All human emotions can probably be explained by hormones and stuff secreted from the brain, and that’s definitely true of love and its close cousin lust. Post Malone grabs his guitar and explores this idea on his brand-new single “Chemical,” a strummy pop-rock tune that marks the genre-smoothing artist’s first release of 2023. The song naturally shot to the top of the Genius Top Songs chart.
Post wrote “Chemical” with frequent collaborators Louis Bell, Andrew Watt, and Billy Walsh. All of them except Walsh share production credit. “Chemical” is about feeling stuck in a relationship, possibly as a result of biology. In the opening verse, a slightly warbling Post references the substance known as “the love hormone,” a product of the hypothalamus that enters the bloodstream when people experience love or sexual arousal. Post only gets this chemical in dizzying blasts that leave him wrecked the rest of the time.
Oxytocin makin’ it all okay
When I come back down, it doesn’t feel the same
Now I’m sittin’ ’round, waitin’ for the world to end all day
’Cause I couldn’t leave you if I tried
In the pre-chorus, Post shares more about this unhappy love affair. He’s tried to leave before, but he keeps getting drawn back in.
You break me, then I break my rules
Last time was the last time too
It’s fucked up, I know, but I’m still
The chorus gives us two quick snapshots of this couple in action. In one, they’re drinking and arguing while the White Stripes’ signature tune—a song Post has toyed with in concert—plays in the background. In trying to break free of this girl, Post knows he’s fighting against his own natural instincts.
Outside of the party, smokin’ in the car with you
Seven Nation Army, fightin’ at the bar with you
Tell you that I’m sorry, tell me what I gotta do
’Cause I can’t let go, it’s chemical
And why does she have such a hold on him? The second verse explains how she gets the oxytocin pumping.
Every time I’m ready to make a change (Mhm)
You turn around and fuck out all my brains (Whoo)
“Chemicals” comes with a music video that features Post dancing around—sometimes shirtless—in front of a series of photo backdrops. Even he can’t resist the song’s sticky hooks and overpowering pleasantness. It’s chemical.
You can read all the lyrics to “Chemical” here.
