English singer and songwriter Ellie Goulding has recorded songs for three studio albums and guest features. After signing a contract with record label Polydor Records in July 2009, Goulding began to work on her debut studio album, Lights, which was ultimately released in February 2010. Ellie Goulding new songs, albums, biography, chart history, photos, videos, news, and more on. Elle Fanning Sings Ellie Goulding's 'Lights' in New 'Teen.
Goulding performing at in December 2012 English singer and songwriter has recorded songs for three and guest features. After signing a contract with record label in July 2009, Goulding began to work on her debut studio album, which was ultimately released in February 2010. The first single released from the album was ', which Goulding wrote in collaboration with.
Starsmith co-wrote four other songs and served as the album's primary. Goulding also collaborated with Jonny Lattimer on the singles ' and ', and shared writing credits with on 'Your Biggest Mistake'. In November 2010, the singer re-released Lights as Bright Lights, which included the standard version of the album and several new songs. She collaborated with and Ash Howes on ' and recorded a of 's '. At this time, Goulding also contributed guest vocals on the song ' for 's debut studio album (2010). Goulding released her second studio album, in October 2012.
In addition to reuniting with writers with whom she had previously worked, the singer collaborated with several new writers and producers. The album's lead single, ', was co-written by Goulding. They also wrote six other songs for the album. Goulding collaborated with Lattimer on the single '; she co-wrote ' with John Fortis and with Starsmith on 'Dead in the Water'. She also appeared as a featured artist on ' by from his third studio album (2012). In August 2013, Halcyon was reissued as Halcyon Days. It was preceded by the single ', which Goulding co-wrote with,.
Ferguson, Paul (4 September 2009). From the original on 27 August 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2013. ^ (liner notes).
^ (liner notes). ^ (liner notes). Ellie Goulding. Polydor Records. ^ (liner notes).
^ (liner notes). Ellie Goulding. Polydor Records. Retrieved January 21, 2017. ^ (liner notes).
^ (liner notes). Various artists. ^ (liner notes). Ellie Goulding. Polydor Records. (liner notes). (liner notes).
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Various artists. (liner notes). Various artists. ^ (liner notes). Interscope Records. ITunes Store (UK).
Retrieved 11 November 2018. (liner notes).
Various artists. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
^ (liner notes). Ellie Goulding. Polydor Records. (liner notes). Interscope Records. ' (7' single liner notes). Ellie Goulding.
(liner notes). (liner notes). Various artists. Interscope Records. Dermot O'Leary Presents The Saturday Sessions (liner notes). Various artists. ITunes Store (UK).
Archived from on 2 September 2010. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
(liner notes). Various artists.
(liner notes). (liner notes). Various artists. Republic Records. (liner notes). Various artists. (liner notes).
Calvin Harris. Columbia Records. (liner notes).
ITunes Store (UK). From the original on 27 August 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2013. Archived from (To access, highlight 'Performers', enter 'Midlake' into the blank box, then select 'Search') on 6 March 2013.
Retrieved 23 August 2013. (liner notes). A Concert for Kirsty MacColl (liner notes). Various artists. Salvo Records.
(liner notes). Various artists. Polydor Records. (liner notes). Various artists. Republic Records. External links.
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Song MeaningThe first verse definitely has hints of a battle with depression. 'the dark is too hard to beat' describes the feeling of overwhelming hopelessness.
'not keeping now the strength I need to push me' belies a lack of self-motivation, which is actually one of the criteria of the diagnosis of clinical depression, another of which is insomnia; 'I'm not sleeping now'. Likewise, having 'a way' and then 'losing it all on my own' implies a self-blame for the path away from 'home'. Unfortunately I can't really see the deeper meaning relating to the overthrown queen and her heart. At first I didn't really understand how lights would turn to stone, but after listening to the song again I think she abbreviates her sentences a bit. For example: I had a way then/ i.e. I had a way BACK then, or, I had found my own way back then in the past I had a heart then/ You show the lights that stop me turn to stone - You have some 'light' which keeps me human, if you think that stone can imply either death or hopelessness. Heart of stone.
Etc etc basically I think that means that there is this one person which she gets her hope from, which stops her from being completely overcome by her depression, someone who keeps her sane even when she's alone 'you shine it when I'm alone/And so I tell myself that I'll be strong'. This person or the 'light' that this person has is amazing because it even instills life into her when the person/light isn't there 'dreaming when I'm gone'. To further over-elaborate, as soon as there is mention of light in the song, the lyrics turn from words of desperation 'losing', 'overthrown', 'not sleeping', 'too hard to beat' etc to words of hope 'shine', 'strong', 'dreaming'. The constant repeat of 'calling home/calling me home' is like the constant pull of the previous place she 'felt safe', with her 'brother' and 'sister'. I guess the light provides a reminiscent/nostalgic reminder? After all, home is the place where there is supposed to be unconditional love. The second verse is a definite move on from the depressed state she was in in verse one.
The fact that she's 'hoping I'm still breathing' is the opposite to wishing she could die, which is what is known as 'suicidal ideation'. Yet another diagnostic criteria of depression. Thinking back to her sleeping siblings implies that she was an elder sibling who had to take care of them. This thought could be further developed; because her parents were gone dead?
Deserted?, they lived in an 'unlocked place'. The fact that her parents are not mentioned might even imply that they were neither good nor bad in her mind, but merely absent. To talk a little about the musicality of the song, the lightness of the shimmering synthesizer at the start remains from start all the way to finish, and brings to mind twinkling stars. Her innocent voice definitely contrasts with the darkness of the lyrics of the first verse.
However once the chorus kicks in, it's sung in a two-voice octave harmony which dispells the sense of alone-ness of the first verse and brings a sense of company. To read a little between the lines, I would guess that family is the major underlying message here, that even if it was just her, her brother and her sister without her parents, even if they lived in an unlocked place, the emotional security that they gave each other was far better than anything else the world had to offer. Even a broken family with trust and love is better than none. Some questions I'd like to postulate.
1) 'Light' is probably just a symbol for hope. But what is it really? What could 'call' her home, or call home? 2) the person she calls 'you' is never really elaborated on either.
It's unlikely 'you' is a real physical person as she can't be alone when there is a 'you' to shine the lights because. Is two people. Which is the opposite of being alone, which is one person. Being alone with someone is different! 3) Calling calling calling home not only sounds cool but perhaps emulates a telephone ringing?
4) Could the 'queen' be a codename for a significant other in her new life away from home that, once 'overthrown', caused misery/borderline depression? I understand the sentence of 'But the queen has been overthrown.' It lightly ties into an almost religious status.
Maybe it's too obvious but, to me it means She was knocked down and brought back to real sense of reality. Brought back in a senseless fashion.
I'm sure we've all been there. In a high and mighty showcase then brought down like a dirty dog. In all religions it's, in a general sense, almost the opposite of religion. That very sentence is exactly why religion was ever thought of.in my opinion. Just maybe my insight is slightly off base with how the song plays into it. But I see it plays some part.
I suppose the best word for what that sentence is almost 'ignorant'. Feedback would be lovely. Response to #1.
And also a bit of my own interpretation: Although usually society views 'Light' as goodness, life, happiness, hope. I think in this song Light is a fear that freezes her, self-consciousnesses under observation, or a circumstance that she has chosen that prevents her from following what is in heart. It is 'the lights that stop me.' The lights have 'turned her to stone'.
And since she is now stone she cannot return to the people who are calling for her. Now all she can do is 'dream of when the lights are gone'. Until then she remembers what home is like, how safe she felt, take comfort & draw hope that her skin has not totally turned to stone.
I think maybe the queen is a way to symbolize the heart. The power of love was what ruled her life when she was a child, and now for some reason her life is ruled by something darker. This symbol may relie on the playing card. I'm not sure 'you' is clearly a define entity; maybe the song's meaning is open on purpose. But it could refer to god (you are still physically alone when god is with you); or maybe it could refer to music, as she is a singer and she mentions 'noises' and the way she plays within her head (= composing music?). But it also can refer to any person who brings hope - mother, lover.
I'm not sure about the telephone because if that was it maybe she would not say before 'calling ME home'. I agree with you that light would just be a symbol for hope. The way this symbol is used in the song makes me think of a the way a parent would turn up a light when his child is afraid at night - this can be an allegory of her present anxiousness and the way she tries to fight it. Plus it can be related to the verse which talks about her brother and sister's sleep.
Even if that can have a more precise meaning (if sleep is for instance an euphemism for death). General Commentfeel that this speaks to the sexual abuse of children. I've read many opinions and they are all very thought provoking but this is the one that makes the most sense to me.
Here's my lyrical interpretation: 'I had a way then losing it all on my own I had a heart then but the queen has been overthrown' I think speaks to how her childhood was taken from her and how her heart was hardened. 'And I'm not sleeping now the dark is too hard to beat And I'm not keeping now the strength I need to push me' I think here she talks about how darkness is the enemy because that's when the abuse takes place and she's losing hope. 'You show the lights that stop me turn to stone You shine It when I'm alone' I think this talks about the abuse specifically. Her door opens and the light shines in. She turns to stone because she knows what's coming.
And it only happens when she's alone. 'And so I tell myself that I'll be strong And dreaming when they're gone' Obviously is saying she's trying to be strong until the abuser leaves.or she does.
'Cause they're calling, calling, calling me home' I think she's talking about how the memories are haunting her and she doesn't want to deal with the emotional damage the abuse caused. 'Noises, I play within my head' This is what I imagine a child does when something bad is happening (to them, around them, etc.) and they don't want to think about it. 'Touch my own skin and hope that I'm still breathing' Maybe this means she's trying to comfort herself after the abuse has happened. 'And I think back to when my brother and my sister slept in an unlocked place the only time I feel safe' I think this speaks to when her siblings slept in a room close by hers but had no idea what was going on and the locking of a door was significant of her abuser. This is obviously a very dark interpretation but I think it's relevant.
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I do love this song. I think Ellie is extraordinarily talented. Coolcast has it.
Pretty good, I would make this comment: I think ' I had a way then, losing it all on my own.' Is a girl that had a good life, but ran away. 'I had a heart then but the queen has been overthrown' she was a willful child and thought that she could find a less repressive way to live. Only to pay this price. Such a sad song, such a sad reality for too many children. I wish the stations playing and profiting off of this song would pay it forward. Edit: 'turn to stone'.
Is known as the 'fight, flight, or freeze' response. Freeze is more common that most people know. Hope that you never experience it. When I read these lyrics for the first time, I got a very similar interpretation, which is why I tried to find a confirmation, and how I got to this site. As for 'Touch my own skin and hope that I'm still breathing' she's probably checking for any physical damage such as bruises.
'My brother and my sister slept In another place' I agree with the siblings thing, like she knew that they were safe and they didn't have to go through this. It is a darker interpretation then just saying 'oh she's afraid of the dark' but it's the only one that really makes any since to me. My InterpretationI know this song is about Ellie's fear of the dark, but I think of it a lot differently.
'I had a way then Losing it all on my own I had a heart then But the queen has been overthrown' A person who used to be happy, but recent events have turned that around. She used to make a good impression and be an overall liked person, and now everything about her is hated. The queen has been overthrown. 'And I'm not sleeping now The dark is too hard to beat And I'm not keeping up The strength I need to push me' The dark meaning her depression or sadness.
She can't manage to find the strength to push on in her life. 'You show the lights that stop me turn to stone You shine them when I'm alone' Someone comes into her life and shows her happiness. Although she's in such a dark place in her mind, this stuns her, or turns her to stone. 'You shine them when I'm alone' When she's alone is usually when she was most sad, so said person comes into her life when she's most in need, and makes her happy. 'And so I tell myself that I'll be strong And dreaming when they're gone 'Cause they're calling, calling, calling me home Calling, calling, calling home' She tries to be strong for this person, and dreams about recovery. She's finally finding herself and slowly coming away from this dark place.
Finally going home. Which is reality. 'Noises, I play within my head Touch my own skin And hope that I'm still breathing And I think back to when My brother and my sister slept In another place The only time I feel safe' Noises, is the voice in her head, the one bringing her negative thoughts.
She touches her skin and hopes she's still breathing, because a lot of the time, while going through depression, you begin to doubt whether your alive, and whether you can feel emotion and pain. She thinks back when her family was with her, and when she felt loved by them.
That's when she felt safe from herself (the voice inside her head). General CommentBrilliant song. Great use of minimal voice effects, massively unique in not only song structure but vocal delivery. Lyrics are ambigous enough to stay with the subconsconcious, yet bounce around for days as to the myriad of interpretations it brings. Playful and plaintive and definitely thought provoking. Where is home.exactly? And why the facination with lights.
Interesting use of familal reference to the brother and sister. Its personal, and at the same, a trillion miles away from anything directly relatable. Think about it, you connect with it from a distance. There are forces at work here that propel the song imagery far beyond the end credits my friends.
General CommentThe grown-up world can be a scary dispiriting place ('not keeping.the strength'), full of letdowns ('the Queen has been overthrown'), fear ('I'm not sleeping now'), failure ('losing it all') and depression ('the dark is too hard to beat'). But before you give in to despair ('turn to stone'), the 'lights' of 'home,' your childhood recall of that safe haven ('when my brother and my sister slept in an unlocked place'), can guide your defeated spirit back towards hope. Answering the 'call' to return 'home,' to the unconditional love of parents/family, can recharge resolve, keep alive your 'lights' for 'when I'm alone.'
My InterpretationThis song probably doesn't need anymore interpretations, but mine was a little bit different, so I'l post it anyway! I think that the song is like a schizophrenic battle with herself. There are lots of posts that claim that it's just about her fear of the darkness, but I think that it can be her fear of darkness, but go even deeper into that.
She is afraid of who she becomes in the darkness, and afraid of losing who she is in the light. 'I had a way then, losing it all on my own, I had a heart then, but the queen has been overthrown' I think that talks of how she used to have control in her life, but as she struggled with herself the game changed.
Specifically she alludes to a game of chess where when someone's queen piece is taken from them the game shifts and they're on the losing side and have to fight hard to come back to win the game. The 'you' I think she is referring to is herself, rather, who she becomes at night or in the dark.
'you' turns the old her, or her in the light to stone when she is overcome by the darkness sense of herself. She hears noises in her head and tells herself that she'll be strong and pull through this, but is having trouble. She's glad that her brother and her sister sleep in another place because she's afraid that they'll see her when the darkness overcomes her and she's not herself.
Through all of this, the narrator is really just trying to get back to the home, or a safe haven for her to be at peace with herself once again. My InterpretationThis song is about a break-up between the artist and a (perhaps) long time boyfriend. 'I had a way then losing it all on my own,' This line indicates that she had her 'way,' which I speculate to be kind of a player with guys, but now she has lost it due to falling for this guy. 'I had a heart then but the Queen has been overthrown,' She used to be the 'Queen of Hearts' playing with guys, however (as she says) the Queen as been overthrown by this guy who she actually cared about. 'And I'm not sleeping now the dark is too hard to beat, And I'm not keeping now the strength I need to push me.' Refers to the pain of a breakup.
'You show the lights that stop me turn to stone, You shine It when I'm alone,' 'Lights' may be a metaphor for happy memories they have together, and when she thinks about them and the breakup, they upset her and make it hard for her to continue trying to live her life without him. Adding to the pain of these memories, she mainly thinks about them when she is alone, making her feel that much more distant from the life she had before she met him. 'And dreaming when they're gone.' Represents her hope that once the memories of him fade, she will be able to have a normal life again. 'Cause they're calling, calling, calling me home,' The memories she has of him makes her want him back (makes her want to go home to him). I like how you analyzed it also. Very close to what it means to me.
Except the heart being gone I see as she became more guarded or protected unlike trusting days with unlocked doors. He is someone she trusted and felt very connected to for whatever reason.
The lights might be when she sees him, hears him, or thinks of him it stops her in her tracks (turn to stone). Even if she pretends not to notice it has all her attention.
She wonders when the lights stop if she will remember and be who she used to be and move on or go back to what she is today. But she's mesmerized. As long as the lights are there she cannot pull away or decide what to do once the lights are gone.
Not only is he someone whom she still feels connected to he is someone she longs for. He is someone who takes her heart. Maybe he has had it before.