. The song hit #23 on the Billboard Top 40 and it charted in dozens and dozens of countries. It was written by Raye along with 070 Shakes and Mike Sabath who also handled production.

The song is about escaping from reality after a bad break-up. That escaping deals with unhealthy coping mechanisms including drugs, alcohol and even hooking up with a lot of people. In the lyrics she is hitting the clubs and sitting in the back of a cab doing coke. Within 24 hours after the breakup she is with another man doing God knows what. It is not healthy at all and not a great way to deal with the breakup, but she made a hit song so who can argue with the results.

The song has a strong electronic beat that carries a certain cock swagger. The drums and the bass are turned up almost to a slight distorted level, but that beat will get you moving. There are lots of changes throughout as Raye tackles the lyrics in different ways whether it is a cocky spirited delivery or a soft, vulnerable state and she has a great voice and can handle both perfectly. 070 Shake’s (or Daniella Balbuena’s) vocals pair nicely with Raye’s and she brings that hip hop break that a lot of todays’s songs have, but I don’t think they always need. This works with it or without it in my opinion. This isn’t something I would gravitate towards, but no denying it is a catchy number

Give the song a listen and let me know what you think. I think it is a pretty sad, heartbreaking song when you listen to it. She is really going down a terrible road that she could ultimately regret. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you all have a wonderful and a Happy Sunday!

“Escapism.”
(feat. 070 Shake)

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

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’
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, 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

‘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

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

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

‘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?)

‘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)

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

I don’t wanna feel how I did last night
I don’t wanna feel how I did last night
I don’t wanna feel how I did last night

Mm, lipstick smudged like modern art
I don’t know where the fuck I am or who’s drivin’ the fucking car
Speeding down the highway sippin’
Mixing 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

Written by Rachel Keen, Mike Sabath and Daniella Balbuena