A remix of the song, produced by Phaeleh, was included on XCX's 'Stay Away' EP in 2011. It was presumably included as a preview of what was to come, since the original track was likely still on her debut album at the time.
The original MNEK-produced studio version surfaced online on January 23, 2021.
Jungle
Charli XCX Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you're alone, you're in the cold
So you hide
Young hearts, run free
Let our inhibitions be swinging through the vine trees
Young hearts, run free
You can drive me crazy, baby, baby
You're beautiful with golden hair
But you're alone, you're in the cold
Young hearts run free
Young hearts run free
Into the jungle
Into the jungle
Oh, this could be our starting out, a wild night
And as the wind goes through your hair, you'll find
Young hearts run free
Young hearts run free
Into the jungle
Into the jungle
Into the jungle
Into the jungle
Into the jungle
Into the jungle
Into the jungle
In "Jungle," Charli XCX sings about a person who is incredibly beautiful and striking, with "golden hair and black eyes." Despite their beauty, however, this person is alone and hiding in the cold. Charli then calls out to "young hearts," encouraging them to let go of their inhibitions and run free, swinging through the "vine trees" of the metaphorical jungle. It's clear that Charli sees potential in this person, urging them to embrace their wildness and passion.
The setting of the song is important here - the jungle is a metaphor for the unexplored and untamed parts of ourselves that we need to embrace in order to truly live. The idea of letting our "inhibitions be swinging" means letting go of our fears and taking risks. Charli wants to take this person with her and guide them into a new experience that might start out wild and uncertain, but in the end, will allow them to truly be free.
Line by Line Meaning
You're beautiful with golden hair and black eyes
Despite your stunning appearance, you're lonely and feel abandoned.
But you're alone, you're in the cold
You feel isolated and deprived of warmth, both physically and emotionally.
So you hide
You internalize your pain and keep it bottled up inside.
Young hearts, run free
Let's embrace our youthful spirit and let go of our fears.
Let our inhibitions be swinging through the vine trees
We should allow ourselves to be completely free and uninhibited, like monkeys swinging through the vines.
You can drive me crazy, baby, baby
Your carefree spirit is so infectious that it excites me and pushes me out of my comfort zone.
Into the jungle
Let's leave our troubles behind by immersing ourselves in nature's wild embrace.
Oh, this could be our starting out, a wild night
This adventure we're embarking on could be the beginning of an unforgettable, unpredictable experience.
And as the wind goes through your hair, you'll find
As we let loose and let nature guide us, we'll discover new parts of ourselves and feel more alive than ever.
Young hearts run free
Let's continue to be free-spirited and open to the world around us.
Into the jungle
Let's keep exploring the vast wilderness before us.
Into the jungle
There's still so much to see and experience in this untamed paradise.
Into the jungle
Let's keep wandering and discovering the wonders of the jungle.
Into the jungle
Our journey is just beginning, and we have so much to explore.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHARLOTTE AITCHISON, UZOECHI EMENIKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind