Following his 2016 debut album, ‘Ashes,’ ILLENIUM broke into the mainstream via his 2017 album, ‘Awake,’ which includes his classics "Crawl Outta Love," "Fractures" and "Feel Good," with Gryffin ft. Daya. A critical and commercial success, ‘Awake’ topped the iTunes Top Electronic Albums Chart in 12 countries with +100M streams.
In 2019, ILLENIUM released ‘Ascend,’ his third full-length album and his major label debut. As one of the biggest electronic releases of the year (+1B collective streams), the album topped Billboard's Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart and secured a Top 20 hit on the Billboard 200. The album includes the hit tracks "Takeaway" with The Chainsmokers ft. Lennon Stella, "Good Things Fall Apart" with Jon Bellion, "Crashing" ft. Bahari, "In Your Arms" with X Ambassadors and “Take You Down,” which chronicles his past battles with drug addiction.
Recognized as one of Billboard’s Top Dance/Electronic Artists of the 2010s, ILLENIUM brings his dynamic music to life via his live show, which has dominated festivals like Coachella, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo and EDC. His 2019 Ascend Tour, which featured a five-piece live band, sold out landmark venues like Madison Square Garden (NYC), STAPLES Center (L.A.) and three consecutive nights at Red Rocks Amphitheatre (Denver).
Fortress
Illenium Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We were shadows holding on
(Holding on)
All the things I resisted
Now far from gone
(Far from gone)
Armor on
Ticking bombs
All the weapons are useless
So can you just let down your guard
Before everything is naught
All along
You use your heart as a fortress
How'd you get so far away from me?
How'd you get so far away from me?
How'd you get so far?
How'd you get so far?
How'd you get so far?
You use your heart as a fortress
You use your heart as a fortress
You use your heart as a fortress
How'd you get so far?
How'd you get so far?
Armor on
You use your heart as a fortress
Ticking bombs
All the weapons are useless
All the weapons are useless
You use your heart as a fortress
So can you just let down your guard
Before everything is naught
Armor on
You use your heart as a fortress
You use your heart as a fortress
You use your heart as a fortress
The lyrics of Illenium's song Fortress describe a situation where two people who were once close have grown distant from each other. The lines, "No light in the distance, we were shadows holding on," convey the idea that there is a sense of distance and darkness between the two individuals. The singer reflects on their unwillingness to let go of certain things before, but now realizes that those things are gone. The lines, "All the things I resisted, now far from gone," indicate his acceptance of the fact that he can't change what's already happened.
The title, Fortress, is used metaphorically, with the singer describing the person he is addressing as someone who uses their heart as a fortress. Armor is worn, and ticking bombs hint at a sense of danger or unpredictable behavior. The line, "All the weapons are useless," suggests that any attempts to break down this fortress will be in vain. The singer urges this person to let down their guard before it's too late and everything is gone.
Overall, the song captures the feeling of being disconnected from someone, with the singer attempting to mend the rift. The language used, such as "fortress," "armor," and "ticking bombs," is reminiscent of a battle, which adds to the intensity of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
No light in the distance
We couldn't see a glimmer of hope or positivity from where we were.
We were shadows holding on (Holding on)
We were barely there, but still trying to hold onto something.
All the things I resisted
All the things I didn't want to face or accept.
Now far from gone (Far from gone)
Those things are still with me and haven't disappeared.
Armor on
I have my defenses up to protect myself.
You use your heart as a fortress
You use your heart as your main defense mechanism to avoid getting hurt.
Ticking bombs
Emotions or situations that could explode at any moment.
All the weapons are useless
All other forms of protection or defense are pointless.
So can you just let down your guard
Can you please lower your defenses and let me in?
Before everything is naught
Before everything falls apart or becomes meaningless.
All along
All this time.
How'd you get so far away from me?
How did we become so distant from each other?
You use your heart as a fortress
You use your heart as your main defense mechanism to avoid getting hurt.
How'd you get so far?
How did things become so bad, distant, or irreparable?
You use your heart as a fortress
You use your heart as your main defense mechanism to avoid getting hurt.
All the weapons are useless
All other forms of protection or defense are pointless.
So can you just let down your guard
Can you please lower your defenses and let me in?
Before everything is naught
Before everything falls apart or becomes meaningless.
Armor on
I have my defenses up to protect myself.
You use your heart as a fortress
You use your heart as your main defense mechanism to avoid getting hurt.
You use your heart as a fortress
You use your heart as your main defense mechanism to avoid getting hurt.
Contributed by Sydney K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@uncvrd
Lyrics for those that want them, let me know what to fix! I <3 Illenium :)
No light in the distance
We were shadows holding on (holding on)
All the things I resisted
Now far from gone (far from gone)
Armor on, you use your heart as a fortress
Ticking bombs, all the weapons are useless
So can you just let down your guard
Before everything is marred
I move on, you use your heart as a fortress
How'd you get so far away from me? [repeat]
Armor on, you use your heart as a fortress
Ticking bombs, all the weapons are useless
You use your heart as a fortress
So can you just let down your guard
Before everything is marred
Armor, you use your heart as a fortress
@yummyandblueroblox339
No light in the distance
We were shadows holding on (holding on)
All the things I resisted
Now far from gone (far from gone)
Armor on, you use your heart as a fortress
Ticking bombs, all the weapons are useless
So can you just let down your guard
Before everything is marred
I move on, you use your heart as a fortress
How'd you get so far away from me? [repeat]
Armor on, you use your heart as a fortress
Ticking bombs, all the weapons are useless
You use your heart as a fortress
So can you just let down your guard
Before everything is marred
Armor, you use your heart as a fortress
@metadragvaevictis
Illenium + Female vocals = Absolute Beauty!
@Brandon-ly7nf
ikr!
@tsunami2814
Metadrag Vae Victis agreed
@Zerra18
Trueeee
@bluewave4627
The Collab with MAX is great too
@carsonblackburn1868
You should hear god damnit
@justtrin2221
Illenium really knows how to make your heart sync with the beat.
@pok3rface-350
ad,asldasd
@FojumDK
Mine beated 3 times every 2 drops
@michaelconnolly9286
Stalin did nothing wrong