To me, this song is about that confusing time right after a breakup. You're angry, you're hurt, and you so desperately want to prove to yourself and the rest of the world that you're moving on. With both the song and the video, Lorde really nails those incredibly conflicted feelings that come in waves. One second you're happy and really feeling like you're moving forward, and then the next second a memory hits and you long for the past. It's about waiting for that "green light" moment when you finally move on, once and for all.
To me, this song is about that confusing time right after a breakup. You're angry, you're hurt, and you so desperately want to prove to yourself and the rest of the world that you're moving on. With both the song and the video, Lorde really nails those incredibly conflicted feelings that come in waves. One second you're happy and really feeling like you're moving forward, and then the next second a memory hits and you long for the past. It's about waiting for that "green light" moment when you finally move on, once and for all.