Lyric discussion by Gargese7 

Cover art for Joy lyrics by Ellie Goulding

I think it could be about drugs. I know most of her songs are about relationships, but nearly every singer has a song about drugs. “This high makes things harder.”

“I've figured out that joy is not in your arms I know I'll always ache with an empty heart I think it's time to run because I'm seeing stars I'm seeing stars watch me fall apart”

When I had my time with drugs I always knew it was going to leave my joyless and I would have an empty heart because it didn’t fill the void that I had and it always left me hurt and empty. I knew I needed to get out because I would fall apart after. Seeing stars could be how excited you feel when you go buy whatever it is you’re about to do.

I came here lookin for an explanation and I’m commenting my thoughts. Not really helpful. I didn’t do my research so maybe Ellie never had a problem with drugs, but that’s how I related to it. I’m not going to quote the whole thing, but those were the big parts for me.