A mixture of jiving mpc beats, alongside a myriad of effected keys, guitar, bass and cello is set off by an overlay of soulful female and male vocals.
Soft rolling noise and catchy melodies makes for many formats of ethereal sound scapes with a draw string of gyrating drops that pulls all together to form a collection of loose structured ‘move your mind and feet’ pop songs.
What It’s Worth
Elder Island Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Collect your tears and leave the rest for me
King in a guard of bees
I bet its just a crown of strings and leaves
Now that you've found your fears
Collect your tears and leave the rest for me
King in a guard of bees
I bet its just a crown of strings and leaves
Body lines to trace
She said "never mind that
I'm only here for you
For your favors your perfect resplendence
For all those things that don't belong to you
I'll make amendments I will make amendments
I'll make amendments I will make amendments
I'll make amendments I will make amendments"
Now that you've found your fears
Collect your tears and leave the rest for me
King in a guard of bees
I bet its just a crown of strings and leaves
Now that you've found your fears
Collect your tears and leave the rest for me
King in a guard of bees
I bet its just a crown of strings and leaves
(What's it worth)
What's it worth
What's it all worth
What's it worth
What's it all worth
What's it worth
What's it all worth
Sultry eyes
Tell me your worth tell me your worth tell me your worth
Clear blue lights
Tell me your worth tell me your worth tell me your worth
Sultry eyes
Tell me your worth tell me your worth tell me your worth
Clear blue lights
Tell me your worth tell me your worth tell me your worth
Sultry eyes
Tell me your worth tell me your worth tell me your worth
Clear blue lights
Tell me your worth tell me your worth tell me your worth
Sultry eyes
Tell me your worth tell me your worth tell me your worth
Clear blue lights
Tell me your worth tell me your worth tell me your worth
Sultry eyes
Tell me your worth tell me your worth tell me your worth
Clear blue lights
Tell me your worth tell me your worth tell me your worth
Sultry eyes
Tell me your worth tell me your worth tell me your worth
Clear blue lights
Tell me your worth tell me your worth tell me your worth
The lyrics of Elder Island’s “What It’s Worth” might seem puzzling at first, but upon closer inspection, they can be interpreted as a commentary on the value of self-discovery and the trade-offs we make in life. The opening lines, “Now that you've found your fears, collect your tears and leave the rest for me” can be seen as an invitation for the singer to help someone confront their fears and emotions, while also leaving behind any emotional baggage. The lines “King in a guard of bees, I bet it’s just a crown of strings and leaves” compare the superficiality of a crown made of strings and leaves to the false façade of royalty or power that people might assume for themselves.
The later lines, “For all those things that don't belong to you, I'll make amendments” suggest that the singer or the singer of the song is willing to help others make up for their past mistakes, even if they don’t own up to them. The repeated refrain of “What’s it worth” can be interpreted as a question about the value of self-worth and self-discovery, the costs and benefits of exploring one’s identity and emotions, and whether it is worth the effort. The imagery of “Sultry eyes” and “Clear blue lights” could be read as the seductive appeal of materialism and superficial beauty, and the question of whether it is worth sacrificing one’s inner self for such temporary pleasures.
Line by Line Meaning
Now that you've found your fears
After discovering what scares you, you must deal with the emotions that come with it.
Collect your tears and leave the rest for me
Take time to grieve, and allow me to help you with the rest.
King in a guard of bees
You may think you're powerful, but it's just an illusion created by a swarm of insignificant insects.
I bet its just a crown of strings and leaves
The supposed symbol of your greatness is nothing more than something easily plucked off a tree.
When tall strangers make to cup a face
When unfamiliar people attempt to get too close to you.
Body lines to trace
They may try to charm you with physical attraction.
She said 'never mind that I'm only here for you'
Ignore these empty gestures, I'm the only one here for your genuine benefit.
For your favors your perfect resplendence
I'm here to help you in return for the beauty that you offer without even trying.
For all those things that don't belong to you
I see through the trappings of materialism and want to help you with the parts of your life that are truly meaningful.
I'll make amendments I will make amendments
I will do everything I can to improve your life in meaningful ways.
(What's it worth)
What is the value of all of this?
What's it worth
Is any of this truly valuable?
What's it all worth
Do any of these possessions or achievements bring any true happiness or fulfillment?
Sultry eyes
A seductive gaze.
Tell me your worth tell me your worth tell me your worth
Show me who you really are and what truly matters to you.
Clear blue lights
Something visually appealing, but perhaps not genuine or substantial.
Writer(s): Peter Troy David Havard, Luke Thornton, Kathlin Kennard Sargent
Contributed by Caleb C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.