Why Lorde’s “Green Light” Resonates as the Ultimate Coming-of-Age Anthem

The Broadway play, “John Proctor Is the Villain,” features a pivotal scene set to Lorde’s “Green Light,” highlighting the song’s profound significance as a coming-of-age anthem, particularly for young women.

Initially, Lorde’s hit single depicts the raw pain of a broken relationship. The unconventional song structure and minor key reflect the chaotic nature of heartbreak; there’s no order, no logic, just intense emotion.

However, the song’s pre-chorus marks a transformative shift. The transition from minor to major key encapsulates the journey from heartbreak to renewal. Lorde beautifully captures the feeling of personal transformation, moving from the depths of despair to the exhilarating heights of creation within just 48 seconds.

This creation is not solely artistic; it’s about personal growth. The pain of the past provides new tools, experiences, and modes of expression. The pain becomes a catalyst for artistic creation and self-discovery. Lorde perfectly articulates this alchemy.

This creative process isn’t limited to artists; everyone shapes their identity and life path. We all experience that moment of crossing into new territory after confronting pain, often during adolescence.

“Green Light,” released when Lorde was 20, is the opening track of her album, “Melodrama.” The album’s final song contains the line “I’m 19, and I’m on fire,” highlighting the intense emotions and experiences of youth.

Lorde herself described the song as capturing the duality of a young woman processing heartbreak, celebrating a joyful exterior while internally grappling with intense emotions. This complex emotional landscape is characteristic of the teenage experience.

In “John Proctor Is the Villain,” the play culminates in a dance sequence set to “Green Light,” symbolizing rebellion, reclaiming one’s body, processing trauma, and finding joy despite adversity. The dance embodies a potent blend of adolescent energy, ancient rituals, and raw emotion.

The play’s stage direction, “It starts to look less like a dance and more like an exorcism,” reflects Lorde’s powerful performance style. Her energetic movements—a display of wildness and self-expression—showcase dance as a form of bodily autonomy and spiritual release.

The lyrics’ questioning of whether past actions caused fear highlights the intimidating power of teenage girls’ raw intensity. Lorde embraces this ferocity in her imagery, reflecting the powerful feelings of this life stage.

Ultimately, “Green Light” resonates because it authentically captures the intense emotions, self-discovery, and transformative power of the coming-of-age experience.