Crystalised Lyrics
You've applied the pressure
To have me crystalised
And you've got the faith
That I could bring paradise
[Verse 2: Romy]
I'll forgive and forget
Before I'm paralysed
Do I have to keep up the pace
To keep you satisfied?
[Pre-Chorus: Oliver & Both]
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
[Chorus: Both]
Ahh, ahh, ahh
Ahh, ahh, ahh
Ahh, ahh, ahh
Ahh, ahh, ahh
[Verse 3: Romy]
You don't move slow
Taking steps in my direction
The sound resounds, echo
Does it lessen your affection? No
You say I'm foolish
For pushing this aside
But burn down our home
I won't leave alive
[Pre-Chorus: Romy & Both]
Glaciers have melted to the sea
I wish the tide would take me over
I've been down on my knees
And you just keep on getting closer
[Chorus: Romy & Oliver]
Ahh, ahh, ahh
Ahh, ahh, ahh
Ahh, ahh, ahh
Ahh, ahh, ahh
[Bridge: Romy & Oliver]
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)
Über uns
“Crystalised” is about a complicated relationship, and ultimately uses crystallization as a metaphor for love. It’s the lead single from The xx’s eponymous debut album. Romy and Oliver wrote the song when they were 17 and The xx only had written 5 songs. They helped each other finish their verses, so it is fitting that the vocals weave in, out, and on top of each other.
We wrote our lyrics separately and sent them to one another over email. We were so new to songwriting, I don’t think either of us had the courage to share and write face to face. We eventually came together and built the bare skeleton of the song in Romy’s dad’s front room. – Oliver
Oliver sent me the first half of the first verse, and then I wrote the second half. It was like sort of like playing tag. – Romy
The basis of the song – the concept of crystallization – was introduced by Oliver after his mother told him some people crystallize their ashes post-mortem.
The original, hand-written lyrics to “Crystalised”; credit to Fader
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
We wrote our lyrics separately and sent them to one another over email. We were so new to songwriting, I don’t think either of us had the courage to share and write face to face. We eventually came together and built the bare skeleton of the song in Romy’s dad’s front room.
Oliver sent me the first half of the first verse, and then I wrote the second half. It was like sort of like playing tag.
- 1.Intro
- 2.VCR
- 3.Crystalised
- 4.Islands
- 6.Fantasy
- 7.Shelter
- 8.Basic Space
- 9.Infinity
- 10.Night Time
- 11.Stars
- 12.Hot Like Fire