The opening lines of the song set the tone for the rest of the lyrics, describing a chaotic summer air and a path that's slipping away from the original plan. The chorus then speaks of "glory and gore" going hand in hand - a phrase that suggests the idea that to achieve greatness, one must also be willing to take risks and face the consequences of those risks.
The song's pre-chorus and chorus then speak of the way in which the public views those who pursue power and fame. Lorde recognizes that many in the public hold such individuals in high regard, yet also depicts how those same people carry a hidden responsibility to protect and serve.
The line "We mean it, but I promise we're not mean" is a direct reference to the ambivalence that can come with power. These lines are directly connected to the chorus that highlights the idea that "Glory and gore go hand in hand". They signify that the cost of achieving fame may be hostile interactions and carnage along the path to greatness.
In the bridge, Lorde acknowledges the liminal experiences of life in which people are awakened, are stimulated by life, or wait for an opportunity to come. She also recognizes the importance of mental toughness, which is the ability to push through negative thoughts and outside pressure to emerge victorious.
Overall, Lorde's "Glory and Gore" is a commentary on the relationship between power, fame, and conflict. The lyrics suggest that while fame and power can be exhilarating, they also come with a great cost. The song shows the importance of recognizing the hidden responsibility that comes with power and fame and proving one's strength of character when it's needed most.
Glory and Gore
Lorde Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And we're slipping off the course that we prepared
But in all chaos, there is calculation
Dropping glasses just to hear them break
You've been drinking like the world was gonna end (it didn't)
Took a shiner from the fist of your best friend (go figure)
It's clear that someone's gotta go
We mean it, but I promise we're not mean
And the cry goes out (ha)
They lose their minds for us, and how it plays out (ha)
Now we're in the ring and we're coming for blood
(Oh! Oh!)
You could try and take us (oh-oh)
But we're the gladiators (Oh! Oh!)
Everyone a rager (oh-oh)
But secretly they're saviors
Glory and gore go hand in hand
That's why we're making headlines (Oh! Oh!)
You could try and take us (oh-oh)
But victory's contagious
Delicate in every way but one (the swordplay)
God knows we like archaic kinds of fun (the old way)
Chance is the only game I play with, baby
We let our battles choose us
And the cry goes out (ha oh)
They lose their minds for us and how it plays out (ha oh)
Now we're in the ring and we're coming for blood
(Oh! Oh!)
You could try and take us (oh-oh)
But we're the gladiators (Oh! Oh!)
Everyone a rager (oh-oh)
But secretly they're saviors
Glory and gore go hand in hand
That's why we're making headlines (Oh! Oh!)
You could try and take us (oh-oh)
But victory's contagious
No-one 'round here's good at keeping their eyes closed
The sun's starting to light up when we're walking home
Tired little laughs, gold lie promises,
We'll always win at this, I don't ever think about death
It's alright if you do, it's fine
We gladiate but I guess we're really fighting ourselves
Roughing up our minds so we're ready when the kill time comes
Wide awake in bed, words in my brain,
"Secretly you love this, do you even wanna go free?"
Let me in the ring, I'll show you what that big word means
(Oh! Oh!)
You could try and take us (oh-oh)
But we're the gladiators (Oh! Oh!)
Everyone a rager (oh-oh)
But secretly they're saviors
Glory and gore go hand in hand
That's why we're making headlines (Oh! Oh!)
You could try and take us (oh-oh)
But victory's contagious
In "Glory and Gore," Lorde presents a commentary on society's fascination with and glorification of violence and conflict. She suggests that even in chaos and destruction, there is a calculated element, and that it is sometimes necessary to let battles choose us. Lorde also points out the irony of how those who are seen as raging and aggressive are often secretly the ones who save others. The line "no one 'round here's good at keeping their eyes closed" illustrates how many people are unable to avoid the spectacle and drama of a conflict, even when it is not directly affecting them.
The chorus repeats the idea that they are the gladiators, with everyone around them being a rager. They acknowledge that glory and gore go hand in hand - that the spectacle of violence creates headlines and attracts attention. They are aware that people may try and take them down, but victory is contagious, meaning that their continued success and dominance inspires and motivates others.
Overall, "Glory and Gore" is a striking critique of the way violence and conflict are often portrayed in the media and entertainment, revealing the deeper complexities of these situations and the underlying motivations driving those involved.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a humming in the restless summer air
There's a tense feeling building up in the air
And we're slipping off the course that we prepared
Our plans are not working out as expected
But in all chaos, there is calculation
Even in chaos, there is some order and intention
Dropping glasses just to hear them break
Doing destructive things for the thrill of it
You've been drinking like the world was gonna end (it didn't)
Overindulging in alcohol as if it were the end of the world
Took a shiner from the fist of your best friend (go figure)
Getting punched by your best friend is unexpected and ironic
It's clear that someone's gotta go
It's obvious that someone needs to leave or be removed
We mean it, but I promise we're not mean
We have a serious intention, but we're not trying to be cruel
And the cry goes out (ha)
People start shouting or cheering
They lose their minds for us, and how it plays out (ha)
They're excited and can't wait to see what happens
Now we're in the ring and we're coming for blood
Now we're fully committed to the fight and won't back down
(Oh! Oh!)
You could try and take us (oh-oh)
But we're the gladiators (Oh! Oh!)
Everyone a rager (oh-oh)
But secretly they're saviors
Glory and gore go hand in hand
That's why we're making headlines (Oh! Oh!)
You could try and take us (oh-oh)
But victory's contagious
We are strong fighters, and even though people see us as violent, we are also protecting others. Our battles always make the news, and even though others might try to challenge us, they will likely join us in our victorious cause
Delicate in every way but one (the swordplay)
We may seem weak, but we have a certain strength
God knows we like archaic kinds of fun (the old way)
We enjoy old-fashioned or outmoded ways of having fun
Chance is the only game I play with, baby
We don't have a solid plan, we mostly rely on chance
We let our battles choose us
We don't necessarily choose our fights, they come to us
No-one 'round here's good at keeping their eyes closed
Nobody can avoid seeing what's happening around them
The sun's starting to light up when we're walking home
Sunrise is happening while we're walking
Tired little laughs, gold lie promises,
We're making empty promises and trying to laugh it off
We'll always win at this, I don't ever think about death
We're confident we'll win, and we're not considering the risks involved
It's alright if you do, it's fine
It's okay if you think about death, it doesn't bother us
We gladiate but I guess we're really fighting ourselves
We fight with others, but we're really fighting our own demons
Roughing up our minds so we're ready when the kill time comes
We're getting mentally toughened up for when we need to act decisively
Wide awake in bed, words in my brain,
We can't sleep, we're thinking too much
"Secretly you love this, do you even wanna go free?"
We have doubts about our situation, but we're also drawn to it
Let me in the ring, I'll show you what that big word means
Give me a chance, and I'll demonstrate what true strength means
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ELLA MARIJA LA YELICH O'CONNOR, JOEL LITTLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jhademagsanay6917
There's a hummin' in the restless summer air
And we're slippin' off the course that we prepared
But in all chaos there is calculation
Droppin' glasses just to hear them break
You've been drinkin' like the world was gonna end (it didn't)
Took a shiner from the fist of your best friend (go figure)
It's clear that someone's gotta go
We mean it, but I promise we're not mean
And the cry goes out (Oh!)
They lose their minds for us
And how it plays out (Oh!)
Now we're in the ring, and we're coming for blood
You could try and take us
(Oh! Oh!)
But we're the gladiators
(Oh! Oh!)
Everyone a rager
(Oh! Oh!)
But secretly they're saviors
Glory and gore go hand in hand
That's why we're makin' headlines
(Oh! Oh!)
You could try and take us
(Oh! Oh!)
But victory's contagious
Delicate in every way but one (the swordplay)
God knows we like archaic kinds of fun (the old ways)
Chance is the only game I play with, baby
We let our battles choose us
And the cry goes out (Oh!)
They lose their minds for us
And how it plays out (Oh!)
Now we're in the ring, and we're coming for blood
You could try and take us
(Oh! Oh!)
But we're the gladiators
(Oh! Oh!)
Everyone a rager
(Oh! Oh!)
But secretly they're saviors
Glory and gore go hand in hand
That's why we're makin' headlines
(Oh! Oh!)
You could try and take us
(Oh! Oh!)
But victory's contagious
No-one 'round here's good at keepin' their eyes closed
The sun's startin' to light up when we're walking home
Tired little laughs, gold-lie promises
We'll always win at this, I don't ever think about death
It's alright if you do, it's fine
We gladiate, but I guess we're really fighting ourselves
Roughin' up our minds, so we're ready when the kill time comes
Wide awake in bed, words in my brain
"Secretly you love this, do you even wanna go free?"
Let me in the ring, I'll show you what that big word means
You could try and take us
(Oh! Oh!)
But we're the gladiators
(Oh! Oh!)
Everyone a rager
(Oh! Oh!)
But secretly they're saviors
Glory and gore go hand in hand
That's why we're makin' headlines
(Oh! Oh!)
You could try and take us
(Oh! Oh!)
But victory's contagious
@wkariru
LETRA
There's a humming in the restless summer air
And we're slipping off the course that we prepared
But in all chaos, there is calculation
Dropping glasses just to hear them break
You've been drinking like the world was gonna end (it didn't)
Took a shiner from the fist of your best friend (go figure)
It's clear that someone's gotta go
We mean it, but I promise we're not mean
And the cry goes out (oh)
They lose their minds for us
And how it plays out (oh)
Now we're in the ring, and we're coming for blood
you could try and take us
(Oh, oh) but we're the gladiators
(Oh, oh) everyone a rager
(Oh, oh) but secretly they're saviors
Glory and gore go hand in hand
That's why we're making headlines
(Oh, oh) you could try and take us
(Oh, oh) but victory's contagious
Delicate in every way but one (the swordplay)
God knows we like archaic kinds of fun (the old ways)
Chance is the only game I play with, baby
We let our battles choose us
And the cry goes out (oh)
They lose their minds for us
And how it plays out (oh)
Now we're in the ring, and we're coming for blood
you could try and take us
(Oh, oh) but we're the gladiators
(Oh, oh) everyone a rager
(Oh, oh) but secretly they're saviors
Glory and gore go hand in hand
That's why we're making headlines
(Oh, oh) you could try and take us
(Oh, oh) but victory's contagious
No-one 'round here's good at keeping their eyes closed
The sun's starting to light up when we're walking home
Tired little laughs, gold-lie promises
We'll always win at this, I don't ever think about death
It's alright if you do, it's fine
We gladiate, but I guess we're really fighting ourselves
Roughing up our minds, so we're ready when the kill time comes
Wide awake in bed, words in my brain
"Secretly you love this, do you even wanna go free?"
Let me in the ring, I'll show you what that big word means
you could try and take us
(Oh, oh) but we're the gladiators
(Oh, oh) everyone a rager
(Oh, oh) but secretly they're saviors
Glory and gore go hand in hand
That's why we're making headlines
(Oh, oh) you could try and take us
(Oh, oh) but victory's contagious
@missserenity1090
Pure Heroine really is a fantastic album.
@jimmieroutledge5101
Saturated in Necrophilia, if you really listen. And no one ever caught it but me! hehe. Don't believe me? Listen to the album, with that in mind, especially "Team", "400 Lux (bad bad!), And of course this song.
@wanyekest6969
@@jimmieroutledge5101 Forget to take your meds, Jimmie?
@jimmieroutledge5101
@@wanyekest6969 No meds needed. Awakening of the conscience happens only when right brain thought initiates. This can be achieved through meditation, proper nourishment of the pineal gland and living right. Sounds like the artists have possibly danced circles around your sleepy head, while the lyric found its way to the enlightened ones. My advice is not meds, but rather that the coffee you drink of a morning...Someday you will wake up to it's aroma, and then snide and negative comments will no longer be necessary for you. Peace to you
@61subsandnovideos
@@jimmieroutledge5101 lay off the weed, man. it's rotting your brain 😭
@Anthony-gh5yu
Yeah it's a great album a hidden gem
@mimimaria3
this is one of those songs that you'd likely skip in a playlist but truly it's a hidden gem in and of itself, especially the part in the middle <3 Lorde is seriously a genius when it comes to songwriting, I envy her writing skills
@marleyabd1729
mimi Maria wtf I listened to it right away an loved it 😂
@misscamaraderie5213
its my fav so far in first listen aha wdym
@dianepeck6578
Skip???? Gurllll I still listen to this on repeat in my dorm room at 4 am 😂