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.
hotbox
RAYE Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm on my feet, but I can't feel the ground
I'm swimming in the distorted sound
What? I can't hear you babe
This ain't my buzz, I inherit a high
How ya doin'? Have we been hear all night?
Speak up, I can't hear you babe
High, losing it, losing it high, losing it
In the hotbox
Boy you numb, and some girl just passed out
And to my left is the face of a clown
What? There's nothing funny babe
Them regulars still passing me rounds
No it's blunt but this punch knock me out
I'm not an heavyweight
Mix up in these sounds and
These rainbow colored clouds
When those people climbing out
And climbing in watch my head spin
Pink and grey illusion
All these colors are confusing
Don't remember what I'm doing
What? Sorry, anybody in?
This is such a pretty house before
The lounge is emptied out
And now the television's going "wipe
That face off your grin"
Right now my mind is wasted
Slowed it down to taste this
Moment which is slowly fading slowly in
And I can't take this
In the hotbox
Look at me all alone in the clouds
If only my mom could see me now
If she could see me now
The lyrics of RAYE's "HOTBOX" describe the experience of being in a smoke-filled room (a "hotbox"), where the haze and disorientation of the environment blend with the feelings of being high and disconnected. The singer seems to be both enjoying and struggling with the sensations of the moment, with the distorted sound and speech making it hard to engage with others around her. She notes how others in the room are affected by the smoke and drinks, with some passing out or becoming numb, while she struggles to keep her mind focused.
The imagery of the song is playful and surreal, with references to rainbow colored clouds and the face of a clown creating a dreamlike atmosphere. The singer observes the changing environment and mood of the room, noting the emptiness of what was once a "pretty house" and the way television laughter fades. At the center of the song is the experience of being lost in the moment, disconnected from reality, and unable to fully process what is happening around the singer.
Overall, "HOTBOX" is a song that captures the feeling of being caught up in a haze of drugs, smoke, and sensory overload. It's an experience that can be both thrilling and frightening, and the lyrics capture both sides of this intense experience.
Line by Line Meaning
In the hotbox
She's in a small, enclosed space and likely smoking weed or doing something that has her feeling high.
I'm on my feet, but I can't feel the ground
She's aware that she's standing up, but because of the high she's on, she's too disconnected from her body to actually feel the ground beneath her feet.
I'm swimming in the distorted sound
The music she's listening to is so loud and powerful that it feels like she's swimming in it. Additionally, because of her high, the sounds are distorted and warped in a way that is hard to describe.
What? I can't hear you babe
She's having trouble hearing the person she's talking to because the music is so loud and her perception is distorted by the high she's on.
This ain't my buzz, I inherit a high
She didn't necessarily get high by choice – it's more like the people she's with are all getting high, and so she's sort of caught up in that.
How ya doin'? Have we been hear all night?
She's feeling like she's lost track of time, and she's checking in with the person she's talking to to see if they feel the same way.
Speak up, I can't hear you babe
Again, she's having trouble hearing the person she's talking to because of the loud music and her disconnection from the world around her.
Boy you numb, and some girl just passed out
She's observing that the guy she's with seems to be really out of it as well, and a girl in the room has passed out from taking something too strong.
And to my left is the face of a clown
Something about her high is causing her perception of her surroundings to be warped, so she sees a clown's face where there probably isn't one.
What? There's nothing funny babe
She's pointing out that even though there's a clown's face (presumably a funny thing) in the room, there's nothing actually making her laugh or feel amused.
Them regulars still passing me rounds
The people she's with are continuing to offer her more weed or drugs even though she's already high and potentially uncomfortable.
No it's blunt but this punch knock me out
Even though what she's smoking is a blunt (which is typically a smaller, less-potent version of a joint), the effects are still very strong and she feels like she's been knocked out.
I'm not an heavyweight
She's acknowledging that she's not used to being as high as she is and it's taking a real toll on her.
Mix up in these sounds and
The music is starting to get overwhelming and hard to follow.
These rainbow colored clouds
She's talking about the way the smoke from the weed is starting to look – like rainbow-colored clouds in the room.
When those people climbing out
People are starting to leave the room, and she's noticing their movement.
And climbing in watch my head spin
As people leave and new people enter, she's getting more and more disoriented.
Pink and grey illusion
The colors in the room are starting to blend together and look surreal.
All these colors are confusing
She's finding the overwhelming blend of colors and sensations to be difficult to process and understand.
Don't remember what I'm doing
She's starting to feel really out of it and forgetful.
What? Sorry, anybody in?
She's trying to get the attention of someone in the room because she's feeling disconnected and a bit lost.
This is such a pretty house before
She's noting how the environment feels different now that she's high. Previously, she might have thought the space was pretty, but now it feels disorienting and strange.
The lounge is emptied out
People are starting to leave the room, and it's getting quieter.
And now the television's going "wipe
The sounds from the environment are starting to become more noticeable – she hears the sound of the TV, which is telling someone to wipe their face.
That face off your grin"
She's quoting the TV, which is telling someone to clean their face because they're grinning too much and it's annoying.
Right now my mind is wasted
She's fully acknowledging that her mental state is not at its best right now because of the high she's on.
Slowed it down to taste this
She's trying to fully experience and savor the sensations she's feeling because of her high, even though they might be overwhelming or confusing.
Moment which is slowly fading slowly in
She's recognizing that this moment won't last forever, and is taking the time to fully appreciate it while it's still happening.
And I can't take this
Even though she's trying to appreciate the moment and ride out her high, there's a part of her that's feeling really overwhelmed and like she can't handle it anymore.
Look at me all alone in the clouds
She's feeling really disconnected from reality, like she's floating alone in the sky.
If only my mom could see me now
She's acknowledging that the life she's living at this moment is very different from what her mother would want for her, and feeling a bit rebellious or reckless because of it.
If she could see me now
Again, she's emphasizing that the way she's living right now is very different from how her mother would want her to behave.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sheraoliver7897
some people just don't know good songs when they hear it this is lit..
@Huanigan
so lit man
@gagedelbosque3531
This song has been one of my favorites since my ex left me in 2015.. now im married with a wonderful wife and a beautiful daughter.. crazy where life takes you in 5 years. This song is so underrated and will always resonate with my soul.
@Huanigan
amazing track. raye has juicy vocals
@aakashkhandelwal7173
i can hear this everyday
@robd5713
I want this on Apple Music so bad
@beccaw6276
.........good shit
@ianaav85
This is amazing
@maddie4983
I wish there was a ten hour version of this song..
@_goodvibesonly
i heard you;)