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.
In The City
Charli XCX Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, my body's swayin' side to side
I'm focused in on the moment
All the lights are diamonds in the sky, yeah
And I finally see myself like you see me now
Took time, time to see myself 'cause I
But I found what I was lookin' for
I never thought I would find it
But I found what I was lookin' for
I found it in the
In the city, in the dark
In the city, in the dark
In the city, in the dark
In the dark, dark, dark
In the city, in the dark
In the city, in the dark
In the city, in your heart
In the dark, dark, dark
Yeah
In the city, in the dark
In the city, in the dark
In the city, in the dark
In the dark, dark, dark
I knew the night that I met you
Underneath the New York City lights (mm)
Baby, no matter what I do
There's an angel standing by my side
And I finally see myself like you see me now
Took time, time to see myself 'cause I
I never thought I would find it
But I found what I was lookin' for
I never thought I would find it
But I found what I was lookin' for
I found it in the
I never thought I would find it (find it)
But I found what I was lookin' for (I found it, oh)
I never thought I would find it (oh)
But I found what I was lookin' for
I found it in the (in the dark)
In the city, in the dark
In the city, in the dark (I found it in the dark)
In the city, in the dark
In the dark, dark, dark (oh)
In the city, in the dark
In the city, in the dark (oh)
In the city, in your heart
In the dark, dark, dark (I found it in the dark)
(I found it in the dark)
(I found it in the dark)
The lyrics to "In The City" by Charli XCX and Sam Smith convey a sense of self-discovery and empowerment. The opening lines, "I'm flowin' through you like water, yeah, my body's swayin' side to side," depict a feeling of liberation and fluidity. It suggests that the singer is fully embracing the present moment, feeling a deep connection with their own body and the energy around them.
The lyrics continue to express a newfound self-awareness, as the singer acknowledges that they finally see themselves as others see them. It implies that there was a period of self-exploration and growth that led them to this realization. The repetition of the line "I never thought I would find it, but I found what I was looking for" emphasizes the journey of searching for something meaningful and ultimately finding it.
The mention of being in the city, specifically in the dark, carries a metaphorical significance. The city represents a place of anonymity and vastness, while the darkness alludes to uncertainty and the unknown. However, the reference to an angel standing by their side suggests protection and support throughout this journey.
Overall, "In The City" speaks to the discovery of self-confidence and authenticity through personal exploration and accepting one's true self. It conveys a sense of triumph and contentment in finding what the singer was searching for.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm flowin' through you like water
I am effortlessly connecting with you, like water flowing smoothly
Yeah, my body's swayin' side to side
Yes, my body is moving rhythmically from one side to another
I'm focused in on the moment
I am completely absorbed in the present moment
All the lights are diamonds in the sky, yeah
Every light around me is sparkling like precious diamonds in the night sky
And I finally see myself like you see me now
Finally, I understand and accept myself as you perceive me at present
Took time, time to see myself 'cause I
It required a significant amount of time to truly perceive and understand myself
I never thought I would find it
I never believed I would discover it
But I found what I was lookin' for
However, I have indeed found what I was searching for
In the city, in the dark
Specifically, I found it in the urban environment, in the absence of light
In the dark, dark, dark
Deep in the darkness, where it is pitch black
I knew the night that I met you
On the night when we first encountered each other, I had a realization
Underneath the New York City lights (mm)
Beneath the illuminating lights of New York City
Baby, no matter what I do
Darling, regardless of my actions
There's an angel standing by my side
An angelic presence is constantly supporting and protecting me
I never thought I would find it (find it)
I never anticipated discovering it
But I found what I was lookin' for (I found it, oh)
However, I have indeed found what I was searching for
I found it in the (in the dark)
I discovered it within the realm of darkness
In the dark, dark, dark (oh)
Deep in the darkness, where it is completely devoid of light
(I found it in the dark)
(I discovered it within the realm of darkness)
(I found it in the dark)
(I discovered it within the realm of darkness)
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ilya, Alexander Cook, Charlotte Aitchison, Omer Fedi, Sam Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@THE_tommycrowe
[Verse 1: Charli XCX]
I'm flowin' through you like water
Yeah, my body's swayin' side to side
I'm focused in on the moment
All the lights are diamonds in the sky, yeah
[Refrain: Charli XCX]
And I finally see myself like you see me now
Took time, time to see myself 'cause I
[Pre-Chorus: Charli XCX]
I never thought I would find it
But I found what I was lookin' for
I never thought I would find it
But I found what I was lookin' for
I found it in the
[Chorus: Charli XCX]
In the city, in the dark
In the city, in the dark
In the city, in the dark
In the dark, dark, dark
In the city, in the dark
In the city, in the dark
In the city, in your heart
In the dark, dark, dark
[Post-Chorus: Charli XCX]
Yeah
[Drop: Charli XCX]
In the city, in the dark
In the city, in the dark
In the city, in the dark
In the dark, dark, dark
[Sam Smith]
I knew the night that I met you
Underneath the New York City lights (Mm)
Baby, no matter what I do
There's an angel standing by my side
[Refrain: Charli XCX & Sam Smith]
And I finally see myself like you see me now
Took time, time to see myself 'cause I
[Charli XCX & Sam Smith, Sam Smith]
I never thought I would find it
But I found what I was lookin' for
I found it in the
I never thought I would find it (Find it)
But I found what I was lookin' for (I found it, oh)
I never thought I would find it (Oh)
But I found what I was lookin' for
I found it in the (In the dark)
[Charli XCX & Sam Smith, Sam Smith]
In the city, in the dark
In the city, in the dark (I found it in the dark)
In the city, in the dark
In the dark, dark, dark (Oh)
@XOXrisandyXOX
This giving 2010s pop music. Keep giving us this type of song🥺
@LeatherFace-lo2tv
I beg to differ! If this song sounded like the 2010s, I would not even listen to it.
@nya55155
you’re being disingenuous by asking her to keep making this type of music because YOU KNOW nobody likes this. and YOU KNOW charli is capable of MUCH MORE than this
@YoungPeachiePeach
She IS 2010 pop music
@superalejcc
This song is perfect for a night drive. Thank you for this absolute bop.
Love you both!!
@GlobalDrag
THIS HAS TO BE HER NEW HIT YASSSS
@AmazonEnforcer
This song got me SO PUMPED up for my latest COVID-19 booster shot! Thank you to the staff at Walgreens in Arizona for playing this tune!! 🥰🥰
@allfeelingsarevalid9703
First speed drive then this!😍
@phole1100
Love you Charli! Not Sam tho!
@kylemacdcnald
charli is in her main pop girl era for real. Im predicting big things for this one. after the success of speed drive, she is in her most commercially successful period since sucker ! Such a nice way to end out the crash era ready for XCX 6 !