Crystalised

Crystalised

The xx

“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