Crystalised

Crystallization is a concept, developed in 1822 by the French writer Stendhal, which describes the process, or mental metamorphosis, in which unattractive characteristics of a new love are transformed into perceptual diamonds of shimmering beauty; according to a quotation by Stendhal: What I call 'crystallization' is the operation of the mind that draws from all that presents itself the discovery that the loved object has some new perfections.

This song is not about meth. This song is about feeling smothered in a relationship. When something is crystalized it has been compacted down to it's hardest form, a representation of how you become when someone you care is holding you so tightly that you become harsh in your love and reactions to them.

"Things have gotten closer to the sun And I've done things in small doses So don't think that I'm pushing you away When you're the one that I've kept closest"

Getting closer to the sun represents the feelings coming to a peak, as in, everything is just going to break soon. The person wanting space has tried to slow their relationship down, "small doses", but the other person just can't understand why and thinks it's an attempt for them to be pushed away. Which builds up to my favorite line "So don't think that I'm pushing you away, when you're the one that I've kept closest". It's desperation, they both want each other, but can't figure out a balance, and if they don't soon, it will never work. It's almost a plea.

I adore this song.

I have two ideas about this song:

I think it's a couple singing back and forth to each other. The girl thinks the guy is moving too fast, but he doesn't think he's going fast at all. They both think that this relationship is going to be something really great, so they both really don't want to mess it up. They're each trying to go at the speed they are most comfortable and think will have the most success in the long run.

I think it's just one person singing to about a relationship they are in. They really want it to work out well, but they are feeling a lot of pressure to fulfill that. They more pressure they feel, the more they want to take things slow. Just because they want to go slow, doesn't mean that this relationship means less to them. In fact, it's the opposite.

The second version seems more cohesive to me.

The XX have an authentic, original, and an excessively casual style of music. Listening, it sounds almost careless in the way the melodies meander, but it retains beauty and meaning. Oliver Sim sounds like he is singing in his sleep. If music were a water park, his voice would be the lazy river attraction for all the tag-along parents. Their album is the type that I can put on repeat while doing work, and neither be bored, nor over-stimulated and distracted. Despite its ability to work as background music some of the sounds are definitely pretty interesting, namely the first half or so of Fantasy. The eerie hollowness resembled in my mind the distant lonely drone of a Muslim call to prayer in some middle-eastern city. Where low-fi bands like Wavves overload the senses, The XX leaves me with a craving for more.

After reading everyones comments on the lyrics, I do agree with a lot of them. But on the other hand a song can mean something different to everyone. Thats the beauty of music, although lyrics do tell a story the way one depicts it is all up to them. The first time I heard this song the lyrics in the song that stood out to me were:

"I will forgive and forget before im paralyzed. Do I have to keep up the pace to keep you satisfied."

"things have gotten closer to the sun, and i've done things in small doses so dont think im pushing you away when you're the one that i've held closest"

Maybe it was because i could relate to that part of the song the most but it automatically made me love it and think about a girl, forgiving and forgetting cause the relationship isnt completely 'exclusive' and the two may be in a very casual back and forth, mostly sexual relationship. And does she have to keep up this strong nonchalant wall to keep him satisfied.

Basically a relationship mostely based on physical attraction/satisfaction that started off very slow at first. But through time feelings have progressed and it went from stricly sexual, to somewhat emotional. And although neither of them want to give in to those feelings cause they've been hurt before and now see feelings as a waste of time and dangerous they both see that it is unlike them to keep a partner around for so long so they know feelings exist for one another. but they never talk about it and put pressure on the feelings so they hopefully dissapear and 'crystalize' them. But even knowing that nothings lasts forever, they keep doing what they're doing and the feelings dont dissapear. Ending with the lyrics

"Glaciers have melted to the sea (Things have gotten closer to the sun) I wish the tide would take me over (And I've done things in small doses) I've been down onto my knees (So don't think that I'm pushing you away) And you just keep on getting closer (When you're the one that I've kept closest)"

then reminding each other to keep going slow cause that's what has worked for so long. I know im a little all over the place... but hopefully you get what im saying.

This song is about Crystal Meth.

1) You've applied the pressure to have me "crystalised" (hidden reference to using Crystal Meth) 2) ...that I could bring paradise (getting high) 3) I'll forgive and forget before I'm paralyzed (coming down after a binge) 4) Things have gotten closer to the sun (again, getting high) 5) ...and I've done things in small doses (another obvious reference) 6) You don't move slow (tweaking) 7) Glaciers have melted to the sea (crystal meth melting in the pipe when smoked) 8) I've been down on my knees (desperate for another hit) 9) And you just keep on getting closer (getting closer to what that first high felt like) 10) So don't think that I'm pushing you away when you're the one that I've kept closest (keeping it a secret and finally, facing addiction)

When I first heard this song. The thing that came to my mind was the raw act of fornication.

You've applied the pressure (what happens at the start...)

That I could bring paradise (orgasm)

Before I'm paralyzed (orgasm)

Do I have to keep up the pace To keep you satisfied (self explaining)

The sound resounds, echo (sounds of the act)

Placid as I melt into the sea I wish the tide would take me over (orgasm)

So on...

Could explaining the to vocalist almost signing at each other. The manner is very laid back if to say we know each other in this way. Just a visual artist take on a musical artist song. so i dunno.

I doubt this song is about drugs or sex.... I could be wrong buuuut Its probably about a couple that can't decide how their relationship should develop and grow. The chick wants to go slowly "Do I have to keep up the pace to keep you satisfied?" "You don't move slow in taking steps in my direction"(trust or commitment issues maybe?) And the guy thinks differently but also wants to make her happy "Don't think that I'm pushing you away when you're the one that I've kept closest".

Also at "But burn down our home, I won't leave alive" I don't think that's what he is saying. I think he is saying "But not at all, I wanna live a lie". It fits into that verse and also the fact that he doesn't think they're moving fast at all and doesn't want to believe it;and even if he does he wants to pretend that everything is fine.

But when they start to sing together I think that is them finally talking it out and when they both finally say "Go Slow" that's them coming to an agreement-they're going to take things slow and not rush things for the better since they both were feeling the pressure.

They obviously love each other or else they wouldn't be having this issue. But that's just me and I've read other interpretations that were really good.

This song is crazy addictive though-Metal is usually my style but the moment I heard this song I knew that I HAD to have it. They both have beautiful singing voices-ones that you would want to have someone sing to you in if you were scared or nervous. The Xx = purely amazing music

this song is incredible. i can't wait until the day they get the credit deserved && become a household name :)

"You applyin' pressure To help me crystalise"

This could be a reference to a diamond? Diamonds start as carbon and after being under intense pressure for years, a diamond is formed. Maybe she makes him better and he likes who he is when he's with her? I don't know... Love the song though :)