"Oxytocin" is a song by Billie Eilish, included as the fifth track on her sophomore studio album Happier Than Ever.
Background[]
On May 31st, 2021, Billie uploaded an Instagram post with the caption
| “ | if they listen through the wall | ” |
– Billie Eilish, via Instagram | ||
teasing the last lyrics of the pre-chorus.
Spotify Synopsis[]
| “ | Oxytocin is a fun one, that's probably one of my favorites. We had all these songs and I was like "the only thing we're missing is the song that's gonna be purposefully insane [when performed] live" and we made "Oxytocin". Oh, my God, it was the most satisfying thing in the world; we like stand up and like jump around and see what felt right. I was also just going through crazy feelings at the time, too, and you can understand those if you listen to the lyrics. | ” |
– Billie Eilsh | ||
Theme[]
The title of the song, "Oxytocin", refers to the hormone known as the "love hormone",[1] as it is produced during bonding sessions such as sexual, romantic, or even wholesome platonic interactions.[2]
Theory[]
It is theorized that the track is sung from Billie's abuser's perspective and details her ex-boyfriend's need for arousal, even if forced upon. Lyrics like "If you find it hard to swallow, I can loosen up your collar, // ‘Cause, as long as you’re still breathing, // Don’t you even think of leaving" concludes that this person didn't care of Billie's emotions when having intercourse, but rather that he was receiving arousal from the situation; rape.
Synesthetic Perception[]
Oxytocin is perceived to be a dark brown |
or a red in Billie's synesthesia[3] |
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
Can't take it back once it's been set in motion
You know I love to rub it in like lotion
If you only pray on Sunday
Could you come my way on Monday?
'Cause I like to do things God doesn't approve of if she saw us
[Pre-Chorus]
She couldn't look away, look away, look away
She'd wanna get involved, involved, involved
And what would people say, people say, people say
If they listen through the wall, the wall, the wall?
[Chorus]
I can see it clear as day
You don't really need a break
Wanna see what you can take
You should really run away
[Post-Chorus]
I wanna do bad things to you (To you)
I wanna make you yell (Yell)
I wanna do bad things to you (To you)
Don't wanna treat you well (Well)
[Verse 2]
Can't take it back once it's been set in motion
You know I need you for the Oxytocin
If you find it hard to swallow
I can loosen up your collar
'Cause as long as you're still breathing
Don't you even think of leaving
[Pre-Chorus]
Not gonna wanna look away, look away, look away
You're gonna wanna get involved, involved, involved
And what would people say, people say, people say
If they listen through the wall, the wall, the wall?
[Chorus]
I can see it clear as day
You don't really need a break
Wanna see what you can take
You should really run away
Other people wouldn't stay
Other people don't obey
You and me are both the same
You should really run away
[Post-Chorus]
Bad things
To you
I wanna do bad things to you
I wanna make you yell
I wanna do bad things to you
Don't wanna treat you well
Behind the Scenes[]
Trivia[]
- Billie claims this song features noises from her dog, Shark, in the background because it barked during a take and they decided to make do and manipulate the sound flow to the song.[4]
References[]
| v • e Happier Than Ever | |
|---|---|
| Artists | |
| Tracks | |
| Tours | |