Why Khalid loves Fleetwood Mac and Sir Elton John

He's worked with Calvin Harris, Future and Kendrick Lemar, but Khalid says Fleetwood Mac are one of his biggest influences.

The legendary band released their best known album, Rumours, 20 years before the teenager from Texas was even born.

"Their song writing is timeless," he says. "I'm 19 but I can relate to the music."

Formed in 1967, Fleetwood Mac are one of the world's biggest selling bands of all time.

"The themes in their songs like Dreams or Little Lies or Landslide can relate to me. They inspire me," says Khalid.

John McVie, Christine McVie, Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham and Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac in 2014.

Getty Images John McVie, Christine McVie, Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham and Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac — John McVie, Christine McVie, Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham and Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac in 2014.

Those themes include euphoria and melancholy, both of which he tried to get across in his debut album, American Teen.

"My album was a melting pit of emotion. I wanted to write songs with a story. What happened at the beginning? How upset or happy was I? Did I end happy or sad?

"Most songs ended on a high note," the singer adds.

Harry Styles recently brought Fleetwood Mac to a new audience when he covered The Chain in the Radio 1 Live Lounge, a performance seen by Khalid.

Khalid met Sir Elton John backstage at one of the British singer's US gigs

Getty Images Sir Elton John — Khalid met Sir Elton John backstage at one of the British singer's US gigs

As well as Fleetwood Mac, he says his other musical inspirations include Father John Misty, Frank Ocean and Lorde.

And despite the calibre of artists he's worked with, Khalid says he's never been as starstruck as he was when he met Sir Elton John.

"I had seen this documentary in which Elton John was asked if there was a new artist he'd be interested in working with.

"He said 'Khalid' and I couldn't believe it. I checked and he was performing in my home town of El Paso, Texas, that same day.

"We pulled some strings and the stars aligned so I got to meet him. He was holding my CD in his hand and asked me to sign it."

That night, Sir Elton dedicated a song to Khalid at the concert he was playing.

In a huge understatement, the singer says he's "crammed a lot" into 2017 and the year has been "magical".

In August, he was named Best New Artist at the MTV Video Music Awards, beating Julia Michaels, SZA and Noah Cyrus.

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