AirplaneMode

"AirplaneMode" by BONES is a defiant anthem of isolation and self-preservation in the digital age. The central theme revolves around the artist's desire to disconnect from the outside world, which he perceives as fake, intrusive, and beneath him. The activation of "airplane mode" serves as the primary metaphor for this willed seclusion, a modern symbol for shutting out unwanted communication and external pressures. Lyrically, the song projects an image of untouchable confidence and menace. BONES crafts a persona of a king on his throne, complete with a moat, reinforcing his self-imposed sovereignty and the defensive barriers he has erected. The verses are filled with braggadocio about his readiness for conflict ("I keep a weapon") and his disdain for the superficiality he observes in others ("Hoes they be so obvious," "These motherfuckers never own shit"). This is not just about being left alone; it's a declaration of superiority and a rejection of a society with which he feels no connection. The song's mood is dark and confrontational, reflecting a deep-seated frustration and the need to maintain control over his own space and mental state.

The song opens with an immediate sense of dismissal and confrontation. The narrator declares "Fuck it," setting a tone of aggressive indifference. He speaks of having "shooters" and warns that he isn't bluffing, establishing a persona that is dangerous and not to be trifled with. This is followed by a critique of others' behavior, questioning why someone is "cuffin'" and pointing out the obvious, superficial actions of women around him. The imagery quickly shifts to a lifestyle of excess and self-destruction, describing a duffle bag full of drugs and smoking until the point of choking. This establishes a world of isolation fueled by illicit substances.

The central theme of power and untouchable status is built through grand, almost monarchal imagery. The narrator, calling himself "King BONES," visualizes building a moat around his throne, which is hand-crafted from gold. This isn't just a display of wealth, but a metaphor for the impenetrable fortress he has built around himself. Within this fortress, he is always prepared for conflict, keeping a weapon in his coat that he is ready to reveal if anyone dares to step to him. He issues a stark warning that challenging him will lead to dire consequences, poetically threatening to "take your lungs, watch your body deep freeze." This suggests a cold, ruthless capability to end a threat completely.

The song culminates in its core message, delivered through the chorus, which is a repeated refrain. The narrator expresses contempt for others who, in his view, "never own shit." This line can be interpreted both literally, in terms of material wealth and independence, and metaphorically, suggesting a lack of authenticity or self-ownership in others. In direct response to this world of fake, bothersome people, he activates his ultimate defense mechanism: "Airplane mode activated, don't call bitch." This is the song's central metaphor for complete and total disconnection. It's a modern declaration of solitude, using a familiar phone setting to signify a deliberate cutting-off of all incoming communication, ensuring his isolation remains absolute and his throne-room impenetrable.

"AirplaneMode" was released on November 29, 2019, as the fourth track on BONES' album IFeelLikeDirt. The song was written by Elmo O'Connor (BONES) and produced by Mathbonus. It was released under BONES' independent label, TeamSESH. While a notable track on the album upon release, "AirplaneMode" experienced a massive surge in popularity years later, in 2022. It went viral on TikTok, where it was used in over 380,000 video creations. This resurgence brought the song to a mainstream audience, even catching the attention of celebrities like Justin Bieber, who shared a video featuring the track. This viral success led to the creation of a long-awaited music video, which was released in March 2023, more than three years after the song's initial release. The video, directed by Darkwave, is a surreal and nightmarish depiction of a haunted flight, visually complementing the song's themes of anxiety and isolation.

"AirplaneMode" employs a relatively free verse structure within its verses, focusing more on rhythmic delivery and flow than a strict, formal rhyme scheme. However, it makes use of couplets and internal rhymes to maintain its momentum. For example, BONES rhymes "dope" with "choke" and "moat" with "gold" and "coat." The primary rhyming structure is found in the recurring chorus, which uses a perfect AABB rhyme in its couplet form ("shit"/"bitch"). The song's rhythm is dictated by its beat, which has a tempo of approximately 140 BPM. BONES' lyrical rhythm is laid-back but precise, flowing over the beat with a distinctive cadence that sometimes syncopates against the underlying pulse. The delivery is steady and almost hypnotic, drawing the listener into the song's isolated atmosphere. The interplay between his calm, yet menacing vocal rhythm and the sparse, haunting beat is crucial to creating the track's signature feeling of controlled, simmering aggression.

"AirplaneMode" is characteristic of BONES' signature style, blending several musical and literary techniques. Musically, the song is built on a minimal, lo-fi beat produced by Mathbonus, featuring a "creeping keyboard melody" that creates a dark, atmospheric, and slightly unsettling tone. The production is sparse, placing emphasis on the vocals. BONES' vocal delivery is a key stylistic element. He employs his well-known low, close-mic murmuring rap style, which creates an intimate yet menacing feel. There's a notable dynamic shift in his cadence around the 45-second mark, where his voice moves to a higher register, adding a layer of intensity. Lyrically, the song uses a direct, confrontational narrative voice. The repetition of the hook, "These motherfuckers never own shit / Airplane mode activated, don't call bitch," acts as a powerful, defiant mantra. The use of ad-libs and echoed words (e.g., "Fuck it (fuck it)") adds rhythmic texture and emphasizes the nonchalant yet aggressive attitude. The song's brevity, at only 1 minute and 15 seconds, is also a stylistic choice, delivering a potent and concentrated burst of energy and theme without any excess.

Initially released in 2019 on the album IFeelLikeDirt, "AirplaneMode" had a significant second wave of cultural impact years later. In 2022, the song went viral on TikTok, becoming a massive trend with over 380,000 video creations, catapulting the underground track into mainstream consciousness. This viral fame led to it becoming BONES' most-streamed song on Spotify, surpassing 130 million streams on that platform alone. Its popularity was boosted by a co-sign from Justin Bieber, who used the song in one of his social media posts. The song's success is a testament to the power of social media in resurrecting and amplifying catalog tracks. For BONES, an artist known for his prolific output and staunchly independent approach, the viral success of "AirplaneMode" introduced his unique sound to a new generation of listeners without him having to compromise his established aesthetic. The song's popularity also prompted the creation of a high-production music video in 2023, which was praised for its cinematic and nightmarish visuals.

• Airplane Mode: The song's central and most powerful metaphor is the act of putting a phone on "airplane mode." It symbolizes a complete and intentional disconnection from the outside world, shutting out all communication and external noise. It's a modern representation of creating a personal sanctuary, free from the intrusions and annoyances of others.
• Throne and Moat: BONES refers to himself as "King BONES" and mentions building a moat and sitting on a throne "hand-crafted outta gold." This imagery symbolizes his self-perception as a sovereign, untouchable figure in his own domain. The throne represents his status and power within the underground music scene, while the moat is a classic symbol of defense and impenetrability, reinforcing his desire to keep others at a distance.
• Deep Freeze: The line "Take your lungs, watch your body deep freeze" is a dark metaphor for utter destruction. It goes beyond a simple threat of violence, evoking a cold, clinical, and absolute end, highlighting the ruthless nature of his defensive persona.

The most significant recurring phrase in "AirplaneMode" is the hook: "These motherfuckers never own shit / Airplane mode activated, don't call bitch." This two-line refrain is repeated multiple times and functions as the song's central thesis. Its repetition drills the core themes of disdain for others' lack of authenticity ("never own shit") and the ultimate solution of complete isolation ("airplane mode activated") into the listener's mind. It's not just a chorus but a defiant mantra. Another recurring element is the ad-lib style repetition of the last word of a line, such as "duckin' (now you duckin')" or "dope (full of dope)," which serves to add emphasis and a percussive, rhythmic layer to the vocals, enhancing the song's hypnotic and slightly disorienting feel.