Dirty
by KSI

Album: released as a single (2024)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • KSI is entangled in a raw, messy romance that's as alluring as it is damaging. The love he portrays in "Dirty" is so turbulent it leaves emotional scars, yet it's impossible to resist.

    "I wanted 'Dirty' to capture that raw, messy emotion of being in a relationship that's as intoxicating as it is destructive," KSI explained. "It's about that push and pull - the chaos you feel when you can't let go, even though you know it's breaking you."
  • Here's where it gets fascinating. The song features an uncredited Billie Eilish, whose spectral vocals add a haunting quality to the track. While the secret was kept under wraps until the song's December 2024 release, Finneas, Billie's brother and frequent collaborator, revealed that the duet had been planned well in advance. "It was Billie's idea," Finneas shared, adding, "we've always thought uncredited features were cool aesthetically."
  • KSI wrote the song with:

    His regular collaborator Digital Farm Animals ("Don't Play," "Patience" and "Holiday").

    London-based singer-songwriter Andrew Jackson. His resumé includes Sean Paul's "No Lie" and Shawn Mendes' "Summer of Love."

    Slovakian artist Peikko.

    The track's producer, Matt Zara. He's co-penned several of Teddy Swims' songs, including " Bad Dreams."
  • Matt Zara crafted a gritty, brooding, and hauntingly evocative soundscape that mirrors the narrative - a whirlwind of chaos and irresistible desire.
  • "Dirty" doesn't seem to be tied to a specific relationship from KSI's life. It reads more as an exploration of the universal complexity of love, where attraction and self-destruction intertwine. "I love creating music that sparks conversation and connects with people on a surface or deeper level," KSI said. ""Dirty' definitely does exactly that."

Comments: 1

  • Mitch Tolpingrud from Karlstad, MinnesotaFebruary 8, 2025 On Genius Lyrics the female voice is attributed to Erika Sirola - apart from this attribution why is there so much mystery around the actual female contributor. What might be the point of this anonymity - and if Finneas said something about KSI's "Dirty" why don't you add a footnote and let us know where and when Finneas said this.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Mark Arm of Mudhoney

Mark Arm of MudhoneySongwriter Interviews

When he was asked to write a song for the Singles soundtrack, Mark thought the Seattle grunge scene was already overblown, so that's what he wrote about.

Ian Anderson: "The delight in making music is that you don't have a formula"

Ian Anderson: "The delight in making music is that you don't have a formula"Songwriter Interviews

Ian talks about his 3 or 4 blatant attempts to write a pop song, and also the ones he most connected with, including "Locomotive Breath."

Michael Sweet of Stryper

Michael Sweet of StryperSongwriter Interviews

Find out how God and glam metal go together from the Stryper frontman.

Kim Thayil of Soundgarden

Kim Thayil of SoundgardenSongwriter Interviews

Their frontman (Chris Cornell) started out as their drummer, so Soundgarden takes a linear approach when it comes to songwriting. Kim explains how they do it.

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie Combination

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie CombinationSong Writing

In 1986, a Stephen King novella was made into a movie, with a classic song serving as title, soundtrack and tone.

Is That Song Public Domain?

Is That Song Public Domain?Fact or Fiction

Are classic songs like "Over The Rainbow" and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in the public domain?