Ribs
Lorde Lyrics


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The drink you spilled all over me
"Lover's Spit" left on repeat
My mom and dad let me stay home
It drives you crazy, getting old

We can talk it so good
We can make it so divine
We can talk it good
How you wish it would be all the time

The drink you spilled all over me
"Lover's Spit" left on repeat
My mom and dad let me stay home
It drives you crazy, getting old
The drink you spilled all over me
"Lover's Spit" left on repeat
My mom and dad let me stay home
It drives you crazy, getting old

This dream isn't feeling sweet
We're reeling through the midnight streets
And I've never felt more alone
It feels so scary, getting old

We can talk it so good
We can make it so divine
We can talk it good
How you wish it would be all the time

This dream isn't feeling sweet
We're reeling through the midnight streets
And I've never felt more alone
It feels so scary, getting old
This dream isn't feeling sweet
We're reeling through the midnight streets
And I've never felt more alone
It feels so scary, getting old

I want 'em back (I want 'em back)
The minds we had (the minds we had)
How all the thoughts (how all the thoughts)
Moved 'round our heads (moved 'round our heads)
I want 'em back (I want 'em back)
The minds we had (the minds we had)
It's not enough to feel the lack
I want 'em back, I want 'em back, I want 'em

You're the only friend I need (you're the only friend I need)
Sharing beds like little kids (sharing beds like little kids)
And laughing 'til our ribs get tough (laughing 'til our ribs get tough)
But that will never be enough (but that will never be enough)
You're the only friend I need (you're the only friend I need)
Sharing beds like little kids (sharing beds like little kids)
And laughing 'til our ribs get tough (laughing 'til our ribs get tough)
But that will never be enough (but that will never be enough)

But that will never be enough
But that will never be enough
But that will never be enough

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Ribs by Lorde are a contemplative ode to the anxiety of growing up and the changing circumstances that come with it. The first verse sets the scene of a carefree night tainted by the reminder that time is moving too fast. The chorus follows with a desire to hold onto the feeling of that night forever. The second verse dives even deeper into the fear of growing up and becoming alone. The repeating line, "It feels so scary, getting old," emphasizes the overwhelming dread of the unknown.


The bridge of the song is a mournful remembrance of how the mind used to effortlessly process the world around it. The final verse then mirrors the first, highlighting the intimacy shared with a friend that will never be the same again. The line "Laughing 'til our ribs get tough" strikes a somber tone as it reveals that even joy can't be preserved in time. The overall theme of the song can be summed up as a longing for what was or could have been, a notion that everyone can relate to.


Line by Line Meaning

The drink you spilt all over me
You spilled your drink on me


'Lover's Spit' left on repeat
We listened to 'Lover's Spit' over and over again


My mom and dad let me stay home
My parents let me stay home


It drives you crazy, getting old
Getting old is driving you crazy


We can talk it so good
We can speak so well about it


We can make it so divine
We can make it so perfect


How you wish it would be all the time
How you wish things could always be like this


This dream isn't feeling sweet
This dream isn't feeling good


We're reeling through the midnight streets
We're stumbling through the streets at night


And I've never felt more alone
I've never felt more lonely


It feels so scary, getting old
Getting old feels so scary


I want 'em back (I want 'em back)
I want them back


The minds we had (the minds we had)
Our previous thoughts and ideas


How all the thoughts (how all the thoughts)
All of our thoughts


Moved 'round our heads (moved 'round our heads)
Swirled around our minds


It's not enough to feel the lack
Feeling the absence isn't enough


I want 'em back, I want 'em back, I want 'em
I want them back


You're the only friend I need
You are my only friend


Sharing beds like little kids
We share beds like children


Laughing 'til our ribs get tough
We laugh until it hurts


But that will never be enough
But it's never enough




Lyrics Ā© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ella Marija La Yelich O'connor, Joel Little

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@kaylahensley9709

The drink you spilt all over me
'Lover's Spit' left on repeat
My mom and dad let me stay home
It drives you crazy, getting old
We can talk it so good
We can make it so divine
We can talk it good
How you wish it would be all the time
The drink you spilt all over me
'Lover's Spit' left on repeat
My mom and dad let me stay home
It drives you crazy, getting old
The drink you spilt all over me
'Lover's Spit' left on repeat
My mom and dad let me stay home
It drives you crazy, getting old
This dream isn't feeling sweet
We're reeling through the midnight streets
And I've never felt more alone
It feels so scary, getting old
We can talk it so good
We can make it so divine
We can talk it good
How you wish it would be all the time
This dream isn't feeling sweet
We're reeling through the midnight streets
And I've never felt more alone
It feels so scary, getting old
This dream isn't feeling sweet
We're reeling through the midnight streets
And I've never felt more alone
It feels so scary, getting old
I want 'em back (I want 'em back)
The minds we had (the minds we had)
How all the thoughts (how all the thoughts)
Moved 'round our heads (moved 'round our heads)
I want 'em back (I want 'em back)
The minds we had (the minds we had)
It's not enough to feel the lack
I want 'em back, I want 'em back, I want 'em
You're the only friend I need
Sharing beds like little kids
Laughing 'til our ribs get tough
But that will never be enough
You're the only friend I need
Sharing beds like little kids
Laughing 'til our ribs get tough
But that will never be enough



All comments from YouTube:

@addietion5646

this song makes me want to ride my bike in the complete dark with my best friends, and just be nostalgic. it makes me want to go on top of a hill at sunset and just blast this song before i move away from my hometown, and just cry

@mariacamargo4394

same, but i just moved to another continent

@kirstenf9176

same, but i don't have any friends so

@russell136

Listen to flashed junk mind

@V_J

Same but without my friends

@bellegriffiths5866

Dude if you're leaving your home, do it. I missed my chance when I moved country. It'll make shit easier

46 More Replies...

@thatsmallkidferret9784

everyone’s talking about the nostalgic days they’ve never had.

this song makes me want to keep living for those.

@screechy5913

this made me cry happy tears idk y but thanks for the lift :,)

@thatsmallkidferret9784

screechy omg you’re welcome😌

@verastrobel5251

Love this comment, I want to keep living for those moments too ā˜ŗļø

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