HALCYON
THE SOPHOMORE ALBUM - 2012
A JOURNEY INTO THE DARK
ABOUT THE ALBUM
Released in 2012, Halcyon took a much darker and more emotional pivot from Ellie's debut. It showcases atmospheric electronic production with vulnerable songwriting and soaring vocals. The album explored heartbreak, transformation and finding strength within difficult times. It's haunting sound revealed a much bolder side of Ellie while retaining the ethereal qualities that fans had grown to love.
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Released: 2012
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Genres: Indie pop, Synth-pop and Dream Pop
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Key Singles: Anything Could Happen, Figure 8 and Explosions
THE TRACKLIST
ORIGINAL UK EDITION - 2012
1. Don't Say A Word
2. My Blood
3. Anything Could Happen
4. Only You
5. Halcyon
6. Figure 8
7. JOY
8. Hanging On
9. Explosions
10. I Know You Care
11. Atlantis
12. Dead In The Water
HALCYON DAYS
EXPANDED EDITION - AUGUST 2013
ABOUT THE REISSUE
Released in August of 2013, Halcyon Days is an expanded reissue of Ellie's second album Halcyon. It builds upon the album's original dark, atmospheric sound while introducing a brighter and more energetic side to the album. The reissue added many new tracks including her huge number-one single Burn.
BONUS TRACKS:
Burn
Goodness Gracious
You My Everything
Hearts Without Chains
Stay Awake
Under Control
How Long Will I Love You
Tessellate
Flashlight
Midas Touch
HALCYON NIGHTS
10TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION - OCTOBER 2022
ABOUT THE EXPANSION
Released in 2022 to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Halcyon, Halcyon Nights brings together the original album, the Halcyon Days reissue, and several previously released separate tracks. Featuring songs such as Beating Heart , Mirror and The Ending. Halcyon Nights offers the most complete version of Ellie Goulding's dark, atmospheric and much loved Halcyon era.
SELECTED ADDITIONAL TRACKS:
Ritual
In My City
Without Your Love
The Ending
Beating Heart
Mirror
Bittersweet
AND MORE...
SINGLES AND MUSIC VIDEOS
ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN
Released in August of 2012, Anything Could Happen served as the first single from the Halcyon era. It peaked at number 5 on the UK singles chart and has since gained wide recognition for its instantly recognisable intro and insanely catchy chorus. The single was a great introduction into the album with its powerful driving sound and uplifting message. The song has now become one of Ellie's greatest hits and a massive fan favourite.
FIGURE 8
Figure 8 was released as the second single from Halcyon, capturing the darker side of the era with Ellie's powerful vocals and the pounding electronic production. The song's message about being trapped in a cycle of desire and heartbreak makes it instantly relatable to fans.
EXPLOSIONS
Explosions was the third single released, peaked at number 13 on the UK singles chart and was quickly labelled as one of Ellie's most personal songs. It became greatly loved in the fandom for it's softer more emotional side. The song begins with delicate vocals and gradually builds in intensity while telling the story of the painful process of letting go of someone you love.
BURN
Released as the first single from Halcyon Days, this song took the world by storm, achieving great success. It went to number 1 on the UK singles chart and number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. As of August 2026, the song has surpassed over 1.6 Billion views on YouTube and 1 Billion streams on Spotify, making it one of her biggest songs of all time.
HOW LONG WILL I LOVE YOU
Serving as the second single from Halcyon Days, How Long Will I Love you was Ellie Goulding's tender cover of the song originally performed by 'The Waterboys'. It's delicate instrumental and Goulding's soft vocals were a shift from the vibe of the first single Burn, but still felt cohesive to the album and amassed great praise.
GOODNESS GRACIOUS
Goodness Gracious was the third single from Halcyon Days and it took us back to a more traditional 'pop' sound. It is bright, playful and irresistibly catchy. Its colourful music video perfectly reflects the track's energetic and carefree sound.
MORE FROM THE HALCYON ERA
TESSELLATE
Tessellate is Ellie's haunting cover of alt-J's original track. With her ethereal vocals, Ellie transforms the song into a dark atmospheric interpretation that perfectly fits into the Halcyon era.
I KNOW YOU CARE
I Know You Care is Ellie's deeply emotional ballad from Halcyon written about the pain of absence and a fractured relationship with her father. It remains one of her most personal songs to date.
BEATING HEART
Recorded for the 'Divergent' movie soundtrack and later added on Halcyon Nights, the songs captures a feeling of holding onto one final moment with someone before having to say goodbye.
