Claire Elise Boucher, known professionally as Grimes, is a Canadian musicia… Read Full Bio ↴Claire Elise Boucher, known professionally as Grimes, is a Canadian musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, music video director and visual artist. Her music incorporates elements of varied styles and genres including dream pop, synth-pop, art pop, electronic, experimental pop, R&B and hip hop.

Throughout her career, she has released five studio albums, two extended plays, eleven singles, and four promotional singles.

Born and raised in Vancouver, Grimes began releasing music independently late in the first decade of the 2000s, releasing two albums, Geidi Primes and Halfaxa in 2010 on Arbutus Records. She subsequently signed with 4AD and rose to fame with the release of her third studio album Visions in 2012. It produced the singles "Genesis" and "Oblivion", and received the Juno Award for Electronic Album of the Year. Her fourth studio album Art Angels (2015) received critical praise, and was named the best album of the year by several publications. Her fifth studio album, Miss Anthropocene, was released in 2020. Her next album, Book 1, is supposed to be released in early 2023.

Crystal Ball
Grimes Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ah, mother
I reach for you in the dark
Ah, mother
I reach for the dark
Ah, ah

All alone and I can't decide
And I can't decide on him

All alone and I can't seem to
Can't seem to, oh, begin

Holding on (I won't)
And I got my mind (I can't)
And I got my heart (I know)
And I'm in a bind
Holding on (I won't)
And I can't decide (I can't)
On him (I know)
I won't, I can't
I know, I'll let you go!
I won't, I can't
I know, I'll let you go!
I'll let you go!
I'll let you go!

I go and I know, and I wait for you
Hold on, and go on, 'cause I'll wait for you
Faster, faster, the leaves will fall
The sky will grey and my skin will dull
Hold on, and go on, 'cause I'll wait for you

All alone and I can't decide
And I can't decide on him
All alone and I can't seem to
Can't seem to, oh, begin

Holding on (I won't)
And I can't decide (I can't)
I can't decide on him (I know, I'll let you go!)
Holding on (I won't)
And I can't (I can't)
Seem to, can't seem to, oh, begin
(I know, I let you go!)

Can't seem to oh begin
Can't seem to ohbegin
(I let you go!)

Can't seem to begin
Can't seem to begin (I let you go!)

Overall Meaning

The song "Crystal Ball" by Grimes and d'Eon is a haunting track about the struggles of decision-making and letting go. The lyrics are repetitive in its structure, mirroring the singer's repeating thoughts as they struggle with a decision regarding a person in their life. In the first verse, the singer reaches out to their mother for guidance, emphasizing the feeling of being lost and alone.

The chorus is where the repetition takes over, with the lyrics "Holding on, and I can't decide, and I can't decide on him..." The singer is stuck, unable to make a decision and feeling the weight of the situation. The bridge brings a glimmer of hope as the singer repeats "Hold on, and go on, 'cause I'll wait for you," showing that there is a possibility of resolution, but it may take time.

Overall, the song seems to be about the fear of making the wrong decision and the difficulty of letting go, even when it is for the best. It's a relatable feeling, and the haunting melody and repetitive lyrics emphasize the emotional weight of the situation.

Line by Line Meaning

Ah, mother
Addressing the singer's mother in the start of the song.

I reach for you in the dark
Expressing the singer longing for her mother's support in a difficult time.

Ah, mother
A continuation of the singer's address to her mother.

I reach for the dark
The artist is reaching out to the void to find answers since she cannot rely on her mother's guidance.

All alone and I can't decide
The artist is struggling with a decision, and no one else is there to help or offer advice.

And I can't decide on him
The decision the singer is struggling with may or may not be related to the person mentioned here.

Can't seem to, oh, begin
The singer is having trouble starting something or initiating a plan of action.

Holding on (I won't)
The artist is trying her hardest to hold on to something or someone, but eventually won't be able to.

And I got my mind (I can't)
Despite the artist's best efforts, she cannot change her thoughts or feelings.

And I got my heart (I know)
The artist is aware of and acknowledges her emotional investment in something or someone.

And I'm in a bind
The singer is stuck or trapped in a difficult situation.

On him (I know)
The decision the artist is struggling with is likely related to this person.

I won't, I can't
Repeated attempts to fix the problem or change the situation have failed.

I know, I'll let you go!
The singer has reached her limit and is ready to move on and let go of whatever is causing her pain.

I go and I know, and I wait for you
Despite the difficulties the singer is faced with, she remains hopeful that someone or something will come to her aid.

Hold on, and go on, 'cause I'll wait for you
The artist is willing to endure hardships and wait for someone or something she is hopeful will come.

Faster, faster, the leaves will fall
Time is passing quickly and change is inevitable.

The sky will grey and my skin will dull
As time passes, the world will become less vibrant and the singer will feel less alive or engaged with it.

And I can't decide on him (I know, I'll let you go!)
The singer has made the decision to let go of the issue, even if she still cannot decide or make a choice in regards to this person.

Seem to, can't seem to, oh, begin
Repeating the sentiment from earlier in the song, the artist is having trouble starting something or initiating a plan of action.

(I know, I let you go!)
The artist repeats her decision to let go of whatever is causing her distress.

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Claire Elise Boucher

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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