The band revealed in interviews at the time of its release that the song (along with remainder of the album) was in jeopardy of not being made, due to strain on the band stemming from the breakdown of an eight-year relationship between band co-founders Alisa Xayalith and Thom Powers. In the face of the possibility of the band splitting up as a result, they instead channeled their heartbreak and emotions into the music itself. Said Xayalith to Consequence of Sound:
There’s pain and passion behind this art. Pop techniques are all about maximum impact. And it’s not like this is an album of bangers but it’s the most immediate thing we’ve ever done."
The song’s lyrics echo this statement, dealing with such themes as redemption, owning pain and learning from the experience it provides, and using this experience to better yourself and foster a heightened sense of being.
The song was performed live on the third episode of LIVE with Youtube Gaming.
Higher
The Naked and Famous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like we understood
Made with adrenaline
Seeping out through the skin
Like only lovers could
Here's where we begin
Time is the medicine
That only raise our voices
Higher, higher
Tonight we raise the dead
Tonight we bury this in fire, fire
Under the shape of years
And the weight that brought us here
But we can separate
To form these hearts in stone
Rewrite this pain we own
Caught here in the wake
Nothing but genuine
Built on a skeleton
Of fractured parts
That only raise our voices
Higher, higher
Tonight we raise the dead
Tonight we bury this in fire, fire
Under the shape of years
And the weight that brought us here
Better believe the sea of changes
And put these battered bones to rest
Nothing invisible or nameless
Leave no reason to confess (confess)
Higher, higher
Tonight we raise the dead
Tonight we bury this in fire, fire
Under the shape of years
And the weight
Higher, higher (higher, higher, higher)
Tonight we raise the dead
Tonight we bury this in fire, fire
Under the shape of years
And the weight that brought us here
Better believe the sea of changes
And put these battered bones to rest (rest)
Nothing invisible or nameless
Leave no reason to confess
(And raise our voices)
Higher, higher
The Naked and Famous's song Higher is a powerful and uplifting track that speaks to the strength of human resilience and the ability to overcome challenges. The lyrics suggest that the best way to deal with difficult times is to face them head-on and not shy away from pain. The chorus of "Higher, higher" is a call to arms for the listeners to rise above their struggles and find a way to move forward.
The opening lines, "Like we understood, made with adrenaline seeping out through the skin," create a sense of urgency and passion that carries throughout the song. The adrenaline that is mentioned suggests a rush of energy that can come from facing difficult situations head-on. The chorus, "Tonight we raise the dead, tonight we bury this in fire, fire," speaks to letting go of the past and starting anew. The idea is that by burning away the old, one can make way for something new and better.
The second verse, "But we can separate to form these hearts in stone, rewrite this pain we own," suggests that it's possible to distance oneself from one's struggles and become emotionally stronger as a result. The line "Caught here in the wake, nothing but genuine" suggests that in order to truly move forward, one must confront and acknowledge the pain that has led to this point. The end of the song reiterates the message of rising above struggles, with the line "Better believe the sea of changes, and put these battered bones to rest." Overall, Higher is an inspiring anthem of courage and strength in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Higher, high
The desire to rise beyond the current state of being and reach new heights.
Like we understood
A sense of familiarity and shared understanding that solidifies a bond between two people.
Made with adrenaline
A rush of excitement and energy that fuels the passion in a relationship.
Seeping out through the skin
The passion and energy of the relationship is visible and palpable to others around them.
Like only lovers could
The depth of emotion and connection between them can only be understood and felt by those who are in love.
Here's where we begin
The start of a new journey together as a couple, leaving the past behind.
Time is the medicine
The passage of time is necessary to heal past wounds and move forward in the relationship.
To heal these needs
The emotional needs of the individuals and the relationship must be addressed and healed for growth.
That only raise our voices
The struggles they face cause them to express their emotions and conflicts through words.
Tonight we raise the dead
A metaphor for letting go of the past and moving on from past traumas.
Tonight we bury this in fire, fire
Symbolic of burning away the pain, anger, and negativity of the past to make way for a brighter future together.
Under the shape of years
The weight of the past and the experiences they have gone through together have shaped who they are today.
And the weight that brought us here
The challenges and trials they have faced as a couple have brought them to this point in their relationship.
But we can separate
The ability to work through problems and conflicts together as a couple, while also maintaining independence and individuality.
To form these hearts in stone
The strength and solidity of their love that has endured through difficult times.
Rewrite this pain we own
They have the power to change their perspective and overcome the pain they have experienced in the past.
Caught here in the wake
Feeling stuck in the aftermath of past events and experiences.
Nothing but genuine
The honesty and authenticity in their feelings and emotions towards each other.
Built on a skeleton
Their relationship is built on a foundation of previous experiences and hardships that have brought them closer together.
Of fractured parts
Despite past issues and brokenness, they have learned to heal and become stronger as a couple.
Better believe the sea of changes
They are committed to embracing the changes and challenges that come with a growing relationship and navigating the unknown waters of the future.
And put these battered bones to rest
Letting go of past pain and negativity, and moving towards healing and growth.
Nothing invisible or nameless
No issues or problems are ignored or left unaddressed in the relationship.
Leave no reason to confess
Open communication and honesty in their relationship leaves no reason for guilt or secrets to linger between them.
(And raise our voices)
Reiterating the idea that expressing themselves is important for growth and healing in their relationship.
Higher, higher
The desire to grow and reach new heights in their relationship.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: David William Henry Beadle, Jesse Wood, Aaron Philip Short, Alisa Xayalith, Thomas Brading Powers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Javier Ray McCallum
Good good song 👌👌👌👌
Sam
I feel so bad for those who searching for thos masterpiece but can’t find it.
Javier Ray McCallum
💯💯💯💯💯
Nathaniel Miller
Better believe the sea of changes
Sayro Lopez
Song of America!
Shing Wong
Why is there only 27k views?