What I Need

Hayley Kiyoko, Kehlani

About What I Need

"What I Need" is a song by American singer-songwriter Hayley Kiyoko featuring artist Kehlani. It was released as a single on May 31, 2018, along with an accompanying music video.


Year:
2018
3:39
183 
#2

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All the back and forth getting complicated
Running me around got me frustrated
No, that's why I been laying low
If you wanna make it work, baby, gotta say it
Need a little more than participation
Oh, I get good, be on my own

Sure I would kiss you, I lay you with you
You broke, no, I can't fix you
I won't, no, won't diss you
But babe, yeah, might miss you
If you're cold and needed shelter
I'd hold you, but not sweat ya
I know we're not together
But babe, I won't forget ya

What I need, what I need, what I need
Is for you to be sure, no no no
For you to be sure, no no no
For you to be sure, no no no
What I need, what I need, what I need
Is to tell me that it's yours, no no no
And who you do it for, no no no
Need you to be sure, no no no
No, no

Need you to be sure
Need you to be sure

When we're all alone, girl, you wanna own it
When we're with your fam, you don't wanna show it
Oh, you're tryna keep us on the low
I only want a girl who ain't afraid to love me
Not a metaphor but we really could be
Oh, I ain't putting on a show

Sure I would kiss you, I lay you with you
You broke, no, I can't fix you
I won't, no, won't diss you
But babe, yeah, might miss you
If you're cold and needed shelter
I'd hold you, but not sweat ya
I know we're not together
But babe, I won't forget ya

What I need, what I need, what I need
Is for you to be sure, no no no
For you to be sure, no no no
For you to be sure, no no no
What I need, what I need, what I need
Is to tell me that it's yours, no no no
And who you do it for, no no no
Need you to be sure, no no no
No, no

Need you to be sure
Need you to be sure

Need you to be sure
Need you to be sure

We could be bigger and brighter than space
Ain't no running away
No, real loving is sure
The way that I love, there's no taking my place
Stare at you, right in your face
No, don't look away no more

Sure I would kiss you, I lay you with you
You broke, no, I can't fix you
I won't, no, won't diss you
But babe, yeah, I might miss you
If you're cold and needed shelter
I'd hold you, but not sweat ya
I know we're not together
But babe, I won't forget ya

What I need, what I need, what I need
Is for you to be sure, no no no
For you to be sure, no no no
For you to be sure, no no no
What I need, what I need, what I need
Is to tell me that it's yours, no no no
And who you do it for, no no no
Need you to be sure, no no no
No, no

Need you to be sure
Need you to be sure
Need you to be sure
Need you to be sure

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Hayley Kiyoko

Hayley Kiyoko Alcroft (born April 3, 1991) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, and director. Beginning dance lessons as a child, Kiyoko's interest in entertaining led to her working as a child model and actress. She appeared in a variety of films including Scooby-Doo! film series (2009–10), Lemonade Mouth (2011), Blue Lagoon: The Awakening (2012), Jem and the Holograms (2015), and XOXO (2016). Alongside her film roles, she also held a recurring role in the TV series The Fosters (2014) and a lead role on CSI: Cyber (2015–16) and Five Points (2018). more »

1 fan

Written by: Kehlani Ashley Parrish, Hayley Kiyoko, Brandon Skeie, Jono Dorr

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Artist Information
"What I Need" is a song by American singer and songwriter Hayley Kiyoko.
Album Information
The song is included in her debut studio album "Expectations," which was released in 2018.
Collaboration
The song features the vocals of American R&B artist Kehlani.
Music Video
Kiyoko also directed the music video for the song. The video is about two young women who run away together due to the lack of understanding and acceptance in their environment.
LGBTQ+ Representation
Both artists, Hayley Kiyoko and Kehlani, are openly queer, and their representation in the song is often lauded as a positive illustration of queer love.
Awards
The music video received the 2018 MTV Video Music Award for Best Push Artist and was also nominated in the category for Best new artist.
Professional Success
"What I Need" gained noticeable commercial success which led to major exposure for Hayley Kiyoko as an artist.
Critical Reception
The song was well received by music critics and was praised for its honest exploration of romantic and platonic relationships between women.
Song Theme
The lyrics of "What I Need" speak on confusion and problems in a complicated romantic relationship. Kiyoko and Kehlani depict a relationship wherein they require clarity, honesty, and surety of their partner's feelings.
Social Impact
It plays a significant role in the representation of a LGBTQ+ relationship in mainstream media, hence, making it a major contribution towards inclusivity and acceptance.

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