Dominoes by Lorde Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Layers of Personal Evolution
Lyrics
With Uma Thurman’s mother
Just outside of Woodstock
Now you’re watering all the flowers
You planted with your new girlfriend
Outside on the rooftop
Just another phase you’re rushing on through
Go all New Age, outrunning your blues
Fifty gleaming chances in a row
And I watch you flick them down like dominoes
Must feel good being Mr. Start Again
I know
Know a girl who knows a
Another girl who knows the woman that you hurt
It’s strange to see you smoking marijuana
You used to do the most cocaine
Of anyone I’d ever met
Just another phase you’re shooting on through
The whole world changes right around you
You get fifty gleaming chances in a row
And I watch you flick them down like dominoes
Must feel good being Mr. Start Again
Yeah, it must feel good being Mr. Start Again
Don’t get up
Yeah, it must feel good being Mr. Start Again
Lorde, with her soul-tapping melodies and introspective lyrics, has a knack for capturing the essence of human experience in a way that resonates deeply with her audience. ‘Dominoes’, a track from her critically acclaimed album, is no exception. It’s a masterful tapestry woven with themes of change, growth, and the observations of someone watching an old acquaintance evolve–or ostensibly so.
The song plays out like a soft yet sharp commentary, a melodic introspection that borders on the cynical while also reflecting a nuanced understanding of human nature. Lorde’s observational prowess transforms what could have been a simple reminiscence into a layered exploration of self-reinvention and the cyclic nature of life’s many phases.
A 21st Century Tapestry of Change
In ‘Dominoes’, Lorde taps into the universal theme of transformation. The song’s subject, an old acquaintance of Lorde’s, is portrayed as someone caught in a perennial cycle of self-discovery and modification. From yoga by Uma Thurman’s mother’s side to gardening on a rooftop, our character is seen adopting new lifestyles. Lorde’s portrayal of these shifts speaks to a wider societal phenomenon: our generation’s continuous pursuit of reinvention, fueled by the promise of a fresh start and a better self.
Yet, despite its seemingly healing aesthetics, there’s a suspicion that lingers—that these changes are but shallow attempts at outrunning past troubles. Through biting lyrics, Lorde delves into the question of authenticity in one’s journey. Do these ‘fifty gleaming chances’ symbolize true growth, or are they merely dominoes set up to fall, a facade of progress?
Mr. Start Again: The Art of Perpetual Rebirth
The moniker ‘Mr. Start Again’ illustrates a powerful persona— one who is never hindered by the past but instead hops from one phase to another with ease. This character has the audacity to reinvent himself repeatedly, mirroring the phoenix rising from the ashes. Lorde’s repetition of the title conjures a sense of both awe and skepticism, implying that there may be a cost to such frequent self-reinvention. We’re invited to ponder on the authenticity and depth of these new beginnings.
Lorde is not just singing about someone else; she’s also cautioning us against the allure of perpetual new starts without meaningful change. ‘Dominoes’ nudges us to question whether we’re any different from Mr. Start Again—chasing new experiences, but perhaps not the wisdom that should come with them.
The Siren Call of Substance over Style
As the song progresses, Lorde’s wordplay provides a stark contrast between the past and present, as she poignantly points out the shift from hard substance abuse to a more ‘enlightened’ present. She sheds light on the paradoxical judgment society bestows—reverence for change and health but a magnetic pull to the edgy and destructive. It’s as if she is questioning whether the person she knew ever truly changed or merely switched vices.
The listener is left to grapple with the societal pressures that glamorize transformation while also fetishizing the raw and often painful histories that make us who we are. In these lines, Lorde holds a mirror up to the complexities of progress and the temptations of reverting or simply masquerading change.
The Hidden Meaning: Odes to Fleeting Authenticity
Beneath the melodic exterior, ‘Dominoes’ holds a subtext of authenticity and its impermanence. Is real change possible when we’re constantly bombarded with society’s prescriptions for happiness and fulfillment? The robust image of dominoes falling in a sequence represents the fragility of our constructed identities, easily toppled and just as quickly reset.
Lorde seems to peer into the psyche of the perpetual newcomer, dissecting the superficial layers to question the depth beneath. She crafts a cautionary tale about the seductive trap of rebranding oneself without true transformation, leaving the listener to wonder about their own domino paths.
The Echoes of Memorable Lines and Lasting Impact
Certain lines in ‘Dominoes’ reverberate with a potent blend of insight and relatability, like ‘Must feel good being Mr. Start Again’. Here, Lorde’s tone could be interpreted as wry or envious, recognizing the appeal of leaving one’s history behind to embrace a blank slate.
The beauty of Lorde’s songwriting lies in her ability to marry poetic depth with catchy refrains, ensuring that her message lingers long after the music fades. She has an undeniable talent for capturing the zeitgeist in a few verses, making ‘Dominoes’ not just a song, but a reflection of the contemporary struggle between authentic self-improvement and the performative nature of change.
