“Take me up, then keep me high. Never let me go before you teach me how to fly.” Are you waiting for someone to teach you how to fly? Do you feel stuck in a period of transition or filled with anxieties about moving forward with your life? You are not alone. Singer-songwriters Aurora and Qing Feng Wu (the latter otherwise known as Greeny) address these feelings in their song, “Storm.” The song was released in June and is Aurora and Feng Wu’s first collaboration together. Though it did not appear in any major charts upon release and underperformed relative to some of the pair’s other songs, mere statistics reflect nothing about the quality of “Storm.” The song and music video are breathtaking together, and the message is even more inspirational. Though listeners interpret the lyrics in a few different ways, “Storm” does a fantastic job conveying the overarching message about growth and learning how to fly.
Sounds
“Storm” starts with a soft, slow and almost melancholy sound. Feng Wu begins the song with a timid, almost whisper-like voice, which is followed by Aurora’s iconic ethereal tone. The two harmonize effortlessly, creating a sense of understanding, peace and obviously, harmony. However, the chorus is much different, featuring powerful, emotional vocals and loud instrumentals. Aurora also uses piercing high notes, complementing Feng Wu’s softer vocals. This song emphasizes the highs while still giving respect to the lows, prompting the listener to feel reassured and hopeful.
“Storm” Music Video
The cinematography of the music video for “Storm” is also breathtaking. It makes use of dark cool tones and bright warm tones, simulating the feeling of seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. The contrast also reinforces and intensifies our feelings of reminiscence and hope that we get from the vocals.
The music video is set in a snowy forest with fog and frost, which gives a cold and isolated feeling. However, toward the end of the video, the two artists find their way to a tree that seems to be illuminated by a bright, warm glow, symbolizing the potential for growth even in the worst situations.
One of the most epic scenes in the video shows Feng Wu and Aurora standing on separate rocks alone, reaching out to each other with the sun behind them. At their feet, a blanket of fog adds to the mystery of this scene and gives a sense of desperation to the characters. Additionally, the two artists put so much power into their expressions that it is impossible not to become engaged.
Lastly, nature pervades the video, though it is not without purpose. The video uses nature to imply that hardship is natural. There will always be hardships in life. What matters above all is how we grow from our experiences.
Conflict With Lovers
There are a couple of different interpretations we can take from “Storm,” as the lyrics are made up almost entirely of metaphors. One interpretation implies that the song may be touching on the highs and lows of a relationship. Maybe the couple in question is singing to each other about the trials that come with being in a relationship and how they are willing to go through them all for the other person. We can see this idea in the second verse in which Qing Feng Wu sings, “I’ve been asking you, hide away, when the storm on your way? I’m with you. I’m with you. Here for you.”
Another interpretation suggests that the song may be about someone who is missing the excitement of their past relationship, even though that relationship may not have been the most logical choice. Early in the chorus, Aurora and Greeny sing: “Hurricane, come again. Lift me up; forgive me Earth. I’m going away.” Here, we see someone leave a place they know is safe (Earth) and run toward something that can potentially be exciting or damaging (the hurricane).
Overcoming Fear and Doubt
Similarly, a third interpretation of “Storm” asserts that the main characters learn to put fear and anxiety aside to chase unknowns of any kind. This could mean quitting their day jobs to follow their passions or pursuing relationships they’ve previously been too nervous to pursue. This interpretation may also imply that their anxieties stem from something in their pasts, hence the contrast of light and dark. In the second pre-chorus, Aurora sings, “It took some time, and it took some tears to learn the lesson of killing fears. I’m breathing out and I release the hold to see what happens to the soul.” Here, we see a person let go of their past anxieties and finally build up the courage to find a better situation.
Becoming a New Person
The final interpretation of “Storm” puts the emphasis on change. According to this viewpoint, the characters are not running toward something risky but are instead describing the process of growing from their hardships and praising the people they have become. In the first verse, Feng Wu sings: “Have I seen you somewhere? Heard a wind calling names, holding on, holding on, howling.” Here, the character acknowledges their past self and expresses empathy for their situation.
However, in the chorus, the song switches perspectives and sings to the person they hope to become after internalizing the lessons of their past hardships. It chants, “Take me up, then keep me high. Never let me go before you teach me how to fly. Take me up, then keep me high. ‘Cause above the rain, above the clouds, it’s always bright.” Here, we see the character in an awkward transition period of their life, but they are hopeful that their past situations will reveal important lessons for their future.
Overarching Theme of Growth in “Storm”
Judging from all the different interpretations, it appears that the overarching theme is change and victory over fear. All three describe a character who is struggling to overcome their anxiety, which may or may not stem from past conflicts. Conflict can cause trauma and fear, which can make someone feel claustrophobic and scared to move. However, “Storm” aims to encourage those who are struggling to overcome these fears and move toward a better alternative, whether this means sticking around through the thick and thin, leaving for a better future or growing as a person and learning from your past conflicts. While this song didn’t manage to attract the highest number of streams or appear on any charts, it does speak to those who are struggling with a transition period of their own. Encouragement is something this world desperately needs, so let’s start to share some of it.
