Upsahl started playing both the guitar and piano at the age of five. She attended Arizona School for the Arts and is classically trained in piano, guitar, and voice. With a style that bridges thoughtful adult alternative fare and playful pop, American singer and songwriter UPSAHL debuted her warm voice and articulate lyrics on self-releases as early as her mid-teens.
Upsahl released a self-titled EP (as Taylor Upsahl) at age 14. In 2015, she wrote and self-produced her full-length debut album, "Viscerotonic". In 2017, her third album was released, "Unfamiliar Light". She quickly became a local favorite for national touring acts in Phoenix. Upsahl played the McDowell Mountain Music Festival in 2017, opening for The Shins, Beck, and Flume, and released her first single, "Can You Hear Me Now", that year.
She signed a recording deal with Arista Records in the summer of 2018. On March 8, 2019, she made her major-label debut with the EP "Hindsight 20/20" along with her single "Drugs". She was the first artist signed to the newly re-launched record label. "Drugs," which has been used in nearly 2 million TikTok videos, reached #6 on the Viral Chart and #1 on the Sounds Trends Chart.
In 2020, Upsahl released the single "12345SEX". This was followed by the singles "People I Don't Like" and "MoneyOnMyMind", both songs were included on her second EP, "Young Life Crisis". Billboard crowned the EP as one of the Top 25 Pop albums of the year.
She undertook her first co-write on "Good in Bed" for Dua Lipa's GRAMMY Award-winning, "Future Nostalgia", released on February 11, 2021. She's since lent her pen to Madison Beer, Mike Shinoda, Alan Walker, Anne-Marie, Little Mix, GAYLE, NGHTMRE and Renee Rapp to name a few.
In 2021, she released the singles "Douchebag", "Melatonin", "Time of my Life", and "Lunatic". All songs are featured on her debut studio album "Lady Jesus", which was released October 8, 2021. The album made her one of People Magazine’s “Talented Emerging Artists Making Their Mark” and “a musical force to be reckoned with” (Nylon).
UPSAHL’s highly successful debut headline tour, followed, where she sold out venues across the US, Australia, UK and Europe. Her high-octane performance earned her spots on Lollapalooza, Outside Lands, Reading/Leeds, Rock en Seine and more.
Upsahl toured as an opening act for Olivia O'Brien in 2021, for Yungblud and FLETCHER in 2022 and for Tove Lo in 2023. In July 2023, Upsahl featured in a different version of K-pop girl group Le Sserafim's song Eye, Psyche & the Bluebeard's Wife.
Antsy
UPSAHL Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He told me to try just simply breathing
My stomach's in knots and I'm physically ill
But I'm sure it's not what I've been taking
The world is on fire
I'm so fucking tired
And equally wired, so
Am I to blame for my sick, frantic brain
When toxic shit tastes just like candy?
Lost touch with my friends
But the internet still understands me
No wonder I'm antsy
I bet what I need is
To stare at a wall
Then one little text turns into a bender
Did I say too much or nothing at all?
Now I'm inventing the damage
In bathroom floor panics
Am I to blame for my sick, frantic brain
When toxic shit tastes just like candy? (It tastes just like candy)
And love might be lit
But I'm scared of what it might demand of me
No wonder I'm antsy
No wonder I'm antsy
It's no wonder I'm antsy
The world is on fire
I'm so fucking tired
Yeah, it's no wonder I'm antsy
And he said, "I love you"
I said, "No, thank you"
Got too many issues
And to do's and nothing's to get to
Am I to blame for my sick, frantic brain
When toxic shit tastes just like candy?
And I'd run back home, except politics broke up my family
No wonder I'm antsy
"Antsy" by UPSAHL is a song that delves into the struggles of the modern world and the anxieties that come along with it. The lyrics depict the singer's visit to a doctor, seeking pills to alleviate their physical and mental symptoms. However, the doctor advises them to try something as simple as breathing, implying that perhaps their anxiety and restlessness can be managed without medication.
The song highlights the overwhelming nature of the world, with lines like "The world is on fire, I'm so fucking tired." It speaks to the constant state of stimulation and exhaustion that many people experience due to external factors such as politics, the internet, and toxic relationships. The lyrics also touch on the singer's struggles with communication, both in their personal relationships and through the digital realm. They feel disconnected from their friends but find solace in the understanding they receive from the internet. This speaks to the paradoxical nature of modern technology, where it can provide both comfort and isolation.
Ultimately, the song explores the internal conflict of feeling responsible for one's own mental state while also recognizing external influences that have contributed to it. The singer questions whether they are to blame for their "sick, frantic brain" or if the presence of toxic elements in their life has influenced their mental state. The chorus repeats the phrase "No wonder I'm antsy," capturing the frustration and restlessness that comes with navigating the complexities of the modern world.
Line by Line Meaning
I went to the doctor, asked him for pills
I sought medical help and requested medication
He told me to try just simply breathing
The doctor advised me to focus on deep breathing as a remedy
My stomach's in knots and I'm physically ill
I feel extremely anxious and physically unwell
But I'm sure it's not what I've been taking
I believe that my current condition is not caused by the medication I've been using
The world is on fire
The world is in a state of chaos and turmoil
I'm so fucking tired
I am emotionally and mentally exhausted
And equally wired, so
However, I am also highly alert and anxious
Am I to blame for my sick, frantic brain
Should I hold myself responsible for my mentally restless and troubled mind?
When toxic shit tastes just like candy?
When harmful substances or influences are appealing and tempting
Lost touch with my friends
I have become disconnected from my friends
But the internet still understands me
However, I find solace and understanding through online platforms
No wonder I'm antsy
It's no surprise that I feel restless and uneasy
I bet what I need is
I speculate that what I require is
To stare at a wall
To spend time in solitude and introspection
Then one little text turns into a bender
A simple message escalates into a series of excessive and impulsive actions
Did I say too much or nothing at all?
I question whether I have expressed myself excessively or inadequately
Now I'm inventing the damage
I am creating imaginary consequences and harm in my mind
In bathroom floor panics
Experiencing intense anxiety or panic attacks in private spaces
And love might be lit
Love could be exciting or enticing
But I'm scared of what it might demand of me
However, I am afraid of the expectations and responsibilities that may come with love
No wonder I'm antsy
It's no surprise that I feel restless and uneasy
No wonder I'm antsy
It's no surprise that I feel restless and uneasy
And he said, "I love you"
And he expressed his love towards me
I said, "No, thank you"
I declined his love or affection
Got too many issues
I have numerous personal problems or unresolved matters
And to do's and nothing's to get to
I have a lengthy list of tasks and responsibilities to attend to
Am I to blame for my sick, frantic brain
Should I hold myself responsible for my mentally restless and troubled mind?
When toxic shit tastes just like candy?
When harmful substances or influences are appealing and tempting
And I'd run back home, except politics broke up my family
I would want to return to my family, but political differences caused our separation
No wonder I'm antsy
It's no surprise that I feel restless and uneasy
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Laura Jeanne Veltz, Sam MacKenzie Ellis, Taylor Cameron Upsahl
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
LUNALYS
Couldn't have posted such a relatable song at any better time. Something about this one is both such a bop and comforting
UPSAHL
🖤🖤
Jennay Nicole
"Am I to blame for my sick, frantic brain;
When toxic shit tastes just like candy?" Is so hauntingly beautiful to me. I got chills hearing it the first time.
CHAD
You're LITERALLY my favorite artist ever and I get so excited whenever I see a brand new song because I know it will be addictive and will be stuck in my brain for a long time. So far no bad songs detected. You're one of those artists who NEVER releases a song just to release them but you care deeply about it too and it really shows in the level of artistry and depth that you convey every DAMN TIME. It really shows how amazing you are at your craft. I've honestly listened to most if not all of your songs. They're all so addictive and perfect in their own rights. Fantastic!!!!
Shikatsu_Ch
Literally i feel the exact same way. Even her unreleased songs are so god damn good i cant stop streaming rhem
UPSAHL
Awww thank youuu. Mad love 🖤🖤🖤
Facundo Aquino
Upsahl deserves way more recognition
Facundo Aquino
@Ashwin Raj Sorry, english is not my first language
Ashwin Raj
"Recognition"...lol
UPSAHL
!!! Lol