Don't Pretend

Album: Free Spirit (2019)
Charted: 84
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Songfacts®:

  • Over a guitar-driven production, Khalid yearns for a love interest to contact him.

    Keeping my phone alive
    Hoping that you call this time
    Thought I heard your ringing
    You know I hear things sometimes


    It is clear this girl is not interested in pursuing a relationship with Khalid and is snubbing him. This is not surprising as the obsessed singer is repeatedly dialing her number and is possibly creeping her out.

    Though I never had you, I used to pretend that you're mine
    I feel like there's nothing for me here, but still, I try
    I feel like there's nothing for me here, but still, I try
    Bruising my finger hitting your line


    Khalid has rang his love interest's phone so many times, his fingers are damaged from entering her digits over and over again.
  • "Don't Pretend" features the Toronto rapper SAFE, who is an affiliate of Drake's OVO label.
  • Khalid actually recorded the ballad back in 2016 or 2017. It became a last minute addition to Free Spirit when the singer was reminded of the tune and he felt it needed to be included on the record.

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