Christmas Number 1 2022 Contenders: RAYE's paean to pain Escapism. could be the most unlikely #XmasNo1 in years
15.12.2022 - 15:33
/ officialcharts.com
Christmas, for some, can be a very lonely time of year. That's not talked about enough. But it seems that for droves of people up and down the country, they've found solace and acceptance in one song in particular - Raye's bold and bracing Escapism., which has quickly become the most unlikely contender for the coveted Official Christmas Number 1 in years.
Burning a bright trail up the Official Singles Chart for the past few weeks since going viral on TikTok, Raye's paean to accepting and then expelling her pain and trauma like a poison has so far peaked at Number 2, the highest-charting single of her career so far.
With the track still holding steady inside the Top 3, alongside festive heavyweights Mariah Carey and Wham! (!), we jumped on the phone to Raye to discuss what just might be the wildest and weirdest song to root for in taking the UK's most important Number 1 single next week.
[laughs] I think I would have to agree!
No! It's bonkers. It doesn't make any sense. Honestly, the fact that we're having this conversation is hilarious.
Obviously, TikTok just...took it and done a madness. I don't know if it's a thing of, people are going from the sound and listen to the song and leading it [that way]. For me, when I created this song, I really needed it. It was medicine to me. It was a way to process heartbreak and some things that are even heavier. Clearly, there's a lot of heartbroke b*tches out there who need some help and need some love. If they're using the song to process that emotion, that's an honour. That's great.
I mean, a part of me does wonder if this had happened at another time of year...would I have stolen that Number 1? [laughs] But maybe this was it with the Christmas connection. I don't even know.