"You're in Love with a Psycho" is a song by alternative rock band Kasabian. It was released on 17 March 2017 as the first single from their sixth studio album, For Crying Out Loud. The single peaked at number 62 on the UK Singles Chart in 2017, the first time a lead single from a Kasabian album has failed to reach the top 40 in the country. The song received Gold certification by the BPI for chart sales exceeding 400,000 units in the UK on 8 November 2019. The song and music video were heavily criticised in the UK media by mental health advocates and charities for being damaging and reinforcing stereotypes, with some calling it "Unhelpful, damaging and disappointing". The single was nominated for and won best song of 2017 at the Q Awards 2017.
Release and recording
The song received its first radio airplay on 17 March 2017, having leaked the day before. The song was also released on 17 March 2017 as a digital download, CD Single, 10" Vinyl and made available on most streaming services. The single reached number 62 in the UK Singles Chart spending 5 weeks on the top 100 and reached number 24 on the Scottish Singles Chart. Kasabian guitarist and songwriter Serge Pizzorno explained to The Independent whilst talking about the track: "The story of that song is a man or a woman who has visions of being the prodigal son, thinking he's friends with Axel Foley… having an argument outside an off-licence and reciting Bukowski to win back the person they love."
Critical reception
The song received mixed to positive reviews from critics upon release. Will Hankey from The Edge gave the song 3/5 stars, stating that "he track starts very well, opening with a Krautrock-like surge forward that soon anchors into Kasabian’s familiar territory of live hip-hop beats". But, "hile this is amiable and still an enjoyable listen, the song still never really goes anywhere." The 411 mania gave the song 6.5/10 in a review by David Hayter. "The guitars provide more of a wash than an assault and Tom’s vocals are gentle and endearing, contrasting the severity of the lyric sheet.... The music, on this occasion, is faultless ; the lyrics vary from clunky to outright atrocious." The single was nominated and won best song of 2017 at the Q Awards 2017.
Music video
The music video for the single was released on 30 March 2017 and was directed by W.I.Z.. The video features Noel Fielding and Stephen Graham as well as crew members of the band and Bhangra dance group Four by Four. They play the role of inmates of "West Pauper Lunatic Asylum", a nod to the band's third album. The inmates have become infatuated with the Asylum nurse, dancing and serenading her to what appears to be no avail. At the end of the video we are shown that she is in fact in love with the inmate played by Stephen Graham. As of January 2018 the music video has been viewed over 6.6 million times on the band's Vevo account on YouTube.
Controversy
Cal Strode, Senior Media Officer at the Mental Health Foundation, criticised the video, arguing, "The video shows a lack of imagination and inspired creative input, falling back on outdated and damaging stereotypes to grab people’s attention.... We’ve come a long way in terms of public attitudes towards mental health and reducing stigma, but when people pose as psychiatric inpatients as props for a music video, it reminds us there’s still a long way to go." Sue Baker OBE, director of the Time To Change mental health charity said of the video, "As so many musicians have recently talked openly about their experiences of mental health problems it is disappointing to see this video. The use of the word 'Psycho' in a song and accompanying music video featuring people pretending to be psychiatric inpatients is unhelpful, damaging and disappointing when society is moving on from this sad and tired stereotype. We are sure the insult and harm was unintentional, or misjudged irony, but we are raising it as we know it will only serve to fuel stigma."
