Khalid Donnel Robinson was born on February 11, 1998, in Fort Stewart, Georgia. He is of African-American and Mexican descent. His family moved to El Paso, Texas, when he was small, and he attended high school there. He began making music at an early age, writing his first song at the age of 15 and posting it on SoundCloud.
In July 2016, Khalid released his debut single, "Location". The song was an immediate success, peaking at number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA. It also peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart and was certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry. The song has received over 645 million streams on Spotify.
Khalid's debut studio album, American Teen, was released on March 3, 2017. The album peaked at number four on the US Billboard 200, and was certified platinum by the RIAA. It was also certified gold in the UK and Australia. The album was nominated for four Grammy Awards, including Best Urban Contemporary Album.
In 2018, Khalid released his second studio album, Suncity, which debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200, and was certified gold by the RIAA. His third studio album, Free Spirit, was released in April 2019 and debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200. He also released his fourth studio album, Up All Night, in October 2019.
Throughout his career, Khalid has collaborated with numerous artists, including Normani, H.E.R., Calvin Harris, and Disclosure. He has appeared on television shows like Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. He has also appeared in commercials for the video game Just Dance 2020 and the streaming service Hulu.
In 2020, Khalid won the Grammy Award for Best Music Video for his song "Talk". He also became the youngest artist ever to have three albums certified platinum by the RIAA.
Khalid is an advocate for mental health awareness, and has spoken openly about his struggles with anxiety and depression. He has also been involved in numerous charity initiatives, including the El Paso Shooting Victims' Fund and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Retrograde
Khalid Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh-oh
Hella fine
Around the world like I'm tourin'
I gotta fly out in the mornin'
I don't know where I'm goin'
But it's ninety-nine in New Orleans now
I'm better off by the ocean breeze
Easier not knowing
Gotta live in the moment
Rushin' home, business, I should separate it there
Only fuckin' with you for your benefits
Don't get your feelings hurt being sensitive, no
Get your feelings hurt being sensitive, no
I'll take some time, sit in my retrograde (retrograde)
I'm gettin' high so I don't feel no pain
In my blood, I feel it in my veins, hmm, veins
Retro, retrograde
Found a little comfort in the pain
Ain't no fuckin' love on your brain
'Cause if it was you would think about
Everything that I gotta think about
They fuckin' with me for the benefit
How am I supposed to know?
When everybody sound the same in a new Lambo (vroom, vroom)
Light a blunt, Scottie, beam me up (zoom, zoom)
Time to leave the room, yeah
Rushin' home, business, I should separate it there
Only fuckin' with you for your benefits
Don't get your feelings hurt being sensitive, no (yeah)
Get your feelings hurt being sensitive, no
I'll take some time, sit in my retrograde (retrograde)
I'm gettin' high so I don't feel no pain (feel no pain, no)
In my blood, I feel it in my veins, hmm, veins
Retro, retrograde
And it's taking me far
Taking me farther, yeah
Taking me farther, farther, farther, farther, far
Oh-oh, oh
Retro, retrograde
Oh baby, you caught me off guard, let you play me
Why'd I involve my heart?
Wherever you go, let you take me
Gotta watch all my movement like "who looking right now?"
I'm sure that I need you but I'm way too loud
From enemies to frenemies, don't know who to trust
Can't rush through the phases, oh my
Rushin' home, business, I should separate it there
Only fuckin' with you for your benefits
Don't get your feelings hurt being sensitive, no
Get your feelings hurt being sensitive, no
I'll take some time, sit in my retrograde (retrograde)
I'm gettin' high so I don't feel no pain
In my blood, I feel it in my veins, hmm, veins
Retro, retrograde (retrograde)
And it's taking me far
Taking me farther, yeah
Taking me farther, farther, farther, farther, far
Oh-oh, oh
Retro, retrograde
The song "Retrograde" is a mellow R&B track that explores the theme of escaping from the pressures of life by living in the moment. Khalid, Lucky Daye, and 6LACK sing about the feeling of being lost and the search for inner peace. The lyrics express the idea of taking a break from the world and focusing on oneself. The first verse talks about touring and traveling around the world, but not knowing where home is. The artists confess that they prefer being at the beach, where the ocean breeze is more calming. This verse concludes with the message of living in the moment.
The second verse delves into the challenges of love and the pressure of benefits. The lyrics suggest that someone is only being used for benefits, creating a sense of emptiness, and hurting relationships. Then, the chorus explicates the theme of living in the moment by using the concept of retrograde; the artists emphasize that they prefer to retreat in retrograde and get high to forget the pain, but still feel it in their veins. The bridge questions the involvement of heart and trust, and the fear of being watched while moving forward. It's important to note that the word "retrograde" has astronomical roots and refers to the motion of a planet moving in the opposite direction to its normal one.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh-oh, yeah
Typical opening phrase of a song
Hella fine
Referring to personal style, self-confidence, or overall physical appearance
Around the world like I'm tourin'
Traveling frequently and widely like a performing artist or entertainer
I gotta fly out in the mornin'
Leaving early in the day to catch a flight
I don't know where I'm goin'
Uncertain of the destination or purpose of the trip
But it's ninety-nine in New Orleans now
Reporting the temperature in a specific location, possibly as a reference to a hot climate
When it's raining it's pouring
Describing a weather condition and its aftermath, implying difficulty or frustration
I'm better off by the ocean breeze
Preferring the atmosphere or ambiance near a seaside or beach environment
Easier not knowing
Finding it simpler or more convenient to remain unaware or uninformed
Gotta live in the moment
Emphasizing the importance of enjoying the present rather than worrying about the future
Rushin' home, business, I should separate it there
Distinguishing between personal life and professional obligations
Only fuckin' with you for your benefits
Being in a relationship or association based on material or practical gain rather than love or admiration
Don't get your feelings hurt being sensitive, no
Advising someone not to take things personally or become emotional over trivial matters
I'll take some time, sit in my retrograde (retrograde)
Retreat to a solitary or contemplative state or space
I'm gettin' high so I don't feel no pain
Using drugs or alcohol to numb emotional or physical pain
In my blood, I feel it in my veins, hmm, veins
Suggesting that the addictive substance has become a part of the body and mind
Retro, retrograde
Repeating the title or theme of the song, indicating a return to an earlier state or time
Found a little comfort in the pain
Acknowledging the paradoxical sense of relief that accompanies suffering
Ain't no fuckin' love on your brain
Insinuating that the object of affection is indifferent or selfish
'Cause if it was you would think about
Challenging the other person's loyalty or devotion
Everything that I gotta think about
Implying that the artist's concerns or responsibilities are not being considered or shared
They fuckin' with me for the benefit
Feeling used or manipulated for ulterior motives
How am I supposed to know?
Expressing confusion or doubt in a given situation
When everybody sound the same in a new Lambo (vroom, vroom)
Criticizing the conformity and materialism of contemporary culture or celebrity status
Light a blunt, Scottie, beam me up (zoom, zoom)
Indicating a desire to escape or transcend reality through drug use
Time to leave the room, yeah
Announcing a departure or conclusion to the current situation
Oh baby, you caught me off guard, let you play me
Feeling deceived, manipulated, or taken advantage of by a romantic interest
Why'd I involve my heart?
Questioning one's emotional investment or vulnerability in a relationship
Wherever you go, let you take me
Suggesting that the other person has control or power over the artist's emotions or actions
Gotta watch all my movement like "who looking right now?"
Being cautious or paranoid about one's privacy or security due to external scrutiny or surveillance
I'm sure that I need you but I'm way too loud
Admitting the desire for companionship but recognizing one's own flaws or shortcomings
From enemies to frenemies, don't know who to trust
Reflecting on the complexities of personal relationships and how they can change or deteriorate over time
Can't rush through the phases, oh my
Realizing the importance of patience and taking the time to grow or progress appropriately
And it's taking me far
Acknowledging the impact of one's lifestyle or choices on personal growth or opportunities
Taking me farther, yeah
Reaffirming the positive outcomes or consequences of one's actions or experiences
Taking me farther, farther, farther, farther, far
Emphasizing the extent or magnitude of the artist's personal journey or trajectory
Retro, retrograde
Repeating the title or theme of the song, indicating a return to an earlier state or time
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: David Debrandon Brown, Khalid Robinson, Michael La Vell Jr. McGregor, Ricardo Valdez Valentine
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Aaliyah
Oh-oh, yeah
Oh-oh
Hella fine
Around the world like I'm tourin'
I gotta fly out in the mornin'
I don't know where I'm goin'
But it's ninety-nine in New Orleans now
When it's raining it's pouring
I'm better off by the ocean breeze
Easier not knowing
Gotta live in the moment
Rushin' home, business, I should separate it there
Only fuckin' with you for your benefits
Don't get your feelings hurt being sensitive, no
Get your feelings hurt being sensitive, no
I'll take some time, sit in my retrograde (retrograde)
I'm gettin' high so I don't feel no pain
In my blood, I feel it in my veins, hmm, veins
Retro, retrograde
Found a little comfort in the pain
Ain't no fuckin' love on your brain
'Cause if it was you would think about
Everything that I gotta think about
They fuckin' with me for the benefit
How am I supposed to know?
When everybody sound the same in a new Lambo (vroom, vroom)
Light a blunt, Scottie, beam me up (zoom, zoom)
Time to leave the room, yeah
Rushin' home, business, I should separate it there
Only fuckin' with you for your benefits
Don't get your feelings hurt being sensitive, no (yeah)
Get your feelings hurt being sensitive, no
I'll take some time, sit in my retrograde (retrograde)
I'm gettin' high so I don't feel no pain (feel no pain, no)
In my blood, I feel it in my veins, hmm, veins
Retro, retrograde
And it's taking me far
Taking me farther, yeah
Taking me farther, farther, farther, farther, far
Oh-oh, oh
Retro, retrograde
Oh baby, you caught me off guard, let you play me
Why'd I involve my heart?
Wherever you go, let you take me
Gotta watch all my movement like "who looking right now?"
I'm sure that I need you but I'm way too loud
From enemies to frenemies, don't know who to trust
Can't rush through the phases, oh my
Rushin' home, business, I should separate it there
Only fuckin' with you for your benefits
Don't get your feelings hurt being sensitive, no
Get your feelings hurt being sensitive, no
I'll take some time, sit in my retrograde (retrograde)
I'm gettin' high so I don't feel no pain
In my blood, I feel it in my veins, hmm, veins
Retro, retrograde (retrograde)
And it's taking me far
Taking me farther, yeah
Taking me farther, farther, farther, farther, far
Oh-oh, oh
Retro, retrograde
Richard Philip
every time I listen to this it reminds me that not every day is perfect, and neither am I, the best I could do is let it flow and live in the moment. chill vibes all day🥲🥲
amybiiish
This song on constant repeat! Khalid + 6lack = a literal dream, always. I pray for an entire album by those two. Loooove this one🙏🔥💛 so perfect
Soul Mirror1
I literally just shared that sameeeee thing with my son
hustlemami
Me toooooooo
Fanny Phlapps
A collab album or EP would slap af! 🔥
FEROLENE EDS BARRACA
This guy literally has no bad song. Respect.
Iracelma Rocha
Facts
Eric Beton
Hé t raison..
Kimberly Sunn
I love how I can go weeks without playing this song and the minute I come back it jus hits like the first time 🤸♀️🤞🏽crazy bout this song
Angeline Bena
He really silently created music that has the ability to heal. I am so proud of him