Contaminated

Album: III (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Over a heavy synth-based melody, Banks details the draining and heartbreaking process of being in an unhealthy relationship. She is desperate for their romance to work out but is coming to the realization it's just too toxic. The more Banks gives, the less of herself she becomes.

    I wish I could change it
    And we're always gonna be contaminated
    And oh, I know what we need
    You start letting me go
    Our love is tainted


    Banks explained to Apple Music: "'Contaminated' was me realizing that no matter how much you want something, it's just negative, period. You want to find little pockets of belief and hope. And that song is kind of mid-realization that it just can't."

Comments: 1

  • Kalani Derrick Sebiswazzi from Uganda - EntebbeJust love the song ( Contaminated ) it quenches my soul.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

Rickie Lee Jones on songwriting, social media, and how she's handling Trump.

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers

Bill Medley of The Righteous BrothersSongwriter Interviews

Medley looks back on "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - his huge hits from the '60s that were later revived in movies.

Bill Withers

Bill WithersSongwriter Interviews

Soul music legend Bill Withers on how life experience and the company you keep leads to classic songs like "Lean On Me."

The Police

The PoliceFact or Fiction

Do their first three albums have French titles? Is "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" really meaningless? See if you can tell in this Fact or Fiction.