Shinigami Eyes

Album: Fairies Cum First (2022)
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Songfacts®:

  • Shinigami are gods or supernatural spirits who are a sort of Grim Reaper in certain aspects of Japanese religion and culture. Their shining red eyes let them see the names and remaining lifespans of humans they encounter.

    This haunting, yet poppy track alludes to the Japanese manga series Death Note, about a book that allows the owner to kill anyone by writing their name on the pages. When actress-model Misa Amane gets the Death Note from a Shinigami named Rem, she makes a deal with Rem to trade half her remaining lifespans for "Shinigami eyes."
  • In the song, Grimes has attained a pair of the titular eyes. She assures somebody that their demise is not imminent.

    Are you ready to die?
    Got my Shinigami eyes on
    Everything is fine
    Got my Shinigami eyes on you
  • Grimes co-wrote and co-produced this dark thumper with her fellow Canadian, Illangelo. She described it to Apple Music as "the label executive decision song," unconnected to her less commercial "space opera" material. "Shinigami Eyes" has no deep meaning, it just came from Illangelo watching Death Note and really enjoying it.
  • The BRTHR-directed hypercolor video features cameos from Blackpink's Jennie, singer and performance artist Dorian Electra, and Instagram influencer Ryon Wu.

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