“Vertigo” by Khalid

“Vertigo” is a song performed by American R&B singer and songwriter Khalid. This track, which was released in 2018, sees the narrator reflecting very deeply on the problems of life. He wishes life was easy because his has been nothing but “a mess”.

According to him, his life is so messy that he even goes blurry whenever he’s thinking. He doesn’t know why this happens. He therefore wonders whether it’s just him or “vertigo”?

It is possible that Khalid might be using the word “vertigo” metaphorically to refer to the extraordinary heights he has reached in his career. He’s climbed to such a dizzying height that he wonders if that could be responsible for the blurriness he experiences.

He goes on to ask the following very profound questions in the song’s chorus:

“Are we alive?
Or are we dreaming?
After the ride
Are you living?”

These questions above are indeed nothing short of deep. According to some analysts, in the first two questions, Khalid apparently wants to know whether the things around us (including our troubles) are real or just a dream.

The part where he asks whether we are living after the ride has been interpreted by some analysts to be about actually living your life or merely just existing. After achieving or partaking in whatever brings you happiness, are you living? For example, in the case of Khalid, having achieved his dreams of becoming a successful singer, is he actually living life or merely existing? Based on the words of this song, the answer is obviously the latter.

In the song’s outro, Khalid wraps everything up talking about how he constantly keeps falling with his “eyes closed”.

Facts about “Vertigo”

• Khalid co-wrote “Vertigo” with five other songwriters, including DIGI and Charlie Handsome. The pair also collaborated with Khalid on other tracks, including “Love Lies” and “Suncity” with Khalid.
• Handsome and DIGI not only co-wrote this track, but they also co-produced it with two other music producers John Hill and Roget Chahayed.
• “Vertigo” was released on October 19, 2018. It is the second track off Khalid’s debut EP titled Suncity.
• The song’s background vocals were provided by American singer/rapper Ty Dolla $ign.
• Coldplay’s 2008 hit single “Viva La Vida” is interpolated in this track.
• “Vertigo” is the longest track on the Suncity EP. It has a total length of 4 minutes and 30 seconds.

Is this Ty Dolla Sign’s first time of working with Khalid?

No. Both artists have worked together before in the past. For example, the pair worked together on Khalid’s 2018 track “OTW”. That song featured both 6LACK and Ty Dolla $ign.