Welcome to Music Friday, when we spotlight songs that sparkle with references to jewelry, gemstones or precious metals. Today, we’re revisiting a luminous synthpop anthem that turned 10 this year — “Make Them Gold” by Scottish band Chvrches.
Originally released in 2015 as the fourth track on the band’s acclaimed second album, Every Open Eye, “Make Them Gold” uses the imagery of precious metal to deliver a powerful message about self-worth and growth. A decade later, the track still resonates deeply — perhaps more than ever — thanks to its uplifting chorus and universal message.
Lead vocalist Lauren Mayberry encourages listeners to embrace their flaws and missteps as stepping stones, not setbacks. She sings, “We are made up of our mistakes / We are falling but not alone / We will take the best parts of ourselves / And make them gold.”
In this context, “gold” represents triumph, self-improvement and the beauty that emerges from life’s imperfections — a fitting metaphor that makes this song a perfect Music Friday feature.
As part of its 10th anniversary celebration, Chvrches released a special edition of Every Open Eye on April 12, 2025, for Record Store Day, a semi-annual event that brings together fans, artists and thousands of independent record stores around the world. The album, originally a global hit, topped the US Billboard Alternative and Rock Albums charts and charted in 16 countries.
Despite a brief pause in group activity, Chvrches' fans were thrilled to learn that the band is far from finished. In October 2024, Mayberry launched her debut solo album, Vicious Creature, and embarked on a North American tour in spring 2025. But the good news didn’t stop there — the band has officially re-signed and confirmed plans to reunite for future albums.
Rooted in Glasgow and inspired by artists like Madonna, Prince and Kate Bush, Chvrches has carved out a unique niche in electro-pop. Their stylized name — spelled with a Roman “v” instead of a “u” — was originally a practical decision to improve their searchability online. Today, it’s become a signature of their identity.
Take a moment to relive the shimmering brilliance of “Make Them Gold” through the group's powerful live performance. The full lyrics are below if you'd like to sing along…
“Make Them Gold”
Written by Iain Andrew Cook, Lauren Eve Mayberry and Martin Clifford Doherty. Performed by Chvrches.
Can you tell me what to have
And what to hold
If you never take the way
On your own
No one tells us what is hard
And what is fair
We will deliver once we know
Where to fall
We are made up of our mistakes
We are falling but not alone
We will take the best parts of ourselves
And make them gold
We are made of the smallest stars
We are breathing and letting go
We will take the best parts of ourselves
And make them gold
Can you steady all the hands
That you hold
If you never look away
From the drum
If you push yourself then I
Will pull you up
And we will deliver once we know
Where to fall
We are made up of our mistakes
We are falling but not alone
We will take the best parts of ourselves
And make them gold
We are made of the smallest stars
We are breathing and letting go
We will take the best parts of ourselves
And make them gold
We will wait to see if you come at all
To stop us falling out of phase
Let’s see if we can keep
Track of losing days
You’d smile so wide I can see the stars
To stop us falling out of phase
I will be with you in the fray
With those second thoughts
You asked for all you asked for
We are made up of our mistakes
We are falling but not alone
We will take the best parts of ourselves
And make them gold
We are made of the smallest stars
We are breathing and letting go
We will take the best parts of ourselves
And make them gold
And make them gold
Credit: Photo by Justin Higuchi from Los Angeles, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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