.Flay was born Kristine Meredith Flaherty in Wilmette, Illinois, on June 30, 1985. She attended nearby New Trier High School. When she was seven, her parents divorced and her mother remarried soon after, bringing in a stepbrother and a stepsister. When she was 14 years old, her biological father—a guitarist who loved all musical genres—died of undisclosed causes related to his alcoholism; many of her songs include references to him. Flaherty's stepfather helped raise her and later adopted her. She has described herself as a tomboy during childhood, preferring baggier clothing and rejecting "all things girly". In 2003, she enrolled at Stanford University, pursuing a double major in psychology and sociology. According to Flaherty, many people she met during her time at Stanford influenced her musical style.
K.Flay began her music career in 2003, believing that most hip-hop hits on the radio were "simplistic, misogynistic and formulaic". After bragging to a friend that she could write similar songs, she wrote "Blingity Blang Blang", which she described as a "low-budget rap parody that contained far too many obscenities". After writing and performing the song, Flaherty realized that she enjoyed writing and recording music. She continued to experiment with music by writing songs and performing and recording them on her computer. She released a mixtape called Suburban Rap Queen in 2005, which she produced on her laptop, and began performing.
In 2010, K.Flay released her self-titled EP, and in 2011 self-released the mixtape I Stopped Caring in '96, which she later remarked was a career turning point. K.Flay signed with RCA Records in 2012, releasing two EPs: Eyes Shut in 2012, with songs produced by Liam Howlett from the British band The Prodigy, and What If It Is in 2013. She parted ways with RCA Records in 2013 because of differences of opinion. Upon leaving RCA Records, she left behind more than 60 songs she had written while signed under RCA Records, but no longer owned the rights to. K.Flay has described her time with RCA Records as similar to "an ill-advised marriage".
In late April 2014, K.Flay announced the release of her album Life as a Dog, by offering fans the ability to pre-order via PledgeMusic, reaching 196 percent of her initial goal. She wanted the project to be "DIY [and] self-motivated". It was recorded and produced in New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, with the final mix produced at San Francisco's Different Fur.
Life as a Dog was released independently on June 10, 2014. The album reached No. 14 on the Billboard Rap Albums chart and No. 2 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart. K.Flay toured extensively once the album was released, including headlining a tour and joining tours with AWOLNATION, Third Eye Blind, and Dashboard Confessional in 2014. In 2014 and 2015 she toured Germany, France, and other European countries. K.Flay also performed on the Warped Tour in 2014, saying that it "was almost like an exercise in becoming a better performer".
In 2015, K.Flay collaborated with Louis the Child on their song "It's Strange". The single was praised by Taylor Swift, who added "It's Strange" as one of her "Songs That Will Make Life Awesome" list and was featured on the FIFA 16 soundtrack. The song peaked at number 38 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart. On March 25, 2016, K.Flay released her single "FML". Later that year, K.Flay announced she had signed to Interscope Records as the first artist signed to Dan Reynolds' Night Street Records imprint. Her EP Crush Me was released 10 days later on August 19. The EP's song "Blood in the Cut" appeared on the soundtrack for XXX: Return of Xander Cage, Netflix's original series BoJack Horseman (season 4, episode 6), and in a 2017 NFL promo commercial drive.
K.Flay's album Every Where Is Some Where was released on April 7, 2017. The album's first single, "High Enough", was released in March 2017. She was the opening act for the North American and European legs of Imagine Dragons' Evolve Tour. In September 2017, Flay released the book Crush Me, a compilation of notes received from fans. At the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, "Blood in the Cut" received a nomination for Best Rock Song, and Every Where Is Some Where was nominated for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical.
On March 1, 2019, K.Flay announced that she was working on her third studio album and released a lyric video for its first single, "Bad Vibes". On March 19, the official music video for "Bad Vibes" was released.[35] On April 29, K.Flay revealed that the new album would be titled Solutions and announced the Solutions Tour. The album was released on July 12, 2019.
In December 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, K.Flay released a three-track EP called Don't Judge a Song by Its Cover which saw her covering "Break Stuff" by Limp Bizkit, "Self Esteem" by The Offspring, and "Brain Stew" by Green Day.
In April 2021, K.Flay announced that a five-track EP called Inside Voices would be released on June 11. The first song from the EP, "Four Letter Words", was released with a music video on April 23. The second song, "TGIF" featuring Tom Morello on guitar, was released with an animated visual on May 21.
In early 2021, K.Flay began live streaming on Twitch; she uses the platform to interact with fans, host live interviews with other musicians, and create and mix original songs in real-time. She also performed at the 2021 Grey Cup halftime show with Arkells and The Lumineers.'' On November 19, 2021, K.Flay released a second five-track EP entitled Outside Voices. The EP's first single, "Nothing Can Kill Us", was released on October 15, 2021; its accompanying music video was released on November 4. A second single, "Weirdo", was released on November 17, two days before the release of the EP. On February 4, 2022, K.Flay's fourth studio album Inside Voices / Outside Voices, was released. The album combines the Inside Voices and Outside Voices EPs along with two additional tracks, "The Muck", and "Good To Drive"
K.Flay has cited a wide range of musicians such as Royal Blood, Missy Elliott, Garbage, Lauryn Hill, Tame Impala, Jeremih, Metric, M.I.A., OutKast, Liz Phair, Cat Power, and Shlohmo as influences. Her work has covered genres including hip-hop, alternative hip-hop, indie, and pop-rock. She has described her sound as "genre-defying" and draws from lo-fi pop and hip-hop with a strong indie component in her sound.
Hollywood Forever
K.Flay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm frightened of sex
Despising my image
I'm enlightened and slightly obsessed
In the dark everything it looks better, whoa
Hollywood forever, Hollywood forever
In the dark everything it feels better, whoa
I'm scared I'm a loser
Aware of my face
My father was a user
And I'm afraid I'm just the same
I used to be so confident
So sober and awake, I never thought to act
Devoted and ashamed, wanted to call my ex
To hear him say my name over the phone to me
In the dark everything it looks better, whoa
Hollywood forever, Hollywood forever
In the dark everything it feels better, whoa
Hollywood forever, Hollywood forever
In a house on a cliff on the coast
Well I prayed to my god with a toast
Said a cheers to the reasons I've been at it all evening
All I wanted was to never get old
On a bed in a room with a key
I was reading a rag magazine
Said a cheers to the demons who've been with me all evening
All I wanted was to never be seen
In the dark everything it looks better, whoa
Hollywood forever, Hollywood forever
In the dark I'm alive, I'm a legend, whoa
Hollywood forever, Hollywood forever
In the dark everything it looks better, whoa
Hollywood forever, Hollywood forever
The lyrics to K.Flay's song Hollywood Forever delve into the insecurities and anxieties of modern-day Hollywood culture. The first verse portrays a lack of self-confidence and fear of being judged. The line "I'm frightened of sex/Despising my image" suggests that the pressures of the entertainment industry can lead to a distorted self-image and self-doubt, even when it comes to one's sexuality. The following line, "I'm enlightened and slightly obsessed," could be interpreted as the singer recognizing the unrealistic standards of Hollywood and attempting to rise above them.
The chorus, "In the dark everything it looks better/Hollywood forever, Hollywood forever/In the dark everything it feels better/Hollywood forever, Hollywood forever," reflects on the glamorous image Hollywood portrays, which may be false or exaggerated. The "dark" represents the unspoken truth and the "forever" suggests the perpetuity of this deception.
The second verse touches on the fear of inheriting negative traits from one's parents, which is a common anxiety for many people. The singer recognizes her own flaws and is struggling to accept them. The lines, "Devoted and ashamed, wanted to call my ex/To hear him say my name over the phone to me," reveal a desire for acceptance and validation from an ex-partner, further illustrating the singer's insecurity.
The final verse discusses the dread of growing older and being forgotten. The line, "All I wanted was to never get old," speaks to the eternal youth and beauty that Hollywood demands, while "Said a cheers to the demons who've been with me all evening/All I wanted was to never be seen," suggests the singer's disillusionment with the entertainment industry and a desire for privacy.
Overall, K.Flay's Hollywood Forever is a commentary on the façade of the entertainment industry, the pressures on individuals to conform to unrealistic standards, and the toll it takes on one's mental health and self-worth.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm hiding from mirrors
I'm avoiding mirrors because I don't like what I see.
I'm frightened of sex
I'm scared of having sex.
Despising my image
I hate the way I look.
I'm enlightened and slightly obsessed
I feel like I've gained some knowledge and I can't stop thinking about it.
In the dark everything it looks better, whoa
I feel a lot better when it's dark and I can't see clearly.
Hollywood forever, Hollywood forever
Hollywood is a place of immortality and people strive to be remembered there.
I'm scared I'm a loser
I'm afraid I'm not successful or cool.
Aware of my face
I know what my face looks like and I don't like it.
My father was a user
My dad had a substance abuse problem.
And I'm afraid I'm just the same
I'm scared that I'll end up like my dad.
I used to be so confident
I used to feel really good about myself.
So sober and awake, I never thought to act
I was really clear-headed and I never considered doing things I'd regret.
Devoted and ashamed, wanted to call my ex
I was committed to my ex but also regretful about something.
To hear him say my name over the phone to me
I wanted to hear my ex say my name to me on the phone.
In a house on a cliff on the coast
I was in a house on the edge of the water.
Well I prayed to my god with a toast
I made a toast to my god.
Said a cheers to the reasons I've been at it all evening
I made a toast to why I've been doing what I'm doing all evening.
All I wanted was to never get old
I don't want to age.
On a bed in a room with a key
I was on a bed in a locked room.
I was reading a rag magazine
I was reading a low-quality magazine.
Said a cheers to the demons who've been with me all evening
I made a toast to the negative forces that have been with me all evening.
All I wanted was to never be seen
I don't want to be noticed or recognized.
In the dark I'm alive, I'm a legend, whoa
I feel more alive and important when it's dark.
In the dark everything it looks better, whoa
I feel a lot better when it's dark and I can't see clearly.
Hollywood forever, Hollywood forever
Hollywood is a place of immortality and people strive to be remembered there.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KRISTINE FLAHERTY, JUSTIN THOMAS DALY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Enzo Echenique
I’m hiding from mirrors
I’m frightened of sex
Despising my image
I’m enlightened and slightly obsessed
In the dark everything it looks better, whoa
Hollywood forever
In the dark everything it feels better, whoa
Hollywood forever
I’m scared I’m a loser
Aware of my face
My father was a user
And I’m afraid I’m just the same
I used to be so confident
So sober and awake
I never thought to act
Devoted and ashamed
Wanted to call my ex
To hear him say my name
Over the phone to me
In the dark everything it looks better, whoa
Hollywood forever
In the dark everything it feels better, whoa
Hollywood forever
In a house on a cliff on the coast
Well I prayed to my god with a toast
Said a cheers to the reasons I’ve been at it all evening
All I wanted was to never get old
On a bed in a room with a key
I was reading a rag magazine
Said a cheers to the demons who’ve been with me all evening
All I wanted was to never be seen
In the dark everything it looks better, whoa
Hollywood forever
In the dark I’m alive, I’m a legend, whoa
Hollywood forever
In the dark everything it looks better, whoa
Hollywood forever
Slyger
Lyrics
I’m hiding from mirrors
I’m frightened of sex
Despising my image
I’m enlightened and slightly obsessed
In the dark everything it looks better, whoa
Hollywood forever, Hollywood forever
In the dark everything it feels better, whoa
Hollywood forever, Hollywood forever
I’m scared I’m a loser
Aware of my face
My father was a user
And I’m afraid I’m just the same
I used to be so confident
So sober and awake, I never thought to act
Devoted and ashamed, wanted to call my ex
To hear him say my name over the phone to me
In the dark everything it looks better, whoa
Hollywood forever, Hollywood forever
In the dark everything it feels better, whoa
Hollywood forever, Hollywood forever
In a house on a cliff on the coast
Well I prayed to my god with a toast
Said a cheers to the reasons I’ve been at it all evening
All I wanted was to never get old
On a bed in a room with a key
I was reading a rag magazine
Said a cheers to the demons who’ve been with me all evening
All I wanted was to never be seen
In the dark everything it looks better, whoa
Hollywood forever, Hollywood forever
In the dark I’m alive, I’m a legend, whoa
Hollywood forever, Hollywood forever
In the dark everything it looks better, whoa
Hollywood forever, Hollywood forever
Nah Dal Moro
Lyrics?
I’m hiding from mirrors
I’m frightened of sex
Despising my image
I’m enlightened and slightly obsessed
In the dark everything it looks better, whoa
Hollywood forever
In the dark everything it feels better, whoa
Hollywood forever
I’m scared I’m a loser
Aware of my face
My father was a user
And I’m afraid I’m just the same
I used to be so confident
So sober and awake
I never thought to act
Devoted and ashamed
Wanted to call my ex
To hear him say my name
Over the phone to me
In the dark everything it looks better, whoa
Hollywood forever
In the dark everything it feels better, whoa
Hollywood forever
In a house on a cliff on the coast
Well I prayed to my god with a toast
Said a cheers to the reasons I’ve been at it all evening
All I wanted was to never get old
On a bed in a room with a key
I was reading a rag magazine
Said a cheers to the demons who’ve been with me all evening
All I wanted was to never be seen
In the dark everything it looks better, whoa
Hollywood forever
In the dark I’m alive, I’m a legend, whoa
Hollywood forever
In the dark everything it looks better, whoa
Hollywood forever
Sheila Catalon
lyrics
I'm hiding from mirrors
I'm frightened of sex
Despising my image
I'm enlightened and slightly obsessed
In the dark everything it looks better, whoa
Hollywood forever, Hollywood forever
In the dark everything it feels better, whoa
Hollywood forever, Hollywood forever
I'm scared I'm a loser
Aware of my face
My father was a user
And I'm afraid I'm just the same
I used to be so confident
So sober and awake
I never thought to act
Devoted and ashamed
Wanted to call my ex
To hear him say my name
Over the phone to me
In the dark everything it looks better, whoa
Hollywood forever, Hollywood forever
In the dark everything it feels better, whoa
Hollywood forever, Hollywood forever
In a house on a cliff on the coast
Well I prayed to my god with a toast
Said a cheers to the reasons I've been at it all evening
All I wanted was to never get old
On a bed in a room with a key
I was reading a rag magazine
Said a cheers to the demons who've been with me all evening
All I wanted was to never be seen
In the dark everything it looks better, whoa
Hollywood forever, Hollywood forever
In the dark I'm alive, I'm a legend, whoa
Hollywood forever, Hollywood forever
In the dark everything it looks better, whoa
Hollywood forever, Hollywood forever
Misery_Whispers💀
Aries: Broken hearts and bloodstained fingers, your voice reminds me of a lively melody. A warriors heart with a delicate soul, an unlikely combination you put together so well. You have it hard, don’t you? Yet you get up with only the skin at your knees scraped and dripping red.
Taurus: The reminiscence of a rose - the single flower that’s so impossible to hate, delicate and pretty, even when it stops blooming. Your voice could calm even the most chaotic oceans, always soothing with soft notes of comfort. Even your eyes could mesmerise the most soulless creature; your sweet face leaves me dreaming in heartache.
Gemini: Your eyes twinkle with mischief, what are you thinking about? That’s what I always wonder, the curve of your mouth always makes me suspect. I love your mind, I think that’s my favourite thing of yours, you tell me so much I cannot help but wonder the things you leave unsaid.
Cancer: Lovely eyes filled with unspilled tears, how can you be so wonderful? I’ve always said that, people who can feel so much have the capacity to be the kindest. How have you not broken yet? I think I can admire that. Sensitive, emotional, I dream of you. Your heart reminds me of an endless sea, so much you leave undiscovered.
Leo: It’s enamouring, how full of life you are - your soul could rival the sun, it’s as if you shimmer with the promise of eternal bliss. Perhaps that’s why you so easily win the hearts of all; so golden and glamorous. I’ve always said your gaze held the most wonderful of stars, even now I can still count them; youthful and shining. I think it might be impossible to ever fully hate you, your warmth is far too compelling.
Virgo: I find it odd that you can’t see your beauty, it’s always been so obvious to me. Why must you be so harsh to yourself? Especially when you’re so obviously perfect. I think it’s your innocence that draws me in most, always so pure and lovely; like the sweetest rose. I wish I could win your heart, but I know I’m undeserving. Yet there’s a gentleness in you I can’t help but have.
Libra: Ah, Aphrodite’s purest creation - how could you not adore such a thing? There’s a sweet nostalgia of love about you that makes my heart ache; as if I miss a love I never had. I think your nativity is what makes you so pure amongst the rest of us. There’s an underlying softness to everything you do.
Scorpio: I don’t think there are enough words to describe you, your depths are unfathomable. I think here lies the true meaning of profound. There’s a frustrating beauty in you I can’t seem to point out, perhaps it’s because it’s so buried. You are kind, so very kind, I don’t understand where people see your darkness. Or perhaps I do. I think it’s in your eyes, how dark they seem even when you smile. They’re the eyes of someone who has seen tragedies, yet you arose from them with a certain light and grace that can’t help but seem lovely.
Sagittarius: An adventurer, a wandering soul always searching for its next quest - you’ve danced with the sun and conversed with the stars. The universe knows you better than you know yourself. You are wild and brimming with the promises of life, so much too see, so much to learn! There is truly nothing more lovely than the life of one who experiences, I see the whole world when I’m with you.
Capricorn: Cold eyes and shy smiles, I know you’re gentler than you believe. Your stars are least private in December, perhaps that’s why it’s my favourite month. I admire your patience the most, it brings peace to my fiery spirit. It’s funny, how unemotional you portray yourself - your soul warming smile contradicts that in every way, it’s unexpected yet not at all surprising.
Aquarius: The ruler of rebellion, invention and revolution - it’s as if you shake the world awake. Your mind is the strangest place I love to be in, show me all your thoughts; especially the ones you’d never think of sharing. A lover and a loner, detached yet still connected, you always leave me wondering.
Pisces: The moon tells me tales of your heart every month when she’s full and shining, I wonder how it hasn’t burst yet. She tells me there’s a beautiful idealism to you, I don’t think there’s a single dream you haven’t dreamt. I think it’s beautiful, how such a pure soul can exist. My heart aches when I hear the stars whisper soft words of comfort you every night you disappear into yourself; licking wounds and drowning in sorrows - your sensitivity is what’s most raw. I hope one day you can find your heart.
Enzo Echenique
I’m hiding from mirrors
I’m frightened of sex
Despising my image
I’m enlightened and slightly obsessed
In the dark everything it looks better, whoa
Hollywood forever
In the dark everything it feels better, whoa
Hollywood forever
I’m scared I’m a loser
Aware of my face
My father was a user
And I’m afraid I’m just the same
I used to be so confident
So sober and awake
I never thought to act
Devoted and ashamed
Wanted to call my ex
To hear him say my name
Over the phone to me
In the dark everything it looks better, whoa
Hollywood forever
In the dark everything it feels better, whoa
Hollywood forever
In a house on a cliff on the coast
Well I prayed to my god with a toast
Said a cheers to the reasons I’ve been at it all evening
All I wanted was to never get old
On a bed in a room with a key
I was reading a rag magazine
Said a cheers to the demons who’ve been with me all evening
All I wanted was to never be seen
In the dark everything it looks better, whoa
Hollywood forever
In the dark I’m alive, I’m a legend, whoa
Hollywood forever
In the dark everything it looks better, whoa
Hollywood forever
Pi Guy
my pops was a fiend in 16 shooting that "dats dat shit" in his bloodstream
Slyger
Lyrics
I’m hiding from mirrors
I’m frightened of sex
Despising my image
I’m enlightened and slightly obsessed
In the dark everything it looks better, whoa
Hollywood forever, Hollywood forever
In the dark everything it feels better, whoa
Hollywood forever, Hollywood forever
I’m scared I’m a loser
Aware of my face
My father was a user
And I’m afraid I’m just the same
I used to be so confident
So sober and awake, I never thought to act
Devoted and ashamed, wanted to call my ex
To hear him say my name over the phone to me
In the dark everything it looks better, whoa
Hollywood forever, Hollywood forever
In the dark everything it feels better, whoa
Hollywood forever, Hollywood forever
In a house on a cliff on the coast
Well I prayed to my god with a toast
Said a cheers to the reasons I’ve been at it all evening
All I wanted was to never get old
On a bed in a room with a key
I was reading a rag magazine
Said a cheers to the demons who’ve been with me all evening
All I wanted was to never be seen
In the dark everything it looks better, whoa
Hollywood forever, Hollywood forever
In the dark I’m alive, I’m a legend, whoa
Hollywood forever, Hollywood forever
In the dark everything it looks better, whoa
Hollywood forever, Hollywood forever
Eric Bassett
I will never understand why the most amazing artists stay small and the trashy acts get big. K. Flay is pure gold and 21k views does not do this song justice at all.
Leo Luna
The thing about the "trashy acts" is this: they didn't necessarily decide to act that way, the record label told them they had to, and they are contractually obligated to do whatever the record label wants them to. What they say in interviews is scripted, they are only allowed to write and release the songs the record label says they can, and in return they get enough money for huge promotion so that they get rich and famous.
Kate Wilson
Eric Bassett true
ROZZY
Yeah. modern day society despises of actual talent, and praises mass - produced trash.
Dexter Chen
This. Her newest album is amazing, practically every track is gold, and she's hardly known. It's a travesty man.
The Mimic
Eric Bassett Id never thought that Id find artist that had over 10 songs that I really actually like. Deep lyrics plus great vocals and beats.
taehyungg°•
Her music made me go through my depression I love k.flay ur awesome!