Lights
- Ellie Goulding Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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 it 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 it when I'm alone

Noises, I play within my head
Touch my own skin
And hope that I'm still breathing
And I think back to when
My brother and my sister slept
In an unlocked place
The only time I feel safe

You show the lights that stop me turn to stone
You shine it 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 it when I'm alone

Home, home

You show the lights that stop me turn to stone
You shine it 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 it when I'm alone





Home, home
Home, home

Overall Meaning

Ellie Goulding's song "Lights" is a story of an individual who has lost their way and is struggling to find their strength. The singer reflects on their past self, who had a heart and had a way, but now they feel lost and alone. They are unable to sleep as the darkness is too hard to beat and are struggling to keep up the strength to keep going. The lyrics reflect on the personal struggles the individual is facing and the immense weight they carry on their shoulders.


The title of the song, "Lights," is symbolic of hope and guidance. The lights represent the positive forces in life that help push one forward, whether it be a person, an idea or an inspiration. The lyrics reflect the idea that without these lights, one can be turned to stone or a state of stagnation. The singer acknowledges that they often feel alone, but the lights bring hope, strength and courage to the individual, allowing them to keep dreaming and moving forward.


Overall, "Lights" by Ellie Goulding is a song of struggle but also of hope. It highlights the importance of having positive forces in life and the idea that we are not alone in our struggles. The lyrics encourage perseverance, reminding us to stay strong and to keep dreaming even when things seem bleak.


Line by Line Meaning

I had a way then
I used to have a clear path in life


Losing it all on my own
But I lost my way and struggled alone to get it back


I had a heart then
I used to have love in my life


But the queen has been overthrown
But now my love is gone and I feel powerless


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


The dark is too hard to beat
I'm struggling with darkness in my life


And I'm not keeping up
I don't have the strength to keep going


The strength I need to push me
I need someone or something to give me the strength to carry on


You show the lights that stop me turn to stone
You show me the way and keep me from falling apart


You shine it when I'm alone
You are there for me even when I feel alone


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


And dreaming when they're gone
And I dream about a better future when my struggles are over


'Cause they're calling, calling, calling me home
Because I feel a need to return to a place of safety and comfort


Calling, calling, calling home
I am searching for a sense of belonging


Noises, I play within my head
I am plagued by negative thoughts and self-doubt


Touch my own skin
I need to reassure myself that I'm still alive


And hope that I'm still breathing
I fear that my struggles will consume me and I won't survive


And I think back to when
I reminisce about a time in my life when things were easier


My brother and my sister slept
I remember a time when I felt safe and protected


In an unlocked place
When I didn't have to worry about danger or harm


The only time I feel safe
The memory of that time is the only thing that brings me comfort


Home, home
I long to return to a place of safety and belonging




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ash Howes, Elena Goulding, Richard Stannard

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@kingchris3438

this song goes hard for literally no reason

@MarkSneakerHead23

NO REASON WHAT SO EVER

@inssomniiaa64

Underrated comment

@just_houle5703

On fucking god

@bb9beats492

dumasvss ur has a risen

@rare-therandomengineer7962

facts tho

27 More Replies...

@kelechi3701

Bumpin this song when the homies ain't around >>>>

@lilmother4492

YunG RODDER 😳 im telling the homies bro

@qplwsx

@@lilmother4492 hey man you're here too... 👀

@lilmother4492

cabbage scented candle i wont say anything if you dont🤐

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