“Crying on the Bathroom Floor” by Will Young
Most simply explained, the vocalist reads as an individual who has grown accustomed to an abusive romantic relationship. And judging by the first line of “Crying on the Bathroom Floor”, the abuser is someone whom he is even wed to. Also judging by this verse, Will has grown numb to the addressee’s actions, even if they’re positive.
In other words, all lyrics considered, he has endured abuse for so long that he has pretty much lost interest in the affectionate-based side of this relationship, like kisses from the addressee mean nothing to him, because it’s all hypocritical in his eyes anyway.
And based on the second verse, it doesn’t read as if this is a situation of physical abuse. Nor may it be of the verbal variety in the traditional sense of the word. Instead, it sort of comes across that maybe the addressee is cheating other vocalist. And it is the associated “lies”, “disrespect”, “loneliness” and what have you that has Young in his feelings.
An Addressee with a Split Personality
So as presented, he currently has sort of a love/hate relationship with the addressee. This is understandable considering that said individual possesses a split personality if you will, i.e. the tendency to be nice one moment and less the next. But again, it’s the latter which has taken precedence in the vocalist’s mind.
Is the Narrator weak?
No, it doesn’t appear that Will is weak or anything like that. Rather, let’s say that generally speaking, as human beings negative experiences tend to affect us more than the positive. Or viewed from the perspective of the theory put forth earlier, he’s the type of spouse who simply can’t tolerate being cheated on, even if his partner isn’t necessarily a bad person.
But either way, it’s not like he’s really expressing a desire to bounce or anything like that. Rather, as noted earlier, this traumatizing relationship is one where he has come to accept and expect abuse. That’s why we find him ‘crying on the bathroom floor, tearing off the dress he wore’, presumably the one worn when marrying the addressee.
Or even if it’s not a marriage gown he is referring to, it would be some type of attire symbolic of his dedicated love to the addressee.
“Crying on the Bathroom Floor” is a Heartbreak Song
So conclusively, this is of course a song of heartbreak. However, it differs from virtually all others we’ve come across in that the vocalist, who is the victim, is not overtly putting forth any type of ideological remedy or desire/ultimatum to leave.
Instead, even though based on the bridge he may not fully understand why he is in love with this individual, in love he is. But as also implied therein, even though he is tolerant of this treatment at the moment this tolerance may, at some point, run out.
Release Date of “Crying on the Bathroom Floor”
This is the title track and third single from the Will Young album that was released during August of 2021. The song itself was issued via British indie label Cooking Vinyl on 8 July 2021. And it was preceded by the singles “Daniel” and “Elizabeth Taylor”. Both singles came out earlier in the year.
The music video to this track was directed by tenured filmography W.I.Z. And it is related to the official visual of the aforementioned “Daniel” (which W.I.Z. also directed). FYI, both videos are part of a forthcoming short film entitled Just Like That.
The writers of this song are Katie Gavin, Josette Maskin and Naomi McPherson. And its producer is Richard X.
Young played no role in the writing of “Crying on the Bathroom Floor”.
Will Young
Will Young is from the UK, being an actor as well as singer. However, the latter endeavor, which he has been engaged in more consistently and was his stepping stone into stardom, has yielded greater results.
For instance, Young won a Brit Award (Best Breakthrough Act) in 2004. He won the award in question again the following year for his track Your Game (Best British Single).
Moreover over half the studio LPs he dropped thus far, including apparently “Crying on the Bathroom Floor”, have been UK Album Chart toppers.
And the few that haven’t reached the top fell just a spot short. But that said, whereas his charting success has been unfailingly dominant, his commercial viability seems to have reduced throughout the years.
Will was in fact the winner of the first season of Pop Idol in 2002, and accordingly his record sales were at their peak during the aughts.
