Reading Time: 13 min read

ā€œ13 Songs That Feature Elements of Escapismā€ [Photo Credits: Atlantic, BMG Rights Management, Columbia, Epic, Fueled by Ramen, Interscope, Myylo, Pexels, Pixabay, Roadrunner, Roc-A-Fella, Southeastern, Warner Bros.]ā€œ13 Songs That Feature Elements of Escapismā€ features music courtesy of Avril Lavigne, Depeche Mode, Jason Isbell, Kanye West, and Michael Jackson.

No need to sugarcoat things folks ā€“ this playlist is all about escapism. Merriam-Webster defines escapism as ā€œhabitual diversion of the mind to purely imaginative activity or entertainment as an escapeĀ from reality or routine.ā€ The key word is ESCAPE.Ā  There are plenty of songs that embrace escapism ā€“ we just chose unlucky number 13 for this list, with the possibility for expansion in the future.Ā  That said, the musicians providing the soundtrack on 13 Songs That Feature Elements of Escapism are Avril Lavigne (ā€œBirdieā€), Depeche Mode (ā€œCover Meā€), Ā Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (ā€œTupeloā€ and ā€œIf We Were Vampiresā€), Kanye West (ā€œSpaceshipā€), andĀ  Michael Jackson (ā€œXscapeā€).


1. MARINA, ā€œHandmade Heavenā€

LOVE + FEAR ā€¢ Atlantic UK ā€¢ 2019

MARINA, LOVE + FEAR [Photo Credit: Atlantic UK]ā€œI carry along a feel of unease / I want to belong like the birds in the trees.ā€ Hmm, sounds like a perfect example of escapism, a common topic in music of various genres.Ā  MARINA drops the name Marina and the Diamonds for her 2019 studio album, LOVE + FEAR.Ā  Initially, the Welsh pop singer released LOVE only, from which our song at hand, ā€œHandmade Heavenā€ appears. Even on LOVE + FEAR, ā€œHandmade Heavenā€ serves as the opening record.

MARINA sounds fantastic on ā€œHandmade Heaven,ā€ flaunting her lovely, upper register, and singing with incredible ease while still packing a punch. Ā Amplifying her performance is warm production work, thatā€™s also pretty epic at the same time.Ā  The most dynamic moment arrives on the chorus, which is also the most memorable moment of the ā€œHandmade Heaven.ā€

ā€œBut in this handmade heaven, I come alive
Bluebirds forever color the sky
In this handmade heaven, we forget the time
ā€˜Cause birds of feather fly together.ā€

During the stellar chorus, the vocal production is ā€˜on fleekā€™ and the instrumental palette is incredibly rich ā€“ synths, drums, strings, etc.Ā  Another noteworthy moment? The bridge, where MARINA sings:

ā€œAnd I could no longer ignore
The ivy growing tall
This life donā€™t suit me anymore
The writingā€™s on the wall.ā€

ā€œHandmade Heavenā€ previously appeared on the playlists 13 Songs Associated with Heaven and/or Paradise and 15 Songs That Reference Things Associated with Religion.Ā 


2. Myylo, ā€œCyborgā€

Iā€™m a Nice Boy (EP) ā€¢ Myylo ā€¢ 2019

Myylo, I'm a Nice Boy (EP) [Photo Credit: Myylo]ā€œI wish that I could make myself a cyborg / Shoot up into space with my jet pack / Bounce around the heavens till I found God / And ask her why I ever let you go, go, go, goā€¦ā€ Hmm, escapism mixed with ā€˜matters of the heartā€™ affect Nashville-based LGBT pop singer/songwriterĀ MyyloĀ on the brief, uniquely-titled single,Ā ā€œCyborgā€. ā€œCyborgā€ appears on the musicianā€™s satisfying 2019 EP, Iā€™m a Nice Boy. Myylo is one hell of a unique musician, ā€œmixing idiosyncratic lyricism, janky classical guitar, lo-fi saxophone licks, and sky-high falsettos to create something truly special.ā€ Ā Furthermore, ā€œCyborgā€ is one hell of a song, making appearances on other playlists: 10 Awesome Songs That ā€˜Tickled My Fancyā€™ in February 2019 and Totally Awesome LGBTQ+ Songs Beaming with Pride.

Of course, itā€™s not every day that a cyborg is referenced in a song, let alone ends up being the song title.Ā  The self-described ā€˜drama kingā€™ (ā€œOh god, Iā€™m so dramaticā€) drops the aforementioned outlandish chorus to convey his feelings of regret regarding an ex-boyfriend that he let go. Itā€™s obviously not just the chorus that is colorful.Ā  On the ā€˜Elton Johnā€™, name-dropping first verse, theĀ ā€œRocket Manā€Ā is ā€œSwooping in like a space force cowboy / Tryna get you back.ā€ Yeah, admit it ā€“ the lyrics are damn clever. Ā Furthermore, on the second verse, while heā€™s less outlandish, he still successfully delivers the ā€œwe donā€™t talk about your boyfriendā€ because ā€œyouā€™d rather be mine.ā€

So, Myylo is escaping via cyborg ā€“ check. His ex- wants to escape his current relationship to get back with Myylo? Maybeā€¦ or is that merely Myyloā€™s perspective? Probably. Regardless, ā€œCyborgā€ blesses us with matters of the heart and some escapism.


3. Avril Lavigne, ā€œBirdieā€

Head Above Water ā€¢Ā BMG Rights Management ā€¢Ā 2019

Avril Lavigne, Head Above Water [Photo Credits: Avril Lavigne Music / BMG Rights Management]ā€œI ainā€™t your prisoner / You canā€™t lock me up no more /ā€¦ You canā€™t chain me down no more / Goddamn, itā€™s gonna hurt / So fly away, little bird.ā€ On the well-rounded ā€œBirdie,ā€Ā Avril Lavigne delivers a mid-tempo, uplifting ballad. Head Above Water, her long-awaited, comeback album, has its fair share of ballads, for better or for worse.Ā  While all of them are uplifting, obviously, some are more accomplished than others. ā€œBirdieā€ doesnā€™t rank among the crĆØme de la crĆØme necessarily, but itā€™s a worthwhile listen.

ā€œLike a bird locked up in a cage called love / He clipped her wings when she was born to fly / He said, ā€˜A pretty bird, you canā€™t sing / But Iā€™ll buy you diamonds and ruby ringsā€™ā€¦ā€ Where the centerpiece (ā€œHead Above Waterā€) of Head Above Water dabbles in faith, ā€œBirdieā€ instead explores escapism, ultimately seeking to be ā€œset free.ā€ ā€œBirdieā€ previously appeared on the playlist, 11 Songs About Those Fine-Feathered Things Called Birds.


4. Panic! At the Disco, ā€œKing of the Cloudsā€

Pray for the Wicked ā€¢Ā Fueled by Ramen ā€¢Ā 2018

Panic! At the Disco, Pray for the Wicked Ā© Fueled by Ramenā€œWith these dreams, I inflate, painted skies in my brain / Every day, Iā€™m Carl Sagan in space / To escape this old world, this old world.ā€ On ā€œKing of the Clouds,ā€ one of the better songs from the 2018 Panic! At the Disco album, Pray for the Wicked, Brendon Urie and company provide a prime example of escapism. It was the kingly reference that earned Panic! At the Disco a spot on 11 Songs All About His Majesty, The King, while itā€™s the spirit of escape that locks ā€œKing of the Cloudsā€ in on this particular list.

ā€œSome only live to die, Iā€™m alive to fly higher / Than angels in outfields inside my mind.ā€ Again, okayā€¦ right. ā€œKing of the Cloudsā€ successfully fuses alt-pop with elements of throwback soul. Panic! At the Disco has always been eclectic, so itā€™s not surprising that ā€œKing of the Cloudsā€ doesnā€™t have a concrete stylistic characterization. Short and sweet, the strings, organ, and that sweet falsetto by Urie are the biggest selling points.Ā  The chorus is pretty royal to say the least.

ā€œIā€™m the king of the clouds, of the clouds
I get lifted, I get lifted
Iā€™m the king of the clouds, of the clouds
I get lifted, I get lifted.ā€

5. Depeche Mode, ā€œCover Meā€

Spirit ā€¢ Columbia ā€¢Ā 2017

Depeche Mode, Spirit Ā© Columbiaā€œIā€™ve felt better / Iā€™ve been up all night / I can feel it coming / The morning lightā€¦ā€ Dave Gahan doesnā€™t paint the happiest portrait, does he? The Depeche Mode frontman continues on ā€œCover Meā€ singing, ā€œThe air is so cold here / Itā€™s so hard to breathe / We better take cover / Will you cover me.ā€ In 2017, the veteran electronic rock band conceived the perfect album for ā€œtimes like these.ā€ Spirit examines the moral, social, and political turmoil of present times.Ā  Gahan isnā€™t particularly enthused about anything over the course of Spirit, painting a pessimistic portrait of the direction of life.

ā€œCover Meā€ can be best described as an escapism record.Ā  Slow and mysterious, Gahanā€™s baritone is fully invested as heā€™s searching for another life.Ā  Judging by the lyrics, the life in which Gahan and Depeche Mode are exploring lies in outer space.

ā€œWay up here with the Northern lights
Beyond you and me
I dreamt of us in another life
One weā€™ve never reached.ā€

6. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, ā€œTupeloā€

The Nashville Sound ā€¢Ā Southeastern ā€¢Ā 2017

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, The Nashville Sound Ā© Southeasternā€œIf I get out of this hole Iā€™m going to Tupelo,ā€ Jason Isbell proclaims on ā€œTupelo,ā€ a mid-tempo, country-tinged number from 2017ā€™s The Nashville Sound. Mississippi isnā€™t the most rousing choice for escapism (no offense Mississippians), but hey, ā€œThe Heart Wants What It Wantsā€, right?

ā€œThere is a girl out there that will treat me fairā€¦
There ainā€™t no one from here that will follow me there.ā€

Within the context of the song, Tupelo, the city, can be viewed both literally and figuratively. Ultimately, more trouble would find the singer/songwriter any place he goes, even as he seeks to escape personal hell. I feel like I should apologize to Mississippiā€¦ It should also be noted that another song on The Nashville Sound explores escapism, ā€œCumberland Gap.ā€Ā  ā€œTupeloā€ has previously appeared on the playlists 19 Songs About Various Cities Around the World and 50 Songs About the 50 States.


7. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, ā€œIf We Were Vampiresā€

The Nashville Sound ā€¢ Southeastern ā€¢ 2017

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, The Nashville Sound Ā© Southeasternā€œItā€™s knowing that this canā€™t go on forever / Likely one of us will have to spend some days alone / Maybe weā€™ll get forty years together / But one day Iā€™ll be gone / Or one day youā€™ll be gone.ā€ One Jason Isbell and the 400 UnitĀ from the Grammy-winning Americana album The Nashville Sound just isnā€™t enough.Ā  Hence, we turn to the escapist, hypothetical record, ā€œIf We Were Vampires.ā€

On the deep gem from, Jason Isbell acknowledges and reflects on the fact that one day him or his wife will die, and one will be left alone. Okay, thatā€™s not escapist, so, where does the escapism occur? Verse two, which invites the vampires into the mix. ā€œIf [they] were vampires,ā€ theyā€™d have nothing to worry about after all.

ā€œIf we were vampires and death was a joke
Weā€™d go out on the sidewalk and smoke
Laugh at all the lovers and their plans
I wouldnā€™t feel the need to hold your handā€¦ā€

Obviously, Isbell realizes this isnā€™t realistic in the least, continuing:

ā€œMaybe time running out is a gift
Iā€™ll work hard ā€˜til the end of my shift
And give you every second I can find
And hope it isnā€™t me whoā€™s left behind.ā€

ā€œIf We Were Vampiresā€ previously appeared on the playlists Creatures! Ghosts, Monsters, Vampires and Such and 13 Songs Where Itā€™s a Matter of ā€˜Ifā€™.


8. Kendrick Lamar, ā€œFEAR.ā€

DAMN. ā€¢ Interscope ā€¢Ā 2017

Kendrick Lamar, DAMN. Ā© InterscopeOn the intro of ā€œFEAR,ā€ the 12th track from Kendrick Lamarā€™s Pulitzer Prize-winning DAMN., a voicemail from Carl Duckworth references Old Testament scripture Deuteronomy 28:28.Ā  This isnā€™t the least uncharacteristic of the album itself, which features a number of Biblical and spiritual references.

On the first verse, Lamarā€™s mom warns him of the consequences for a variety of actions.Ā  Essentially, sheā€™s instilling ā€˜fearā€™ into him should he do something wrong:

ā€œI beat yo ass, keep talkinā€™ back
I beat yo ass, who bought you that?
You stole it, I beat yo ass if you say that game is broken
I beat yo ass, if you jump on my couchā€¦ā€

Thatā€™s all fine and good, but we need escapism, DAMN it!!! Well, that escapism occurs on the chorus where Kendrick Lamar wishes he could ā€œsmoke fear awayā€ because itā€™s destructive and detrimental. The plan is to escape through a high, as well as sex:

ā€œIf I could smoke fear away, Iā€™d roll that motherfucker up
And then Iā€™d take two puffs
Iā€™m high now, Iā€™m high nowā€¦
Lifeā€™s a bitch, pull them panties to the side nowā€¦ā€

Of course, there are even more layers to ā€œFEAR.ā€ On the second verse, the key lyric is ā€œIā€™ll prolly dieā€¦,ā€ yet a different take on fear. The focus is ā€˜27 years of ageā€™ on the third verse, as Lamar looks toward 30. On a fourth verse, the key moment is, ā€œIā€™m talkinā€™ fear,ā€ while the bridge, performed by Bēkon, focuses on ā€˜god damn,ā€™ which has multiple meanings contextually.

ā€œGod damn you, God damn me
God damn us, God damn we
God damn us all.ā€Ā 

ā€œFEARā€ previously appeared on the playlist 10 Songs Centered on Fear.


9. Korn, ā€œA Different Worldā€

The Serenity of Suffering ā€¢ Roadrunner ā€¢ 2016

Korn, The Serenity of Suffering Ā© Roadrunnerā€œI dream of a past / So I can break through / The walls I have built inside / The thoughts I can graspā€¦ā€ On ā€œA Different Worldā€, Korn, assisted by Corey Taylor, maintains the devilishness of their 2016 album, The Serenity of Suffering ā€“ regarding sound of course.Ā  As the pre-chorus lyrics exemplify, ā€œA Different Worldā€ is about escapism: ā€œIā€™d love to see a different world / A place where you canā€™t find me.ā€ The lyrics from the jump (verse one), as well as the second verse support this need ā€œto see a different world.ā€

Commencing with a brilliant descending synth, itā€™s clear that Korn isnā€™t playing on ā€œA Different World.ā€ The chorus hearkens back to ā€œTwisted Transistorā€ (See You On the Other Side, 2005) in regard to its overall execution, particularly rhythmically.

ā€œFeel me, kill me, my backā€™s up against the wall
Your magic spell doesnā€™t work anymore
Kill me, kill me, thatā€™s what youā€™ve got to face my friend
This ainā€™t the end.ā€

The ā€˜hardestā€™ moment comes during the bridge, where thereā€™s an emphasis on ā€œGive it to you / Harder! Harder!ā€ Ā ā€œA Different Worldā€ previously appeared on the playlist, 13 Songs That Focus on the World.


10. Jake Miller, ā€œSuperhumanā€

Overnight (EP) ā€¢Ā Warner Bros. ā€¢Ā 2016

Jake Miller, Overnight (EP) Ā© Warner Bros.ā€œI wish I was superhuman, I wish I was ten feet tall / I wanna be cold like you / When you act so cool and you donā€™t care at allā€¦ā€ ā€œSuperhuman,ā€ a song that appears on Overnight, the 2016 EP by pop musician Jake Miller, initiates with mean sounding synths as well as ā€˜the bombā€™ (ā€œFucking with the rules of gravityā€).Ā  The big reason why ā€œSuperhumanā€ appears on this list is because it dabbles in escapism, which is pretty cool.

Despite flirtations with a minor key and toughness, ā€œSuperhumanā€ is relatively light.Ā  Addressing the escapism (thatā€™s what weā€™re here for, right?), Miller looks to transcend merely being a mortal. Itā€™s far-fetched, but thatā€™s the beauty of escapism. Furthermore, the song is quite enjoyable. He relates his desired ā€˜superhumanā€™ qualities to love, a prevalent theme on the EP Overnight.

ā€œI wish I was superhuman, I wanna have strength like God
I wouldnā€™t feel no heartbreak
I would kiss that pain so it donā€™t hurt at all.ā€

11. Twenty One Pilots, ā€œStressed Outā€

Blurryface ā€¢Ā Fueled by Ramen ā€¢Ā 2015

Twenty One Pilots, Blurryface Ā© Fueled by RamenTwenty One Pilots delivered a tour de force on their ambitious second major label effort, Blurryface, released in 2015.Ā  In their overall discography, Blurryface marks the duoā€™s fourth studio album and by far their most successful.Ā  Twenty One Pilots won their first Grammy ā€“ Best Pop Duo / Group Performance ā€“ for the song at hand, ā€œStressed Out.ā€ Notably Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun accepted their Grammys without pants on. Ā With that said, letā€™s dive into the song itself, shall we?Ā 

ā€œSometimes a certain smell will take me back to when I was young / How come Iā€™m never able to identify where itā€™s cominā€™ from?ā€ On ā€œStressed Out,ā€ Tyler Joseph seeks escapism by reminiscing on the simpler times of his childhood.Ā  The chorus, the centerpiece of the record, sums this up simply and effectively:

ā€œWish we could turn back time to the good old days
When our momma sang us to sleep, but now weā€™re stressed out.ā€

Moving beyond the escapism, for the first time, in the context of the album, ā€˜Blurryface,ā€™ a character constructed by Joseph, represents his flaws and insecurities (ā€œMy nameā€™s ā€˜Blurryfaceā€™ and I care what you thinkā€¦ā€).Ā  Blurryface exhibits vulnerability, something that many people can relate to, but few depict as openly as Joseph does here.

ā€œI was told, when I get older, all my fears would shrink
But now Iā€™m insecure, anā€™ I care what people thinkā€¦ā€

12. Michael Jackson, ā€œXscapeā€

Xscape ā€¢Ā Epic ā€¢Ā 2014

MIchael Jackson, Xscape Ā© Epicā€œEverywhere I turn, no matter where I look / The systemā€™s in control, itā€™s all ran by the book / Iā€™ve got to get away so I can clear my mind / Escape is what I need, away from electric eyes.ā€ Amen! Ā In 2014, Michael Jackson released his highly-anticipated album, Xscape.Ā  Well, he didnā€™t release it (heā€™d already been dead five years) but his estate did. Xscape was no slouch, ending up being a fine LP worthy of spins. The album essentially brings Michael Jackson to the 2010s, a decade in music he didnā€™t live to see.Ā  But enough about the album Xscape, what about the song at hand, the escapism-fueled title track, ā€œXscape.ā€

ā€œXscapeā€ concludes the standard edition of the album. This escapism joint ultimately seems optimistic, but not without pain or disillusionment.Ā  Ā The chorus pretty much sums up Jacksonā€™s plan of escape:

ā€œEscape
Got to get away from a system
Lose in the world today
Escape
The pressure that I face from relationships
Got to go away
Escape
The man with the pen
That writes the lies that hassle this man
Escape
I do what I want to cause
I got to face nobody but me
Escape.ā€

Beyond the lyrics and theme, the production work is impressive, courtesy of Rodney Jerkins who was a seminal part of Invincible.


13. Kanye West, ā€œSpaceshipā€

Ft. GLC & Consequence

The College Dropout ā€¢ Roc-A-Fella ā€¢Ā 2004

Kanye West, The College Dropout Ā©Ā Roc-A-FellaItā€™s hard to believe that ā€œSpaceshipā€ can be considered an oldie, but as of publication (2019), itā€™s 15 years old.Ā  One of the best songs from The College Dropout, Kanye West outdoes himself on this prime example of escapism.Ā  The production work is absolutely terrific, hearkening back to old-school soul.Ā  Why? Well, Mr. West brilliantly samples the Marvin Gaye classic ā€œDistant Lover,ā€ which fuels the fire for sure.Ā  Of course, Mr. West doesnā€™t escape on his own ā€“ heā€™s assisted by GLC and Consequence, not to mention additional vocals from The World Famous Tony Williams and a then little-known John Legend.Ā  For some context, Legend would release his major-label debut, Get Lifted later that year.

Staying on topic, the escapism of ā€œSpaceshipā€ begins on the hella memorable chorus:

ā€œIā€™ve been workinā€™ this graveshift and I ainā€™t made shit
I wish I could buy me a spaceship and fly past the sky.ā€

Kanye West expands on the chorus on the first verse as he expresses his disillusionment with his job.Ā  I have to agree with Complex Magazine that this is one of Westā€™s best verses ā€“ a gem through and though.

ā€œIf my manager insults me again
I will be assaulting him
After I fuck the manager up
Then Iā€™m gonna shorten the register up
Letā€™s go back, back to the Gap
Look at my check, wasnā€™t no scratch
So if I stole, wasnā€™t my fault
Yeah, I stole, never got caught.ā€

Following up Westā€™s brilliant verse is tough, but GLC and Consequence bring their own fair share of excellence to ā€œSpaceship.ā€ A perfect example of the hunger and desire to escape for GLC also references a mall job just like West:

ā€œIn the mall until 12 when my schedule had said 9
Putting them pants on shelves waiting patiently I ask myself
Where I want to go, where I want to be
Life is much more than running in the streets.ā€

As for Consequence, he focuses on the present and never returning to being an unknown rapper and broke:

ā€œHad to be a catastrophe with the fridges staring back at me
Cause nothingā€™s there, nothingā€™s fair 
I donā€™t want to ever go back there
So, I wonā€™t be taking no days off ā€˜till my spaceship takes off.ā€

ā€œ13 Songs That Feature Elements of Escapismā€ [Photo Credits: Atlantic, BMG Rights Management, Columbia, Epic, Fueled by Ramen, Interscope, Myylo, Pexels, Pixabay, Roadrunner, Roc-A-Fella, Southeastern, Warner Bros.]

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the musical hype

the musical hype aka Brent Faulkner has earned Bachelor and Masters degrees in music (music Education, music theory/composition respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He's a certified music educator, composer, and a freelance music journalist. Faulkner cites music and writing as two of the most important parts of his life. Notably, he's blessed with a great ear, possessing perfect pitch.

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