At the end of 2016, Hayley celebrated the release of her major-label debut EP CITRINE, which included pop confections "Pretty Girl" and "Palace", by launching her nationwide "One Bad Night Tour". The completely sold-out headline tour saw Hayley performing her new music for her passionate and devoted fans in cities throughout the US. According to Baeble, Hayley "managed to turn a sold out Studio at Webster Hall into an intimate dance party for everyone to feel free in a safe zone."
Following singles including "Sleepover", "Feelings", and "Curious" have been released to accompany her debut studio album Expectations, which was released on March 30, 2018. The album reached the top 20 of the charts in United States, Canada and Australia. She has also created a comic book, with the help of Naomi Franquiz and Marla Vazquez, based on her song "Gravel to Tempo".
Kiyoko was a founding member of The Stunners in 2007. The group supported Justin Bieber's My World Tour, before disbanding in 2011.
Kiyoko was born to figure skater/choreographer Sarah Kawahara and actor/comedian Jamie Alcroft. Her mother is from Canada and her father is from Ohio, USA.
What I Need
Hayley Kiyoko Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Running me around got me frustrated
No, that's why I been laying low
If you wanna make it work, baby, gotta say it
Need a little more than participation
Oh, I could go be on my own
Sure I would kiss you, I lay you with you
I won't, no, won't diss you
But babe, yeah, might miss you
If you're cold and needed shelter
I'd hold you, but not sweat ya
I know we're not together
But babe, I won't forget ya
What I need, what I need, what I need
Is for you to be sure, no no no
For you to be sure, no no no
For you to be sure, no no no
What I need, what I need, what I need
Is to tell me that it's yours, no no no
And who you do it for, no no no
Need you to be sure, no no no
No, no
Need you to be sure
Need you to be sure
When we're all alone, girl, you wanna own it
When we're with your fam, you don't wanna show it
Oh, you're tryna keep us on the low
I only want a girl who ain't afraid to love me
Not a metaphor of what we really could be
Oh, I ain't putting on a show
Sure I would kiss you, I lay you with you
You broke, no, I can't fix you
I won't, no, won't diss you
But babe, yeah, might miss you
If you're cold and needed shelter
I'd hold you, but not sweat ya
I know we're not together
But babe, I won't forget ya
What I need, what I need, what I need
Is for you to be sure, no no no
For you to be sure, no no no
For you to be sure, no no no
What I need, what I need, what I need
Is to tell me that it's yours, no no no
And who you do it for, no no no
Need you to be sure, no no no
No, no
Need you to be sure
Need you to be sure
Need you to be sure
Need you to be sure
We could be bigger and brighter than space
Ain't no running away
No, real loving is sure
The way that I love, there's no taking my place
Starin' you right in your face
No, don't look away no more
Sure I would kiss you, I lay you with you
You broke, no, I can't fix you
I won't, no, won't diss you
But babe, yeah, I might miss you
If you're cold and needed shelter
I'd hold you, but not sweat ya
I know we're not together
But babe, I won't forget ya
What I need, what I need, what I need
Is for you to be sure, no no no
For you to be sure, no no no
For you to be sure, no no no
What I need, what I need, what I need
Is to tell me that it's yours, no no no
And who you do it for, no no no
Need you to be sure, no no no
No, no
Need you to be sure
Need you to be sure
Need you to be sure
Need you to be sure
In Hayley Kiyoko's song "What I Need," she sings about the complications and frustrations she's experiencing with her partner. She's tired of the back and forth and wants her partner to take some ownership in their relationship. She wishes for her partner to be sure of their feelings for her and to be open about them, whether they're alone or in the company of others. She's not interested in a relationship that's just a metaphor for what they could be but wants something real and worth holding onto. Throughout the song, Hayley affirms that she won't forget her partner, but she needs more from them if they want their relationship to work.
Line by Line Meaning
All the back and forth getting complicated
I'm tired of playing games and going through constant ups and downs in our relationship.
Running me around got me frustrated
Your indecisiveness and mixed signals are making me feel frustrated and confused.
No, that's why I been laying low
I've been distancing myself from you because I need clarity and stability in our relationship.
If you wanna make it work, baby, gotta say it
For us to have a healthy relationship, you need to communicate your true feelings and intentions clearly.
Need a little more than participation
I need more than just your physical presence, I need your emotional commitment and involvement in our relationship.
Oh, I could go be on my own
If you're not willing to fully invest in our relationship, I'm strong enough to go my own way.
Sure I would kiss you, I lay you with you
I'm still attracted to you and enjoy physical intimacy with you.
You broke, no, I can't fix you
I realize that I can't save you from your own problems and issues, you need to work on them yourself.
I won't, no, won't diss you
I won't disrespect you or hurt you intentionally, even if we're not together.
But babe, yeah, might miss you
I still have feelings for you and may miss you if you're not around.
If you're cold and needed shelter
If you ever need help or support, I'll be there for you.
I'd hold you, but not sweat ya
I'll comfort you and be there for you, but won't suffocate you or make you feel trapped.
I know we're not together
We may not be in a committed relationship right now, but that doesn't mean I don't care about you.
But babe, I won't forget ya
You're important to me and I won't forget our time together, even if we're not together anymore.
What I need, what I need, what I need
I have certain expectations and needs in a relationship.
Is for you to be sure, no no no
I need you to be clear and sure about your feelings and intentions towards me.
And who you do it for, no no no
I need to know if you're committed to me and our relationship, or if you're just going through the motions.
When we're all alone, girl, you wanna own it
You're affectionate and loving towards me when we're alone together.
When we're with your fam, you don't wanna show it
You're hesitant to show affection towards me in front of your family or in public.
Oh, you're tryna keep us on the low
You're trying to keep our relationship a secret or hidden from others.
I only want a girl who ain't afraid to love me
I want someone who is not afraid of being in a committed and loving relationship with me.
Not a metaphor of what we really could be
I'm not interested in a hypothetical or imagined version of our relationship, I want something real and tangible.
Oh, I ain't putting on a show
I'm not interested in pretending or playing games in our relationship, I want authenticity and honesty.
We could be bigger and brighter than space
Our love and connection could be powerful and limitless, like the vast expanse of space.
Ain't no running away
We shouldn't give up on our relationship and run away from our problems.
No, real loving is sure
True love requires stability, commitment, and honesty.
The way that I love, there's no taking my place
My love is unique and irreplaceable, no one can love you the way I do.
Starin' you right in your face
I'm being honest and straightforward with you, without any hidden intentions or motives.
No, don't look away no more
It's time to face our problems and work towards a healthy and loving relationship.
Need you to be sure
I need you to be clear and honest with me about your feelings and intentions towards me and our relationship.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kehlani Ashley Parrish, Hayley Kiyoko, Brandon Skeie, Jono Dorr
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@phos4us
I'm confused why people get so angry about their child being LGBTQ. I understand confusion at first. Times are changing at least though. If my future children are LGBTQ, I will accept it right away and be proud. I don't care if my grandchildren are adopted, it fixes a problem instead of creating one (parenting joke).
@kendralamar972
it was her aunt
@apexyl5135
Phos4us you’ll make a good parent if you’re letting your kids be who they are. Raising them to be confident, helping them accept who they are, many parents overlook that.
@apexyl5135
Kendra Galindo relatives should be more accepting too, either way a kid’s caretaker should always accept them
@kaceywillamson9606
Phos4us I haven’t came out n am scared to
@amberf2110
Phos4us honestly same, I agree 100%.👏🏽
@simply.me.
"Can I be me? Can I be me? I'm my own fucking person"
It hits me harder everytime.
@kathrinemaarifa3208
Riiighhtt
@azanhoorain390
By
@trappuppy6452
Every. Fucking. Time.