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.
Twenty One
Khalid Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So lately you've been drinking
Wasted on alcohol
You chase to fight the feeling
Thinking 'bout letting go
Would that be easy for you then, then
So lay with me, lay with me
Stay or leave, stay or leave
I hope you're never leaving
All of these memories
Crawling underneath your skin, skin
'Cause you're in pain
But who's to blame?
All our lives
You're never it
Yeah, alright
You got it
Hold on tight
Yeah, alright
Alright
Don't believe everything
The shit you like gives you anxiety
But finally, I see you smiling
When you say you need privacy
You're only hiding from yourself mm
Same fire, coming home
I see the sun come up and
Shut the blinds
Episodes
I know I never take my own advice
When I'm wrong
But I can't do it by myself
'Cause you're in pain
But who's to blame?
All our lives
You're never it
Yeah, alright
You got it
Hold on tight
Yeah, alright
You got it
Hold on tight
'Cause I'm in pain
But I'm to blame
To win this fight
I have to change
Yeah, alright
Hold on tight
Yeah, alright
The lyrics of Khalid's song Twenty One express the struggles of being young and trying to find oneself amidst the pressures and anxieties of growing up. The song revolves around the singer's friend who has just turned twenty-one and has been drinking to numb the pain he is feeling. The lyrics are replete with metaphors and imagery that illuminate the themes of escapism, pain, anxiety, and desperation.
The chorus of the song "You're in pain, but who's to blame? All our lives, you're never it" highlights the idea that life is full of struggles and challenges, and often the cause of our pain is not external but lies within us. The lyrics show that sometimes we indulge in self-destructive behaviors to escape our troubles, but this often leads to a vicious cycle of despair and addiction. The verse "Don't believe everything, the shit you like gives you anxiety" shows how sometimes the things we think we want or like can also be the source of our anxiety and pain.
The song's final lines "I'm in pain, but I'm to blame, to win this fight, I have to change" offer hope and a message of empowerment. The singer acknowledges that he too is facing similar struggles and that the only way to win this fight is to take responsibility for one's choices and change oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
You just turned twenty one
You recently hit a significant milestone in your life.
So lately you've been drinking
You're using alcohol as a coping mechanism to deal with your emotions.
Wasted on alcohol
You've been excessively drinking alcohol.
You chase to fight the feeling
You're trying to fight off negative emotions and thoughts by drinking.
Thinking 'bout letting go
You're contemplating surrendering to negative feelings you've been holding in.
Would that be easy for you then, then
You're wondering if giving in to your negative thoughts would be the easiest path forward.
So lay with me, lay with me
You want someone to comfort you and be there for you during this difficult time.
We're underneath the bleachers
You and this person are hiding away from the world, both physically and emotionally.
Stay or leave, stay or leave
You're unsure of what you want, whether to stay in the current moment or leave it behind.
I hope you're never leaving
You want this person to stay with you and support you during this time.
All of these memories
You're reflecting on past experiences that are contributing to your current struggles.
Crawling underneath your skin, skin
Your emotions and thoughts are consuming you, and it's starting to show.
'Cause you're in pain
You're hurting.
But who's to blame?
You're not sure who or what to hold responsible for your pain.
All our lives
Throughout our lives.
You're never it
You've never been the source of happiness or positivity in your life.
Don't believe everything
You're warning yourself against easily buying into things that may cause you more harm than good.
The shit you like gives you anxiety
Things that you previously enjoyed or that brought you pleasure now bring you anxiety.
But finally, I see you smiling
Despite your struggles, you're finding moments of happiness and contentment.
When you say you need privacy
You're trying to create space for yourself to deal with your emotions on your own.
You're only hiding from yourself mm
You're realizing that the only person you're really hiding from is yourself.
Same fire, coming home
You're still dealing with the same struggles and emotions no matter where you go or what you do.
I see the sun come up and
You're witnessing time continuing to pass, but your pain is still present.
Shut the blinds
You're shutting off the outside world to deal with your inner struggles.
Episodes
You're dealing with recurring episodes of pain and negative emotions.
I know I never take my own advice
You recognize that you often know what you need to do, but struggle to actually follow through with it.
When I'm wrong
Even though you're struggling right now, you're acknowledging that you're not perfect and make mistakes.
But I can't do it by myself
You need support and help from others to overcome your struggles.
Cause I'm in pain
You're acknowledging your own pain.
But I'm to blame
You're taking responsibility for your own struggles and pain.
To win this fight
You see yourself dealing with a battle, a struggle which needs to be dealt with.
I have to change
You know it's time for you to make some changes in your life.
Hold on tight
You're reminding yourself to stay strong and resilient during this difficult time.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Emily Warren, Jamil Chammas, Khalid Robinson, Ryan Vojtesak
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Humanity
[LYRICS]
[Verse 1]
You just turned 21, so lately, you've been drinking
Wasted on alcohol you chase to fight the feeling
Thinking 'bout letting go, would that be easy for you then? Yeah
So lay with me, lay with me, we're underneath the bleachers
Stay or leave, stay or leave, I hope you're never leaving
All of these memories crawling underneath your skin, skin (Oh, oh)
[Pre-Chorus]
'Cause you're in pain, but who's to blame?
All our lives, it never ends
[Chorus]
Yeah, alright
You gotta hold on tight
Yeah, alright, alright
[Verse 2]
Don't believe everything
The shit you like gives you anxiety, but finally
I see you smiling when you say you need privacy
You're only hiding from yourself, mmm, oh
I say I'm fine, coming home
I see the sun come up and shut the blinds
Episodes, I know I never take my own advice when I'm wrong
But I can't do it by myself, oh
[Pre-Chorus]
'Cause you're in pain, but who's to blame?
All our lives, it never ends
[Chorus]
Yeah, alright (Alright)
You gotta hold on tight
Yeah, alright
You gotta hold on tight
[Bridge]
'Cause I'm in pain, but I'm to blame
To end this fight, I have to change
[Chorus]
Yeah, alright
Hold on tight
Yeah, alright
Hold on tight
Byron Cotoc
He never disappoints, it crazy how every song is so soothing and something that someone can vibe to for a late night ride.
Anna Brundu
@it's not me hhhfr6369p
Anna Brundu
@Kathy Sanchez gffy
X Mess
@Kathy Sanchez ohn asjdkakldhkahdkjajfkjkjj i'd prob do the same😂
Kathy Sanchez
X Mess he’s my friend 💀
X Mess
@Kathy Sanchez tf?
PILLOW PILOTS
love that band!
Pulkit Meena
💯 issa vibe
Humanity
[LYRICS]
[Verse 1]
You just turned 21, so lately, you've been drinking
Wasted on alcohol you chase to fight the feeling
Thinking 'bout letting go, would that be easy for you then? Yeah
So lay with me, lay with me, we're underneath the bleachers
Stay or leave, stay or leave, I hope you're never leaving
All of these memories crawling underneath your skin, skin (Oh, oh)
[Pre-Chorus]
'Cause you're in pain, but who's to blame?
All our lives, it never ends
[Chorus]
Yeah, alright
You gotta hold on tight
Yeah, alright, alright
[Verse 2]
Don't believe everything
The shit you like gives you anxiety, but finally
I see you smiling when you say you need privacy
You're only hiding from yourself, mmm, oh
I say I'm fine, coming home
I see the sun come up and shut the blinds
Episodes, I know I never take my own advice when I'm wrong
But I can't do it by myself, oh
[Pre-Chorus]
'Cause you're in pain, but who's to blame?
All our lives, it never ends
[Chorus]
Yeah, alright (Alright)
You gotta hold on tight
Yeah, alright
You gotta hold on tight
[Bridge]
'Cause I'm in pain, but I'm to blame
To end this fight, I have to change
[Chorus]
Yeah, alright
Hold on tight
Yeah, alright
Hold on tight
Tammy
Oh