Serotonin

Album: If I Could Make It Go Quiet (2021)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • I'm running low on serotonin
    Chemical imbalance got me twisting things
    Stabilize with medicine


    Serotonin is a chemical in the body that regulates mood. It is believed to be a contributor to well-being and happiness; if one's brain does not produce enough serotonin, it leads to depression. Here, Marie Ulven (aka Girl in Red) paints a picture of her struggles with mental health.
  • During the song, Ulven details her demons, which include intrusive thoughts where she considers self-harm and even suicide.

    I get intrusive thoughts like cutting my hands off
    Like jumping in front of a bus
    Like how do I make this stop


    Ulvin explained to the BBC that she's had intrusive thoughts since her early teens, "Thinking I'm going to jump out of a window, thinking I'm going to jump in front of the train. It's really intense and you feel like you have to fight with yourself like to not do it."
  • The Norwegian songstress penned "Serotonin" after starting therapy in 2020. She said the analysis has helped her understand her impulsive thoughts and get them "out of my system."
  • Written entirely by Ulven, she released the song on March 3, 2021 as a single from her If I Could Make It Go Quiet debut album. Girl in Red penned and demoed the 11 tracks at her Oslo home during the coronavirus lockdown.

    "I really poured my heart into a lot of these lyrics, fully," she told American Songwriter. "I just feel like I emptied myself in this album."
  • Ulven made the eight-hour drive across Norway to Bergen where she recorded the album with producer Matias Tellez. Billie Eilish's brother and songwriter partner, Finneas, helped give "Serotonin" a vibrant art-pop sheen after meeting the singer backstage at a festival in 2019.
  • Girl in Red made her US TV debut when she performed this song on the May 3, 2021 episode of The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Ralph Casale  - Session Pro

Ralph Casale - Session ProSongwriter Interviews

A top New York studio musician, Ralph played guitar on many '60s hits, including "Lightnin' Strikes," "A Lover's Concerto" and "I Am A Rock."

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."

Corey Hart

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

Edwin McCain

Edwin McCainSongwriter Interviews

"I'll Be" was what Edwin called his "Hail Mary" song. He says it proves "intention of the songwriter is 180 degrees from potential interpretation by an audience."