King
YEARS/YEARS Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I caught you watching me under the light
Can I realign?
They say it's easy to leave you behind
I don't wanna try

Cut cover, take that test
Hold courage to your chest
Don't wanna wait for you
Don't wanna have to lose
All that I've compromised
To feel another high
I've got to keep it down tonight

And oh, oh, oh
I was a king under your control
And oh, oh, oh
I wanna feel like you've let me go
So let me go

Don't you remember how I used to like
Being on the line?
I dreamed you dreamed of me calling out my name
Is it worth the price?

Cut cover, take that test
Hold courage to your chest
Don't wanna wait for you
Don't wanna have to lose
All that I've compromised
To feel another high
I've got to keep it down tonight

And oh, oh, oh
I was a king under your control
And oh, oh, oh
I wanna feel like you've let me go

I had to break myself to carry on
No love and no admission
Take this from me tonight
Oh-oh, let's fight
Oh-oh, let's fight
Oh-oh, let's fight
Oh-oh-oh

And oh, oh, oh
I was a king under your control
And oh, oh, oh
I wanna feel like you've let me go
So let me go

Let go, let go, let go of everything
Let go, let go, let go of everything




Let go, let go, let go of everything
Let go, let go, let go of everything

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of YEARS/YEARS's "King" convey a sense of hurt, struggle, and the desire to break free from a toxic relationship. The song begins with the singer catching their partner watching them under the light and contemplating whether they can "realign" with their partner. However, they do not want to try and leave their partner behind as it is difficult for them to do so.


The chorus of the song repeats the line "I was a king under your control" which suggests that the singer feels trapped and controlled in the relationship. They want to feel like their partner has let them go, implying that they want to break free from the relationship's hold on them. The singer remembers how they used to enjoy being on the line in the past, but now they wonder if it is still worth the price.


Towards the end of the song, the singer acknowledges the emotional toll the relationship has taken on them. They had to break themselves to carry on, and they do not want to compromise any further to feel another high. The repetition of "let go of everything" at the end of the song emphasizes the desire to break free and let go of all the pain and struggles associated with the relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

I caught you watching me under the light
I saw you staring at me in the spotlight


Can I realign?
Can we fix our relationship?


They say it's easy to leave you behind
People say it's simple to move on from you


I don't wanna try
But I don't want to attempt to move on


Cut cover, take that test
Hide your emotions and face reality


Hold courage to your chest
Be brave and keep moving forward


Don't wanna wait for you
I can't wait around for you anymore


Don't wanna have to lose
I don't want to experience the pain of losing you


All that I've compromised
I've given up too much for you


To feel another high
To experience temporary happiness again


I've got to keep it down tonight
I need to keep my emotions in check tonight


And oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh


I was a king under your control
I felt powerful when I was with you


I wanna feel like you've let me go
I want to move on from you


So let me go
Please let me move on


Don't you remember how I used to like
Do you recall how I enjoyed


Being on the line?
Being on the edge of love?


I dreamed you dreamed of me calling out my name
I hoped you thought of me too


Is it worth the price?
Is it worth the cost of being with you?


I had to break myself to carry on
I had to go through pain to keep going


No love and no admission
I don't see any love or honesty from you


Take this from me tonight
End this tonight


Oh-oh, let's fight
Oh-oh, let's argue


Let go, let go, let go of everything
Release everything and move on




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Oliver Alexander Thornton, Michael Thomas Goldsworthy, Resul Emre Turkmen, Mark Stuart Ralph, Andrew Smith

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

@stevethea5250

King Lyrics
[Verse 1]
I caught you watching me under the light
Can I realign?
They say it’s easy to leave you behind
I don’t wanna try

[Pre-Chorus]
Cut cover, take that test
Hold courage to your chest
Don’t wanna wait for you
Don’t wanna have to lose all that I've compromised
To feel another high
I’ve got to keep it down tonight

[Chorus]
And, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
I was a king under your control
And, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
I wanna feel like you've let me go
So let me go

[Verse 2]
Don’t you remember how I used to like being on the line?
I dreamed you dreamed of me calling out my name
Is it worth the price?



[Pre-Chorus]
Cut cover, take that test
Hold courage to your chest
Don’t wanna wait for you
Don’t wanna have to lose all that I've compromised
To feel another high
I’ve got to keep it down tonight

[Chorus]
And, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
I was a king under your control
And, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
I wanna feel like you've let me go

[Bridge]
I had to break myself to carry on
No love and no admission
Take this from me tonight
Oh-oh, let's fight
Oh-oh-oh, let's fight
Oh-oh, let's fight
Oh-oh-oh

[Chorus]
And, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
I was a king under your control
And, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
I wanna feel like you’ve let me go
So let me go
[Outro]
Let go, let go, let go of everything
Let go, let go, let go of everything
Let go, let go, let go of everything
Let go, let go, let go of everything



All comments from YouTube:

@olly_alexander

Ryan got in touch a while ago to say he was a fan of our music, I'd been an admirer of his work so we met up and we instantly hit it off. As a band we've always wanted to use choreography in a video - something  that was a bit more unusual and I knew Ryan would be the guy to work with. The initial idea came from the meaning of the song, feeling controlled by somebody and wanting them to let you go. We were lucky enough to shoot the video in LA with a bunch of ridiculously talented and nice people, I'm really thankful to all the crew, Nadia for her excellent directing eyes, Ryan, and all the dancers who did such a great job!

@maiastonem6490

Cuties!

@oscarbarrera7128

This was AMAZING! You guys continue surprising me :D

@julietarpgaarderiksen2187

Oh you are just SO amazing! Fucking love you<3 <3  You´r songs are my favourites :) 

@sm9302

Hi humongous fan if you don't mind can you check my fan account on Instagram its @yearsandyearsusa or my main @potato_hugs!!! SHANK YOU...
it would mean a lot!

@karinaberrones8834

Love  you, guys. You're amazing!!!! <3

457 More Replies...

@Tote0311

the synths and vocals in this track are OUT OF THIS WORLD, who still listening in 2023?

@lelandshewell7638

me

@mellinaaaa

Just found it in 2023 💁‍♀️

@silviatarifa4480

ME of course

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