Lights
♫ Ellie Goulding Lyrics


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I had a way then
Losing it all on my own
I had a heart then
But the queen has been overthrown
And I'm not sleeping now
The dark is too hard to beat
And I'm not keeping up
The strength I need to push me

You show the lights that stop me turn to stone
You shine them when I'm alone
And so I tell myself that I'll be strong
And dreaming when they're gone
'Cause they're calling, calling, calling me home
Calling, calling, calling home
You show the lights that stop me turn to stone
You shine them when I'm alone

Noises, I play within my head
Touch my own skin
And hope they'll still be there
And I think back to when
My brother and my sister slept
In another place
The only time I feel safe

You show the lights that stop me turn to stone
You shine them when I'm alone
And so I tell myself that I'll be strong
And dreaming when they're gone
'Cause they're calling, calling, calling me home
Calling, calling, calling home
You show the lights that stop me turn to stone
You shine them when I'm alone

(Lights, lights, lights, lights, lights, lights)

You show the lights that stop me turn to stone
You shine them when I'm alone
And so I tell myself that I'll be strong
Dreaming when they're gone
'Cause they're calling, calling, calling me home
Calling, calling, calling home
You show the lights that stop me turn to stone
You shine them when I'm alone

Home, home
(Lights, lights, lights)





Home, home
(Lights, lights, lights)

Overall Meaning

In Ellie Goulding's song “Lights,” the lyrics describe the singer's struggles with loneliness and isolation. The first verse talks about how the singer used to have a certain way of coping with their problems, but they are now losing everything on their own. The singer also talks about how they used to have a heart, but someone or something "overthrew" it, making them feel colder and more distant. The chorus talks about how the singer relies on the lights to guide them when they are lost and alone. These lights give them strength and hope, allowing them to dream until they find their way back home.


The second verse further illustrates the loneliness the singer feels, with references to the noises in their head and touching their own skin. The only time the singer feels safe is when their brother and sister are sleeping close to them in another place. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the importance of the lights and their ability to guide the singer home.


Overall, the song "Lights" is about finding comfort in the darkness through the guidance of a consistent light source, whether that be literal or metaphorical. It highlights the singer's struggle with loneliness and the need for a glimmer of hope to guide them through it.


Line by Line Meaning

I had a way then
There was a time when I had a clear path forward


Losing it all on my own
But I lost everything when I tried to go it alone


I had a heart then
At least I had heart at the time


But the queen has been overthrown
But now my confidence and strength have been taken over by something else


And I'm not sleeping now
I can't sleep at night


The dark is too hard to beat
The darkness and loneliness are too much for me to handle on my own


And I'm not keeping up
I'm barely able to keep myself going


The strength I need to push me
I need help to find the strength to keep going


You show the lights that stop me turn to stone
You help me see the hope and light that keeps me from feeling numb and lost


You shine them when I'm alone
You help me see the light even when I'm by myself


And so I tell myself that I'll be strong
I try to tell myself that I can be strong


And dreaming when they're gone
Maybe I'll be able to dream again when this darkness passes


'Cause they're calling, calling, calling me home
I know I have somewhere safe to go and people who care about me


Calling, calling, calling home
They keep calling me back


Noises, I play within my head
I create noise and distractions in my own mind


Touch my own skin
I try to physically feel something to keep me grounded


And hope they'll still be there
I hope my loved ones will still be there when I reach out to them


And I think back to when
I remember when things used to be less complicated


My brother and my sister slept
My siblings were able to sleep and feel safe


In another place
In a place where things were easier


The only time I feel safe
Thinking about those moments is the only time I feel secure and at ease


Home, home (Lights, lights, lights)
The place where I feel safe, and where the lights shine brightly




Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ELLIE GOULDING, ASHLEY FRANCIS HOWES, RICHARD FREDERICK STANNARD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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