Goulding wrote this number with producer Starsmith (real name Fin Dow-Smith). She told the story of the song to BBC DJ Steve Lamacq on his Radio 2 show: "It came to be because myself and Finn decided we want to make a song, we're not even going to think about it. We sat down at the computer and suddenly Finn just came up with this drum thing and then a bass line and I came up with a vocal thing. It was one of those very rare moments that something just comes together without any kind of effort or any kind of thinking. It was probably the easiest song I've written, but actually when I listen back to the lyrics they are actually quite meaningful"
"They are about a girl and a guy who are in a relationship but it's a very dark relationship in that its only based on being physical. Its not like a sexual song its more like shows that some relationships are based on nothing that is real, they are not based on something good. I've had that experience in my life, because you're trying to cling on to something that you know you're in denial. That's what the song is about in that you know the world won't bring us down, you can be as happy as Larry inside your house with your boyfriend or lover, but as soon as you step outside you're in the real world and you have to deal with it."
Under the Sheets
Ellie Goulding Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like all the boys boys boys boys
Like all the boys before
Like all the boys boys boys boys
You left a blood stain on the floor
You set your sights on him
You left a hand print on the door
This is our luck baby, running out
Our clothes were never off
We still have our roads to run about
To scale the map, scale the map, to get us back on track
I've seen you in a fight you lost
I've seen you in a fight
We're under the sheets and you're killing me
In our house made of paper, your words all over me
We're under the sheets and you're killing me
Like all the boys before
Like all the boys boys boys boys
Like all the boys before
Like all the boys boys boys boys
In here the world won't bring us down
Our plan is gold dust
Out there a lonely girl could drown
In here we're frozen
Where did the people go?
My hands are empty
You're not the answer I should know
Like all the boys before, like all the boys before
We're under the sheets and you're killing me
In our house made of paper, your words all over me
We're under the sheets and you're killing me
We're in a mess baby, we're in a mess babe
Your more is less babe, oh
We're in a mess baby, we're in a mess babe
Your more is less babe, oh oh
We're under the sheets and you're killing me
In our house made of paper and your words all over me
We're under the sheets and you're killing me
(I've seen you in a fight you lost)
Like all the boys before, like all the boys before
We're under the sheets and you're killing me
In our house made of paper, your words all over me
We're under the sheets and you're killing me
We're under the sheets and you're killing me
In our house made of paper, your words all over me
We're under the sheets and you're killing me
Killing, killing, killing me
Killing, killing, killing me
“Under the Sheets” is a song by Ellie Goulding, one of the key tracks of her 2009 album, “Lights”. It is an upbeat and high-energy song with some darker lyrics about a troubled relationship. The songwriting reflects an intense, sometimes volatile relationship in which the singer is committed even though it hurts her. In the first verse, she repeats “like all the boys before”, indicating that she has been in this situation before and has experienced this kind of hurt before. The refrain “We’re under the sheets and you’re killing me” refers to the idea of being physically intimate with someone and the vulnerability that comes with that.
In the second verse, the perspective shifts to a more optimistic tone. She refers to the “luck” of being together, even though their clothes stay on. There’s a sense of adventure and possibility as they “scale the map” and head towards new experiences. However, the song quickly returns to the idea that the relationship is flawed, with phrases like “our plan is gold dust” and “in here we’re frozen”. The song ends ambiguously, with the singer questioning the state of the relationship and whether it is worth staying in.
Line by Line Meaning
Like all the boys before
You're just like all the other guys I've been with
You left a blood stain on the floor
You hurt me deeply and left a lasting mark
You set your sights on him
You targeted him as your new conquest
You left a hand print on the door
You left physical evidence of your presence
This is our luck baby, running out
We're running out of time to fix things
Our clothes were never off
We never truly connected on an intimate level
We still have our roads to run about
We still have future plans and things to do together
To scale the map, scale the map, to get us back on track
We need to work together to fix our relationship
I've seen you in a fight you lost
I've seen your vulnerability and weakness
We're under the sheets and you're killing me
Being close to you is hurting me emotionally
In our house made of paper, your words all over me
I'm surrounded by your hurtful words and actions
This is our luck baby, running out
We're running out of time to fix things
We're in a mess baby, we're in a mess babe
Our situation is complicated and difficult
Your more is less babe, oh
Your behavior is causing more harm than good
Where did the people go?
Where did our relationship go wrong?
My hands are empty
I'm left with nothing
You're not the answer I should know
You're not the solution to my problems
We're under the sheets and you're killing me
Being close to you is causing me pain
Killing, killing, killing me
Your actions are slowly destroying me
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ellie Goulding, Finlay Graham Dow Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@fefe2200
I wish Ellie would make music like this again
@NeilandasLT2
Yeah
@caiocesar6002
this era means so much to me
@heididewhirst
Most important time of my upbringing
@gauravkini2506
I really miss Indie Ellie! 😔
@mysterisstudios
Same ! Even if i hAven’t saw her videos on past i still love her as an artist. She is one of my favourite
@Dave_61
Before fame chewed her up and spat her out!
@Sunshineboy536
@Brooklyn Shhh bitch
@bohdisanchez4690
The only Ellie I will ever listen to
@vibingwithfatimad3927
@Brooklyn STFU