The song Golden by Hippo Campus is about a past relationship and the struggle of wanting to move on while also feeling the need to hold on to the memories and feelings associated with it. The lyrics reflect on how the narrator should have handled the situation better and how they are tired of feeling empty and unfulfilled in their current state. The chorus repeats the question "Why is it I want to change for you?" as the narrator grapples with the idea of altering themselves for the sake of the relationship. They recognize that maybe they are better off without the other person but still find themselves drawn to the memories of their time together. The song also incorporates imagery of the west, with the line "Love from the west, grinning mad, light blue and golden", which could symbolize the idea of chasing after something wonderful but ultimately fleeting. Overall, Golden is a reflection on the complexity of relationships and the difficulty of moving on from them. The narrator is stuck between wanting to let go and wanting to hold on, unsure of what the right path forward is.
