I’ll Hold My Breath by Ellie Goulding Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Threads of Intimacy and Perseverance
Lyrics
Make waves
You crash a symbol hard
Follow no one, always play the wrong card
Waste days, in foreign places
Shed lights, on your better side
Reassure me that you’ll wait for me, wait for me as long as it takes!
And I’ll hold my breath, I’ll hold my breath
Until you see me in your dreams
We’ll stay awake beneath the trees
We’ll watch the buildings turn to dust
A sky of diamonds just for us
You are the risk I’ll always take
The only branch I’ll never break
Those fears we’ll blow them all way
Fight fires in your best clothes, touch skin with your eyes closed
Chase thunder
With the volume down
Pack a suitcase, wonder to the next town
Force quit, on your losing streak
Solve a riddle in a magazine, be tongue in cheek
Tell me that we’re still too young, that we’re still too young and I’ll my tongue
Until you see me in your dreams
We’ll stay awake beneath the trees
We’ll watch the buildings turn to dust
A sky of diamonds just for us
You are the risk I’ll always take
The only branch I’ll never break
Those fears we’ll blow them all way
I’m here, I’m here to save you
No fall, I will swim to save you
Until you see me in your dreams
We’ll stay awake beneath the trees
We’ll watch the buildings turn to dust A sky of diamonds just for us
You are the risk I’ll always take
The only branch I’ll never break
Those fears we’ll blow them all way
Ellie Goulding, in her atmospheric track ‘I’ll Hold My Breath,’ weaves a rich tapestry of vivid imagery and metaphor, capturing a narrative of enduring love and the promise of unwavering support. The song, steeped in the essence of ethereal pop, oscillates between the grounding forces of reality and the boundless flights of fantasy.
At its core, the ballad is a declaration of steadfast affection, a tale that marries the spirit of adventure with the depths of a love unshaken by life’s trials and tribulations. Goulding’s textured voice serves as a conduit for this exploration of resolve and dreams, where each verse is a brushstroke on the canvas of devotion.
Breath of Fresh Air: The Vivifying Force of Love
In the opening lines, Goulding invites her listener into a world where the air is transformative—’Breathe air you’re not used to.’ It’s a realm where love acts as the vivifying element, a catalyst for growth and exploration. The ‘tread floors you don’t fall through’ signifies a promise of safety within the vulnerability of new experiences, a testament to the strength and assurance that comes from being anchored by a steadfast partner.
The directive to ‘make waves’ and ‘crash a symbol hard’ captures the essence of this love—fearless, impactful, and unafraid to disrupt norms. The song sets the tone for love as an act of rebellion, an upheaval of the mundane where playing the ‘wrong card’ is a worthy gamble in the game of life.
The Synthesis of Dreams and Reality
As the chorus of ‘I’ll Hold My Breath’ swells, Goulding delivers a patient and tranquil promise—to hold her breath ‘until you see me in your dreams.’ The idea of staying awake beneath the trees and watching buildings crumble is a poetic juxtaposition of the endurance of nature against the impermanence of man-made constructs. The imagery paints a dreamscape where lovers share an intimate escape from the world’s chaos.
This section of the song is a contemplation on the power of shared dreams to manifest a reality that transcends temporal bounds. It blurs the line between what’s imagined and what’s tangible, suggesting that love has the power to create a ‘sky of diamonds just for us,’—a sky with limitless potential and shared aspirations.
The Risk and the Branch: Symbols of Unbreakable Bonds
Goulding uses potent symbols to articulate the strength of the relational bond—’You are the risk I’ll always take, The only branch I’ll never break.’ The element of risk signifies the leap of faith inherent to true commitment, a willingness to embrace the uncertain for the sake of the other. Taking such a risk is testament to the profound trust and raw courage required to uphold such bonds.
In contrast, the branch—an emblem of stability in growth—represents the support system love offers. It assures that through life’s turmoils, there is one constant, one sanctuary that remains steadfast. By asserting that it’s the ‘only branch I’ll never break,’ Goulding underscores the unfaltering and singular nature of this connection.
Dismantling Fears: The Pursuit of Fearless Affection
The song’s reverie continues with a promise to ‘blow away’ fears, clearing the path for a love unencumbered by trepidation. This narrative arc is about the courage to transcend personal fears and doubts, to combat the fires of uncertainty ‘in your best clothes,’ and to ‘touch skin with your eyes closed’—intensely evoking trust and intimacy.
Goulding prefers the metaphorical over the literal as she describes confronting fears—not as a violent struggle, but as an empowering journey. The idea to ‘Fight fires in your best clothes’ speaks to facing challenges head-on, with confidence, while at the same time caring for oneself and one’s partner.
Memorable Lines that Resonate with Listeners’ Hearts
Ellie Goulding has a special knack for crafting lyrics that linger in the collective consciousness of her audience. Phrases such as ‘I’m here, I’m here to save you’ convey a profound simplicity and directness that resonate powerfully within the listener’s heart. It’s a survival anthem for the spirit, promising redemption and rescue through the presence and endurance of love.
‘No fall, I will swim to save you’ amplifies this sentiment. It carries a sense of heroism infused with the personal, the rhythm and cadence of the lines creating an auditory embrace that comforts and emboldens. Goulding’s lyrics in ‘I’ll Hold My Breath’ serve as both a manifesto and a lullaby, celebrating the fortitude and passion that boundless love encompasses.
