Diamandis' musical style ranges from keyboard-based ballads to more up-tempo new wave-style songs with full band backing. She has cited a wide range of influences such as Daniel Johnston, Blondie, Patti Smith, Nirvana, PJ Harvey, Elliott Smith, Dolly Parton, Britney Spears and Madonna.
Simplify
Marina & the Diamonds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That I need to simplify
Thoughts pass like ships in the sky
Do, or do not, there is no try
Life became complicated
When modern times arrived
Board games are underrated
They say, well get out of the city
We say, well there's no such thing
As a house in the country (in the country)
I am trying to rectify
Habits that clog up my mind
No time to be meek and mild
Live simply like a child
Life became complicated
When modern times arrived
Board games are underrated
I want a different life
They say, well get out of the city
We say, well there's no such thing
As a house in the country (in the country)
Simplify, your life
Simplify, life
In the song Simplify, Marina & the Diamonds talks about her desire to declutter her mind and her life. She has realized that thoughts come and go like ships in the sky and she needs to simplify things to focus on what really matters. She feels that life has become complicated with the arrival of modern times and wants to live a more straightforward life like a child. Marina provides an interesting contrast between her desire for a simple life and her resistance to the common advice of leaving the city and moving to the country. She acknowledges that there is no such thing as a house in the country and that a simple life is not necessarily tied to a specific geographical location. In the end, she urges the listener to simplify their own life.
There is a strong theme of nostalgia and a longing for a simpler time in the song. Marina seems to be lamenting how life has become too hectic and confusing with the advent of modern technology and urbanization. She yearns for a time when board games were still popular and life was less complicated. She desires to live a more meaningful life and wants to shed the unnecessary distractions and chaos that are bombarding her mind.
Line by Line Meaning
Lately I have realised
Recently, I have come to an understanding
That I need to simplify
I must make my life less complicated
Thoughts pass like ships in the sky
My thoughts are fleeting and transitory
Do, or do not, there is no try
It's important to commit and act without hesitation
Life became complicated
Life is more difficult now due to modern times
When modern times arrived
Since the onset of modernity
Board games are underrated
People don't appreciate the simple pleasures in life
I want a different life
I'm looking for a change
They say, well get out of the city
Some suggest leaving urban areas
We say, well there's no such thing
But we recognize that this may not be practical or realistic
As a house in the country (in the country)
Finding a peaceful home in a rural area is not easy
I am trying to rectify
I'm attempting to fix
Habits that clog up my mind
Harmful habits that obstruct my thoughts and emotions
No time to be meek and mild
It's important to be assertive and confident
Live simply like a child
Adopt a childlike simplicity in life
Simplify, your life
Make your life simpler
Simplify, life
Life can be simpler
Contributed by Kaitlyn A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bowties NCoolnes
She has more unreleased songs than released, and her unreleased songs are SOOOOO good! Why aren't all her songs released?! <3
noah vinyl
this is released, it was released on the crown jewels and mermaid vs sailor
The Hopeless
@Bowties NCoolnes This was actually released on her extended play "The Crowns Jewels" :)
ThatGuyNamedElliot
@Jessica Marina and the diamonds How did you get them?!
Bowties NCoolnes
Yeah I know, it's just, she would probably get a lot more recognition if she'd release all of them bc to be honest some are even better than the released ones.
Jessi elizi games
U can still get them on ur phone I have most of her unreleased songs like this 1 on my iPhone
what? oh hell no. hold up. huh? oh, okay.
i love how she looks in this picture. it looks like she's from the 70s
Svetlin Dimitrov
She has this magic.. to make you relate to most of her songs or make you feel something special.. especially the older ones. Starlight, Jealousy, this one.. teen idle etc.. Marina is amazing!!:) Can't stop listening to her music, even after 10 years... and i keep discovering new wonderful unreleased tracks.
xXmlgamingXx
Definitely sounds like something you’d hear on the family jewels
noah vinyl
This is the Family Jewels version