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.
You
Charli XCX Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Having thoughts of the morning
You was chained by
You was chained by
You was chained by lie
You was chained up
You was chained up
An eternal war
When I'm gone let the radio play
I'm gone, but I wanna be there
Fresh hope, and I really don't care
When we fuck we leave the lights on
I'm watching your video play
I know from the minute you stare
To come and my radios blare
That when I'm home you can believe me
I'll be there for you
All we've done, our love be true
Time, it slips away
And there's no other way to say
I'll be there for you
I'll be there for you
I'll be there for you
I'll be there for you
You were waiting for someone to call
Paralyzed by the wanting
You was chained by
You was chained by
You was chained by lie
You was chained up
You was chained up
An eternal war
I'll be there for you
All we've done, our love be true
Time, it slips away
And there's no other way to say
I'll be there for you
I'll be there for you
I'll be there for you
I'll be there for you
I'll be there for you
All we've done, our love be true
Time, it slips away
And there's no other way to say
I'll be there for you
I'll be there for you
I'll be there for you
I'll be there for you
The lyrics to Charli XCX's "You" tell a story of longing and commitment. In the first verse, she describes driving on the Autobahn and having thoughts about her lover who is chained up by lies and an eternal war. This could be interpreted as her partner being stuck in a cycle of deception and is unable to break free from it. The next verse talks about wanting to be there even when she is gone, and how their love is true despite the passing of time. The chorus repeats the phrase "I'll be there for you" multiple times, emphasizing her commitment to her partner.
The second verse talks about her partner waiting for someone to call and feeling paralyzed by wanting. This could represent a feeling of helplessness in wanting something they can't have, or a yearning for something more. The bridge of the song mentions leaving the lights on when they have sex and watching each other's videos, which could represent a sense of intimacy and connection they have despite the challenges they face.
Overall, the lyrics of "You" convey a sense of deep commitment and dedication to a partner, despite the obstacles they face. The repeated phrase of "I'll be there for you" reinforces this message and highlights the importance of being there for someone through thick and thin.
Line by Line Meaning
I was driving on the Autobahn
I was on the road, lost in thought
Having thoughts of the morning
Reflecting on the past
You was chained by
You were held back
You was chained by
You were constrained
You was chained by lie
You were trapped in a false reality
You was chained up
You were restrained
An eternal war
A never-ending struggle
When I'm gone let the radio play
When I'm no longer here, keep my memory alive through music
I'm gone, but I wanna be there
I'm physically gone, but I want to still be present in your life
Fresh hope, and I really don't care
I'm feeling optimistic and carefree
When we fuck we leave the lights on
We want to see and be seen during intimacy
I'm watching your video play
I'm reminiscing about the past
I know from the minute you stare
I can tell from your gaze
To come and my radios blare
My music will be a reminder to come to me
That when I'm home you can believe me
Believe that I'll be there for you when I'm physically present
You were waiting for someone to call
You were hoping for a phone call from someone
Paralyzed by the wanting
Feeling unable to move on due to a strong desire
I'll be there for you
I will support you
All we've done, our love be true
Our love is genuine and authentic
Time, it slips away
Time passes quickly
And there's no other way to say
There's no other way to express
I'll be there for you
I will be a dependable presence for you
I'll be there for you
I will support you
I'll be there for you
I will be a dependable presence for you
I'll be there for you
I will be your support system
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Andrew Wyatt, Christian Lars Karlsson, Pontus Johan Winnberg
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@leom9523
“Yeah we got a situation, lockdown and I’m trapped in the basement”
Queen of predicting the future 😍😱
@komatsu-theguardianoftheca6031
Lmao
@IluvAmerica
LMAOOO
@andrewcarson6925
YOU'RE DUMB ASF
@nicorraco
Not Charli giving Beyoncé the idea to trap Sia in her basement 🤭
@xcx000
@Nicorraco STOPPP HAHAHAHA
@thecool5128
After 8 years this still sounds fresh! 🔥💕
@ronaldoribas418
OMG right?!
@Alpha_7227
Timeless. like depesche mode. Churches, Rufus du sol
@MonsterVSAnimal2
I was literally SOOOOO obsessed with this song, dude. This was what made me obsessed w/ Charli... the instrumental REALLY drew me in, like holy shit I don’t think, to this day, I’ve heard a better instrumental/beat.. and then that infectious/addictive chorus... the quick, witty, and smooth verses, the whole song is amazing. 😍😫