No stranger to personal drama, the singer has described the trouble of maintaining relationships while traveling and touring:
"The lifestyle that I have, it’s a little bit surreal to have a relationship in this world."
At the time she was dating photographer David Kalani Larkins.
Carly posted about this song on Twitter as part of a series of posts building anticipation for the album’s August 26th release date.
Higher
Carly Rae Jepsen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For someone who understands me for who I really am
Didn't know that I was hurtin'
'Til you left me up inside
And he opens up my eyes, oh
You wanna know what I'm thinkin'
Ever since you came I'm livin'
Every one of my fears has vanished
I don't know how you managed
To wake me up and come alive
You take me higher than the rest (hey)
Everybody else is second best (oh oh oh)
You pulled a gem out of the mess
I was so cynical before, I must confess
Oh you got me, high, high, higher
Oh you got me, high, high, higher
Toss and turn, a few mistakes but
You slipped in and showed me how
Never let me hit the ground
All the love was hesitated
But ever since you came around
I feel more than safe and sound
You wanna know what I'm thinkin'
Ever since you came I'm livin'
On top of the world, I can't deny
Every one of my fears has vanished
I don't know how you managed
To wake me up and come alive
You take me higher than the rest (hey)
Oh, everybody else is second best (oh oh oh)
You pulled a gem out of the mess
I was so cynical before, I must confess
Oh you got me, high, high, higher
Oh you got me, high, high, higher
Oh yeah your love turns me on
Gets me higher
Oh yeah your love takes me up
Gets me higher
Oh yeah your love turns me on
Gets me higher
Oh yeah your love takes me up
Gets me higher
You take me higher than the rest (hey)
Oh, everybody else is second best (oh oh oh, second best, second best)
You pulled a gem out of the mess
I was so cynical before, I must confess
Oh you got me, high, high, higher
Oh you got me, high, high, higher
Oh you got me, high, high, higher
Oh you got me, high, high, higher, oh you got me
Carly Rae Jepsen's song Higher is a love song about finding someone who truly understands and uplifts you. The singer expresses how lost and hurt they were before meeting their partner. They didn't even realize how much they were hurting until the partner "left them up inside" and opened their eyes. The partner has helped the singer overcome their fears, hesitations, and cynicism. They have brought them to a higher level of love and happiness than anyone else has been able to.
The chorus is a repetition of the partner's ability to take the singer "higher than the rest," and how they are "second best" to no one. The metaphor of being taken higher could represent the feeling of being elevated emotionally, spiritually, and even physically by the partner's love. The bridge repeats the sentiment of the chorus, emphasizing how the partner's love turns the singer on and takes them up even higher.
Overall, Higher is a celebration of finding true love and the transformative impact that it can have on a person's life. It's a reminder that when you find someone who truly understands and accepts you for who you are, they can elevate you to heights you never thought possible.
Line by Line Meaning
I was lost alone and searchin'
I was feeling disconnected and needed someone to understand me for who I am.
For someone who understands me for who I really am
Someone who can see me for who I am without judgement.
Didn't know that I was hurtin'
I wasn't aware of the pain I was feeling before.
'Til you left me up inside
You lifted me up and showed me what it felt like to be happy.
And he opens up my eyes, oh
Being with you showed me a new perspective in life.
You wanna know what I'm thinkin'
I can't stop thinking about you since you entered my life.
Ever since you came I'm livin'
You brought life back into my world.
On top of the world, I can't deny
You have elevated my spirits and given me a sense of joy and happiness.
Every one of my fears has vanished
You made me feel safe and secure, and I no longer worry about my fears.
I don't know how you managed
I don't understand how you accomplished this, but you did!
To wake me up and come alive
You have inspired me to live my life fully and with enthusiasm.
You take me higher than the rest (hey)
With you, I feel like I am on top of the world, and nothing can bring me down.
Everybody else is second best (oh oh oh)
No one else can compare to the happiness and joy you bring me.
You pulled a gem out of the mess
You found me amidst all the chaos and negativity of the world.
I was so cynical before, I must confess
I had lost faith in love and happiness before you came into my life.
Oh you got me, high, high, higher
You have elevated me to a higher state of being with your love.
Toss and turn, a few mistakes but
I made mistakes and went through some rough patches, but you never gave up on me.
You slipped in and showed me how
You came into my life unexpectedly and taught me how to love again.
Never let me hit the ground
You are always there to catch me and lift me up when I need it.
All the love was hesitated
I was hesitant to open up my heart to love before you came along.
But ever since you came around
You have shown me how wonderful love and happiness can be.
I feel more than safe and sound
You have given me a sense of security and comfort that I have never felt before.
Oh yeah your love turns me on
Your love fills me with excitement and passion.
Gets me higher
Your love elevates me to a higher level of happiness and joy.
Oh yeah your love takes me up
Your love lifts me up and makes me feel like I can conquer anything.
You got me, high, high, higher
Your love has taken me to new heights of happiness and joy.
Oh you got me, high, high, higher
You are the reason for my newfound happiness and joy.
Oh you got me, high, high, higher
Being with you fills me with a sense of euphoria and excitement.
Oh you got me, high, high, higher, oh you got me
You are the one who has taken me to this new level of happiness and joy, and I am grateful for you.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, A SIDE MUSIC LLC D/B/A MODERN WORKS MUSIC PUBLISHING, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRIS KELLY, JOHN D. RICH, NIKKI SIXX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind