Coaster

"Coaster" by Khalid is a poignant exploration of the emotional turmoil that follows a difficult breakup. The song's central theme is the volatile and unpredictable nature of heartbreak, which Khalid powerfully conveys through the extended metaphor of a roller coaster. The lyrics capture the conflicting feelings of lingering love, deep-seated hurt, and the slow, arduous process of moving on. At its core, the song is about the painful gap between the reality of a failed relationship and the hope of what it could have been. The narrator swings between moments of intense longing, where he wishes his former partner would return, and moments of clear-eyed realization that the relationship was one-sided and based on lies. This 'coasting' through emotions signifies a lack of control, being helplessly carried through highs of false hope and lows of despair. Ultimately, the song traces a journey from devastation towards self-worth and acceptance, culminating in the difficult but necessary decision to close the door on the past.

The song begins with a feeling of profound sadness and emptiness as time goes on after a separation. The narrator is trying to mend their broken heart, metaphorically 'searching for pieces' and 'covering up the holes' left by their former lover. There's a deep sense of devotion, as the narrator proclaims they would fight for their partner's love and soul, willing to cast aside all personal concerns and wait for them. However, a painful realization begins to dawn: 'Maybe you weren't the one for me.' This thought is immediately contrasted by a deep-seated desire: 'But deep down I wanted you to be.' The memories and the 'what ifs' persist, haunting their dreams and highlighting the things they did for the relationship that ultimately weren't enough.

This internal conflict and emotional turbulence are captured in the core metaphor of the chorus. The narrator feels like they are on a roller coaster, 'coasting' through the volatile highs and lows of their feelings. One moment they are hopeful, wishing their ex would return, and the next they are plunged into the despair of the situation. The second verse delves deeper into the difficulty of moving on, especially when the other person seems to have moved on so much quicker. There's a shift in tone from pure sorrow to a mix of hurt and anger. The narrator acknowledges they gave their all and were met with lies, leading to the empowering, albeit painful, conclusion: 'you weren't worth it, you don't deserve me.'

As the song progresses, a fragile sense of recovery emerges. The passage of time starts to bring a feeling of being 'high' instead of 'low.' The narrator asserts that their ex is no longer the focus of their thoughts. While they admit they may not be completely over the relationship, they are making a conscious effort to heal. A newfound sense of self-worth begins to surface with lines like 'I'm feeling better now, finally feeling special now.' The final repetition of the roller coaster metaphor feels different; it’s no longer just about the hope of reconciliation but about navigating the path to self-acceptance. The song concludes with a firm declaration, a repeated mantra of 'You weren't the one for me,' solidifying the narrator's resolve. This culminates in a direct and final plea: 'So don't come back to me,' signaling a definitive, though emotionally taxing, end to the chapter.

"Coaster" was written by Khalid Robinson and Nathaniel Hernandez, and produced by Skrittzy. Khalid has mentioned that he wrote the song when he was 17 years old, while sitting in the backseat of a friend's car. It was released as a promotional single on December 16, 2016, before being included on his debut studio album, American Teen. The album itself was released on March 3, 2017, by Right Hand Music Group and RCA Records. The recording process involved several engineers, including Orlando Gomez for recording, Erik Madrid for mixing, and Colin Leonard for mastering. Khalid wrote the album as a way to express the problems and emotions he was going through, particularly those related to love and heartbreak, feeling that it was an outlet for feelings he otherwise had a hard time sharing.

"Coaster" follows a relatively free verse structure within its verses, which enhances its conversational and heartfelt tone. The rhyme scheme is not strictly consistent, often following patterns like ABCB or using slant rhymes, which contributes to a more natural, less rigid lyrical flow. For instance, in the first verse, 'low' rhymes with 'soul' and 'you' is paired with 'be'. The rhythm of the song is slow and deliberate, with a tempo of approximately 126 BPM, though it can feel much slower due to the sparse instrumentation and Khalid's relaxed vocal delivery. This pacing allows the listener to absorb the emotional weight of the lyrics. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is seamless; Khalid's phrasing often drifts languidly over the steady, simple piano chords, emphasizing the feeling of 'coasting' and emotional drift described in the lyrics.

Musically, "Coaster" is a slow-burning R&B ballad characterized by its minimalist production. It opens with simple piano chords and echoing background vocals, which places the focus squarely on Khalid's smooth, soulful voice. The arrangement is sparse, allowing his emotional delivery and the layered vocals in the chorus to carry the song's weight. Lyrically, Khalid employs a conversational and direct narrative style, making the emotions highly relatable. Repetition is a key literary device, particularly in the chorus with 'coasting, roller-coasting,' which drills home the central metaphor. The outro features the repeated phrases 'You weren't the one for me' and 'don't come back to me,' which act as a mantra of self-conviction, showing the narrator's emotional progression from doubt to resolve. The song also uses assonance, such as the repetition of the 'o' sound in 'so low' and 'holes', enhancing its melancholic and flowing quality.

"Coaster" was released as a promotional single for Khalid's highly successful debut album, American Teen (2017). The album itself was a massive commercial success, debuting at number nine on the Billboard 200 and eventually peaking at number four. It was certified 4x platinum by the RIAA in March 2022 and received a Grammy nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album. While "Coaster" itself did not chart as a major single like "Location" or "Young Dumb & Broke," it became a fan favorite and a key track that showcased Khalid's emotional depth and songwriting prowess. The song is often cited by fans as a quintessential heartbreak anthem, praised for its relatable lyrics and raw emotion. It has been featured in various Apple Music documentaries and playlists, solidifying its place within Khalid's essential discography. The track demonstrated Khalid's versatility early in his career, proving he could deliver impactful, slow-tempo ballads in addition to more upbeat hits.

The most prominent metaphor in "Coaster" is the roller coaster, which symbolizes the narrator's unstable and fluctuating emotions after a breakup. The act of 'coasting' represents the up-and-down journey of healing, from the highs of feeling better to the sudden drops of sadness and longing. This imagery perfectly captures the feeling of being out of control and at the mercy of one's own feelings. Another significant piece of imagery is 'searchin' for pieces, covering up the holes.' This metaphor describes the attempt to mend a broken heart, illustrating the feeling of being shattered and trying to become whole again after a significant loss. The lyrics shift from this vulnerability to a realization of 'the proof of your lies,' symbolizing a moment of clarity and a turning point where the narrator begins to reclaim their self-worth.

The most significant recurring phrase is the chorus, 'So I'll be coasting, roller-coasting, through my emotions.' This line acts as the song's central thesis, repeated to emphasize the constant, dizzying shifts in feeling. Its recurrence highlights the cyclical nature of the narrator's emotional state. The phrase 'Maybe you weren't the one for me' is another key recurring motif, initially presented as a hesitant realization but later reinforced by the definitive statement, 'I noticed you weren't the one for me.' This evolution shows the character's journey from uncertainty to acceptance. Finally, the repeated lines in the outro, 'You weren't the one for me' and 'So don't come back to me,' function as a powerful, self-affirming conclusion, cementing the narrator's decision to move on.