Settle Down Lyrics

How to Format Lyrics:

  • Type out all lyrics, even repeating song parts like the chorus
  • Lyrics should be broken down into individual lines
  • Use section headers above different song parts like [Verse], [Chorus], etc.
  • Use italics (<i>lyric</i>) and bold (<b>lyric</b>) to distinguish between different vocalists in the same song part
  • If you don’t understand a lyric, use [?]

To learn more, check out our transcription guide or visit our transcribers forum

About

Genius Annotation

Released as the third single from The 1975’s self-titled debut album, “Settle Down” tells a tale of a secretive love affair.

Matty Healy spoke extensively about its message and inspiration:

With ‘Settle Down’ I wanted to make a story about the extension of that dream, a video that explores love, a video that was as fantastical, consuming and limitless as the love we all chase and desire. Love as I have always imagined.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What was the inspiration behind the music video?
Genius Answer

In an interview Matty stated:

“I used to have a reoccurring dream when I was younger. The narrative was loosely based, but the setting was always the surrounding areas of where my parents grew up. I think I was slightly obsessed with how certain, bleak areas of Northern England contained my history and the soul of my family, my psyche – I always felt connected and disconnected at the same time. Metaphorically and physically I would visit these places frequently as a youngster and in turn have used them as the setting to a lot of the stories in The 1975 – the North East was the visual setting to my formative years. I suppose, like any narrative, the meaning and the connotations within the story are subjective. I’ve always been quite fascinated with the potency of same sex relationships, platonic or otherwise. I was brought up in a very open minded environment, somewhere I felt that, whoever I was, I would be accepted. With this understanding I was also very aware of others, school friends, acquaintances – whom, due to where we lived, probably didn’t have such a comfortable place to grow up, we were unaffected and affected by taboos and the small minded at the same time. I’ve dreamt the story of these two boys on countless occasions – every time drawing a different conclusion on its meaning.”

What else have the artists said about the song?
Genius Answer

“Settle Down” came at the same time in pop music as the song “Forever” by Haim. For a moment in time in our world that “Tusk” era Fleetwood Mac influence was felt everywhere. As a band we have always been albe to put aside any notion of what we thought was “cool” and fear of not being seen as “cool”. Back then I think adults in media were suspicious of us. I have often said that The 1975 was never about a pursuit to be recognised, it was always about 4 friends playing music together for the love of music, and the fluidity that playing music with people can conjure, it was always about the pursuit of excellence as opposed to be labelled “cool”. We would rather embrace the slap bass and duelling guitar harmonies!

— Matty Healy via Spotify

What did The 1975 say about "Settle Down"?
Genius Answer

“This song is about dancing to Michael Jackson with my ex-girlfriend.” – Matty, live in Berlin 2013

Comments