Kristine Flaherty grew up outside of Chicago, devouring her father's classic rock records and staying up late dancing to Parliament-Funkadelic in the living room. It was this same musical open-mindedness that would later spark her artistic development. She found her musical voice in college, fusing the eclectic power of the Bay Area hip hop scene with her own unique presence, inspired by strong, independent female artists ranging from Missy Elliott and Lauryn Hill to Fiona Apple and Liz Phair.
On stage, K.Flay is a one-woman whirlwind: whether she’s creating beats, singing, rapping or playing guitar, her wit and acerbic charm shine through. Her talents have led her to share the stage with artists including Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, and 3OH!3, where she quickly won over audiences who hadn’t seen anything quite like her before. Further setting her apart from the pack, she serves as her own producer in the studio, methodically infusing her hip hop swagger with a dose of sonic exploration.
With one mixtape (the genre-hopping MASHed Potatoes) already available online, K.Flay is spending the rest of 2010 recording in San Francisco and touring with Passion Pit in October and 3oh!3 in November.
Rawks
k.flay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Boundaries I'm testing em
No one's really watching still I sense that I've been messing up
Human but day by day I'm feeling like I'm less of one
Sent all my best friends presents yet I'm disappointing everyone
Got no direction someone summon Nora Ephron
Beer pong's how I learned the capital of Lebanon
Basically we're Lennon John, young & dead and gone
Calories, Valeries in malls smoking on Cali weed
How can you complain when you've made up all your realities?
Ballerinas balancing, validating maladies
Barfing up their salad greens par for mister balanchine
I text a lot of boys, but I rarely fuck em
Ducking clouds, breaking down, got my head up in an oven
Shut my mouth, blacking out, yeah my brain is fucking bludgeoned
Though I've had my doubts I know my stuff is straight disgusting
And I mean that in the best way
Flipping shit like burgers or fake furs or a sex change
Right onto the next phase, got my buddies in the backseat
Don't like what I do then get your lips up off my ass cheek
Rocks in my shoes, stones in my pockets
Lost and confused, cold and forgotten
Yeah, that's me
I try to look alive but I'm half asleep
Rocks in my shoes, stones in my pockets
Lost and confused, cold and forgotten
Yeah, that's me
I try to look alive but I'm half asleep
Baby's got a nosebleed, talking to a lead pipe
Strangers think they know me, photos of my best side
Fit into my old jeans, haven eaten in like
3 days you say I'm looking sick well shit you're dead right
Father's vices, but my mama's heart so I've feeling like
Penitent a million nights sipping on these miller lights
Wishing it was back to mash & after class & pillow fights
Feeling violated so I memorized the Bill of Rights
Kids I grew up with, perspective busted
& now like half of them are fat, that's fucking justice
Swear I'm on the cusp of something great, least I hope I am
Trying to get a couple butts to shake til I'm broke again
Compliments they're never sinking in I'm drinking gin
And wondering why every night I bend over the sink again
Thinking I'm in love so my irises been twinkling
But he don't feel the same, guess I'm permanently single then
My anxiety been fucking with me awfully
Should I be taking medications, doctor probably
Tummy's bum need an endoscopy
Wanted everything under the sun guess I'll settle for some Foster's Freeze
But life's gravy uh I'm trying to find a man & hop in his Mercedes
All my no ways been turning into maybes
I thought I told you I was fucking crazy
Rocks in my shoes, stones in my pockets
Lost and confused, cold and forgotten
Yeah, that's me
I try to look alive but I'm half asleep
The song "Rawks" by K.Flay explores themes of identity, self-doubt, and societal pressure. The lyrics suggest a feeling of being lost and unsure of one's place in the world, as K.Flay mentions playing solitaire in restaurants and feeling like she isn't living up to her own expectations. The line "human but day by day I'm feeling like I'm less of one" speaks to the idea of feeling disconnected from oneself and one's humanity.
K.Flay also touches on themes of substance use and mental health, referencing drinking and taking medications to deal with anxiety. She also mentions feeling violated and memorizing the Bill of Rights, further exploring the idea of societal pressure and personal autonomy.
Overall, the song suggests that despite feeling lost, K.Flay is still fighting for her own sense of identity and purpose. The lyrics are introspective and vulnerable, offering a glimpse into the artist's psyche.
Line by Line Meaning
Playing solitaire in restaurants
I do things that are strange and unconventional, like playing solitaire in public places.
Boundaries I'm testing em
I am pushing my own limits and seeing what I am capable of.
No one's really watching still I sense that I've been messing up
Even though I do not feel like anyone is paying attention, I still believe that I have been making mistakes.
Human but day by day I'm feeling like I'm less of one
As time goes on, I feel like my humanity is slipping away and I am becoming less like a typical human being.
Sent all my best friends presents yet I'm disappointing everyone
Despite my efforts to show my friends that I care through gift-giving, I feel like I am still letting them down somehow.
Got no direction someone summon Nora Ephron
I am feeling lost and directionless, and I wish someone like Nora Ephron could guide me.
Beer pong's how I learned the capital of Lebanon
I have learned things in unconventional ways, such as memorizing the capital of Lebanon through playing beer pong.
Basically we're Lennon John, young & dead and gone
We are all like John Lennon - young, full of potential, but ultimately mortal and destined to die.
Whiskey tipsy keep on slipping don't know which end of the bed I'm on
I am feeling the effects of alcohol and am so disoriented that I do not even know which way I am facing in bed.
Calories, Valeries in malls smoking on Cali weed
I am indulging in things like unhealthy food and smoking marijuana while wandering through shopping malls.
How can you complain when you've made up all your realities?
If you have created your own reality, you have no right to complain about it because it is your own doing.
Ballerinas balancing, validating maladies
Ballerinas are focused on perfecting their craft while also possibly ignoring or validating mental health struggles they may be experiencing.
Barfing up their salad greens par for mister balanchine
It is a common occurrence for ballerinas to vomit up their food in an effort to maintain weight - this is just part of the world they work in.
I text a lot of boys, but I rarely fuck em
I am flirty with many boys, but I do not actually engage in sexual activity with them very often.
Ducking clouds, breaking down, got my head up in an oven
I am trying to escape from my problems and emotions, but they are overwhelming me to the point of despair.
Shut my mouth, blacking out, yeah my brain is fucking bludgeoned
I am suppressing my feelings to the point of blacking out - my mind is completely overwhelmed.
Though I've had my doubts I know my stuff is straight disgusting
Even though I have insecurities about my work, I know that it is actually very good.
And I mean that in the best way
I am being sincere when I say that my work is great and it is meant to be a compliment.
Flipping shit like burgers or fake furs or a sex change
My life is changing rapidly and drastically, much like flipping things over like items on a grill, a fur coat, or a person's gender.
Right onto the next phase, got my buddies in the backseat
I am moving quickly onto the next phase of my life, with my friends supporting me along the way.
Don't like what I do then get your lips up off my ass cheek
If someone does not approve of the way I live or the things I do, they should not be so close to me in the first place.
Rocks in my shoes, stones in my pockets
I feel weighed down by my problems and struggles.
Lost and confused, cold and forgotten
I feel like I have lost my way and am alone in my struggles.
Yeah, that's me
I recognize that these feelings and emotions are a part of who I am.
I try to look alive but I'm half asleep
I am putting forth effort to appear like I am thriving and alive, but I am really just going through the motions and not truly engaged.
Baby's got a nosebleed, talking to a lead pipe
Someone close to me is experiencing a medical emergency and communicating with something that is not alive, like a lead pipe.
Strangers think they know me, photos of my best side
People who do not actually know me believe that they understand me based on selectively chosen photos of me.
Fit into my old jeans, haven eaten in like
I am losing weight rapidly to the point where I can fit into old clothes that did not previously fit me.
3 days you say I'm looking sick well shit you're dead right
I have not been eating and it is apparent to others that I am not well.
Father's vices, but my mama's heart so I've feeling like
I have inherited certain negative traits from my father, but my good heart comes from my mother and makes me conflicted.
Penitent a million nights sipping on these miller lights
I have spent countless nights feeling guilty and inadequate while drinking Miller Lite.
Wishing it was back to mash & after class & pillow fights
I long for simpler times like when I was in school and could just hang out with friends.
Feeling violated so I memorized the Bill of Rights
I have been wronged in some way and have turned to memorizing the Bill of Rights as a way to reclaim my power.
Kids I grew up with, perspective busted
The people I grew up with have lost some of their innocence and purity due to life experiences.
& now like half of them are fat, that's fucking justice
Some of the people I knew from my childhood have gained weight and I feel like this is just karma for something they did wrong.
Swear I'm on the cusp of something great, least I hope I am
I am hopeful that I am about to achieve something amazing, or at least I hope I am.
Trying to get a couple butts to shake til I'm broke again
I am trying to create something that will make people want to dance and have a good time, but it has not yet brought me financial success.
Compliments they're never sinking in I'm drinking gin
Even though people say nice things about my work, I am having trouble accepting their praise and am instead turning to drinking alcohol to numb my feelings.
And wondering why every night I bend over the sink again
I am drinking to the point of getting sick and am wondering why I continue to do it.
Thinking I'm in love so my irises been twinkling
I am convinced that I am in love and my eyes are reflecting this supposed love with their brightness.
But he don't feel the same, guess I'm permanently single then
The person I believe I am in love with does not feel the same way, so I am resigned to being single.
My anxiety been fucking with me awfully
I am dealing with severe anxiety that is affecting me greatly.
Should I be taking medications, doctor probably
I am considering taking medication to help with my anxiety, and my doctor would likely agree that it is a good idea.
Tummy's bum need an endoscopy
I need to have an endoscopy to get to the bottom of the issues I am having with my stomach.
Wanted everything under the sun guess I'll settle for some Foster's Freeze
I had high aspirations and wanted the best of everything, but now I am content to just have something small like Foster's Freeze.
But life's gravy uh I'm trying to find a man & hop in his Mercedes
Despite the challenges I am facing, I feel like life is going well and I am now focused on finding a wealthy partner who can provide material comforts like a Mercedes.
All my no ways been turning into maybes
Things that I used to refuse or say 'no' to are now starting to become possibilities in my mind.
I thought I told you I was fucking crazy
Despite what others may think or expect of me, I am aware that I have some level of craziness in me and I have already informed them of this.
Writer(s): KRISTINE FLAHERTY, DJ DAHI, DACOURY NATCHE
Contributed by Jayce A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bambino’s Balaclava
Playing solitaire in restaurants
Boundaries I’m testing em
No one’s really watching still I sense that I’ve been messing up
Human but day by day I’m feeling like I’m less of one
Sent all my best friends presents yet I’m disappointing everyone
Got no direction someone summon Nora Ephron
Beer pong’s how I learned the capital of Lebanon
Basically we’re Lennon John, young & dead and gone
Whiskey tipsy keep on slipping don’t know which end of the bed I’m on
Calories, Valeries in malls smoking on Cali weed
How can you complain when you’ve made up all your realities?
Ballerinas balancing, validating maladies
Barfing up their salad greens par for mister balanchine
I text a lot of boys, but I rarely fuck em
Ducking clouds, breaking down, got my head up in an oven
Shut my mouth, blacking out, yeah my brain is fucking bludgeoned
Though I’ve had my doubts I know my stuff is straight disgusting
And I mean that in the best way
Flipping shit like burgers or fake furs or a sex change
Right onto the next phase, got my buddies in the backseat
Don’t like what I do then get your lips up off my ass cheek
Rocks in my shoes, stones in my pockets
Lost and confused, cold and forgotten
Yeah, that’s me
I try to look alive but I’m half asleep
Baby’s got a nosebleed, talking to a lead pipe
Strangers think they know me, photos of my best side
Fit into my old jeans, haven eaten in like
3 days you say I’m looking sick well shit you’re dead right
Father’s vices, but my mama’s heart so I’ve feeling like
Penitent a million nights sipping on these miller lights
Wishing it was back to mash & after class & pillow fights
Feeling violated so I memorized the Bill of Rights
Kids I grew up with, perspective busted
& now like half of them are fat, that’s fucking justice
Swear I’m on the cusp of something great, least I hope I am
Trying to get a couple butts to shake til I’m broke again
Compliments they’re never sinking in I’m drinking gin
And wondering why every night I bend over the sink again
Thinking I’m in love so my irises been twinkling
But he don’t feel the same, guess I’m permanently single then
My anxiety been fucking with me awfully
Should I be taking medications, doctor probably
Tummy’s bum need an endoscopy
Wanted everything under the sun guess I’ll settle for some Foster’s Freeze
But life’s gravy uh I’m trying to find a man & hop in his Mercedes
All my no ways been turning into maybes
I thought I told you I was fucking crazy
Acskir
I am binge listening to everything k.flay ever made... I am sad I can't ever hear it for the first time again
JohnEdward Kerr
You lucky little snap! I discovered her from Last Call with Carson Daly many years ago(no duh was her single then) and now I've seen her live close to 20 times, each time better than before!
JohnEdward Kerr
Man, I've met her like 8 times, each time it's like her first time to meet me, and I always make an idiot of myself. Oh well, meeting her is still cool enough. I had a copy of Life As a Dog she signed "you're so cool!" And then the lead singer of Night Riots signed his album the same way for me, and he pushed a girl away(by her face!) When she started fangirling in-between us and then said "I'm talking to my friend, john!" And ordered himself a beer, saying she'll pay, which she did. Her name was Mary, and she laid me later that night. Best show for a long time, easily in my top five all-time. Also, why is the Blood in the Cut video removed flagged from YouTube? Jeez, too much of a good thing, YouTube takes the Taco Bell approach...
E Rock
I did the same thing when I first discovered her!
Lasagna Nuggies :D
omg sameeeee
Dev K
me to...
hunkneeti
I miss this era but I'm more than happy that she's getting better
TaeTae I'm proud of u
Exactly this
Eons I slept
Wish she'd get back to meaner shit like this, I think it's where she really shines.
IceColdNinja03
what are some songs or albums that she drops those more meaner kind of bars?