Written by Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites, The Lumineers’ “Cleopatra” is a notable record for its raw and acoustic sound. Released on March 25, 2016, the song was a track from the indie folk band’s second studio album with the same name. The song climbed to No. 4 on the Billboard Adult Alternative Chart and No. 2 on the US Billboard Alternative Charts. Aside from that, the Cleopatra album peaked at No. 4 on both Billboard 200 Charts in the US and Canada.
“Cleopatra” gained much praise for its lyrical depth and sentimentality. The album itself was also recognized as “melancholic and sullen” by Stephen Thomas Elewine of AllMusic. On the other hand, it received 7.2 general favorable reviews from Metacritic.
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The song also dominated the US Billboard Rock Airplay by charting No. 3, but The Lumineers did not stop charting domestically but also in several countries, such as Australia and Belgium.
Meaning Behind the Song
The Lumineers’ guitarist and lead vocalist Wesley Keith Schultz was inspired to write “Cleopatra” after meeting a female taxi driver in the Republic of Georgia. Wesley shared on Genius that the title works well because of the confidence the woman in the song had, believing the world was for her to rule. Yet when she looks back, she realizes that people wear masks like an actress.
For You
“We are confident in the world and ourselves, but with very little experience to back that up,” Wesley stressed.
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The lyrics reminisce about the woman’s alluding beauty during her youth and how it used to be her greatest asset. The story delves deeper into a lost chance of marrying a man she loved while she was grieving her father’s death. However, the woman is willing to be the mistress if it means being with him again.
Its evocative interpretation of one’s experience of a lost love at an old age is a unique touch of aging. This only proves that time can pass you by without you realizing it until you become aware of your realities.
Ready to get misty-eyed? Check out The Lumineers “Cleopatra” with the music video below and share it with a friend.
