The song was produced by Malone himself, Andrew Watt, and Louis Bell, and the three wrote it alongside Billy Walsh.

In an early 2022 interview with Billboard ahead of the release of his fourth studio album, Twelve Carat Toothache (2022), Malone expressed plans to rebuild his artistic vision, even if that meant to compromise commercial success.

Despite the upbeat vibe of the chorus, the lyrical content was viewed as "on-brand" for Malone,[7] as he opens up about his inability to let go of a seemingly toxic relationship,[6] akin to an addiction.

[8] The accompanying official music video for "Chemical", directed by Alfred Marroquin, was released on April 14, 2023.

[9] It sees Malone in different locations, including him smoking in a car like he says in the song as well as him dancing in front of a beach, desert, lightning, and cloud backdrop.