Mikael Temrowski was born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan on May 6, 1992. He grew up listening to the city's Motown musical history.
He met his primary producer and close friend Ayokay in the third grade of elementary school and remained close friends throughout high school. Temrowski began attending college at Michigan State University, where he took an interest in writing and recording music as a sophomore.
Indie-pop artist Quinn XCII emerged as one of 2016's most exciting new artists. Growing up in Detroit, Quinn XCII was raised on the city’s Motown musical history, fueling a passion for myriad musical genres from rock to reggae to funk to hip-hop. Three years ago, as a sophomore at Michigan State, Quinn XCII began to write and record his own music, quickly becoming a college mixtape sensation. Traveling frequently to Ann Arbor to record new material with his childhood friend producer ayokay, Quinn XCII began to craft his own laid-back sound that drew on hip-hop, electronic, and tropical influences.
His debut EP Change of Scenery was released in May 2015, garnering wide acclaim and millions of online streams. His next single release "Stung" quickly went to #1 on HypeMachine's Popular Charts.
Quinn XCII's rising star has continued to elevate in 2016. In January his collaboration with ayokay, "Kings of Summer", soared to #1 on the Spotify Global Viral Chart where it spent three full weeks. His follow-up collaboration with producer Illenium, "With You", also went #1 on the HypeMachine Popular Chart and reached #20 on the Spotify Global Viral Chart. His sophomore EP "Bloom" was released on March 11, and shortly after he embarked on his first nationwide tour, where he will be performing in 24 cities for over 20,000 fans.
On December 9, 2016, Quinn XCII released his new single "Straightjacket", taken off from his debut album The Story of Us. A non-album single was released titled "Make Time", succeeded by two singles from the album that were released preceding the album's release in 2017, "Fake Denim" and "Worst". The Story of Us was released on September 15, 2017, under Columbia Records. A deluxe edition of the album was released on February 16, 2018, supported by the new single "Iron & Steel".
In April 2018, it was announced that Quinn XCII was added to the management roster of Visionary Music Group through a partnership with his manager Jesse Coren. Quinn XCII released his first single since A Story of Us titled "Panama" on August 22, 2018, on the music-sharing website SoundCloud. He wrote the song in honor of his four late grandparents and was later released on all platforms on August 29.
On October 23, 2018, Quinn XCII announced a single titled "Werewolf" featuring Yoshi Flower, which was released two days later on October 25. A week later, he released another single "Sad Still" on November 1, centered around the struggles and feelings of dealing with anxiety. He soon announced his second album titled From Michigan with Love via social media on November 5, 2018, which contains the latter two singles. The album was teased for an early 2019 release date. On December 11, 2018, Quinn XCII announced the third single off the album, titled "Tough" featuring Noah Kahan, and was released on December 14.
On November 6, 2018, Quinn XCII announced his worldwide 2019 tour for From Michigan with Love, titled "From Tour with Love". The tour includes shows at 8 cities in Europe and then 30 cities in North America with Christian French and Ashe co-headlining the tour. The tour kicks off in Amsterdam, the Netherlands on February 3, and then the North American leg on February 19 in Indianapolis, Indiana, and ends on April 17 in Austin, Texas.
Quinn XCII announced via social media on January 7, 2019, that From Michigan with Love is set to be released on February 15. On February 15, it was released with 12 songs. Quinn XCII teased his single "Stacy" on June 18, 2019, on Twitter. The single was released that week on June 21, 2019.
On January 10, 2020, he released a single titled "Two 10s". On April 27, 2020, Quinn XCII announced his third studio album A Letter to My Younger Self, inspired by a lifetime of events and experiences. It was released on July 10, 2020. On April 28, 2020, he teased his new single titled "Coffee" with Marc E. Bassy which was released on Friday, May 1, 2020.
Quinn XCII released his third studio album on March 5, 2021. Abandoning his residence in Los Angeles, the album was produced at ayokay’s family home in Rhode Island. He released two singles ahead of the release, "Stay Next to Me (with Chelsea Cutler)" and "My Wife & 2 Dogs."
Quinn XCII has been known to blend several different genres of music, including hip-hop, pop, reggae, rock, electronic and soul. His early music had him focused more on rapping than singing. He has listed Kid Cudi, Kanye West, Mos Def, Jack Johnson, Jon Bellion, Michael Jackson, Sam Cooke, and Chance the Rapper as artists who have influenced him.
Panama
Quinn XCII Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Panama now seems so sad
Have we outgrown our childhood memories?
Paranoid that we may have
Send postcards with our names signed gently
Writing down what's in my head
We're wasting time, you claim there's plenty
It's all I think about in my bed
22 years in a row
I never missed you around my lowest
'Cause you were always there
Yeah, you were always there
It's breaking my body down slow
I never told you to up and go
But I still know you're there
Yeah, I still know you're there
You're away from me tonight
'Til our moment arrives
I'll stay writing words in the memory of you
You tell me, way-oh
"Don't mind me saying, but I can't stay longer"
Way-oh, "I'm leaving this place and I'll be good"
Hold on to me, hold on to me
Panama now seems so sad
Have we outgrown our childhood memories?
Paranoid that we may have
Send postcards with our names signed gently
Writing down what's in my head
We're wasting time, you claim there's plenty
It's all I think about in my bed
It's all I think about in my head
25 years, feeling old
I was younger when you came home
Now I'm so aware of, oh, how much you cared
I'm taking my time on the road
So these memories I'll always hold
Yeah, I'm so aware of, oh, how much you cared
'Cause you were me and I was you
Tears rushing once our time was through
It's not often I see your coffin
Just know I'm lost in the pain from you
You tell me, way-oh (Way-oh)
"Don't mind me saying, but I can't stay longer"
Way-oh, "I'm leaving this place and I'll be good"
Hold on to me, hold on to me
Panama now seems so sad
Have we outgrown our childhood memories?
Paranoid that we may have
Send postcards with our names signed gently
Writing down what's in my head
We're wasting time, you claim there's plenty
It's all I think about in my bed
Feelings change and feelings go
I know this, I know
Though we're distant on this road
I know this, I know
There's a feeling in the waves
Your eyes on me, then suddenly, it all feels okay
Hold on to me, hold on to me
Panama now seems so sad
Have we outgrown our childhood memories?
Paranoid that we may have
Send postcards with our names signed gently
Writing down what's in my head
We're wasting time, you claim there's plenty
It's all I think about in my bed
Hi Mike, this is Nana
Just calling to wish you a happy birthday, have a good day
You need to give me a buzz back
'Cause I know you're busy
I love you, bye
The song "Panama" by Quinn XCII is about the fear of outgrowing childhood memories and relationships, and the longing to hold on to them. The title refers to the place where the memories were made - a sort of magical realm that now seems sad and distant. The song reflects on the fear of becoming too busy or too old for the people and places that once defined us, and the desperation to hold on to those connections even as they slip away.
The lyrics paint a picture of someone who is aware of the fleeting nature of life and is struggling to hold on to what is most precious. The verses describe the act of sending postcards with carefully considered messages, writing down thoughts and feelings, and mulling over memories in bed at night. The chorus repeats the sentiment that we must "hold on" to these memories and relationships, as they are all we have left. The bridge of the song introduces a voice message from a loved one, reinforcing the theme of cherishing the people who matter most.
Overall, "Panama" is a touching exploration of the human experience of growth and change, and the fear of losing important connections along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold on to me, hold on to me
Asking someone to not let go and instead hold on tight.
Panama now seems so sad
Reflecting on how a place that was once happy now seems sad.
Have we outgrown our childhood memories?
Wondering if growing up has made those happy childhood memories seem distant and unimportant.
Paranoid that we may have
Worried that growing up has in fact caused us to forget or lose something precious from our childhood.
Send postcards with our names signed gently
Writing and sending postcards to loved ones with care and love.
Writing down what's in my head
Putting feelings into words and expressing them through writing.
We're wasting time, you claim there's plenty
Feeling like time is passing by quickly and there's not enough of it despite someone claiming otherwise.
It's all I think about in my bed
Unable to escape thoughts of the past and how it has affected the present, causing sleepless nights.
22 years in a row
Reflecting on a period of time that has passed.
I never missed you around my lowest
Acknowledging someone's constant support during difficult times.
'Cause you were always there
Reiterating the fact that someone has always been there when needed.
It's breaking my body down slow
Feeling physically affected by the pain of someone's absence.
I never told you to up and go
Having never asked someone to leave and feeling their absence strongly.
But I still know you're there
Despite being physically absent, the presence of someone is felt always.
You're away from me tonight
Missing someone's presence and feeling their absence.
'Til our moment arrives
Holding onto the hope that they will return and the moment will come to be together again.
I'll stay writing words in the memory of you
Keeping memories of someone alive by putting them into words and writing them down.
You tell me, way-oh
Quoting someone speaking to them.
"Don't mind me saying, but I can't stay longer"
Someone saying that they must leave soon, but not wanting to be rude.
Way-oh, "I'm leaving this place and I'll be good"
Saying goodbye and leaving with the expectation that everything will be alright.
25 years, feeling old
Reaching a milestone in life and reflecting on how time has passed.
I was younger when you came home
Remembering a time when someone returned and feeling nostalgic about it.
Now I'm so aware of, oh, how much you cared
Realizing how much someone cared and cherishing it.
I'm taking my time on the road
Taking one's time and slowing down to remember and cherish memories of someone.
So these memories I'll always hold
Vowing to hold onto and cherish memories of someone forever.
Cause you were me and I was you
Feeling a deep connection and understanding with someone else.
Tears rushing once our time was through
Feeling heartbroken and emotional when parting with someone after having had a great time together.
It's not often I see your coffin
Not often seeing a physical reminder of someone's passing and then being hit by overwhelming sadness at the realization.
Just know I'm lost in the pain from you
Feeling pain at someone's absence and feeling the depth of their loss.
Feelings change and feelings go
Acknowledging the transient nature of emotions.
I know this, I know
Accepting the fact that things can change, and feelings can fade.
Though we're distant on this road
Despite being physically apart, emotions still hold strong.
There's a feeling in the waves
Sensing and feeling the emotions within the air and sea that surrounds everyone.
Your eyes on me, then suddenly, it all feels okay
Feeling comforted and everything coming to be okay simply by someone's presence.
Hi Mike, this is Nana
The start of a voicemail message from someone to Mike.
Just calling to wish you a happy birthday, have a good day
Wishing someone a happy birthday through a voicemail message and hoping they have a good day.
You need to give me a buzz back
Asking someone to call them back.
'Cause I know you're busy
Giving a reason for wanting someone to call back.
I love you, bye
Expressing love for someone and ending the voicemail message.
Writer(s): Grant Yarber, Mikael Temrowski, David Von Mering
Contributed by Cameron W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tem Production
[[Lyrics]] (0.0)
[Chorus]
Hold on to me, hold on to me
Panama now seems so sad
Have we outgrown our childhood memories?
Paranoid that we may have
Send postcards with our names signed gently
Writing down what's in my head
We're wasting time, you claim there's plenty
It's all think about in my bed
[Verse 1]
22 years in a row
I never missed you around my lowest
'Cause you were always there
Yeah, you were always there
It's breaking my body down slow
I never told you to up and go
But I still know you're there
Yeah, I still know you're there
[Pre-Chorus 1]
You're away from me tonight
'Til that moment arrives
I'll stay writing words in the memory of you
You tell me, way-oh
"Don't mind me saying, but I can't stay longer"
Way-oh, "I'm leaving this place and I'll be good"
[Chorus]
Hold on to me, hold on to me
Panama now seems so sad
Have we outgrown our childhood memories?
Paranoid that we may have
Send postcards with our names signed gently
Writing down what's in my head
We're wasting time, you claim there's plenty
It's all think about in my bed
It's all think about in my head
[Verse 2]
25 years, feeling old
I was younger when you came home
Now I'm so aware of, oh, how much you cared
I'm taking my time on the road
So these memories I'll always hold
Yeah, I'm so aware of oh, how much you cared
[Pre-Chorus 2]
'Cause you were me and I was you
Tears rushing once our time was through
It's not often I see your coffin
Just know I'm lost in the pain from you
You tell me, way-oh
"Don't mind me saying, but I can't stay longer"
Way-oh, "I'm leaving this place and I'll be good"
[Chorus]
Hold on to me, hold on to me
Panama now seems so sad
Have we outgrown our childhood memories?
Paranoid that we may have
Send postcards with our names signed gently
Writing down what's in my head
We're wasting time, you claim there's plenty
It's all think about in my bed
[Bridge]
Feelings change and feelings go
I know this, I know
Though we're distant on this road
I know this, I know
There's a feeling in the waves
Your eyes on me, then suddenly, it all feels okay
[Chorus]
Hold on to me, hold on to me
Panama now seems so sad
Have we outgrown our childhood memories?
Paranoid that we may have
Send postcards with our names signed gently
Writing down what's in my head
We're wasting time, you claim there's plenty
It's all think about in my bed
[Outro]
Hi Mike, this is Nana
Just calling to wish you a happy birthday, have a good day
You need to give me a call back 'cause I know you're busy
I love you, bye
Confluxi
I love how you made a very sad event sound like a celebration of life instead of a depressing song. always keeping the vibes going :)
cameron cam
Pablo
Whalien
I found this song like two weeks ago and I kind of put it aside again. Yesterday my grandma died, and this song randomly popped into my head today. It has a whole other meaning to me now and I feel like it was released just when I needed it. I can't stop crying when I listen it, but it's also very comforting. Thank you for this song Quinn.
I miss you grandma <3
Alan Alan
Sylvie the whalien I'm sorry for your loss!
hail whale
I actually found this song today, the day of my great nans funeral. Timing is crazy. Im literally in your boat now @sylvie tearing up but comforting at the same time. Beautiful song Quinn <3
Andrew Marzec
i hope things will get better for you Sylvie
Rosoupie
I'm so sorry :( I hope you're doing okay now <3
cameron cam
Pablo
Discreet Otter
Any day a new song from Quinn XCII comes out is a good day.
HOPE
listen to them everyday. then everyday is a good day