Palmer made her acting debut in Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2004). She later appeared in the television film The Wool Cap (2004), and had her breakthrough starring in the drama film Akeelah and the Bee (2006). Her debut studio album, So Uncool, was released in 2007, and she progressed as a child actress with roles in Madea's Family Reunion (2006), Jump In! (2007), The Longshots (2008) and Shrink (2009). She played a number of roles on Nickelodeon, such as the title character in the sitcom True Jackson, VP (2008–2011), providing the voice of Aisha in the Nickelodeon revival of Winx Club (2011–2014), and headlining the television film Rags (2012).
Palmer made her transition to mature roles with the VH1 biographical film CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story (2013). From 2014 to 2015 she starred as Ella in Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella on Broadway. She has since starred in television series such as the Fox satirical horror series Scream Queens (2015–2016), the Epix drama series Berlin Station (2017–2019), the slasher series Scream (2019), and the Facebook Watch series Turnt Up with the Taylors (2021) for which she received a Primetime Emmy Award. She also starred in films such as Animal (2014), Pimp (2018), Hustlers (2019) and Jordan Peele's Nope (2022)
Since So Uncool, Palmer has released three EPs: Lauren (2016), Virgo Tendencies, Pt. I (2019) and Virgo Tendencies, Pt. II (2020). She hosted the talk show Just Keke (2014) and co-hosted the talk show Strahan, Sara and Keke (2019–2020), the latter earning her a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host.
Hard To Breathe
Keke Palmer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I need a doctor cause, I'm getting sick of love,
I'm running short of breath... with, every step,
In need of oxygen, to run away from this
I faced the demons that, took me to hell back
I'm getting heart attacks, took me a heart attack,
I'm counting on you cause I need you here to save me
If my heart fails...
How am I supposed to breathe (breathe)
When all my heart does is bleed (bleed)
You're too stupid to see (see)
Your making hard for me (so hard to breath)
How am I suppose to breathe (breathe)
When your too stupid to see (see)
What your doing to me (me)
You're making it hard to breathe (so hard for me)
You're making it hard to breathe...
(It isnt that hard to see)
My chest is caving in, someone, help me
I need some life support, can't take this anymore
Loving with caution cause my hearts, so week,
I've been a victim of love, and you're the criminal
I counted on you but you refused to save me,
If my heart fails...
How am I supposed to breathe (breathe)
When all my heart does is bleed (bleed)
You're too stupid to see (see)
Your making hard for me (so hard to breath)
How am I suppose to breathe (breathe)
When your too stupid to see (see)
What your doing to me (me)
You're making it hard to breathe (so hard for me)
You're making it hard to breathe...
It isnt that hard to see,
Love is blind but I can see,
The place for you and me,
I can't go on without you, baby,
How am I supposed to breathe (breathe)
When all my heart does is bleed (bleed)
You're too stupid to see (see)
Your making hard for me (so hard to breath)
How am I suppose to breathe (breathe)
When your too stupid to see (see)
What your doing to me (me)
You're making it hard to breathe (so hard for me)
You're making it hard to breathe..
How am I supposed to breathe (breathe)
When all my heart does is bleed (bleed)
You're too stupid to see (see)
Your making hard for me (so hard to breath)
How am I suppose to breathe (breathe)
When your too stupid to see (see)
What your doing to me (me)
You're making it hard to breathe (so hard for me)
You're making it hard to breathe..
The song "Hard To Breathe" by Keke Palmer explores the feeling of suffocation and desperation caused by a toxic relationship. The opening lines suggest a sense of urgency as the singer's heart is beating rapidly and they feel sick of love. The singer is struggling to breathe because of the pain caused by this relationship. There is a sense of exhaustion and desperation as they need oxygen to run away from this situation.
The lyrics suggest that the singer has faced their demons and overcome difficulties in the past, but this relationship has been the ultimate challenge, causing heart attacks and making it difficult to breathe. The singer is counting on their partner to save them from the suffocation caused by the hurtful actions of their partner. However, the partner is described as "too stupid to see" what they are doing to the singer even though it is not hard to see how they are hurting.
The chorus repeats the question of how the singer is supposed to breathe when their heart is bleeding and the partner is making it so hard for them. The bridge seems to be a plea for the partner to see what they are doing and the importance of their relationship.
Overall, the song is about the suffocating effects of a toxic relationship, the feelings of desperation and helplessness that come with it, and the hope for a partner to recognize their actions and take action to save the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Feel the adrenaline, my hearts beating
I am feeling excited and my heart is racing.
I need a doctor cause, I'm getting sick of love,
I am tired of being in love and need help.
I'm running short of breath... with, every step,
I am struggling to breathe with every move I make.
In need of oxygen, to run away from this
I need help to escape this situation.
I faced the demons that, took me to hell back
I have confronted the demons that caused me pain.
I'm getting heart attacks, took me a heart attack,
I am feeling a lot of stress and anxiety.
I'm counting on you cause I need you here to save me
I am relying on you to help me through this tough time.
If my heart fails...
If I can't handle this anymore...
How am I supposed to breathe (breathe)
I am struggling to stay alive.
When all my heart does is bleed (bleed)
My heart is hurting from all the pain and heartache.
You're too stupid to see (see)
You are not aware of how much you are hurting me.
Your making hard for me (so hard to breath)
You are making it difficult for me to survive.
What your doing to me (me)
You are causing me immense pain.
You're making it hard to breathe...
You are making it difficult for me to keep going.
(It isnt that hard to see)
(It should be obvious)
My chest is caving in, someone, help me
I feel like my chest is collapsing and I need assistance.
I need some life support, can't take this anymore
I cannot handle this pain on my own any longer.
Loving with caution cause my hearts, so week,
I am being careful with my heart because it is vulnerable.
I've been a victim of love, and you're the criminal
I have been hurt by love, and you are the one who caused it.
I counted on you but you refused to save me,
I trusted you to help me, but you let me down.
It isnt that hard to see,
It should be obvious,
Love is blind but I can see,
Although love can be confusing, I still understand what is happening.
The place for you and me,
We are meant to be together.
I can't go on without you, baby,
I cannot continue without you in my life.
You're making it hard to breathe..
You are making it difficult for me to keep going.
Contributed by Declan R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Taylor Kassie Burton
Love this song!! Now my new ringtone for someone ;)
Kelly Morrison
Keke should of sang this to the cops when she was giving them that lecture.
Kiana Martin
this is weird like its a nice song and all but when she stars talking about demons and how the dragged her to hell in back thats just not right
wanda danvers
Nikki flores is better