“The Man with the Axe” is the seventh track on Lorde’s 2021 album ‘Solar Power.’ The song is about Lorde’s deep affection towards another person and she paints him in a light of awe and beauty.
Lorde announced her upcoming third studio album ‘Solar Power‘ to be released on August 20, 2021. Ahead of the new single, Lorde released singles such as “Solar Power” and “Stoned at the Nail Salon.” The album is produced by Jack Antonoff alongside Lorde. Lorde spoke about the inspiration behind her new album in an interview; “Obviously when making this album I did a deep-dive into ’60s, Flower Child culture. I wanted to understand the commune life, dropping out from society and trying to start again.”
With Apple Music, Lorde explained the meaning behind this song; “It’s funny because it’s kind of melancholy, but I also think of it as very cosy. I’m expressing a huge amount of love and affection for someone. To me, it sounds very private—I sort of don’t even like thinking about people listening to it because it’s just for me.”
Listen to “The Man with the Axe” by Lorde
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Lorde “The Man with the Axe” Lyrics Meaning and Song Review
Lorde is at a loss of words to how she fell for this man. She plays on the idea that axes cut down trees and they fall without control to the way she fell for this guy. Why? Maybe it’s the way he loved to dance. Sometimes, it’s something as little as this that makes someone go crazy for another. Love is a strange game.
In the chorus of the song, we get a little more details about this guy who has an office job and silver hair.
She also drops another reason why they have stuck together for so long; “our shapes in the dark are the reason I’ve stayed.” This lyric has two meanings embedded in it. She references the intimate times she spends with her guy snuggled in bed under dimmed lights. She can feel the love washing over her. On the other hand, it can also allude to the dark times in her life when he stayed with her neck and neck. Maybe she has had the opportunity to return the same favour to him as well.
Lorde also recalls the first stages of their relationship where she learned that this guy’s favorite song was the same as her father’s. She knew that he was one to keep then.
She also refers to him as the ‘boy with the plan,’ a possible hint at the stability that he adds to their relationship. At times when Lorde gets carried away with her music, halfway to the space, this boy has the ability to lure her back to the Earth and keep her grounded. This is not keeping her tied. This is protecting her from ‘too much.’
This is a sweet love song and a tribute to the man who made the singer fall hard for him.
Let us hear what you think about this song in the comments below. Check out the complete lyrics on Genius.
She’s 24 not 25