Logic, 1-800-273-8255 | Track Review

Logic, assisted by Alessia Cara and Khalid, delivers a meaningful message on “1-800-273-8255,” the third single from his third studio album, ‘Everybody.’

Ahead of his third studio album, Everybody, Logic continues to build anticipation without question.  The title track arrived first, followed by “Black Spiderman” featuring Damian Lemar Hudson.  One final single arrives prior to Everybody: “1-800-273-8255,” featuring Alessia Cara and Khalid.  “1-800-273-8255” is the heaviest single Logic has released from Everybody and arguably, his heaviest song to date.

What makes “1-800-273-8255” so heavy? The title is the phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.  According to the press release shared on the site, of “1-800-273-8255” it states:

The song is an anthem that shares a story of an individual in crisis who finds help, and encourages his fans and other individuals to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for support.

Couldn’t have said it better myself.  Logic approaches the song as a progression, starting from the suicidal perspective, encouraging the suicidal person to embrace life, and the suicidal person coming to the desire to live.  Initially, Logic sings:

“I don’t wanna be alive…
I just wanna die today
I just wanna die…
And let me tell you why.”

On the verse that follows, he explains why he doesn’t value his life and the feeling that no one cares.  Logic then takes on the persona of a champion on the following chorus:

“I want you to be alive…
You don’t gotta die today
You don’t gotta die…
Now lemme tell you why.”

Alessia Cara enters the picture, flaunting a beautiful vocal performance.  The sound is angelic, but not morbid.  This marks the realization of life and a new beginning, capped off by the final line of the verse: “I know that you’ll thank God you did.”  Logic follows up Cara’s verse with his own, continuing to build a case for embracing life and being encouraging.  Eventually, he arrives at the final, reinvigorated chorus:

“I finally wanna be alive…
I don’t wanna die today
I don’t wanna die.”

Khalid appears at the end of the record.  He adds the punctuation mark, as the suicidal person has seen the light – not heavenly light of course, but the light of life.

Final Thoughts

Once again, Logic delivers a gem with “1-800-273-8255.”  Uplifting, relevant, and well performed, he puts substance above shallowness.  That’s something that can’t be said about other rappers in the game.  Alessia Cara and Khalid provide an excellent lift.

Logic • Everybody • Def Jam • Release: 5.5.17 

Photo Credit: Def Jam