Figure 8
Ellie Goulding Lyrics


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Take it all away

Breathe your smoke into my lungs
In the back of a car with you I stare into the sun
Still not too old to die young
But lovers hold on to everything
And lovers hold on to anything
I chase your love around a figure 8
I need you more than I can take
You promised forever and a day
And then you take it all away (-way, -way, -way)
And then you take it all away (-way, -way, -way, -way, -way)

Place a kiss on my cheekbone
Then you vanish me, I'm buried in the snow
But something tells me I'm not alone
But lovers hold on to everything
And lovers hold on to anything

I chase your love around a figure 8
I need you more than I can take
You promised forever and a day
And then you take it all away (-way, -way, -way)
And then you take it all away (-way, -way, -way, -way, -way)

So lovers hold on to everything
And lovers hold to anything
So lovers hold on to everything
And lovers hold to anything

I chase your love around a figure 8
I need you more than I can take
You promised forever and a day
And then you take it all away
I chase your love around a figure 8
I need you more than I can take
You promised forever and a day




And then you take it all away (-way, -way, -way, -way, -way, -way)
And then you take it all away (-way, -way, -way, -way)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Ellie Goulding's song Figure 8 explore the pain and heartbreak of a turbulent romantic relationship. The first verse describes the singer's willingness to absorb the negative aspects of the relationship - even allowing her partner's smoke to infiltrate her lungs. She acknowledges her youth but admits that she is still willing to take the risk of loving recklessly. The second verse describes a moment of tenderness before the partner disappears without a trace - with the singer left asking if they were ever truly alone.


The chorus describes the cyclical nature of the relationship - the singer acknowledges that they are chasing their partner's love, but they need them more than they can handle. Her partner promises the world, but ultimately takes it all away. The song's repeated refrain - "lovers hold on to everything and others hold on to anything" - suggests that her partner is unwilling to commit to the relationship, while the singer is willing to hold onto even the smallest glimmer of affection.


Overall, the song explores the turmoil of a relationship where one person is holding on for dear life, while the other is only holding on out of fear of being alone. The repeated figure 8 imagery suggests a never-ending cycle of hope and disappointment, with the singer seemingly unable to break free from the toxic relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

Breathe your smoke into my lungs
I am allowing you to influence and have control over me, even if your actions could be harmful for me, just like smoke can be deadly when inhaled.


In the back of the car with you I stare into the sun
I am experiencing something intense and potentially dangerous, but I am willing to face it as long as it's with you. And even if I go blind from staring at the sun, I won't regret it because I am with you in that moment.


Still not too old to die young
I am aware that we are not immortal, but I am willing to take risks and live the moment to the fullest, even if that means I might not have a long life.


The lovers hold on to everything
People who are deeply in love are willing to hold on to anything, good or bad, that reminds them of their love for each other.


And others hold on to anything
Some people might try to find value in anything, even if it's not necessarily a positive thing, just to feel like they have something to hold on to in their life.


I chased your love around a figure 8
My pursuit of your love feels like a never-ending cycle of hope and disappointment, with moments of joy followed by moments of pain.


I need you more than I can take
My desire for you is so intense that it hurts me, but at the same time, I can't let go of it because it's what keeps me going.


You promised forever and a day
You made a commitment to me that was supposed to last a lifetime and beyond.


And then you take it all away
You broke that commitment and took away everything that I had built my life around, leaving me with nothing but memories of what we had.


Place a kiss on my cheekbone
Before you disappear from my life, give me a final moment of intimacy and closeness.


Then you vanish me
You cut me off completely and erase all traces of our relationship, leaving me feeling lost and alone.


I'm buried in the snow
I am overwhelmed by the pain and sadness of your disappearance, and I feel like I am stuck in a cold, lifeless place with no way out.


But something tells me I'm not alone
Despite the bleakness of my situation, I still have hope that there is something or someone out there that can help me find my way back to happiness.


So, Lovers hold on to everything
This line is a repetition of the previous one, emphasizing the idea that true love is about holding on no matter what.


And others hold to anything
This line is also a repetition of the previous one, emphasizing that some people might not have the luxury of choosing what to hold on to, and they will cling to anything for dear life.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ellie Goulding, Jonny Lattimer, Rocky Morris, Rufio Sandilands

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@theredshadow401

@@aydanscott9871 One look on Wikipedia and you'll see the credits which are taken from the liner notes of the album:

Ellie Goulding – vocals, songwriting

Jonny Lattimer – songwriting, vocal production

Monsta – additional vocal production, engineering, production

Rocky Morris – arrangement, instruments

Rufio Sandilands – arrangement, instruments

Mike Spencer – additional production, additional vocal production, engineering, instruments, mixing

No need to slag Ellie Goulding over a lack of research on your own part.



@katimama2309

Breathe your smoke into my lungs,
In the back of a car with you I stare into the sun,
Still not too old to die young,
But lovers hold on to everything,
And lovers hold on to anything

I chase your love around a figure 8,
I need you more than I can take,
You promise forever and a day,
And then you take it all away,
And then you take it all away

Place a kiss on my cheekbone,
When you vanish me, I'm buried in the snow,
But something tells me I'm not alone,
But lovers hold on to everything,
And lovers hold on to anything

I chase your love around a figure 8,
I need you more than I can take,
You promise forever and a day,
And then you take it all away,
And then you take it all away

So lovers hold on to everything,
And lovers hold on to anything,
So lovers hold on to everything,
And lovers hold on to anything

I chase your love around a figure 8,
I need you more than I can take,
You promise forever and a day,
And then you take it all away,

I chase your love around a figure 8,
I need you more than I can take,
You promise forever and a day,
And then you take it all away,
And then you take it all away



All comments from YouTube:

@emilysbirds759

As many have said… Ellie’s most underrated song. A decade later and this song still slams, lyrics and beat.

@msamw6212

Always amazing 🎉❤

@Nonethelessersoulcoin

its always in my rotation, same with my blood. it hits so hard!

@eduardo1089

her most underrated song

@kingcalvinharris9197

Right, along with Starry eyed and The writer

@amiya5876

King Calvin Harris and animal, little dreams, and dead in the water!

@kingcalvinharris9197

Dan & Phil agreed :D

@frickndog1047

Eduardo Prado ikr

@codystebner7494

Allmost 40mill views is not under rated.

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@allyboulton1894

Anyone listening in 2020? I love this songggg

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