Lily

"Lily" tells a dark, fairy-tale-like story about innocence, temptation, and the peril of chasing alluring promises. The song can be interpreted in several ways. On the surface, it's a narrative about a sheltered girl who runs away and encounters a deceptive creature that promises her the world in exchange for control. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of naivety and the allure of the unknown. The creature's promises of 'everything you want in gold' symbolize the tempting offers life can present, which often come with hidden costs and a loss of autonomy.

On a deeper, metaphorical level, "Lily" can be seen as a representation of an internal struggle. Some interpretations suggest Lily represents an introvert or anyone who feels confined by their comfort zone ('castle walls'). The desire to run away is the dream of exploring the world, but this comes with fear and vulnerability. The 'creature' can symbolize negative influences, societal pressures, or even internal demons like addiction or greed, which promise fulfillment but lead to a dangerous loss of control ('safe under my control'). The moment Lily realizes she is 'hypnotized' and 'walking on cold thin ice' is a moment of awakening to the danger she is in, prompting her desperate escape. The song's unresolved ending leaves the listener to question whether one can truly escape such powerful temptations once engaged.

The narrative begins with a young girl named Lily, who is sheltered from the world, living within the confines of her castle. Despite her fear of the vast, unknown world outside, she feels an occasional, strong desire to escape her protected life. One evening, under the setting sun, she finally acts on this impulse and ventures into the nearby woods, feeling utterly alone and afraid.

She has always been warned against going into these woods, told that dark and mysterious creatures reside there. As she navigates the unfamiliar territory, a creeping entity approaches her. Instead of being menacing, it speaks to her in a soothing tone, telling her not to worry and to simply follow it. The creature makes grand promises, offering to take her to the highest mountains and lowest valleys, and to give her everything she has ever dreamed of. It promises her riches, symbolized by 'everything you want in gold', and assures her she will be safe under its control. The only thing it asks in return is to be let in.

Lily finds herself mesmerized by these promises, as if hypnotized. The allure of the creature's offer is powerful, and she feels as though she is 'walking on cold thin ice'—a precarious and dangerous situation she isn't fully aware of. Suddenly, the illusion shatters, and she awakens from her trance-like state. Overcome with fear, she starts to run as fast as she can, screaming for help and hoping someone will come to her rescue. As she flees, she can still hear the creature's voice behind her, repeating its enchanting promises, relentlessly trying to lure her back under its control.

The story ends on a cliffhanger, with Lily running in terror while the creature's tempting words echo in her ears. Her fate is left ambiguous, forcing the listener to ponder whether she escapes the danger or succumbs to the persuasive and controlling entity from the woods.

"Lily" was released on December 14, 2018, as a track on Alan Walker's debut studio album, Different World. The song is a collaboration between Norwegian DJ Alan Walker, fellow Norwegian producer K-391 (Kenneth Nilsen), and Norwegian singer-songwriter Emelie Hollow, who provides the vocals. The creation of the song involved a team of writers and producers, including Alan Walker, Kenneth Nilsen, Emelie Hollow, Lars Kristian Rosness, Magnus Bertelsen, Marcus Arnbekk, Didrik Håndlykken, and Oda Evjen Gjøvåg. Gunnar Greve, Walker's manager, served as the executive producer.

The track is an integral part of the overarching "World of Walker" narrative, a fictional universe explored through Walker's music videos and releases. "Lily" serves as a prequel in the story, following the narrative established by songs like "On My Way," "Alone, Pt. II," and "Darkside." It fits within the electro-house and trap genres, blending Walker's signature melancholic yet energetic style with a distinct narrative structure reminiscent of a fairy tale. The collaboration with K-391 was a natural fit, as both artists share similar musical roots and styles.

"Lily" utilizes a relatively simple and effective rhyme scheme that enhances its narrative, sing-along quality. The scheme in the verses is primarily AABB (girl/world, walls/run), which gives it a nursery-rhyme or fairy-tale-like cadence, suitable for its storytelling style. This straightforward structure makes the lyrics memorable and easy to follow.

The song's rhythm is built upon a mid-tempo electronic beat, characteristic of the electro-house and trap genres. The tempo is steady, creating a persistent, almost marching pulse that propels the narrative forward. The rhythm in the verses is more subdued, allowing the vocals and story to take precedence. During the pre-chorus and chorus, the rhythm intensifies with the introduction of more percussive elements and a stronger bassline, building suspense and energy. This rhythmic escalation mirrors the rising action in the story, from Lily's cautious steps into the woods to her frantic escape. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the electronic beat is seamless, with Emelie Hollow's vocal phrasing syncing perfectly with the underlying instrumental track, creating a cohesive and immersive listening experience.

"Lily" employs a combination of literary and musical techniques to create its compelling narrative and atmosphere.

Literary Techniques:

• Narrative Structure: The song is structured as a narrative poem or fairy tale, with a clear orientation, complication, and an open-ended resolution. It tells a linear story about the protagonist, Lily.
• Third-Person Narration: The story is told from a third-person perspective, which gives it a classic storytelling feel. The narrator describes Lily's feelings and actions, creating a sense of an unfolding fable.
• Imagery: The lyrics use vivid imagery like 'castle walls,' 'setting sun,' and 'woods away' to create a strong sense of place and atmosphere.
• Figurative Language: The song uses metaphors ('walking on cold thin ice'), symbolism (the castle, the woods, the creature), and hyperbole ('everything you want in gold') to convey deeper meanings beyond the literal story.

Musical Techniques:

• Vocal Delivery: Emelie Hollow's vocal performance is central to the song's emotional arc. Her delivery shifts from a soft, almost fearful tone in the verses to a more desperate and powerful cry in the latter parts of the song, mirroring Lily's journey from curiosity to terror.
• Arrangement and Production: The production, characteristic of Alan Walker and K-391, builds suspense. It uses a blend of ethereal synth melodies, a driving beat, and atmospheric pads. The drop is powerful and aligns with the dramatic moments of the story, creating a soundscape that is both enchanting and menacing.
• Melody and Harmony: The song is composed in a minor key, which contributes to its dark and melancholic tone, fitting the theme of a perilous fairy tale. The melodies are catchy and haunting, particularly the recurring vocal motifs.

Released as part of Alan Walker's debut album Different World, "Lily" quickly became a fan favorite and a significant track in his discography. The song has amassed hundreds of millions of streams on platforms like Spotify and YouTube, demonstrating its wide-reaching popularity. While it may not have been promoted as a lead single with the same intensity as tracks like "Faded" or "On My Way," its narrative depth and catchy melody resonated strongly with Walker's global audience.

The song's fairy-tale-like story has inspired numerous fan theories, discussions, and creative works, including animations and lyric videos that visually interpret the story. Its lyrical themes of temptation, fear, and control have been the subject of multiple analyses, with some academic papers even exploring its rhetorical strategies and allegorical meanings. "Lily" holds a firm place within the "World of Walker" universe, serving as a key piece of lore that adds depth to the interconnected narrative of his music. The song is a staple in Alan Walker's live sets and continues to be celebrated for its unique blend of electronic music and compelling storytelling.

"Lily" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that construct its fairy-tale narrative and deeper meaning.

• The Castle Walls: Lily's home symbolizes a sheltered life, safety, and confinement. It represents a comfort zone, a place of protection from the dangers of the outside world, but also a barrier to experience and freedom.
• The Woods: The woods represent the unknown, the dangers of the outside world, and the journey into unfamiliar territory. It is a place of both fear and temptation, where Lily confronts the 'creatures... hiding in the dark'.
• The Creature: This entity symbolizes temptation, deception, and malicious influence. It can be interpreted as an external force like a manipulative person, a cult, or a representation of societal pressures. It can also be seen as an internal demon, such as greed, addiction, or the ego, which promises power and fulfillment at the cost of one's soul or control. Some analyses have even interpreted the creature's persuasion as a depiction of satanic tricks.
• 'Everything you want in gold': This phrase is a metaphor for the ultimate temptation—material wealth, power, and the fulfillment of all desires. It represents the alluring but ultimately hollow promises made by the creature to gain Lily's trust and control.
• 'Walking on cold thin ice': This is a powerful metaphor for being in a precarious and dangerous situation without fully realizing the immediate risk. It captures the moment of dawning awareness for Lily that the creature's promises are a trap and that her safety is an illusion.

Several lyrical and musical motifs recur throughout "Lily," reinforcing its central themes and enhancing its memorability.

The most significant recurring lyrical motif is the creature's tempting offer:

"Follow everywhere I go
Top of all the mountains or valley low
Give you everything you've been dreaming of
Just let me in, ooh
Everything you want in gold
I'll be the magic story you've been told
And you'll be safe under my control
Just let me in, ooh"

This chorus is the song's primary hook. Its repetition is crucial as it represents the relentless, hypnotic temptation Lily faces. When it is heard for the second time, it's from behind her as she runs, transforming it from an alluring invitation into a haunting and threatening pursuit.

The phrase "Just let me in" is another powerful recurring element. Initially, it sounds like a simple request, but its repetition gives it a more sinister and demanding quality, emphasizing the creature's desire for access and control.

Lily's screams for help, "Is there someone out there? Please help me, come get me," also act as a recurring motif in the latter part of the song, highlighting her desperation and fear.

Musically, the main melodic theme serves as a recurring motif, creating the song's signature haunting and atmospheric sound that is instantly recognizable as part of the Alan Walker soundscape.