Toronto-based singer/songwriter Kai has explained the powerful meaning behind the lyrics she wrote for Never Be Like You, her hugely popular collaboration with Aussie producer Flume. She annotated the entire song for Genius.com, and by doing so, has revealed the innermost thoughts and feelings that inspired her lyrics.
Collaborations with Jack Ü, Adventure Club and Canadian producer Hunter Siegel have cemented Kai’s reputation for soaring vocals and captivating lyrics, very much on the trend of female vocalists carrying catchy club beats.
The song is about the Kai becoming distracted by another while in a relationship, but inevitably finding that distractions are fleeting, and not worth the pain of losing someone you love. This person may be captivating and new but they’ll ‘never be like you.’
“What would I do to take away this fear of being loved, allegiance to the pain. Now I’m fucked up and I’m missin ya. Never be like you.”
Kai: “I question things a lot and sometimes that leads me to self-sabotage, and to be in denial about the opportunity of happiness in front of my own eyes.”
“I would give anything to change this fickle minded heart that loves fake shiny things”
Kai: “Relationships are like everything in life, just because you’re deeply in love with a person it doesn’t stop you from being blinded momentarily by someone else. It’s trying to recognize that trait and fight that instinct that I’m getting at here.”
“I’m only human can’t you see I made, I made a mistake. Please just look me in my face and tell me everything’s okay cause I got it. He’ll never be like you”