Released: 2010
In her ethereally captivating pop hit “Lights,” Ellie Goulding grapples with the dichotomy of solitude and fear, all encapsulated within the metaphor of light and darkness. The lyrics reflect a journey from isolation and internal struggle to the findings of strength and resiliency, illuminated through the motif of ‘lights’ that symbolize security and hope.
Goulding kicks off with a confessional tone: “I had a way then, losing it all on my own / I had a heart then, but the queen has been overthrown” painting an image of a personal downfall, metaphorically portrayed through the fall of a queen. This sets the initial tone of loss and loneliness. The darkness here is not simply night, but an oppressive force preventing her rest: “And I’m not sleeping now, the dark is too hard to beat.”
The hook, “You show the lights that stop me turn to stone / You shine it when I’m alone” introduces the motif of lights as a beacon of hope in her ordeal. The lights figuratively ‘stop’ her from becoming stone-hardened or emotionally numb, illuminating her solitude and bringing her back from the brink.
And then there’s the intriguing line: “And I think back to when my brother and my sister slept / In an unlocked place, the only time I feel safe.” This nostalgic reflection gives a sense of vulnerable innocence and safety that she associates with her past, perhaps indicating a yearning to return to simpler times.
Her recurring call for strength, “And so I tell myself that I’ll be strong / And dreaming when they’re gone,” rides on the coattails of resilience, hinting that the ‘lights’ may symbolize her own willpower or guiding spirits, providing both solace and inspiration in times of personal darkness.
In the final stretch, the repeated cuts “Home (lights, lights)” grant duality. ‘Home’ resonates as both a physical refuge and an emotional state of comfort. Goulding’s oscillation between the words ‘home’ and ‘light’ may be making a statement about her finding ‘home’ within herself, in the light she fuels to navigate through her darkness.
All in all, “Lights” showcases Goulding’s talent for wrapping raw, relatable emotions in a catchy pop format. This song is more than a danceable beat – it’s Goulding’s personal anthem of resilience, turning personal strife into an illuminating introspection.
