.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.
You Felt Right
K.Flay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the summer, it was blazing
You looked at my black jeans, said are you crazy?
I guess I might have laughed
And after that you stuck to me like glue
But you had a girl at home and too many tattoos
I was in a rough patch, real depressed
You took my hand and said the sun it rises in the east but I came from the west
I should have known, don't trust a poet
'Cause they can't do the math
I'm always in the wrong place at the wrong time
Headed on a bad trip with the wrong high
I don't really know why
But you felt right to me
I hadn't had a good thing in a long time
Moving in the fast lane with the wrong guy
I don't really know why
But you felt right to me
We met on a Friday
In the winter, it was freezing
Felt a bit like history repeating
We'd been on a break but then decided
We could try to spend the night like friends and roam the city
Knowing what that meant
So we were back and I was pouring poison
Texting you reports from everywhere I went
And you'd write back "I miss you even more"
And it was torture for me
I should have known, don't trust a poet
'Cause they prefer to bleed
I'm always in the wrong place at the wrong time
Headed on a bad trip with the wrong high
I don't really know why
But you felt right to me
I hadn't had a good thing in a long time
Moving in the fast lane with the wrong guy
I don't really know why
But you felt right to me
Wrote this on a Sunday after months out on the road
Wonder if you have regrets and which direction those thoughts go
Like was it worth it in the end?
Sometimes it feels like you just used me for my mind and innocence
And now I heard you had a kid, finished a book and got a wife
Things been good to you since that last goodbye
But I just have to say my piece
You should have known don't trust a poet
'Cause we know how to speak
I'm always in the wrong place at the wrong time
Headed on a bad trip with the wrong high
I don't really know why
But you felt right to me
I hadn't had a good thing in a long time
Moving in the fast lane with the wrong guy
I don't really know why
But you felt right to me
You felt right to me
You felt right to me
You felt right to me
K.Flay's "You Felt Right" is a song about a tumultuous relationship that began in the summer and continued on-and-off through the winter. The song explores the singer's struggle to understand why she was drawn to a person who she knew wasn't right for her. On the surface, the lyrics describe a physical attraction that is hard to resist, but as the song progresses, the lyrics reveal the emotional complexity that lay beneath the surface. The singer acknowledges that she knew the relationship was a mistake, but she couldn't resist the pull of the other person.
The lyrics are filled with literary references, such as the line, "I should have known, don't trust a poet 'Cause they can't do the math." This line is a nod to the idea that poets, known for their emotional depth, can sometimes be blinded by their feelings and make irrational decisions. Later in the song, the line, "I should have known, don't trust a poet / 'Cause they prefer to bleed" reinforces the idea that poets often revel in their pain and use their emotions to create art.
Overall, "You Felt Right" is a song that captures the messy, complicated nature of relationships. At times, the lyrics are hard-hitting and honest, while at other times, they are veiled in metaphors and literary references. The song is a masterclass in how to capture the complexities of human emotion in a few short lines.
Line by Line Meaning
We met on a Wednesday
The singer is reminiscing about when they first met the other person.
In the summer, it was blazing
The weather was hot when they met.
You looked at my black jeans, said are you crazy?
The other person teased the singer about their outfit choice.
I guess I might have laughed
The artist may have found what the other person said funny.
And after that you stuck to me like glue
The other person was constantly around the artist after they met.
But you had a girl at home and too many tattoos
The other person was not available to the singer because they were in a relationship and had a lot of tattoos.
I was in a rough patch, real depressed
The singer was struggling emotionally when they met the other person.
You took my hand and said the sun it rises in the east but I came from the west
The other person comforted the artist with a metaphor about how sometimes things happen unexpectedly.
My heart it skipped and that was that
The artist felt a strong attraction to the other person after what they said.
I should have known, don't trust a poet
The artist realizes that poets have a tendency to manipulate language and feelings.
'Cause they can't do the math
Poets may not always think logically or practically.
We met on a Friday
The artist is recalling a different time they met the other person.
In the winter, it was freezing
The weather was cold when they met the other time.
Felt a bit like history repeating
The singer may have felt like they were experiencing a similar situation as before.
We'd been on a break but then decided
The singer and the other person had taken a break from each other but decided to try to reconnect.
We could try to spend the night like friends and roam the city
They decided to spend time together in a platonic way and explore the city.
Knowing what that meant
The artist and the other person both knew that their relationship was more complicated than just being friends.
So we were back and I was pouring poison
The singer was sharing negative thoughts and emotions with the other person.
Texting you reports from everywhere I went
The singer was keeping in touch with the other person and telling them about their experiences.
And you'd write back 'I miss you even more'
The other person was also missing the artist and expressing their feelings over text.
And it was torture for me
The artist found it painful to be away from the other person.
I should have known, don't trust a poet
The artist is repeating their earlier realization that poets can be manipulative.
'Cause they prefer to bleed
Poets may be more willing to share their vulnerabilities and emotions.
Wrote this on a Sunday after months out on the road
The artist is revealing that they are writing these lyrics at a later time after being away for a while.
Wonder if you have regrets and which direction those thoughts go
The singer is questioning whether the other person has any regrets and what they are thinking about.
Like was it worth it in the end?
The singer is asking if their relationship was ultimately worth it.
Sometimes it feels like you just used me for my mind and innocence
The singer is expressing a feeling of being taken advantage of by the other person's emotional manipulation.
And now I heard you had a kid, finished a book and got a wife
The artist has heard that the other person has achieved significant milestones in their life.
Things been good to you since that last goodbye
The artist is acknowledging that the other person seems to be doing well after their relationship ended.
But I just have to say my piece
The singer needs to express their thoughts and emotions to the other person.
You should have known don't trust a poet
The singer is reiterating that poets can be untrustworthy.
'Cause we know how to speak
Poets are skilled at using language to manipulate emotions and perceptions.
You felt right to me
Despite everything, the artist still felt a strong connection to the other person.
You felt right to me
The artist is repeating that they were drawn to the other person despite the complications of their relationship.
You felt right to me
The singer is emphasizing that their attraction to the other person was genuine and enduring.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KRISTINE FLAHERTY, JUSTIN THOMAS DALY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Darvid Torres
Lyrics:
We met on a Wednesday
In the summer, it was blazing
You looked at my black jeans, said are you crazy?
I guess I might have laughed
And after that you stuck to me like glue
But you had a girl at home and too many tattoos
I was in a rough patch, real depressed
You took my hand and said the sun it rises in the east
but I came from the west
My heart it skipped and that was that
I should have known don't trust a poet
Cause they can't do the math
I'm always in the wrong place at the wrong time
Headed on a bad trip with the wrong high
I don't really know why
But you felt right to me
I hadn't had a good thing in a long time
Moving in the fast lane with the wrong guy
I don't really know why
But you felt right to me
We met on a Friday
In the winter, it was freezing
Felt a bit like history repeating
We'd been on a break but then decided we could try
to spend the night like friends and roam the city
Knowing what that meant
So we were back & I was pouring poison
Texting you reports from everywhere I went
And you'd write back I miss you even more
And it was torture for me
I should have known don't trust a poet
Cause they prefer to bleed
I'm always in the wrong place at the wrong time
Headed on a bad trip with the wrong high
I don't really know why
But you felt right to me
I hadn't had a good thing in a long time
Moving in the fast lane with the wrong guy
I don't really know why
But you felt right to me
Wrote this on a Sunday after months out on the road
Wonder if you have regrets and which direction those thoughts go
Like was it worth it in the end?
Sometimes it feels like you just used me for my mind & innocence
And now I heard you had a kid, finished a book & got a wife
Things been good to you since that last goodbye
But I just have to say my piece
You should have known don't trust a poet
Cause we know how to speak
Miértnézem Ezeket
You Felt Right
K.Flay
We met on a Wednesday
In the summer, it was blazing
You looked at my black jeans, said are you crazy?
I guess I might have laughed
And after that you stuck to me like glue
But you had a girl at home and too many tattoos
I was in a rough patch, real depressed
You took my hand and said the sun it rises in the east but I came from the west
My heart it skipped and that was that
I should have known, don’t trust a poet
'Cause they can’t do the math
I’m always in the wrong place at the wrong time
Headed on a bad trip with the wrong high
I don’t really know why
But you felt right to me
I hadn’t had a good thing in a long time
Moving in the fast lane with the wrong guy
I don’t really know why
But you felt right to me
We met on a Friday
In the winter, it was freezing
Felt a bit like history repeating
We’d been on a break but then decided
We could try to spend the night like friends and roam the city
Knowing what that meant
So we were back and I was pouring poison
Texting you reports from everywhere I went
And you’d write back "I miss you even more"
And it was torture for me
I should have known, don’t trust a poet
'Cause they prefer to bleed
I’m always in the wrong place at the wrong time
Headed on a bad trip with the wrong high
I don’t really know why
But you felt right to me
I hadn’t had a good thing in a long time
Moving in the fast lane with the wrong guy
I don’t really know why
But you felt right to me
Wrote this on a Sunday after months out on the road
Wonder if you have regrets and which direction those thoughts go
Like was it worth it in the end?
Sometimes it feels like you just used me for my mind and innocence
And now I heard you had a kid, finished a book and got a wife
Things been good to you since that last goodbye
But I just have to say my piece
You should have known don’t trust a poet
'Cause we know how to speak
I’m always in the wrong place at the wrong time
Headed on a bad trip with the wrong high
I don’t really know why
But you felt right to me
I hadn’t had a good thing in a long time
Moving in the fast lane with the wrong guy
I don’t really know why
But you felt right to me
You felt right to me
You felt right to me
You felt right to me
Crude cheata
Don't trust the poet, they cant do the math. LOVE IT
Echo Slercana
Crude cheata me AF lol
SEO Expert Sandy Rowley
yes... love her come back though. :)
Garcia
Don't trust a poet, they prefer to bleed
sunny catty
K Flay has everything to make a perfect song. she uses all her elements and never fails to impress me. her emotions are fluid in her work and are far beyond many popular artists.....
the autistic beetle.🪲🖤
Agreed.
Krissy♡Meow
The feelz. Been a K. Flay fan for nearly 5-6 years. K. flay has been describing my life for those 5-6 years. Thank you for helping me through all these times girl, I owe you more than I can write.
mysteriousowl
👏👏👏I second that motion.
PSEU Donimus
i feel you.
Lars G
Had to double check to see if this was my comment.
You speak from my heart.