Royal & The Serpent - Overwhelmed (lyrics) «2026 Update»

In interviews with Audacy , she explained that "Overwhelmed" blossomed during a recording session where she was actively trying to process sensations of sensory overload—bright lights and loud noises at shows were becoming too much to handle. Writing the song was "the best therapy," allowing her to transmute those terrifying fears into art. Lyrics Breakdown: What It Feels Like to Spiral

In June 2020, as the world felt like it was spinning out of control, alt-pop singer (Ryan Santiago) released a track that gave a voice to the internal chaos many were feeling. "Overwhelmed" isn't just a catchy alt-pop anthem; it’s a raw, visceral exploration of sensory overload and anxiety that struck a massive chord on platforms like TikTok . The Inspiration: Turning Panic into Art

For Santiago, the song was born from a place of necessity. She describes the period before its release as one of the "darkest times" of her life, where she felt separate from everything and struggled with intense social anxiety.

The song’s power lies in its unflinching honesty. Santiago uses personification and vivid imagery to describe the physical toll of a panic attack: Royal & the Serpent – overwhelmed Lyrics - Genius

When Your Mind Isn’t Yours: A Deep Dive into Royal & the Serpent’s “Overwhelmed”