Meaning and Lyrics of White Horses by Hurts

“White Horses” by Hurts tells the story of Madeleine, a woman longing for love and adventure. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of Madeleine’s journey and desires through various symbolic imagery.

In the first verse, Madeleine is depicted as someone with luxury and privilege, having a chauffeur taking her to the coastline to watch the sunrise. This scene sets the tone for her yearning for a romantic ideal, waiting for her prince charming to arrive and sweep her off her feet.

The refrain, repeated throughout the song, adds to the dreamlike and wistful quality of the narrative, emphasizing the longing and hope that Madeleine holds in her heart.

The second verse introduces a contrasting reality to Madeleine’s glamorous facade as a showgirl. She expresses disillusionment with Paris but finds love and comfort in Montreux with a wealthy man who seems to provide for her material needs. However, the mention of clipped wings suggests that this relationship may stifle her true desires and dreams.

The chorus metaphorically describes Madeleine and her lovers as riding white horses, a symbol of purity, elegance, and freedom. The image of galloping under a violet sky conveys a sense of romance and exhilaration, suggesting a transient escape from reality into a world of fantasy and passion.

The bridge, set against the backdrop of vast plains, adds a sense of expansiveness and openness to the narrative, emphasizing the contrast between the confined world Madeleine inhabits and the untamed wilderness where her fantasies may roam free.

Overall, “White Horses” delves into themes of desire, escapism, and the search for meaning in a world of fleeting pleasures and illusions. Madeleine’s journey, as portrayed in the song, is a poignant exploration of the complexities of love, identity, and the eternal quest for something more profound and meaningful in life.