This song is so captivating and slightly different from what we're used to hearing from Ellie Goulding.
For me, the song is based around camaraderie. Specifically, childhood camaraderie. Ellie uses war as a way to explain this friendship; for example, the opening line, "[s]ilently we were friends" refers to how immediately in an army friendships are established with fellow soldiers because you are on the same side and in such close proximity. This relates to established friendships in school as you make friends with people out of proximity, much like with soldiers in war.
From then on, she emphasises how growing up can be much like a battle. Ellie and her friend support each other in opposing the inevitable factor of growing up. For example, "examining exactly, what the enemy teaches" - I feel that this "enemy" that Ellie speaks of is actually a school teacher. I think Ellie finds that her and her friend are on the same side against those who want to teach them, those who are imposing the impending fear that they have to grow up. There is a lot of alliteration used in the first verse, which again could support my idea that Ellie is referring to childhood. Alliteration is often used in children's books and I think Ellie uses this device to refer to childhood.
The line which Ellie speaks of letters floating over her head suggests that she realises she is growing up. When I was young, I rarely received letters in the post. However, that changed during my mid-teens and was a sign that I was growing up. The fact that these letters are "floating over" her head suggests that Ellie does not understand them or why she is getting them, but it is something that plays on her mind.
The line about "thousands of paper animals" is a little bit more cryptic but it always reminds me of logos on letters, bank statements etc. I think that these animals are a sign that tells Ellie that she cannot prevent her development into adulthood.
The pre-chorus is more clear that Ellie is talking about her childhood. She talks about having no money which is similar to me when I was a child. I never had any money, but it wasn't a concern. Any money that I did need would be supplied by my parents, however, now money is a big factor that decides a lot of my choices for me. The same with her line about vehicles; No one is concerned with driving when they are young and no one stresses about it. When you grow older, however, there is pressure to get a licence and start driving.
The chorus
Only time I fall is when I fear - I like this lyric because it is so applicable to any situation and is self-explanatory.
"Only time may notice I disappear - This suggests that everyone is so caught up in their own life that nobody has time for her. Her loneliness is evident and she feels she has no-one to turn to when she needs help.
"I can't go back without a counter attack, and I can't turn around" - This may have a double meaning. Firstly, Ellie can't go back and ask for help from those around her because she feels everyone is focusing on their own life. Also, she may feel that her development is something she must control independently. Secondly, this may also suggest that Ellie can't go back to her childhood because it is impossible. It shows that Ellie is confused about where she is and by reinstating the war imagery "counter attack" she shows she wants to return to her childhood days.
The opening line of the second verse returns to the war-like imagery. When she sings "we scan the forest floors, looking worse for wear" it is as if Ellie and her friend are running away from adulthood. The use of the forest suggests there is a wild, open, thrilling and mysterious element; Ellie appears to be looking for adventure that she doesn't think she can find in the life that those around her have. Again, Ellie uses alliteration which re-invokes the child-like quality of the song.
She then states that she is looking for another life that doesn't step in shadows. By this, I believe that she means she doesn't want to follow in the footsteps of her family and peers and that she is willing to take a risk. When she admits she is "too shallow", I think this refers to Ellie's dream of becoming a singer, which is often considered a shallow dream (which I do not believe).
She states she is "protective" of her friend and the stories they "re-enact". This is because Ellie still holds on to these memories because they were from a simpler time. Ellie is now faced with money troubles, employment issues etc. all the things that people face when they grow up. The stories suggest that when Ellie was young, she could be anything she wanted to be. However, now she is expected to follow in the footsteps of her peers and/or family, though she wants to achieve her childhood dream of becoming a singer. The stories that they re-enact may be those of war which Ellie uses throughout the song and thus may be why she chose to use this imagery as it reminds her of the childhood she is so protective of.
I've also considered that this friend that Ellie speaks of may not actually be another person, but could be an imaginary friend or a character that Ellie used to act as. This was simply based off when Ellie sings "when I see her everyday." I feel that Ellie could be reminded of this every time she looks in the mirror, because it is within her. I haven't fully thought this through yet, though.
This song is so captivating and slightly different from what we're used to hearing from Ellie Goulding.
For me, the song is based around camaraderie. Specifically, childhood camaraderie. Ellie uses war as a way to explain this friendship; for example, the opening line, "[s]ilently we were friends" refers to how immediately in an army friendships are established with fellow soldiers because you are on the same side and in such close proximity. This relates to established friendships in school as you make friends with people out of proximity, much like with soldiers in war.
From then on, she emphasises how growing up can be much like a battle. Ellie and her friend support each other in opposing the inevitable factor of growing up. For example, "examining exactly, what the enemy teaches" - I feel that this "enemy" that Ellie speaks of is actually a school teacher. I think Ellie finds that her and her friend are on the same side against those who want to teach them, those who are imposing the impending fear that they have to grow up. There is a lot of alliteration used in the first verse, which again could support my idea that Ellie is referring to childhood. Alliteration is often used in children's books and I think Ellie uses this device to refer to childhood.
The line which Ellie speaks of letters floating over her head suggests that she realises she is growing up. When I was young, I rarely received letters in the post. However, that changed during my mid-teens and was a sign that I was growing up. The fact that these letters are "floating over" her head suggests that Ellie does not understand them or why she is getting them, but it is something that plays on her mind.
The line about "thousands of paper animals" is a little bit more cryptic but it always reminds me of logos on letters, bank statements etc. I think that these animals are a sign that tells Ellie that she cannot prevent her development into adulthood.
The pre-chorus is more clear that Ellie is talking about her childhood. She talks about having no money which is similar to me when I was a child. I never had any money, but it wasn't a concern. Any money that I did need would be supplied by my parents, however, now money is a big factor that decides a lot of my choices for me. The same with her line about vehicles; No one is concerned with driving when they are young and no one stresses about it. When you grow older, however, there is pressure to get a licence and start driving.
The chorus
Only time I fall is when I fear - I like this lyric because it is so applicable to any situation and is self-explanatory.
"Only time may notice I disappear - This suggests that everyone is so caught up in their own life that nobody has time for her. Her loneliness is evident and she feels she has no-one to turn to when she needs help.
"I can't go back without a counter attack, and I can't turn around" - This may have a double meaning. Firstly, Ellie can't go back and ask for help from those around her because she feels everyone is focusing on their own life. Also, she may feel that her development is something she must control independently. Secondly, this may also suggest that Ellie can't go back to her childhood because it is impossible. It shows that Ellie is confused about where she is and by reinstating the war imagery "counter attack" she shows she wants to return to her childhood days.
The opening line of the second verse returns to the war-like imagery. When she sings "we scan the forest floors, looking worse for wear" it is as if Ellie and her friend are running away from adulthood. The use of the forest suggests there is a wild, open, thrilling and mysterious element; Ellie appears to be looking for adventure that she doesn't think she can find in the life that those around her have. Again, Ellie uses alliteration which re-invokes the child-like quality of the song.
She then states that she is looking for another life that doesn't step in shadows. By this, I believe that she means she doesn't want to follow in the footsteps of her family and peers and that she is willing to take a risk. When she admits she is "too shallow", I think this refers to Ellie's dream of becoming a singer, which is often considered a shallow dream (which I do not believe).
She states she is "protective" of her friend and the stories they "re-enact". This is because Ellie still holds on to these memories because they were from a simpler time. Ellie is now faced with money troubles, employment issues etc. all the things that people face when they grow up. The stories suggest that when Ellie was young, she could be anything she wanted to be. However, now she is expected to follow in the footsteps of her peers and/or family, though she wants to achieve her childhood dream of becoming a singer. The stories that they re-enact may be those of war which Ellie uses throughout the song and thus may be why she chose to use this imagery as it reminds her of the childhood she is so protective of.
I've also considered that this friend that Ellie speaks of may not actually be another person, but could be an imaginary friend or a character that Ellie used to act as. This was simply based off when Ellie sings "when I see her everyday." I feel that Ellie could be reminded of this every time she looks in the mirror, because it is within her. I haven't fully thought this through yet, though.