The band Cults, which started in 2010, became well-known with their album called “Cults.” One of the songs in that album, “Gilded Lily,” really stood out.
In “Gilded Lily,” Cults talks about feeling unsure, making sacrifices, feeling tired emotionally, and wanting to be valued in a relationship. The lyrics describe someone who’s not sure about their role in the relationship and is looking for answers.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what the lyrics mean.
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“Gilded Lily” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
Now it’s been long enough to talk about it
I’ve started not to doubt it, just wrap my head around it
I remember when you told me it’s an everyday decision
But with my double vision, how was I supposed to see the way?
Verse 1 reflects on a past experience where the singer is now ready to talk about it.
They mention overcoming doubt and trying to understand the situation better, as expressed in the line “I’ve started not to doubt it, just wrap my head around it.”
The singer recalls being told that maintaining a relationship requires daily effort, but their own uncertainty made it hard for them to see clearly.
[Pre-Chorus]
Haven’t I given enough, given enough?
Haven’t I given enough, given enough?
Haven’t I given enough, given enough?
Haven’t I given enough, given enough?
The Pre-Chorus repeats the phrase “Haven’t I given enough” to express the singer’s feeling of having put a lot into the relationship. They question whether their efforts have been sufficient, implying a sense of frustration or doubt about their contribution to the relationship.
[Chorus]
Always the fool with the slowest heart
But I know you’ll take me with you
We’ll live in spaces between walls
The Chorus describes the singer feeling like a fool with a slow heart, but they believe their partner will still include them in their life (“But I know you’ll take me with you”).
They express a hopeful outlook for the future, envisioning a shared existence despite challenges, symbolized by living in the spaces between walls.
[Verse 2]
Every city’s got a graveyard
A service bought and paid for
Now I’m sleeping in the backyard
Passing out as night turns into day
In Verse 2, the singer mentions the presence of graveyards in every city, suggesting a theme of mortality or loss.
They feel displaced and overlooked, as if they’re sleeping in the backyard and passing time without clear direction.
[Bridge]
Go and stretch out my arms long as they need to be
Turn off all alarms and lie to me
Go and stretch out my arms long as they need to be
Turn off all alarms and lie to me
The Bridge expresses the singer’s desire for comfort and reassurance.
They ask to stretch out their arms as far as they need to, symbolizing a longing for embrace.
The singer also requests to turn off all alarms and be lied to, expressing a desire to escape reality and find solace in deception.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Gilded Lily”
“Gilded Lily” explores the complexities of relationships, the sacrifices made, and the emotional toll of uncertainty, while still holding onto hope for a shared future.
When the band was asked about the meaning of the song, they described it as follows:
“We love that song too. It was one of the last ones we wrote so it’s still fresh for us. I guess its kinda about getting older and people moving out of your life, and knowing that you’ll still be a part of each others lives forever? Its weird to write this stuff down.”
The song opens with reflections on past experiences, where the singer finally feels ready to confront and discuss them, having overcome doubt and confusion. They recall being told that relationships require daily effort but admit to struggling to see clearly through their own uncertainties:
“Now it’s been long enough to talk about it
I’ve started not to doubt it, just wrap my head around it
I remember when you told me it’s an everyday decision
But with my double vision, how was I supposed to see the way?”
The repeated questioning in the pre-chorus, “Haven’t I given enough?” highlights the singer’s feelings of frustration and doubt about their contributions to the relationship.
Despite feeling like a fool with a slow heart, they hold onto hope that their partner will continue to include them in their life, envisioning a future together despite challenges:
“Always the fool with the slowest heart
But I know you’ll take me with you
We’ll live in spaces between walls”
The singer expresses a deep yearning for comfort and reassurance, symbolized by the desire to stretch out arms and be lied to, signifying a longing for escape from reality and a desire to find solace in illusion:
“Go and stretch out my arms long as they need to be
Turn off all alarms and lie to me”
The title “Gilded Lily” likely alludes to the concept of a “gilded lily,” which refers to something that is outwardly attractive or beautiful but conceals underlying flaws or complexities.
In the context of the song, the title could symbolize the facade of a seemingly perfect or ideal relationship that masks deeper issues, such as uncertainty, sacrifice, and emotional fatigue.
Just as a lily may be gilded to enhance its appearance, the relationship portrayed in the song may be adorned with superficial qualities that obscure its true nature.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.