RAYE’s debut EP 'Welcome To The Winter' was released in 2014 and was comprised of predominantly R&B sounds. After signing with Polydor Records, RAYE had her breakthrough by featuring on the 2016 singles; "By Your Side" by Jonas Blue and "You Don't Know Me" by Jax Jones. The latter, co-written by RAYE herself, would peak at number three on the UK Singles Chart. Both songs were certified platinum or higher by the BPI, and marked a shift in RAYE’s career both commercially and sonically. After releasing the 'Second' EP in 2016, RAYE released "I, U, Us" as the lead single alongside a Charli XCX directed music video. This marked the first collaboration of several between the British songwriters. RAYE later co-wrote XCX's song "After the Afterparty" and appeared on a remix version, as well as featuring on the track "Dreamer" from her 2017 mixtape 'Number 1 Angel'. RAYE was short-listed for the BBC Music Sound of... award for 2017 and was named in third place. Later in the year, RAYE released the platinum certified hit "Decline" featuring Mr. Eazi, which would serve as the lead single from her 'Side Tape' EP which followed in May 2018. In October 2018, RAYE embarked on her own headlining tour, visiting a number of cities around the UK and Ireland.
After releasing multiple singles in 2019 and 2020, RAYE’s debut mini-album, 'Euphoric Sad Songs' was released on 20 November 2020. The project featured the top 10 hit "Secrets" with Regard as well as "Regardless" with Rudimental. In early 2021, RAYE released the single "Bed" with Joel Corry and David Guetta. The song would peak at number three on the UK Singles Chart, becoming RAYE’s highest charting single as a lead artist on the chart. Later in the year, RAYE took to social media to reveal that her record label, Polydor Records, has been withholding her debut album for several years. Following the statements, RAYE disclosed in July that she is now officially an independent artist.
RAYE was brought up in a musical family - her parents met at church - both of them musicians in the parish, and her musical heritage goes right back to her Grandfather, who was a songwriter and musician in his own right. Since the age of 10, she's been writing her own music, slowly developing all the time to become the artist she is today. Along the way, RAYE has become confidently adept at various different instruments including the cello, flute, and piano, alongside honing her production skills (and learning to play the guitar). Music has always been a huge part of RAYE’s life. Brought up on the classic soul/jazz maestros of the 40's and 50's like Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole etc - this is where her love for songwriting and melody began. Since then her influences, have aligned with the times, citing Drake, and her all time hero Lauryn Hill as huge sources of inspiration.
Distraction
RAYE Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wonder what I should get a tattoo of
I know that my mama would kill me
So maybe I won't then, maybe I won't then
Where is my distraction?
Written in my phone, I see your name
It must've been a few long weeks since I heard from you
I've been doing fine, thanks
Thing is I'm weak when I've been rolling
I might just give up and let your call in
I would be the girl to lose this one
I would be the girl to lose this one
Seeing as you know I'm the baddest loser
And if I wanna win, I've got to lose her
I won't be the girl to lose this one
So I begin to find a distraction, a distraction
Oh I just need to find something, a way to stop me wondering
Oh I just need to find something, a way to stop me wondering about you
East London, you're a East London boy
You had me strung up like a puppet toy
Oh shit, wait, I'ma stop talking
I'ma stop thinking 'bout you, where is my distraction?
Shopping, I'ma buy a paintbrush
Grab a couple colours that carry half the weight of everything I'm feeling
So I can try to pretend
I'm really artistic and I don't really miss this
Thing is I'm weak when I've been rolling
I just might give up and let your call in
I would be the girl to lose this one
I would be the girl to lose this one
Seeing as you know I'm the baddest loser
And if I wanna win, I've got to lose her
I won't be the girl to lose this one
So I begin to find the distraction
The distraction, the distraction, the distraction
I just need to find something, a way to stop me wondering
I just need to find something, a way to stop me wondering about you
North London, I'm in North London now
Decided, you don't get a home and now
If you like, you can always call my phone
Hear the dialling tone and then the answer phone
I'll be fine if I ignore the sound, when you call to see if I'm around
The moment that you think that you have won
I will have found the perfect distraction
In Raye's song "Distraction," the singer reflects on her struggle to move on from a past love interest. She starts the song by identifying herself as a "South London girl," and contemplates getting a tattoo even though her mom would disapprove. However, her main concern is finding a distraction from the constant thoughts of her former flame. She has their name written in her phone and hasn't heard from them in weeks, but she acknowledges that she's weak when she's feeling down and may end up answering if they reach out. She recognizes that she's been the baddest loser before and doesn't want to lose again, so she seeks out a way to forget about the person, even if just for a moment.
In the second verse, the singer is now in East London and remembers how the former love interest had her "strung up like a puppet toy." She makes a conscious effort to stop thinking about the person and decides to take up painting to distract herself. She hopes to give the impression that she's artistic and also that she's not missing the person anymore. By the end of the song, the singer is in North London, and she's made up her mind to cut the person off completely. Even if they call, she won't answer, and she won't let them think they've won by getting to her. She's found the perfect distraction and can move forward in peace.
Line by Line Meaning
South London, I'm a South London girl
I am a girl from South London.
I wonder what I should get a tattoo of
I am contemplating what I should get tattooed on my body as a form of expression and identity.
I know that my mama would kill me
My mother would not approve of me getting a tattoo and would express this disapproval strongly.
So maybe I won't then, maybe I won't then
As a result of considering my mother's opinion, I may not get a tattoo after all.
Where is my distraction?
I am feeling distracted and I am seeking a way to forget about something or someone that's been weighing on my mind.
Written in my phone, I see your name
On my phone, I have your name saved and I can see it displayed on my screen.
It must've been a few long weeks since I heard from you
It feels like it's been a really long time since I last heard from you.
I've been doing fine, thanks
Despite not hearing from you recently, I am doing well and I am fine.
Maybe I won't then, maybe I won't then
Despite feeling distracted, I may not reach out to you after all.
Thing is I'm weak when I've been rolling
When I have been out socializing and partaking in certain activities, I become more susceptible to giving in to your advances.
I might just give up and let your call in
I may give in and answer the phone when you call me despite my initial intentions to avoid you.
I would be the girl to lose this one
I typically lose in situations like this where I am trying to resist someone's allure.
Seeing as you know I'm the baddest loser
You are aware of my tendency to lose in situations like this.
And if I wanna win, I've got to lose her
If I really want to be successful in avoiding you, I must lose the distraction that you represent to me.
I won't be the girl to lose this one
This time, I am determined to not give in and lose control of myself and my emotions.
So I begin to find a distraction, a distraction
In order to avoid losing control and giving in to you, I will find another distraction to occupy my mind and emotions.
Oh I just need to find something, a way to stop me wondering
I am actively seeking a solution to stop myself from constantly thinking and wondering about you.
East London, you're a East London boy
You are a boy from East London.
You had me strung up like a puppet toy
You had me emotionally wrapped around your finger and completely controlled.
Oh shit, wait, I'ma stop talking
I realize that I am becoming too focused on you and need to stop talking and thinking about you.
I'ma stop thinking 'bout you, where is my distraction?
I need to stop letting thoughts of you consume me and find another distraction to take my focus away from you.
Shopping, I'ma buy a paintbrush
I will occupy myself by going shopping for an art supply item, a paintbrush.
Grab a couple colours that carry half the weight of everything I'm feeling
I will choose a few colors that can represent some of the emotions I am feeling but won't fully express or represent everything.
So I can try to pretend, I'm really artistic and I don't really miss this
I will pretend and convince myself that I am an artist and that my focus is on my art, not on my feelings or on you.
North London, I'm in North London now
I am currently in North London.
Decided, you don't get a home and now
I have decided that you are no longer welcome in my life and in my mind.
If you like, you can always call my phone
Despite my decision to avoid you, you can still attempt to get in contact with me by calling my phone.
Hear the dialling tone and then the answer phone
If you do call my phone, you will hear the ringing tone and then the answering machine message.
I'll be fine if I ignore the sound, when you call to see if I'm around
I will be okay if I choose to ignore your call and the sound of the phone ringing and you asking if I am available.
The moment that you think that you have won
If you believe that you have succeeded in getting my attention and my emotions, you are mistaken.
I will have found the perfect distraction
I will have already found a new, perfect distraction to take my focus and emotions away from you.
The distraction, the distraction, the distraction
This new distraction will be enough to keep me from giving in to your advances and keep you away from me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FRED GIBSON, RACHEL KEEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kingjulian520
All your hard work is paying off, and the rest of the world will come to know your raw talent and your story! I've been here since the beginning, and will always be here!
@AlhazeenGaga
It did she deserve everything ❤
@blueenigma343
This song made me fall in love with Raye back in 2017❤
@alexisdeathheart
This song speaks to me on a different level.. I need a distraction before I end up losing myself
@XxQueenChristinaxX
My favorite RAYE song.
@thereallibs7746
I've played this song at least twice a day since I heard it on soundcloud like a week and some change ago. I can't get enough of it! This song is EVERYTHING! I need more. I've literally listened to every song RAYE has made! She is the truth!
@savannahmccoy5059
Her voice is perfection I love those harmonies
@MubzGotBeats
she's gna blow very soon
@Becksnnc
this is euphoric
@prinxcess_ada
OMG you have a VEVO now Raye!, I'm REALLY a big fan of you I've been listening every since you made a Sound Cloud. I literally crying right now cause you finally getting notice for your amazing talent.The first time I listened to your music was when I was watching basketball wives LA in the background they were playing your song Bet U Wish.Ever since then its been my favorite song I fell in love with your music .still feel like you deserve to be more known because you are a very talented singer. The Bet U Wish song has got me through tough times in my life.And I wanna thank you so much for sharing your amazing voice.I pray more opportunities and success for the world to see more of you!!