We Are Golden by Mika Lyrics Meaning – The Anthem of Youthful Defiance and Identity
Lyrics
Running around like a clown on purpose
Who gives a damn about the family you come from?
No givin’ up when you?re young and you want some
Running around again
(Running around again)
Running from running
Waking up in the midday sun
What’s to live for?
You could see what I’ve done
Staring at emotion
In the light of day
I was running from the things that you?d say
We are not what you think we are
We are golden, we are golden
We are not what you think we are
We are golden, we are golden
Teenage dreams in a teenage circus
Running around like a clown on purpose
Who gives a damn about the family you come from?
No giving up when you?re young and you want some
Running around again
(Running around again)
Running from running
Running around again
(Running around again)
Running from running
I was a boy at an open door
Why you staring
Do you still think that you know?
Looking for treasure
In the things that you threw
Like a magpie
I live for glitter, not you
We are not what you think we are
We are golden, we are golden
We are not what you think we are
We are golden, we are golden
Teenage dreams in a teenage circus
Running around like a clown on purpose
Who gives a damn about the family you come from?
No giving up when you?re young and you want some
Now I’m sitting alone
I’m finally looking around
Left here on my own
I’m gonna hurt myself
Maybe losing my mind
I’m still wondering why
Had to let the world let it bleed me dry
We are not what you think we are
We are not what you think we are
We are not what you think we are
We are golden, we are golden
Teenage dreams in a teenage circus
Running around like a clown on purpose
Who gives a damn about the family you come from?
No giving up when you?re young and you want some
Running around again
(Running around again)
Running from running
Running around again
(Running around again)
Running from running
We are not what you think we are
We are golden, we are golden
In the effervescent track ‘We Are Golden,’ Mika dances between the lines of adolescence and self-awareness. With an ear for unapologetic anthems, Mika injects both youth and wisdom into the veins of this energetic pop tune, crafting an unforgettable chorus that resonates with listeners as a celebratory claim over one’s identity, beyond the boundaries set by society.
Mika’s vibrant and vivid narrative throughout ‘We Are Golden’ is more than just an echo of teenage rebellion; it’s a battle cry for authenticity. Delving deep into the song’s layers reveals a sophisticated take on self-valuation, youthful aspirations, and the often tumultuous journey towards self-discovery.
The Circus of Youth: Navigating Teenage Complexity
The opening lines of ‘We Are Golden’ serve as a vivid tableau of the chaotic splendor found within teenage life. By likening adolescence to a ‘teenage circus,’ Mika immediately sets the stage for a tumultuous and exuberant exploration of this formative phase. The chaotic imagery of ‘running around like a clown on purpose’ adds layers to the conversation surrounding the perceived aimlessness and enthusiasm of youth.
Yet, it’s within this very circus that a deeper sense of liberation thrives. The indifference to ‘the family you come from’ implies a commonality that transcends socio-economic backgrounds, underscoring how the teenage experience serves as an equalizer, a shared battleground where individuality begins to take form.
Unveiling the Hidden Meaning: Glitter and Gold in Growing Up
The chorus ‘We are golden’ acts as a powerful motif throughout the song, asserting that the value of the individual is innate and not determined by external perceptions. This repeated declaration of being ‘golden’ serves a dual purpose: refuting societal expectations and embracing one’s inherent worth.
The hidden meaning unfolds as Mika addresses the expectations projected onto the young, flipping them over to expose a more profound understanding that youth is not a limitation but a state of untapped potential and innate brilliance—untarnished and authentic. In this context, the imagery of treasure amid the discarded (‘the things that you threw’) hints at discovering personal value where others may not see it.
The Quest for Identity: More Than Meets the Eye
Mika’s narrative teeters on the edge of existential contemplation as he questions the concept of being truly seen (‘Why you staring / Do you still think that you know?’). In the quest for identity, these lines reflect the internal struggles of adolescents as they grapple with the desire to be understood versus the challenge of being reduced to stereotypes.
This questioning of identity extends to the search for self-value in unlikely places (‘Looking for treasure / In the things that you threw’). The song suggests a move away from the conventional, asking for recognition of the unique worth within every individual, regardless of the collective’s judgments.
Memorable Lines that Echo Through Generations
Mika’s talent to craft sticky, memorable lines emerges as he loops key phrases with poignant precision. The words ‘We are golden’ do more than just ring in the ears of listeners; they inscribe themselves in the psyche of those hungry for empowerment, cutting through generational boundaries.
Moreover, Mika boasts an electric lyrical tact in ‘I live for glitter, not you,’ which epitomizes the youthful battle between appeasing external expectations and living vividly for one’s joy. Such phrases from ‘We Are Golden’ crystallize into mantras for listeners who find their own reflections within the song.
A Closer Look at Loneliness and Self-Harm
The bridge, a stark contrast to the song’s overall exuberant tone, unveils the inner turmoil and loneliness often masked by the facade of a carefree youth (‘Now I’m sitting alone / I’m finally looking around’). In these moments of solitude, the possibility of self-harm surfaces (‘I’m gonna hurt myself’), drawing attention to the darker realities that can accompany the process of self-discovery and the pressures of living up to a golden ideal.
Despite the vibrant surface of ‘We Are Golden,’ Mika does not shy away from revealing the challenges that come with shining brightly in one’s truth. It’s an honest reflection that, although we strive to embody the brilliance we claim, the journey can wear us down. But even in acknowledging this struggle, the song carries a comforting reminder that our true value remains, regardless of the world’s attempts to ‘bleed me dry.’
