Previously previewing the song on the platform in August 2021, the Los Angeles singer shared a transparency moment with her TikTok followers about how her not-so-great days make her feel.
The emphatic lyrics, “Do you ever get a little bit tired of life/Like you’re not really happy but you don’t wanna die,” resonate with creators who are tired of men’s go-to responses for women’s emotions, fed up with gendered double standards, and sick of being labeled as a “pick me” for enjoying sports. Em Beihold has also promoted the song to her 560K TikTok followers in some of the most creative ways – in addition to singing while spinning around in a hospital bed, she even shared a creator’s tattoo dedicated to the song!
“Numb Little Bug” continues to grow beyond TikTok. Between being featured on Spotify’s Global Viral 50, over 50M+ Spotify streams to date since its January release, cracking the Top 50 Billboard’s Hot 100 this week, and reaching over 742K+ views on the official music video released last week, Em Beihold’s true-to-life lyrics are proof positive that girl power will always thrive, even in our weakest moments.
What inspired “Numb Little Bug”?
Last year, I had a song called “Groundhog Day” that was going viral. All of sudden labels were calling and my life was changing pretty quickly in an exciting but overwhelming way. At the same time, however, I had just just started on anti-depressants that muted all the lows I was feeling, but the highs as well. I remember a specific car ride where I was telling my mom that my dreams were coming true but it didn’t feel like how I expected it to and I wasn’t necessarily much happier. Her response was that I was “ungrateful,” but that wasn’t true. I was extremely grateful, but numb. It was hard to find the words to describe to her how I felt, hence “Numb Little Bug.”
What is something you can’t live without?
Probably milk. I really love milk.
Any funny anecdotes from the time you were recording or writing this?
While I was recording the vocals for “Numb Little Bug,” my label/A&R head Mary Rahmani stopped by the session. We had a moment aside where I told her that I wanted to be a bug on the album cover. While she obliged me in the moment, she admitted to me later that she was nervous because she thought I wanted to dress up in a bee costume or something but was relieved to hear that I just wanted little bug wings tacked on and that’s it.
Why do you use TikTok?
I love using TikTok to test out songs. I write new things nearly everyday, and before I would just record little snippets in my voice memos app, but now I share most of them on TikTok and see what takes off. Frankly if “Numb Little Bug” hadn’t gotten as much of a response as it did, I’m not sure if I would’ve released it because it was one of many things I was working on.
How has TikTok helped your career?
TikTok has allowed me access to millions which I never would’ve had otherwise. I seriously don’t know how artists broke before TikTok! It seemed like an impossible puzzle. Needless to say, I’m very grateful the platform exists.
What’s your favorite thing to do besides music?
Fencing! I’ve been competing since I was 8 and was also part of UC San Diego’s NCAA Division 1 program during college. Fencing has always been a good escape for me because you’re so focused on strategy that sometimes you forget you’re actually working out in the process, and it’s good to force yourself to sweat. Those endorphins do wonders to your mental health!
How do you balance all your different aspects of your creative and everyday life?
I’m definitely still figuring it out. I’m trying to set better boundaries for myself because I do get very lost in trying to keep up content on TikTok and respond to as many comments/DMs as possible, but then all of a sudden hours have passed and I miss the sunlight. I think putting my phone down for a few hours everyday is a super necessary change I need to make pronto.
What’s a record or artist that shaped your creativity?
Regina Spektor has been (and continues to be) my greatest inspiration since I was 7 or 8. I remember being at a musical theater camp and hearing a girl cover her song “The Call” and I was hooked since then. Her chords are so cool and unpredictable and her lyrics are quirky and poetic. She’s in her own lane and I was always inspired by that.
Who is an artist or band you look up to today?
I’m obsessed with Ashe. From her impeccable vocal tone to her writing to her overall sunny vibe. I hope I get to meet her one day – she’s so cool.
What excites you the most about what you do?
Writing songs has always felt like my happy place. I literally don’t feel like I’m on earth when I’m writing – it’s just a therapeutic flow-state that’s incomparable to anything I’ve ever felt. The fact that I actually get to do this as a living is beyond me and I’m so grateful!
