Born in Hereford, England, she later moved to the country's east coast to study drama at the University of Kent. Goulding had developed a love for folk music as a teenager, and her time at university also exposed her to electronica. After two years, she took a break from her studies and moved to West London, where she pursued a career as an alternative singer/songwriter and befriended producers like Starsmith and Frankmusik, who gave her songs an electro-pop twist. In 2009, Goulding began building an audience via the Internet, where early tracks like "Starry Eyed" and a cover of Sam Sparro's "Black & Gold" were posted on tastemaking MP3 blogs such as Discodust. Goulding soon graduated from the blogosphere to print media, gaining praise from mainstream publications like The Guardian and fielding offers from record labels. She ultimately signed a major-label deal with Polydor Records and began making preparations to release her debut album. In the meantime, she penned songs for Diana Vickers, Gabriella Climi, and others.
During the final weeks of 2009, Goulding topped the BBC's Sound of 2010, a poll conducted by British music critics and industry insiders to identify new talent. Building on that momentum, she released Lights -- a sparkling debut album that splashed Goulding's vocal flutter across a landscape of acoustic and synthesized instruments -- in March 2010. Lights topped the U.K. charts during its first week and spun off "Starry Eyed" as a Top Five single (it also charted well in Ireland and New Zealand). Later that year, the album was re-released as Bright Lights, featuring seven new recordings (including a cover of Elton John's "Your Song," which peaked at number two).
In 2012, Goulding returned with her sophomore album, Halcyon, which showcased an even more sonically adventurous, electro-pop-infused sound. In 2013, a deluxe reissue featuring ten extra songs was released; entitled Halcyon Days, it acted as a supplement to the original release. Two of its new songs, "Burn" and "How Long Will I Love You," were among her biggest hits. The following year, she was featured on Calvin Harris' Top Ten U.K. hit "Outside," participated in Band Aid 30's update of "Do They Know It's Christmas?," and entered the U.K. Top Ten once more with "Beating Heart," a song released on the soundtrack for Divergent. Another soundtrack single, "Love Me Like You Do," added to the success of Fifty Shades of Grey in 2015.
That same year, Goulding released her third studio album, Delirium, which featured collaborations with Max Martin, Greg Kurstin, and others. The pop-leaning Delirium included the single "On My Mind" and peaked at number three on the U.S. and U.K. charts. Goulding returned in 2017 on "First Time," a collaboration with electronic producer Kygo.
In 2018, Goulding joined Tap Management after almost a decade with First Access Management.[107] She appeared on a collaboration with Sean Paul on his Mad Love the Prequel EP titled "Bad Love", released on 29 June 2018.[108]
Goulding collaborated with Diplo and Swae Lee on the single "Close to Me", which was released on 24 October 2018.[109] On 1 January 2019, The Guardian reported that she has been working on her fourth album, set to release in the same year.[110] On 1 March, she released the next single "Flux".[111] She said regarding the album, "It's very much written by me".[112]
On 12 April 2019, Goulding released the single "Sixteen".[113] Goulding said of the single, "...That age was such a pivotal year for me in many ways and this song is so close to my heart. It takes me back to the reckless days of being a teenager and I hope it reminds us all about the innocence of youth."[114]
Goulding released "Hate Me" with American rapper Juice Wrld on 26 June 2019.[115][116] It was premiered by Zane Lowe as his 'World Record' on Beats 1.[117] In July, Goulding stated that her next material to be released would be the songs "Woman I Am" and "Start".[118] In November, she released her rendition of Joni Mitchell's Christmas song "River", which topped the UK Singles Chart, becoming her third UK number one single and the last UK number one song of the 2010s.[119]
On 13 March 2020, Goulding released the new single "Worry About Me" which was created in-collaboration with Blackbear.[120] In a radio interview with Heart the same month, she revealed that the album "kind of comes in two parts", adding that "the first side is something written entirely by me which was fun and I wrote most of it in New York when I was living there a few years back. I play the guitar and I play the bass and piano and then I'm singing a lot of vocals. It's very classically influenced because I love classical music. There's a lot going on, it's a big soundscape and one big film. The second half is my kind of alter ego songs."[121] On 21 May she released single "Power" and on 30 June single "Slow Grenade" with Lauv.
Goulding released her fourth studio album, Brightest Blue, on 17 July 2020. Originally scheduled for 5 June 2020, the album's release was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The album debuted at the top of the UK Album Chart, becoming Goulding's third album to do so,[122] as well as at No. 2 in Scotland.[123] It reached the top 10 in Ireland[124] as well as the top 40 in over ten countries including Australia, Germany and the United States.
Goulding announced on an Instagram Q&A that she would be releasing new music which was not part of the Brightest Blue era at the end of January 2021.[125] On 21 January, she released a collaboration with electronic duo Silk City, titled "New Love".[126] On 30 September, Goulding performed "Anything Could Happen" as part of the opening ceremony for Expo 2020, held in Dubai.[127]
On 19 June 2022, Goulding performed at Rock in Rio in Lisbon, Portugal. After the concert, she announced that she would be releasing new music in July. The following day, she blacked out all her social media profiles.[128] Back in July 2021, during an interview with Joe Wicks, she described the forthcoming album as "a dance record. It's electronic pop, a dance thing from outer space".[129] On 4 July 2022, she announced the release of "Easy Lover" featuring Big Sean, which was released on 15 July.[130] The single did not enter the UK Singles Top 100, but peaked at number 31 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart Top 100.[131] It was followed by "All by Myself", a collaboration between Goulding and producers Alok and Sigala, on 7 October.[132] Goulding released the single "Let It Die" along with its video on 19 October and announced the same day that her fifth studio album Higher Than Heaven would be released on 3 February 2023.[133][134]
On 22 March 2023, Goulding released the single "By The End Of The Night".[135][136]
I Do What I Love
Ellie Goulding Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I do what I love and I love what I do
I do what I love, I do what I love
How many times do I need to
Need to fight you baby
Just to get that it's no good
And I know that I'm strong
And it's getting on my mood
And all this buzzing you been doing
See you got me hanging up
See you really got me worse
But I got to move on, baby
'Cause bitches got to eat
Got to get back to work
I can't ask for your permission
I can't wait for it
'Cause I was born free
I ain't taking shit
I do what I love and I love what I do
Stop me, stop me
I'm stopping you
Get the move right, baby, I'll show what I mean
Don't stop me, stop me, I like how it feels
I do what I love and I love what I do
Stop me, stop me
I'm stopping you
Get the move right, baby, I'll show what I mean
Don't stop me, stop me, I like how it feels
How many hits do you need for
Me to get it in you
Get it in you
And I'm strong and my heart
In my heart it won't change
For anyone or anything
And if you're crying about your lover
'Cause your lover is a dick
This will get you over it
But you got to move on, baby
'Cause bitches got to eat
Got to got do my sh
I can't ask for your permission
I can't wait for it
'Cause I was born free
I ain't taking this
I do what I love and I love what I do
Stop me, stop me
I'm stopping you
Get the move right, baby, I'll show what I mean
Don't stop me, stop me, I like how it feels
I do what I love and I love what I do
Stop me, stop me
I'm stopping you
Get the move right, baby, I'll show what I mean
Don't stop me, stop me, I like how it feels
I do what I love and I love what I do
(I do what I love and I love what I do)
Get the move right, baby, I'll show what I mean
(Get the move right, baby, I'll show what I mean)
Get the move right
Get the move right
Get the move right
Get the move
I do what I love and I love what I do
Stop me, stop me
I'm stopping you
Get the move right, baby, I'll show what I mean
Don't stop me, stop me, I like how it feels
I do what I love and I love what I do
Stop me, stop me
I'm stopping you
Get the move right, baby, I'll show what I mean
Don't stop me, stop me, I like how it feels
I do what I love and I love what I do
In “1” by Ellie Goulding, the singer encourages herself to keep doing what she loves – whether that’s working on her music, performing on stage, or simply living her life. She speaks of the struggles of having to fight for what she loves, but she also speaks of her unwavering perseverance and determination to push through, no matter how difficult things may get. Goulding also addresses the issue of being held back by someone else and how she refuses to be stopped or restricted by anyone. She asserts her individuality and autonomy by proclaiming that she is “born free” and won’t take anything from anyone.
Overall, the central message of the song is to stay true to oneself and do what makes one happy, regardless of any obstacles or negative opinions. It’s a message of empowerment and resilience that speaks to anyone who has ever had to fight for their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
I do what I love
I pursue my passions and hobbies
I do what I love and I love what I do
I enjoy and find fulfillment in the things I am passionate about
How many times do I need to
How many instances must I encounter
Need to fight you baby
Argue with you
Just to get that it's no good
To make you understand that the situation is unproductive
And I know that I'm strong
I am aware of my inner strength
But my mind's almost gone
But my mental state is almost deteriorating
And it's getting on my mood
And it is affecting my emotional state
And all this buzzing you been doing
And all the annoying things you have been doing
See you got me hanging up
You have caused me to want to end our communication
See you really got me worse
You have made things even worse for me
But I got to move on, baby
I need to move forward
'Cause bitches got to eat
Because I need to take care of myself
Got to get back to work
I need to go back to what I am doing
I can't ask for your permission
I cannot rely on your approval
I can't wait for it
I cannot wait for you to give me approval
'Cause I was born free
Because I believe in my freedom
I ain't taking shit
I will not tolerate your negativity
Stop me, stop me
Try to limit me if you can
I'm stopping you
I am the one in control of the situation
Get the move right, baby, I'll show what I mean
Understand my perspective and I will explain it to you
Don't stop me, stop me, I like how it feels
Do not try to hinder me because I am enjoying what I am doing
How many hits do you need for
How many negative remarks or words do you need to say
Me to get it in you
For me to understand what you want to say
And I'm strong and my heart
Despite everything, I am emotionally strong
In my heart it won't change
My beliefs and convictions will not be altered
For anyone or anything
Regardless of the situation or the person involved
And if you're crying about your lover
And if you are crying because of your partner
'Cause your lover is a dick
Because your partner is treating you badly
This will get you over it
This song will help you move on and feel better
I do what I love and I love what I do
I pursue my passions and find satisfaction in what I do
Get the move right
Understand the direction I am taking
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ELLIE GOULDING, LALEH POURKARIM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Milena Donis
on Love Me Like You Do - From "Fifty Shades of Grey"
sjdnjnjsdkf