RULE
X Ambassadors Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

And I can't get a grip, no, no, no, no, no
Feeling like I'm always losing control against
Nobody leaves this game alive
Please, babe, I beg you, don't fuck with me
Fractured my soul in a million pieces
But nobody breaks me a second time

I swear I had no idea
That she would change me so clear
That I couldn't conquer my fears

How can I love you
If I can't lose you
If I can't learn to
Glow again?
How can I love you
If I can't rule you?
How can I learn to
Let you in?

Rule over me
Rule over me
I'm yours, faithfully
Rule over me
Rule over me

I'm balanced on the brink of insanity
I'm walking the line between life and fantasy
I, I need to get free from all these ghosts
(I need to get free from all these ghosts)
Brick by brick I build my barricade
Protected myself from making the same mistakes
So I'm not too good at letting go
(So I'm not too good at letting go)

And so my question is this:
Why should I take the risk
And let somebody inside?

How can I love you
If I can't lose you
If I can't learn to
Glow again?
How can I love you
If I can't rule you?
How can I learn to
Let you in?

Rule over me
Rule over me
I'm yours, faithfully
Rule over me
Rule over me
Rule over me
I'm down on my knees
Rule over me
Rule over me

I have a feeling, and then you judge that feeling
And then that one gets more tense




Then you judge the intensity of that reaction
And then all of the fear-

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of X Ambassadors’ “RULE” explore the complexities of love and the fear that comes with allowing someone into one’s life. The singer expresses how difficult it is for him to let go and trust someone enough to love them. The repeated phrase, “How can I love you if I can't lose you,” reflects his internal struggle. He is afraid to fully engage and give his heart to someone because he is scared of getting hurt. The lyrics communicate that he has experienced heartbreak before and does not want to go through that pain again.


The line, “I'm balanced on the brink of insanity” further emphasizes the singer's unstable state of mind, suggesting he is not sure if he can handle the emotional turmoil that comes with love. He has built barricades around himself to prevent himself from making the same mistakes he made before, further making it difficult to let someone else in.


Overall, the lyrics of “RULE” reveal a struggle with vulnerability, trust, and a fear of losing control. The song describes the internal conflict of wanting to love and be loved and balancing that with the fear of getting hurt.


Line by Line Meaning

And I can't get a grip, no, no, no, no, no
I am struggling to hold on to my life and keep things together.


Feeling like I'm always losing control against
I am constantly struggling against a force that is beyond my control.


Nobody leaves this game alive
We all have to face the inevitability of death eventually.


Please, babe, I beg you, don't fuck with me
I am pleading with my lover to treat me with kindness and not cause me emotional pain.


Fractured my soul in a million pieces
My soul has been broken into countless fragments due to past trauma.


But nobody breaks me a second time
Despite my past pain, I am determined to be strong and not let anyone hurt me again.


I swear I had no idea
I didn't see the changes coming before it was too late.


That she would change me so clear
My partner has drastically altered my character and personality.


That I couldn't conquer my fears
I feel paralyzed by my anxieties and unable to overcome them.


How can I love you
What does it take for me to give myself fully to you?


If I can't lose you
I fear losing you so deeply that it's hard for me to commit to the relationship fully.


If I can't learn to
If I don't change for the better, how will our relationship grow?


Glow again?
How can I rediscover my spark and become the person I was before?


How can I love you
How can I truly love you when I am held back by my own insecurities?


If I can't rule you?
If I'm not in control, how can I be sure that I won't get hurt again?


How can I learn to
What will it take for me to open up and let you into my heart?


Let you in?
How can I take down my walls and allow myself to be vulnerable with you?


Rule over me
Take control of me and make sure nothing can come between us.


I'm yours, faithfully
I am yours wholeheartedly and will be loyal to you.


I'm balanced on the brink of insanity
I feel like I am constantly on edge and could lose my grip at any moment.


I'm walking the line between life and fantasy
It's tough for me to separate what's real and what's imaginary or wishful thinking.


I, I need to get free from all these ghosts
I am haunted by past trauma and need to break free from its grip on me.


Brick by brick I build my barricade
I take small steps to protect myself from getting hurt again, which lead to an overall wall between me and others.


Protected myself from making the same mistakes
I do not want to make the same mistakes again.


So I'm not too good at letting go
I struggle with letting go of the past and moving on.


Why should I take the risk
Why should I expose myself to potential heartache and vulnerability?


And let somebody inside?
Why should I be open to trusting and loving someone completely?


I'm down on my knees
I am at a low point emotionally and feel defeated.


Rule over me
I want you to take the lead in our relationship and be my rock.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Adam Levin, Casey Harris, James Ho, Samuel Harris

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions