Artist: Billy
Title: Fuck With You
Genre(s): R&B, Disco
Length: 3:39
Writers: B.Khan
Producer: BLOOM
Label: Pesky
From The Album: Bilal
INFORMATIONFuck With You (known as
"Mess With You" in its censored form) is a song by British singer-songwriter Billy. It served as the third single and the fourth track on his debut album "Bilal". The song was released on May 10, 2021, with the track being teased through Instagram and Twitter posts the week prior. In an unusual move, the single was released after 12pm on a Monday, missing the cut-off tracking period for the Chart Heat Singles on its debut week. Musically, the track represents a departure into an uptempo, Disco-infused alt-R&B sound—incorporating lush orchestral strings, rhythmic basslines, and shimmering synths inspired by late-1970s dance icons, alongside early-2000s R&B productions. The track was written entirely by Billy and production was handled by BLOOM, who is also signed to Pesky. The radio edit, "Mess With You", censors the swear words throughout and replaces "fuck" with "mess" in the chorus.
MUSIC & LYRICSLyrically, the song hinges on a central linguistic play on the phrase "fuck with you." While structured like a conventional, seductive dancefloor track addressing a romantic or physical partner, the lyrics simultaneously address the media, paparazzi, and internet commentators, framing his turbulent relationship with public scrutiny as a game of psychological cat-and-mouse. Billy critiques the public's insatiable appetite for his personal life and scandals. He highlights the hypocrisy of critics who condemn his behaviour while actively consuming his content. The lyrics briefly contrast his humble origins against his current commercial dominance,
"Homeless teen to number one, a real headscratcher", using his past adversity as a justification for his uncompromising public persona and refusal to cater to polite society.
Sonically, "Fuck With You" is a Disco-R&B hybrid backed by underlying hip-hop beats. Built on a driving 120 BPM tempo, the track bridges late-1970s Disco elegance with early-2000s alt-R&B and hip-hop swagger, creating a glossy, high-energy soundscape. Sweeping, dramatic string stabs and cascading violin runs run throughout the track, directly echoing the lush arrangements of Philadelphia soul and 1970's disco classics. The track is anchored by a punchy, warm kick drum and a crisp, snapping snare that gives the track an undeniable, club-ready bounce. Vocally, Billy abandons conventional pop singing during the verses in favour of a fast-paced, conversational Cockney cadence, blending modern UK hip-hop rhythmic pocketing with American alt-R&B attitude while interspersed throughout the choruses and post-choruses are effortless, vibrato-rich R&B belts, runs and falsetto ad-libs, showcasing Khan's vocal dexterity.
SONG COMMENTARYBilly wrote:"I made "Fuck With You" the third single because, with each track that drops the album, I wanted to deliver something different. I wanted to show all the different aspects of the record and showcase all that I can do, giving you teasers of what to expect. "Attention" had that bubbling electro-R&B sounds of the mid 00's I adore, "Gemini" was an old school slow jam dripping in sex and now "Fuck With You" really shows what I can do as an artist in terms of my versatility with genre and my voice. I'm vocally shredding on the chorus and then rapping the rest of it. With lyrics as cocky and "out there" as this song, I had to go all-out with the sonics too. I wanted to hit people over the head. Make them sit up and take note."
"Most of my influences centre in the 90's, specifically a lot of American R&B acts such as Janet, Brandy, Aaliyah, Mariah and the likes. You hear the bulk of that on my album but for "Fuck With You", I branched out and gave a nod to other huge inspirations; trailblazing soul and disco acts and London. Marrying the two sounds bizarre on paper but it works and the track is pretty unique. My Cockney accent against hip-hop and house beats is certainly stark but it's fucking epic if I do say so myself."
"On "Fuck With You", I wanted to remind certain people that the ball is still very much in my court almost ten years into the music industry game. I feel as though the track does the job and is the best of both words as the lyrics will piss off and rile up those who try to take me down but, in the same breath, will make my supporters and those who know me chuckle as they're in on the fun and games. When you get to a certain point in your career, people will either try to bring you down or try to exert ownership over you. I frustrate people because I can't be pinned down and it's because one; I'm an anomaly and two; I don't really take myself seriously. I'm a mixed-race, queer boy who was homeless at one point, covered in tattoos and speak with a very prominent Cockney accent despite being a brown-skinned God. I know that I shouldn't be in this position of power considering the politics of the music business. I also know that I scare a lot of people because I don't really fall into any category. I fuck with people's minds and I absolutely love it."
CRITICAL RECEPTION"Fuck With You" received universally positive reviews upon release, with many critics praising Billy's vocals for both his powerful notes as well as his rapping talents. The decision to release an up-tempo Disco/House track was also well received. Sara Gartland from Gigwise wrote that the song
"cements Billy's status as a bona fide hitmaker" praising the song for being as
"equally commercial as it is unique". Andrew Hudson of Pitchfork lauded Khan-Holmes' vocal performance, commenting;
"Billy's belting is bound to make casual listeners and those who stray away from boy bands finally sit up and pay attention" before calling him
"one of the most vocally talented artists in the industry". Billy's rapping skills also received acclaim. Corinne Murray of Spin opined;
"Just like the lyrical content of the song claims, you'll never be able to figure Billy out. Who knew he possessed serious rap skills?". Murray then went on to draw a comparison to Khan-Holmes' younger brother;
"Billy's cadence is not too dissimilar to that of Deneil's, both being rather brash and unashamedly East London. The only difference being Billy's voice having a slight silkier, softer coating in comparison to Deneil's gruffness."Carl Hearne of NME gave a glowing review of both the track and Billy himself, opining;
"Weekend's success as a unit aside, what makes Billy a modern day icon is how incredibly self-aware and headstrong he is. He's rough around the edges but is always first to get the joke in, beating everyone else to the punchline. Nobody can shake him and "Fuck With You" is testament to that. The more that people try to dissect him, the more curveballs he will throw. The more people attack, the more content he provides. He is here to stay and "fuck with" our heads for many years to come."
"FUCK WITH YOU"Aching bones from the weight of all your problems
Praying every night that your God will solve them
Do you really think they can crack this one?"Easy life" but I love to be the hardest
Break a lot of hearts, doesn't mean I'm heartless
Coat of many colours, more attention at my darkest
You'll never have all the pieces to my puzzle
So satisfying watching you squirm and struggle
Super sweet and then I turn things salty
Addictive but I'll rot your teeth like toffee
Keep them whipped, it's more fun when it's frothy
Homeless teen to number one, a real headscratcher
Guess you never know when I am coming at ya
You can call me crazy, you can call me batshit
But you still eat me up 'cause I'm always your favourite
Can't unpack me but you can surely see me naked
It's in your bookmarks, don't even try to fake it
Lot of shit gets said but this much is true
I only want to fuck with you
I only want to fuck with you, with you
Don't act like you haven't got a clue
You're stuck all over me like glue
You love it when I fuck with you
Yeah, you love it when I fuck with youAh-ah-ah
Uh-yeah-eh-yeah
Uh-yeah-eh-yeah
Uh-yeah-eh-yeah
Ah-ah-ahIt's never fun enough with just an instant kill
You know I gotta have that cat and mouse thrill
Love it when you say my name, even when speaking ill
Shit, I love what I do and I do it for Culture
Can't lose the power if you go directly to the vulture
You can call me crazy me, call me a bastard
But when I drop a track, you're all shaking your arses
Offering weak head for some backstage passes
Toasting my health, now come on and raise your glasses
Lot of shit gets said but this much is true
I only want to fuck with you
I only want to fuck with you, with you
Don't act like you haven't got a clue
You're stuck all over me like glue
You love it when I fuck with you
Yeah, you love it when I fuck with youAnd if you're curious, you can scratch that itch
But I won't simplify for a simple prick
You got enough info, I served a whole fucking plate
It ain't my fault if you can't conjugate
Wrapped in rhymes, wrapped in riddles
Dance to my tune while play second fiddle
Providing the thirsty with content for free
Should be made a saint for this fucking charity
Low word count? Here's a little inspiration
Make me the topic of your conversation
People laying traps, they think I'm a fool?
I clear the net while you jump through my hoops
So go ahead and hit my pics with that zoom
Know you really fucks with it when I fuck with you
Lot of shit gets said but this much is true
I only want to fuck with you
I only want to fuck with you, with you
Don't act like you haven't got a clue
You're stuck all over me like glue
You love it when I fuck with you
Yeah, you love it when I fuck with youAh-ah-ah
Uh-yeah-eh-yeah
Uh-yeah-eh-yeah
Uh-yeah-eh-yeah
Ah-ah-ahCan Be Compared To:
