Cover art for Twenty One by Khalid

Twenty One

Khalid
Track 12 on Free Spirit 
Apr. 5, 20191 viewer59.8K views

Twenty One 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

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About

This song bio is unreviewed
Genius Annotation

21, a detrimental age and of course the title of one of Khalid’s new song. This song does not handle the greatness and joyfulness of turning 21, but the eventual sorrows. The song provides a contrast from Khalid’s 8TEEN released just 2 years earlier.

A well appreciated contrast to the rest of the album that just increases the width and depth of the album.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did Khalid say about "Twenty One"?
Genius Answer

I love that my friends and I have such a complete understanding of each other emotionally. I get to talk to them and I get to make time for them, they get to make time for me. Just to hang out and just to live and tell stories. You can’t write a song if you don’t have anything to write about. My friends give me something to write about every single day.”
— Khalid for Apple Music

Credits
Vocal Producer
Recording Engineer
Mixing Engineer
Mastering Engineer
Assistant Recording Engineer
Release Date
April 5, 2019
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