In 2012, Charli XCX rose to prominence with the Icona Pop collaboration "I Love It", which became an international success, reaching top 10 in North America and Europe. Her debut studio album, True Romance (2013), was released that year to critical acclaim, despite not meeting commercial expectations. In 2014, she contributed the chorus and hook to "Fancy" by rapper Iggy Azalea, which finished the year as one of the best-selling singles worldwide and was nominated for two Grammy Awards. The same year, Charli XCX released "Boom Clap", which became her first solo top-ten single on the Billboard Hot 100. Her second studio album, the pop/rock-influenced Sucker, was released at the end of the year, and spawned the successful singles "Break the Rules" and "Doing It".
In 2015, Charli XCX began working with producers and artists in A. G. Cook's British collective PC Music, as well as producer Sophie. While working on her third album, she released the Vroom Vroom EP in 2016 and the mixtapes Number 1 Angel and Pop 2 in 2017, as well as a series of singles including the BPI-certified "After the Afterparty", "Boys", and "1999". In 2019, Charli XCX released her third studio album, Charli, which was followed by her fourth studio album, How I'm Feeling Now, which she recorded and released during the UK's first national lockdown in 2020. Charli's latest addition to her discography is CRASH, released on 18 March 2022, including the singles Good Ones and New Shapes.
In addition to her solo work, Charli XCX has co-written songs for other artists including Camila Cabello, Rita Ora, Selena Gomez, and many more.
Cross You Out
Charli XCX Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All in my mind
All on my own
Will I survive? Oh
Century of tears
Sadness was my only smile (yeah)
Thought I'd fall apart
I'm screaming out
(Ooh, oh oh ooh)
When you're not around, when you're not around
When you're not around, when you're not around
When you're not around, when you're not around
I'll finally cross you out
(Ooh, oh oh ooh)
When you're not around, when you're not around
When you're not around, when you're not around
When you're not around, when you're not around
I'll finally cross you out
Melt me down
One piece at a time
I'm sayin' these eyes were shut
I wasn't mesmerized, no
Century of tears
Sadness was another denial (yeah)
Thought it fell apart
But now you're gone, I'm doing fine
I'm screaming out
(Ooh, oh oh ooh)
When you're not around, when you're not around
When you're not around, when you're not around
When you're not around, when you're not around
I'll finally cross you out
(Ooh, oh oh ooh)
When you're not around, when you're not around
When you're not around, when you're not around
When you're not around, when you're not around
I'll finally cross you out
I've become someone better
I've become someone better
Yeah, yeah
Now I look in the mirror
And I learn myself better
Yeah, yeah
I've become someone better
I've become someone better
Yeah, yeah
Now I look in the mirror
Feels so good to forget ya
Yeah, yeah
(Ooh, oh oh ooh)
When you're not around, when you're not around
When you're not around, when you're not around
When you're not around, when you're not around
I'll finally cross you out
(Ooh, oh oh ooh)
When you're not around, when you're not around
When you're not around, when you're not around
When you're not around, when you're not around
I'll finally cross you out
(Ooh, oh oh ooh)
When you're not around, when you're not around
When you're not around, when you're not around
When you're not around, when you're not around
I'll finally cross you out
In Charli XCX's song "Cross You Out," the lyrics explore the themes of personal growth and moving on from a relationship that once caused pain. The singer confesses to building a world for themselves in their own mind but eventually must confront the painful reality of a relationship that was not meant to last, likely leaving them feeling isolated and vulnerable. However, as time passes, they find themselves healing and becoming "someone better." The repetition of the lyrics "When you're not around, I'll finally cross you out" is a bold statement of independence and self-love, demonstrating that the singer has reached a point where they no longer need the destructive influence of their past relationship.
The song's powerful lyrics are accompanied by an ethereal and haunting melody that lends itself perfectly to the tone of the lyrics. The use of repetition in the chorus drives home the point of the song and creates a catchy and memorable hook. The track's production also includes elements of trap and electronic music, creating a layered and complex sound that is both deeply emotional and danceable.
Overall, "Cross You Out" is a poignant and powerful exploration of the themes of self-love and personal growth, and is sure to resonate with anyone who has had to overcome a painful breakup.
Line by Line Meaning
Built a world
I created a world filled with my own thoughts and ideas
All in my mind
It was a construct of my own imagination
All on my own
I was alone in this world I had created
Will I survive? Oh
I wondered if I could endure in this world alone
Century of tears
I cried countless tears over you throughout the years
Sadness was my only smile (yeah)
Even when I smiled, it was a sad and forced smile
Thought I'd fall apart
I believed that without you, I would crumble
But you're gone and I'm doing fine
Now that you're no longer in my life, I am thriving
I'm screaming out
I am finally expressing my true feelings without you holding me back
When you're not around, when you're not around
When I am free from your presence
I'll finally cross you out
I can erase you from my life and move on
Melt me down
You broke me down piece by piece
One piece at a time
You destroyed me gradually, not all at once
I'm sayin' these eyes were shut
I was blind to the truth of the situation
I wasn't mesmerized, no
I didn't fall under your spell
Sadness was another denial (yeah)
I used my sadness as a way to deny the reality of our relationship
Thought it fell apart
I believed that everything had crumbled around me
But now you're gone, I'm doing fine
Without you, I am thriving and better off
I've become someone better
I have grown and improved as a person
Now I look in the mirror
I reflect on myself and see progress
Feels so good to forget ya
It's a relief to finally let go of you
Lyrics Ā© BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Alexander Guy Cook, Charlotte Aitchison, Linus Wiklund, Noonie Bao, Sky Ferreira
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mariocastro3957
[Verse 1: Charli XCX]
Build a world all in my mind
All on my own, will I survive? Oh
[Pre-Chorus: Charli XCX]
Century of tears
Sadness was my only smile, yeah
Thought I'd fall apart
But you're gone and I'm doing fine
I'm screaming out
[Chorus: Charli XCX]
Ooh, ooh
When you're not around, when you're not around
When you're not around, when you're not around, ooh
When you're not around, when you're not around
I'll finally cross you out
Ooh, ooh
When you're not around, when you're not around
When you're not around, when you're not around, ooh
When you're not around, when you're not around
I'll finally cross you out
[Verse 2: Sky Ferreira]
Melt me down one piece at a time
I'm sayin' these eyes were shut
I wasn't mesmerized, no
[Pre-Chorus: Sky Ferreira]
Century of tears
Sadness was another denial, yeah
Thought it fell apart
But now you're gone, I'm doing fine
I'm screaming out
[Chorus: Charli XCX]
Ooh, ooh
When you're not around, when you're not around
When you're not around, when you're not around, ooh
When you're not around, when you're not around
I'll finally cross you out
Ooh, ooh
When you're not around, when you're not around
When you're not around, when you're not around, ooh
When you're not around, when you're not around
I'll finally cross you out
[Bridge: Sky Ferreira,Ā Charli XCX,Ā Both]
I've become someone better
I've become someone better
Yeah, yeah
Now I look in the mirror
And I learn I'm so better
Yeah, yeah
I've become someone better
I've become someone better
Yeah, yeah
Now I look in the mirror
Feels so good to forget ya
Yeah, yeah
[Chorus: Charli XCX]
Ooh, ooh
When you're not around, when you're not around
When you're not around, when you're not around, ooh
When you're not around, when you're not around
I'll finally cross you out
Ooh, ooh
When you're not around, when you're not around
When you're not around, when you're not around, ooh
When you're not around, when you're not around
I'll finally cross you out
Ooh, ooh
When you're not around, when you're not around
When you're not around, when you're not around, ooh
When you're not around, when you're not around
I'll finally cross you out
@eduardohierro6086
When she said ācentury of tearsā my dramatic ass felt that.
@mlpjbjformerlyreaper3149
šÆ
@rosevidalita
SAME
@Peterrdee
It literally hits definitely when sky says it imo bc she makes us wait a century for her next album
@seanahmed9079
I use that line in general conversation.... I'm THAT dramatic
@theactivity4887
Yeah
@takingnone1780
Honestly one of the best pop songs ever imo. The way it slowly builds and the beat and vocals get more intense and passionate is beautiful.
@R-H-B
Honestly just the whole album is to date the best pop album Iāve ever heard
@rubencamargo767
IKR I never get tired of it and it's been years š
@nathanjs4207
So good, I'm shaking you guys