P!nk opens up about the heartbreaking inspiration behind 'Who Knew' 😢
It was a Top 5 hit in 2006
Last updated 14th Feb 2023
Way back in 2006, P!nk released her hit 'Who Knew', but it's only recently she's opened up about the heartbreaking inspiration behind the song, which she says she still enjoys performing.
Appearing on The Kelly Clarkson Show, P!nk revealed to the show's host that she had suffered a lot of losses over the years, and 'Who Knew' was originally written about some friends who had died due to an overdose.
What was the inspiration behind P!nk's song 'Who Knew'?
The 'Trustfall' singer explained: "I lost several friends, unfortunately, to overdose, and the second one was very, very, very close to me, and I loved him very much."
Talking about her friend Sekou, who died when they were just teenagers, she went on to say: "But the thing that I love about the song now, after all these years, is that I never get tired of performing it, and it's taken on so many different meanings over the years.
"It was about my grandmother at one point. It was about my dog. I've lost people, so it's always sort of fresh in my heart."
When Kelly sympathised with P!nk saying she was sorry she had experienced so much loss, P!nk explained: "We need music for that though, I need music to help me through my feelings, and I can numb down really easy."
Following their chat about the song, P!nk and Kelly went on to perform an amazing acoustic duet of the song.
After hearing their fantastic duet, fans left loads of comments on the YouTube video saying: 'Pink doesn't realise how great her voice is. Kelly's harmonies are incredible, I hope they do a full song duet at some point during the show where KC does something other than harmonize though!', (sic) and 'Kelly is such a great accompaniment with Pink. She lets Pink have her moments and doesn’t just take over a song.
'And these two together is absolutely ear candy. Yea I could listen to these two do a whole concert together.' (sic)
How popular was 'Who Knew'?
'Who Knew' was very popular when it was released in 2006, it reached Number 5 in the UK and was certified Platinum. In the 13 years that the music video has been on YouTube, it has amassed a massive 178 million views.
What are the lyrics to 'Who Knew'?
Here are the full lyrics for P!nk's song 'Who Knew'.
'You took my hand, you showed me how / You promised me you'd be around / Uh-huh, that's right / I took your words, and I believed / In everything you said to me / Yeah, huh, that's right
'If someone said three years from now / You'd be long gone / I'd stand up and punch them out / 'Cause they're all wrong / I know better, 'cause you said forever, and ever / Who knew?
'Remember when we were such fools / And so convinced and just too cool / Oh no, no, no / I wish I could touch you again / I wish I could still call you a friend / I'd give anything
'When someone said count your blessings now / 'Fore they're long gone / I guess I just didn't know how / I was all wrong / But they knew better, still you said forever, and ever / Who knew? / (Yeah, yeah)
'I'll keep you locked in my head (my head) / Until we meet again (meet again) / Until we, until we meet again / And I won't forget you, my friend / What happened?
'If someone said three years from now / You'd be long gone / I'd stand up and punch them out / 'Cause they're all wrong and / That last kiss, I'll cherish until we meet again / And time makes it harder, I wish I could remember / But I keep your memory, you visit me in my sleep / My darling, who knew?
'My darling, my darling, who knew? / My darling, I miss you / My darling, who knew? / Who knew?'
You can hear songs by P!nk on Cool FM, and buy tickets to see her on tour this summer from Ticketmaster.ie.
Take a look at what tours are coming up this year:
JLS
JLS boys Aston Merrygold, Oritsé Williams, Marvin Humes, and JB Gill are going on another tour across the UK in November! JLS will begin in Glasgow, before their final date in London at the end of the month.
Cian Ducrot
Cian Ducrot announced in March 2025 he's heading out on his first ever arena headline show! Cian is playing dates across the UK and Ireland in July, September and December!
Hilary Duff
Hilary Duff has released her first new music in 10 years called 'Mature' and with it, announced a series of intimate gigs, including one in London. She will perform in London on 19th January 2026 as part of her 'Small Rooms, Big Nerves' tour.
Jason Derulo
Jason will be performing several dates across the UK and Ireland in January and February 2026. The singer is expected to perform some of his biggest hits from the last 15 years.
James Arthur
One to look forward to next year in 2026 - In celebration of his sixth studio album 'Pisces', James Arthur is going on a huge tour in February 2026! Starting in Nottingham at Motorpoint Arena on Tuesday 3rd February, the singer will then travel across the UK ending at Manchester's Co-Op Live on Saturday 21st February.
Fatboy Slim
Fatboy Slim has announced eight dates for his 'Acid Ballroom' tour in February 2026, two in each of the cites - London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow.
Kesha
'Tik Tok' singer Kesha has announced a new tour for 2026, performing at four UK venues, as well as across Europe in March 2026.
Leigh-Anne
Leigh-Anne will be going on a tour in April 2026. The tour is called 'My Ego Told Me To Tour' and is in support of her debut solo album 'My Ego Told Me To', which will be released in February. She will be playing dates in Glasgow, Manchester, Bristol and London as part of a wider European tour.
Alex Warren
'Ordinary' singer Alex Warren is heading to this side of the pond in the spring of 2026, with UK tour dates from 20th April to 6th May. He'll be visiting London, Newcastle, Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham, Belfast and Dublin.
Louis Tomlinson
Following the release of his first new music in three years, 'Lemonade', and the announcement of his third solo album 'How Did I Get Here?', Louis Tomlinson has now announced he will be going on a World Tour in 2026. The singer will perform seven dates across the UK and Ireland in April and May 2026.
Example
Example has announced he will be going on tour in May 2026. The singer is known for his hits 'Kickstarts', 'Won't Got Quietly' and 'Changed the Way You Kiss Me'. He will be performing five dates across England in May 2026.
'Clubland Arena Tour 2026'
'Clubland Arena Tour 2026' has been announced featuring Cascada, Ian Van Dahl, Cascada and Darren Styles. Taking place across two weekends in May, the events will take place in Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle and Aberdeen with a new show in Leeds.
Doja Cat
Doja Cat has announced UK dates for 'Tour Ma Vie World Tour', which will see her performing across the country in May 2026. The 'Say So' singer will start her tour in Glasgow on Thursday 21st May 2026, followed by dates in Manchester and Birmingham, ending her run in London at the O2 Arena on Friday 29th May.
Sister Sisters - 'The Kiki Continues'
The Sister Sisters have now announced outdoor dates across the UK in May, July and August 2026, including several festivals - Mighty Hoopla, Rock Oyster Festival and Boomtown Festival. 'The Kiki Continues' will start in London in May.
James Arthur - Summer dates 2026
James Arthur has announced two dates for Summer 2026. The singer will play in Scarborough and Halifax in July at outdoor venues. He told his fans they would be 'very special shows'.
Lewis Capaldi - Summer dates 2026
In September 2025, just a few days after he started his autumn tour, Lewis announced lots of summer 2026 dates! He then added to these dates after they sold out very quickly. He will tour the UK and Ireland in June, July and August.
Pitbull
Pitbull has been announced as the headline act for several gigs next summer. After the success of his 'Party After Dark Tour' in 2025, he will be returning to the UK for gigs in London, Leeds, Glasgow and Belfast as part of a larger tour including dates in Ireland.
The gigs take place across June and July 2026.
Ariana Grande
In August, Ariana Grande announced she would be going on 'The Eternal Sunshine Tour', including five dates in the UK. The singer will be coming to the UK in August 2026.
Westlife
After much excitement and teasing, the band revealed they will be playing across the UK in September and October 2026, as part of their 'Westlife 25: The Anniversary World Tour'. The band will start their UK leg in Aberdeen on Tuesday 29th September, before performing across the UK, ending with FIVE dates in Belfast (previously announced).
Hits Radio Live 2026
Hits Radio Live 2026 has now been announced at bp pulse LIVE in Birmingham on Friday 20th November 2026 and Co-op Live in Manchester on Saturday 21st November 2026. Buy tickets now!
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