400 Lux

### Genre

Pop, alternative R&B, electronica, alternative pop, alternative, art pop, electro-pop

## Audio

"**400 Lux**" is the second track on Lorde's debut album *Pure Heroine*. The song was released on September 27, 2013, through Republic Records.

## Background

### Writing and composition

"400 Lux" was written by Lorde (credited under Ella Yelich O'Connor) and Joel Little. It was released with her debut album *Pure Heroine*.

Taken from Genius Lyrics, "*The title refers to a lux, which is a unit of measurement for light and illumination, and a sunrise or sunset is about 400 luxs on a clear day. It is also worth pointing out that the sunny ambience and the lyrics about driving match this tone. Lyrically, it is thought to be about a couple enjoying each other while driving during a sunrise. The lyrics "And the heating comes on, (you buy me orange juice)" is a direct mention to Lorde's favorite drink, which is actually orange juice.".*

## Reception

### Critical Reception

Jason Lipshutz of Billboard wrote about "400 Lux" saying "Femme fatale pop at its finest: over canyon-sized bass and popping percussion, Lorde tosses off a deeply evocative lyric ("You drape your wrists over the steering wheel") in the same couplet as a powerful declaration ("We might be hollow, but we're brave")."

### Chart Performance

"400 Lux" peaked on the US Rock songs chart at number 20.

## Lyrics

We're never done with killing time

Can I kill it with you?

Till the veins run red and blue

We come around here all the time

Got a lot to not do, let me kill it with you

You pick me up and take me home again

Head out the window again

We're hollow like the bottles that we drain

You drape your wrists over the steering wheel

Pulses can drive from here

We might be hollow, but we're brave

(And I like you)

I love these roads where the houses don't change

(And I like you)

Where we can talk like there's something to say

(And I like you)

I'm glad that we stopped kissing the tar on the highway

(And I like you)

We move in the tree streets

I'd like it if you stayed

Now we're wearing long sleeves

And the heating comes on

(You buy me orange juice)

We're getting good at this

Dreams of clean teeth

I can tell that you're tired

But you keep the car on

While you're waiting out front

You pick me up and take me home again

Head out the window again

We're hollow like the bottles that we drain

You drape your wrists over the steering wheel

Pulses can drive from here

We might be hollow, but we're brave

(And I like you)

I love these roads where the houses don't change

(And I like you)

Where we can talk like there's something to say

(And I like you)

I'm glad that we stopped kissing the tar on the highway

(And I like you)

We move in the tree streets

I'd like it if you stayed

We're never done with killing time

Can I kill it with you?

Till the veins run red and blue

We come around here all the time

Got a lot to not do, let me kill it with you

(And I like you)

I love these roads where the houses don't change

(And I like you)

Where we can talk like there's something to say

(And I like you)

I'm glad that we stopped kissing the tar on the highway

(And I like you)

We move in the tree streets

I'd like it if you stayed

And I like you...

And I like you...

I like you