Gaslight

***Gaslight*** is a song by Softcult. It was the fifth and final single from ***Year Of The Snake***, and is the fifth song on the EP. Gaslight was written by Mercedes Arn-Horn and Phoenix Arn-Horn, produced by Phoenix Arn-Horn and mixed by Chris Perry.

## Background

The song is about the effects of gaslighting and how it can change your perception of reality. "It’s a tactic that many abusers and groomers will use to tear down your defences and make you easier to manipulate," Mercedes said in an interview with *Upset*. "There are a few toxic relationships that come to mind. A few people in the industry too."

"Basically, we wanted to raise awareness of this manipulation technique so that whoever hears the song will be able to recognise those red flags if they encounter that kind of behaviour."

Gaslight entered *CBC Music Top 20* chart in January 22, 2022. It was in the chart for 6 weeks, and peaked at #7.

## Artwork

The cover art depicts a woman with a neutral expression looking into the side mirror of a vintage car. It's a direct reference to the music video.

## Music Video

In the music video, Mercedes and Phoenix are stranded on an isolated country road at night when their car breaks down. The entirety of the video takes place on the highway as the two wait for help that never comes.

"I always felt like the song had kind of a '60s feel to it, but this creative choice served more than an aesthetic purpose," Mercedes said about the video. "Not only is it stylistically accurate to that era, but I felt that the 4:3 aspect ratio created a claustrophobic feeling like the walls are closing in, and it purposefully draws our attention to a specific point: the centre of the picture. It's the feeling of being confined."

"The music video does a great job of showing the audience what the twins wanted to portray," *FYI Music News* said about the video. "By using darker colours, the use of red which could be interpreted as pointing to ‘red flags’ and having a grainy feel to it, the video emulates the feeling of being in that type of relationship where someone uses gaslighting."

The video was edited and directed by Mercedes Arn-Horn. Iced Out Visuals served as the director of photography. For a more detailed behind the scenes, click here.

## Lyrics

It's all my fault
You had your back against the wall
It's in my head
Guess I imagined what you did
Sinking feelings
So misleading when you're down
Here in the deep end
Sowing seeds and growing doubts

I don't know what I'm doing

Went too far
I said too much, I pushed too hard
And I feel crazy
Believing in what you're saying
It's always changing
I can't see it (can't see what's in front of you)
See the forest for the trees
I'm so naïve that (pull the strings like you always do)
All these wolves just look like sheep

I don't know what I'm doing

Gaslight, turn it off and on
We drive off the road, get lost
All signs lead to what you want
Gaslight, turn it off and on

I don't know what I'm doing
Turn it off and on
I don't know what I'm doing

Play to my weakness
Yeah, it's like you always say
You didn't mean it
And I'd be cruel to walk away
Somehow I made you do it
I don't know who you're fooling

Gaslight, turn it off and on
We drive off the road, get lost
All signs lead to what you want
Gaslight, turn it off and on

I don't know what I'm doing
Turn it off and on
I don't know what I'm doing

## Media

Softcult - Gaslight -official video-Official VideoBehind the scenesBehind the scenesBehind the scenes
## References

1. ↑ Track by Track: ﻿Softcult – Year Of The Snake EP | Upset
2. ↑ CBC music twitter post
3. ↑ GASLIGHT video treatment | Shared by Mercedes in the official band's Discord
4. ↑ Softcult Share Video for New Single "Gaslight" | Exclaim!
5. ↑ 2022 Prism Prize Eligible Video: Softcult - Gaslight | FYI music news
6. ↑ Gaslight credits at the description