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"Sympathy Is a Knife" is a song by the English singer Charli XCX. It was released on 7 June 2024 through Atlantic Records as the third track from her sixth studio album, Brat. Written and produced by Charli XCX herself and long-time collaborator Finn Keane, better known as Easyfun, the former bares her thoughts on a woman that evokes feelings of "doubt and insecurity" in herself on the song.

Upon release, the song peaked at 56 on the UK Singles Chart, as well as the top 10 on the US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart. Later on, it debuted at number 18 on the New Zealand singles chart. Charli XCX included the song the setlist of her Sweat tour and performed it on Saturday Night Live on 16 November 2024.

Background

Upon the release of Charli XCX's sixth studio album Brat, fans speculated that "Sympathy Is a Knife" was written about the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and her ex-boyfriend, Matty Healy of the 1975. During 2018, Charli XCX was an opening act for Swift's Reputation Stadium Tour, as well as appeared in the 1989 World Tour (2015). Though there had been no public feud between Charli XCX and Swift prior to the song's release, fans thought that the mention of Charli XCX's fiancé George Daniel, also of the 1975, meant it was written about Swift's relationship with Healy. Despite the speculation, Charli XCX confirmed that there were no "diss tracks" on Brat. The week following Brat's release, Swift released a reissue of her album The Tortured Poets Department (2024), only available in the United Kingdom, which fans thought was an intentional effort to block Brat from reaching number one on the UK Albums Chart.

Composition and lyrics

"Sympathy Is a Knife" is two minutes and 31 seconds long. Its energetic production is dominated by synthesizers and hand claps. Charli XCX's vocals are vocoded, and the stuttering beat is paired alongside distorted bass and drum machines. The track features a "raw" sound, one that was compared to the work of Camila Cabello by PopMatters's Nick Malone. For Dork, Abigail Firth called the synthesizers "jolting" and described the track as a "heavier, more arresting 'Gone' ". Meaghan Garvey from Pitchfork said that the "buzzsaw synths and modulated banshee howls sound most like the Charli we've known". The Skinny writer Rho Chung called the track a "shockingly honest banger". Ryan Bulbeck, writing for Renowned for Sound, said the track has "deeper lyrics that dive into Charli's fears and concerns", and believed the track is "one of many on to meld club bangers with reflective and at times incredibly personal lyricism". According to Jake Viswanath of Bustle, it was seen as a representation of one of the central themes of its parent album, as it deals with the singer's "complicated emotions about other women".

The lyrics of "Sympathy Is a Knife" reference paranoia and comparing herself to somebody else; presumably Swift. It is an introspective track that comments on Charli XCX's insecurities and suicidal ideation. It also reflects on her conflicted feelings and having a "voice in her head telling her she's not enough". The lyric "Don't wanna see her backstage at my boyfriend's show / fingers crossed behind my back / I hope they break up quick" was interpreted as being about Swift and Healy's relationship. Though, Charli XCX praises the song's character, singing, " 'Cause I couldn't even be her if I tried / I'm opposite, I'm on the other side". Dakota West Foss from Sputnikmusic believed that the song's character "suspiciously matches Taylor Swift's description". Paste's Eric Bennett thought that the song's lyrics are darker compared to other songs from the album.

Commercial performance

"Sympathy Is a Knife" peaked at number 56 on the UK Singles Chart. The track charted for two weeks. It peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs. On the Billboard auxiliary Dance/Electronic Songs chart, it peaked at number seven. The remix version with Ariana Grande peaked at number seven on the UK Singles Chart and charted for nine weeks.

Ariana Grande remix

Charli XCX announced the remix album of Brat, titled Brat and It's Completely Different but Also Still Brat, on 12 September 2024. On 6 October, XCX revealed lyrics of the "Sympathy Is a Knife" remix on her social media, both of which featured links to pre-order the album. Grande shared the lyrics via her Instagram story, hinting at a collaboration. In an interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music, XCX opened up about her relationship with Grande and how the rollout of Brat changed her as a person. The remix with Grande in particular made her realise that one is "only really knowledgeable about own position", a feeling she thought was more known by Grande than herself.

As opposed to the original version, the remix with Grande deals with a certain part of being in the spotlight and especially takes in the themes of public perception and scrutiny. Carson Mlnarik of Nylon described the remix as "more confident, albeit exasperated, perspective" than the original. Over a "synth-y, glitchier, and handclap-driven" instrumental, the artists exchange verses about rumours and how they refuse to address them, a stance that was compared to Grande's "Yes, And?", released earlier in 2024.

Charts

Certifications

References

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• 2024 songs
• Ariana Grande songs
• Charli XCX songs
• Songs written by Ariana Grande
• Songs written by Charli XCX
• Songs written by Easyfun
• Songs recordings produced by Easyfun