Khalid’s track “Yes Or Maybe,” a poignant surprise bonus track on his album after the sun goes down, serves as a raw and deeply vulnerable exploration of romantic purgatory. At its heart, the song is a desperate, sleepless plea for clarity in a relationship teetering on the edge of commitment. It masterfully captures the excruciating emotional state of being “on hold,” waiting for a definitive sign from a person who holds all the power.
The song is a narrative of a single, pivotal night, a journey that is both a physical drive and a profound emotional odyssey. “Yes Or Maybe” is not just a love song; it is an anthem for anyone who has ever been caught in the agonizing space between a hopeful “yes,” a heartbreaking “no,” and the maddening uncertainty of “maybe.” It is a raw and honest admission that emotional “safety” is the ultimate prize, and that the limbo of the unknown is a unique and exquisite form of torture.
A Journey to the Edge of Certainty: What “Yes Or Maybe” is Really About
Released on October 10, 2025, this final bonus track provides a startlingly vulnerable and emotionally charged conclusion to the album’s narrative arc. The song’s central theme is the narrator’s all-consuming need to escape the anxiety of an undefined “situationship.” He is completely “locked in,” utterly captivated by a connection that feels “heaven-sent,” yet he is simultaneously tormented by his partner’s “cavalier” and ambiguous attitude.
The narrative is framed by a late-night drive on the iconic 405 freeway, a journey that symbolizes his relentless, single-minded pursuit of an answer. This physical journey, however, pales in comparison to the emotional places his love interest takes him, a truth he beautifully articulates by comparing her effect to the limitations of his “old Mercedes.”
The song’s power lies in its raw, unfiltered honesty. The narrator is done pretending that this uncertainty doesn’t affect him. He lays his vulnerability bare, admitting that this person is constantly on his mind and that he needs a definitive answer to find peace. It is a powerful exploration of the power imbalance in a new romance and the desperate human need for emotional security in the face of overwhelming feelings.
Anatomy of an Anxious Heart: A Lyrical Breakdown
Khalid constructs “Yes Or Maybe” as a real-time journey into the narrator’s anxious mind. The song’s structure mirrors his escalating desperation, moving from a scene of quiet anticipation to a powerful, climactic plea for a final, definitive answer.
Verse 1: The Sleepless Pilgrimage on the 405
The song opens with a scene that is both specific and universally relatable: a “sleepless night” spent driving. The choice of the 405 freeway is significant. It is a famous, often-congested artery of Los Angeles, a place of constant motion but often frustratingly slow progress—a perfect metaphor for the state of his relationship.
This is not a casual, aimless drive. It is a pilgrimage. He is driving to her, a conscious act of seeking a resolution. The anticipation is palpable; he imagines the moment he will be “parked outside” and she will be “coming out.” This opening verse immediately establishes the narrator’s devotion and the lengths he is willing to go to, both literally and figuratively, for this person.
Pre-Chorus: The Heavenly and Helpless Feeling of Being “Locked In”
The pre-chorus is a brilliant description of the narrator’s internal state, the feeling of being completely and helplessly captivated. He begins by describing himself as “innocent ’til you pulled me in,” suggesting that he was not looking for this intense connection, but was irresistibly drawn into it.
He is past the point of denial, admitting that he “can’t pretend that I’m not locked in.” This is not a choice; it is a state of being. His heart has been captured, and he is a willing prisoner.
He describes the feeling as “heaven-sent” and “so intense,” framing the connection as something fated, almost divine. This is not a mere crush; it is a profound, life-altering experience.
This sense of profound significance leads to a feeling of disbelief. The repeated question, “Is this happening?” highlights the surreal, dreamlike quality of his emotions. He is so overwhelmed by the intensity of the connection that he is struggling to believe it is real, which makes his need for her confirmation even more urgent.
Chorus: The Core Plea for “Safety” from “Yes, No, Maybe”
The chorus is the song’s powerful and desperate thesis statement. It is a direct and honest confession of his vulnerability and a clear articulation of what he needs. He begins by dropping his emotional guard completely: “It’s not worth actin’ like this don’t phase me.” He is done playing it cool. This situation is deeply affecting him, and he is finally admitting it.
He confesses the extent of his obsession, admitting that she is “always on my mind, in my head daily.” She is a constant presence, a thought he cannot escape.
This confession leads to his central plea: “Tell me I’m not alone, give me that safety.” The “safety” he is seeking is not physical; it is emotional. It is the security of knowing where he stands, the comfort of mutual feeling, and the end of the anxiety caused by uncertainty.
His ultimate goal is to stop “holdin’ on to yes, no, maybe.” This phrase is the perfect encapsulation of romantic purgatory. He is caught in a state of suspended animation, unable to move forward and unwilling to go back. He needs a definitive answer to break free from this limbo.
The chorus then introduces the song’s most beautiful and poignant metaphor. He sings that his “old Mercedes” can’t take him to the places she takes him. This is a brilliant contrast between physical and emotional travel. His car, a symbol of his tangible, earthly existence, can only carry him so far. Her presence, however, transports him to a different emotional and spiritual plane. This love is a journey that transcends the physical world.
Verse 2: The Cavalier Queen and the Sealing of Fate
The second verse shifts the scene and deepens the narrative. They are now “on the pier,” a classic romantic setting that is also a powerful symbol of being in a liminal space—a structure that is neither fully on land nor fully in the sea. It is a perfect metaphor for their in-between relationship status.
He describes her as acting “so cavalier,” a crucial detail that reveals the source of his anxiety. Her nonchalant, carefree attitude is a stark contrast to his own intense, all-consuming feelings. This imbalance is what creates the power dynamic in the relationship and fuels his desperation for clarity.
She makes him “wait,” a small act of power that amplifies his anticipation and anxiety. The tension builds until they are “face to face,” a moment of climactic intimacy.
It is in this moment that she finally speaks the words that change everything: “We should seal our fate.” This is the moment the narrator has been driving towards all night. The cavalier queen finally reveals her hand, suggesting that she is also ready to move out of the “maybe” and into a definitive state.
The Bridge: The Exhaustion of “Holdin’ On”
The bridge is a meditative and mournful exploration of the narrator’s emotional exhaustion. The repeated phrase “holdin’ on” becomes a mantra of his suffering. It is the sound of him clinging to hope, of him being stuck in this painful state of limbo for far too long.
His cry of “I don’t wanna hold on” is his breaking point. It is a plea to be released from this state of constant waiting. It is not that he wants to let go of her, but that he wants to let go of the uncertainty.
The line “I been waitin’ so long” adds a layer of history to his frustration. This is not a new feeling; it is a chronic state of being that has finally become unbearable. The bridge is the sound of his patience finally and completely running out.
The Outro: The Unresolved Echo of a Plea
The song fades out not with her answer, but with the narrator’s plea still hanging in the air. The final lines are a fragmented echo of the chorus, his mind still fixated on the core problem: her constant presence in his head and his desperate need for an end to the “yes, no, maybe.”
This unresolved ending is a powerful narrative choice. It leaves the listener in the same state of suspense as the narrator. She has suggested they “seal our fate,” but the song ends before we know what that sealed fate will be. We are left in that final, breathless moment of anticipation, making the narrator’s emotional journey all the more immediate and resonant.
Thematic Deep Dive: Beyond the Love Song
“Yes Or Maybe” is a rich and emotionally intelligent track that explores several profound themes about the nature of modern love, vulnerability, and the universal quest for emotional security.
Theme 1: The Purgatory of the “Almost-Relationship”
The song is a perfect encapsulation of the modern “situationship.” The state of “yes, no, maybe” is the defining characteristic of a relationship that lacks clear labels and mutual understanding. The narrator is experiencing all the intense emotions of being in love without any of the security.
This theme explores the unique and often unspoken pain of this kind of dynamic. It is a relationship defined by ambiguity, where one person is often more invested than the other, leading to a constant state of anxiety and second-guessing. The song gives a powerful voice to this frustrating and deeply relatable modern romantic experience.
Theme 2: Emotional “Safety” as the Ultimate Romantic Currency
The narrator’s plea for “safety” is one of the most mature and vulnerable desires expressed in a modern love song. He is not asking for passion, excitement, or material things. He is asking for a feeling of security, a safe harbor for his heart.
This theme reframes what is truly valuable in a relationship. It suggests that the greatest gift one person can give another is clarity. The “safety” he craves is the freedom from anxiety, the peace of mind that comes from knowing you are not alone in your feelings. In a world of “cavalier” attitudes and non-committal dating, this plea for emotional security feels both radical and deeply essential.
Theme 3: The Journey vs. The Destination (The Mercedes Metaphor)
The metaphor of the “old Mercedes” is the lyrical centerpiece of the song, a brilliant exploration of the transcendent power of love. The narrator’s car, a symbol of his physical world and his ability to navigate it, is presented as utterly inadequate.
This theme suggests that a profound connection is a form of transportation. It is a journey that takes you to emotional, spiritual, and psychological places that you could never reach on your own. This person does not just make him feel good; she expands his entire world, alters his perception, and takes him on a journey that has nothing to do with miles on a highway. It is a celebration of love as the ultimate adventure.
Theme 4: The Power Dynamic of Uncertainty and the Courage of Vulnerability
The song masterfully explores the power imbalance that often exists at the beginning of a relationship. The person who is less certain, more “cavalier,” often holds the power. The narrator’s anxiety and desperation are a direct result of this dynamic. He is the one who is vulnerable, the one who is asking, the one who is waiting.
However, the song also presents his vulnerability as a form of courage. His decision to stop “actin’ like this don’t phase me” is a powerful act of self-love. He is choosing to be honest about his needs, even at the risk of rejection.
This theme celebrates the strength that lies in vulnerability. While his partner may hold the power of the final answer, the narrator reclaims his own power by refusing to suffer in silence any longer. His plea for safety is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of his profound emotional courage.
Conclusion
“Yes Or Maybe” is a stunning and emotionally raw conclusion to Khalid’s album, a track that finds its power in its unflinching portrayal of romantic anxiety. It is a masterfully crafted narrative of a single night spent on the edge of a life-altering decision, a journey from a lonely freeway to a pier of fated encounters.
The song is a timeless and universal anthem for anyone who has ever been trapped in the agonizing limbo of an undefined love. It is a testament to the idea that the most intense journeys are not measured in miles, but in the distance between two hearts. It is a profound and unforgettable exploration of the desperate, human, and ultimately hopeful quest for an answer, for safety, and for an end to the torture of “yes, no, maybe.”