“Chemical” by Post Malone

With a release date of 14 April 2023, “Chemical” marks Post Malone’s first release of this year.  To remembrance, the last we heard of him would have been in connection to “Twelve Carat Toothache”, the studio album he dropped in 2022, also through Republic Records and Mercury Records. And that particular outing fared well in reaching number 2 on the Billboard 200 and number 3 on the UK Albums Chart.

This song was written and produced by Post Malone, Watt and Louis Bell. Billy Walsh is also credited as a co-writer, and Alfred Marroquin acted as the track’s music video’s director.

The Lyrics of “Chemical”

Post Malone may be on the verge of switching genres or whatever it is that’s being reported in relation to this song, but the lyrics, outside of what can be some White cultural references, if you will, reads a lot like an emo rap. 

Although never directly specified, the logical presumption would be that Posty is addressing his sweetheart. And the simplest way of interpreting what he’s putting forth is that their relationship is a troubled one, to the point that he can justify parting ways with her.

But partially to his chagrin, Post is unable to do so. And that’s what he is implying via the title. Or put otherwise, his attraction to the addressee transcends the realm of mental logic and extends into the animal or “chemical” kingdom, as in being so natural that he can’t resist it. 

So at the end of the day, this track can actually be classified as a love song, albeit one that places a major emphasis on how challenging being smitten can sometimes be.

“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
No, I can’t let go, it’s chemical”