On “Alive,” Khalid reflects on this transition period in his life as he grows from not only a teenager to a young adult, but from an aspiring artist to a superstar. Keeping his thoughts and feelings to himself throughout these changes has taken its toll on him.
Looking ahead to what is still to com...
[Verse 1]
Unread texts and missed calls
Told everyone I turned my phone off
Didn't ask for help and now I’m lost
Life comes in phases (Phases)
Consequences and mistakes
I'm sorry that it's taken me so long
[Pre-Chorus]
Mister, mister, please let off your power
Give me half an hour, or better yet, a full
Only sweet until it all goes sour
But life is what you make it, and then there’s more to lose
[Chorus]
Gatekeeper, can you show me more to life?
Lately, I've been living out of spite
Grim Reaper, just give me one more night
I need another chance to say goodbye
I shouldn't have to die to feel alive
[Verse 2]
Here's the thing with disappearing
You can yell and no one hears you
Times like this, I need an ear
When I finally have so much to say
Wish I could see your face, oh
And do what I have to stop the tears
[Pre-Chorus]
Sister, sister, please know that I'm sorry
I wish you could've stopped me from falling off the hill
Only sweet until it all goes sour
But life is what you make it until it gets too real
[Chorus]
Gatekeeper, can you show me more to life?
Lately, I've been living out of spite
Grim reaper, just give me one more night
I need another chance to say goodbye
I shouldn't have to die to feel alive
Alive was written by John Hill & Emily Warren & Khalid.
This is the second chapter of everything—chapter two, act two. I felt like ending it giving people a song they can listen to whenever they’re feeling down, whenever they’re going through something. Though these songs feel very sad, I feel like they have a brighter message.”
— Khalid for Apple Music