Ribs

Album: Pure Heroine (Extended) (2013)

Stream

Credits:

Produced by: Joel Little

Writers: Lorde & Joel Little

Lyrics

The drink you spilt all over me
“Lover’s Spit” left on repeat
My mom and dad let me stay home
It drives you crazy getting old
We can talk it so good
We can make it so divine
We can talk it good
How you wish it would be all the time
The drink you spilt all over me
“Lover’s Spit” left on repeat
My mom and dad let me stay home
It drives you crazy getting old
The drink you spilt all over me
“Lover’s Spit” left on repeat
My mom and dad let me stay home
It drives you crazy getting old
This dream isn’t feeling sweet
We’re reeling through the midnight streets
And I’ve never felt more alone
It feels so scary getting old
We can talk it so good
We can make it so divine
We can talk it good
How you wish it would be all the time
This dream isn’t feeling sweet, we’re reeling through the midnight streets
And I’ve never felt more alone, feels so scary getting old
This dream isn’t feeling sweet, we’re reeling through the midnight streets
And I’ve never felt more alone, feels so scary getting old
I want ’em back, I want ’em back
The minds we had, the minds we had
How all the thoughts, how all the thoughts
Moved ’round our heads, moved ’round our heads
I want ’em back, I want ’em back
The minds we had, the minds we had
It’s not enough to feel the lack
I want ’em back, I want ’em back, I want ’em
You’re the only friend I need (you’re the only friend I need)
Sharing beds like little kids (sharing beds like little kids)
And laughing ’til our ribs get tough (laughing ’til our ribs get tough)
But that will never be enough (but that will never be enough)
You’re the only friend I need (you’re the only friend I need)
Sharing beds like little kids (sharing beds like little kids)
And laughing ’til our ribs get tough (laughing ’til our ribs get tough)
But that will never be enough (but that will never be enough)

Lyrics Insight

Background & Inspiration

“Ribs” is a deeply emotional, atmospheric track from Lorde’s 2013 debut album Pure Heroine. Written by Lorde (Ella Yelich-O’Connor) and Joel Little, the song explores themes of nostalgia, growing up, and the fear of change.

The track was inspired by a house party Lorde hosted with friends, where she felt a sudden realization that childhood was slipping away. The dreamy, layered production, with pulsating synths and a hypnotic beat, mirrors the overwhelming emotions of adolescence—where excitement and anxiety blend together.

Lyrically, “Ribs” captures the bittersweet feeling of growing older, as Lorde reflects on childhood memories and the fleeting nature of youth. The repeated lines, “It feels so scary getting old”, emphasize her fear of time passing too quickly.

Although “Ribs” was not released as a single, it became a fan favorite, praised for its relatable lyrics, raw vulnerability, and haunting soundscape. Over the years, it has remained one of Lorde’s most beloved songs, resonating with listeners who experience the same mix of nostalgia, excitement, and existential uncertainty that defines the transition from youth to adulthood.

Interpretation & Fan Theories

“Ribs” by Lorde is a hauntingly beautiful reflection on growing up, nostalgia, and the fear of change. The song captures the overwhelming emotions that come with realizing that childhood is slipping away, blending excitement with deep anxiety.

Lorde wrote the song after hosting a house party, where she suddenly felt the weight of time passing. The lyric “It feels so scary getting old” is repeated like a mantra, emphasizing her fear of losing innocence and entering adulthood. The pulsating synths and layered vocals create a dreamlike, almost suffocating atmosphere, mirroring the emotional intensity of youth.

Beyond personal nostalgia, “Ribs” resonates universally, tapping into the bittersweet realization that life is constantly changing. It’s a song about cherishing fleeting moments, fearing the unknown, and embracing the inevitable passage of time, making it one of Lorde’s most emotionally raw and relatable tracks.