It's finally here — Lorde's new song and video for "Green Light" have officially hit the internet. Fans may be wondering, what is Lorde's "Green Light" actually about? As promised, the singer premiered the debut single from her highly anticipated sophomore album on Thursday, and on the surface, Lorde's new tune is about the end of a relationship. However, there are many more metaphors and intricacies to be explored throughout the track.
The first verse of the song begins with the New Zealand-born songwriter seemingly explaining a disconnect in a relationship and seemingly expressing her disdain for some type of betrayal:
"I do my makeup in somebody else's car
We order different drinks at the same bars
I know about what you did and I wanna scream the truth
She thinks you love the beach, you're such a damn liar"
However, it's unclear whether or not Lorde's struggles appear to be with a jilted lover or within herself after a breakup. In the face of struggling with those issues, the singer moves into the refrain of the song with some pretty astringent words of angst aimed at her antagonist.
"Those great whites, they have big teeth
Oh, they bite you
Thought you said that you would always be in love
But you're not in love no more
Did it frighten you?
How we kissed when we danced on the light up floor
On the light up floor"
Referring to the teeth of a great white shark, Lorde seems to addressing lies that have returned to haunt the perjurer in question. She's also tweeted in the past about teeth being significant, in terms of representing aging and maturing. Perhaps this means that she's growing up and moving on from said antagonist.
As the song continues, Lorde goes on to reveal that she's waiting on the "Green Light" to seemingly seek revenge after breaking free from the perils of this current relationship and the hardship that it's caused her.
"But I hear sounds in my mind
Brand new sounds in my mind
But honey I'll, be seein' you, ever, I go
But honey I'll, be seein' you down every road
I'm waiting for it, that green light, I want it"
But, it appears that she may be having some second thoughts about moving on, as she's reached an intersection where she knows she must run away, but finds it hard to let go.
"'Cause honey I'll, come get my things, but I can't let go
I'm waiting for it, that green light, I want it
Oh I wish I could get my things and just let go
I'm waiting for it, that green light, I want it"
Describing the confusion of her new world and this new space she finds herself in, she speaks of the unfamiliarity that surrounds her.
"Sometimes I wake up in a different bedroom
I whisper things, the city sings 'em back to you"
In the second coming of the refrain, she becomes more specific, mentioning rumors as the thing that returns to bite.
"All those rumors, they have big teeth
Oh they bite you..."
The rest of the song continues to repeat in chorus, as the 20-year-old expresses the wait for her own "green light." However, in singing this song, it sounds like she's got all the green light she needs to move forward.
Sure sounds like a hit song to me. Welcome back, Lorde.
