The song is about a rush of a self-destructive passion.
Speaking to PAPER Magazine:
"I think people think it’s about love, but it’s actually about taking a friend out for a night out when they need to forget someone. Like when your friend is really sad and you just need to be there for them and take them out and escape with them. Make them forget their troubles. That’s actually what “Silver Cross” is about. It’s about friendship and helping them when they need you most."
Silver Cross
Charli XCX Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you need me by your side?
We go out all night
Makes the pain hurt a little less
Do it one more time
'Cause it feels so justified
We go out all night
If you're eyes are sad, it makes me sad too
You got me so overprotective, it's true
Feel like I would jump off buildings for you
It's okay, I'll watch you cry all night
I promise I won't let you go
I'll pull you close, so close, so close
I'll never you let you go, you know
Head on my chest, a silver cross
You can cry all night, I'll never let you go
I pull you close, so close, so close
I'll never you let you go, you know
Head on my chest, a silver cross
You can cry all night, I'll never let you go
(Never let you go)
Lie awake 'till dawn
Face to face and palm to palm
Do you feel okay?
All your problems are far away (so far away)
Lying 'till it's true
It's alright I'm trusting you
Do you feel okay?
Take a breath, make you feel safe
If you're eyes are sad, it makes me sad too
You got me so overprotective, it's true
Feel like I would jump off buildings for you
It's okay, I'll watch you cry all night
I promise I won't let you go
I'll pull you close, so close, so close
I'll never you let you go, you know
Head on my chest, a silver cross
You can cry all night, I'll never let you go
I pull you close, so close, so close
I'll never you let you go, you know
Head on my chest, a silver cross
You can cry all night, I'll never let you go
I'll pull you close, so close, so close
I'll never you let you go, you know
Head on my chest, a silver cross
You can cry all night, I'll never let you go
Never let you go
Never let you go
Never let you go
Never let you go
Never let you go
In "Silver Cross," Charli XCX sings about being there for someone in their time of need, acting as their support system and rock. The lyrics open with questions directed at the person she is singing to, asking whether they are doing okay and if they need her by their side. She then goes on to describe how their nights out together make the pain hurt a little less and justifies doing it one more time. The chorus emphasizes her promise to always be there for this person, pulling them close and never letting them go. The idea of the silver cross is a symbol of protection and keeping the person safe, with Charli offering her chest as a place for her loved one's head to rest as they cry all night.
The lyrics of "Silver Cross" are reminiscent of Charli XCX's previous works such as "Break the Rules" and "Fancy," in which she sings about living in the moment and being unapologetically yourself. However, this song takes a different approach, focusing instead on the importance of being there for the ones you love. The lyrics speak to the idea that sometimes the best way to cope with emotional pain is to be with someone who cares for you.
Overall, "Silver Cross" is a powerful ballad that showcases Charli XCX's emotional intelligence and showcases her ability to create music that speaks to the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you feel alright?
Charli XCX shows concern for the person she's talking to and asks if they're doing okay.
Do you need me by your side?
Charli XCX offers support to whoever she's talking to and asks if they need her help.
We go out all night
Charli XCX and the person she's addressing go out to distract themselves from whatever is troubling them.
Makes the pain hurt a little less
Charli XCX believes that going out helps reduce the pain of their problems.
Do it one more time
Charli XCX encourages the person to keep doing what they're doing to cope with their struggles.
'Cause it feels so justified
Charli XCX and the person she's talking to justify their actions because it helps them deal with their problems.
See you fall, pick you up again
Charli XCX promises to be there for the person, even if they feel like they're falling apart.
If you're eyes are sad, it makes me sad too
Charli XCX empathizes with the person and feels their pain.
You got me so overprotective, it's true
Charli XCX is so protective of the person that she doesn't want anything to harm them.
Feel like I would jump off buildings for you
Charli XCX is willing to do anything to keep the person safe, even if it means putting herself in danger.
It's okay, I'll watch you cry all night
Charli XCX will be there for the person through their pain and won't leave them alone, even if they cry all night.
I promise I won't let you go
Charli XCX wants the person to know that she will never abandon them and will always be there.
I'll pull you close, so close, so close
Charli XCX wants to physically comfort the person by holding them close.
I'll never you let you go, you know
Charli XCX will never leave the person's side and wants them to know that.
Head on my chest, a silver cross
Charli XCX wants the person to rest on her chest as they cry. The silver cross could be imagery of protection or faith.
You can cry all night, I'll never let you go
Charli XCX wants the person to cry as much as they need to and assures them that she will never leave them.
Lie awake 'till dawn
Charli XCX and the person stay awake until the sun rises, probably talking or thinking about their problems.
Face to face and palm to palm
Charli XCX and the person are holding hands, possibly for comfort or closeness.
All your problems are far away (so far away)
Charli XCX wants the person to forget about their problems for a while and to feel that they are far away from them.
Lying 'till it's true
Charli XCX and the person lie down until they feel true happiness and peace.
It's alright I'm trusting you
Charli XCX trusts the person she's with and feels safe with them.
Take a breath, make you feel safe
Charli XCX wants the person to take a deep breath and feel safe with her.
Never let you go
Charli XCX wants the person to know that she will always be there for them and will never leave them.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alexander Cook, Charlotte Aitchison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
joe river
[Verse 1]
Do you feel alright?
Do you need me by your side?
We go out all night
Makes the pain hurt a little less
Do it one more time
'Cause it feels so justified
We go out all night
See you fall, pick you up again
[Pre-Chorus]
If your eyes are sad, it makes me sad too
You got me so overprotective, it's true
Feel like I would jump off buildings for you
It's okay, I'll watch you cry all night
I promise I won't let you go
[Chorus]
I'll pull you close, so close, so close
I'll never you let you go, you know
Head on my chest, a silver cross
You can cry all night, I'll never let you go
I'll pull you close, so close, so close
I'll never you let you go, you know
Head on my chest, a silver cross
You can cry all night, I'll never let you go
(Never let you go)
[Verse 2]
Lie awake till dawn
Face to face and palm to palm
Do you feel okay?
All your problems are far away (So far away)
Lying till it's true
It's alright, I'm trusting you
Do you feel okay?
Take a breath, make you feel safe
[Pre-Chorus]
If your eyes are sad, it makes me sad too
You got me so overprotective, it's true
Feel like I would jump off buildings for you
It's okay, I'll watch you cry all night
I promise I won't let you go
[Chorus]
I'll pull you close, so close, so close
I'll never you let you go, you know
Head on my chest, a silver cross
You can cry all night, I'll never let you go
I'll pull you close, so close, so close
I'll never you let you go, you know
Head on my chest, a silver cross
You can cry all night, I'll never let you go
I'll pull you close, so close, so close
I'll never you let you go, you know
Head on my chest, a silver cross
You can cry all night, I'll never let you go
[Outro]
Never let you go
Never let you go
Never let you go
Never let you go
Never let you go
Jasmine Kapadia
Charli's on her own level omg, the pop goddess we need but don't deserve
jiographic
Jazzy Moons next level charli ;)
Roberto Clemente
The most underrated thing about Charli's music is the production. Every individual sound is crafted with an edge, even though her songwriting is solid, driving pop.
Rolando Interiano
Underrated? I believe it's one of the things fans love about her music. We got a track that makes her voice literally water and this one sounds entirely like silver to me. Not a lot of music sounds like anything she's putting out there and I'm thankful for that.
Lou Schwick
@Rolando Interiano production is charli's edge, and critics are aware of this, so its not her most underrated feature, probably its her most ... rated ... one?
Jonathan Bishop
For what it's worth, about 80% of the time I'm listening to Charli XCX I'm thinking about how sick the production is and how much work must have gone into it, but I'm also a producer lol
epoc
Shoutout Nömak.
Hex Zero
Yall can thank AG Cook for masterminding every Charli project since N1A
Austin Gray
Words can't describe the energy of the theater when you performed this song, Charli. The audience practically exploded. There wasn't one person no matter the age or orientation that wasn't on their feet and moving
signofmars
The whole album knocks but this is THE ONE.