“Ribs” is an ethereal lament about adolescence, and the bittersweet experience of growing up. Lorde has said she especially likes the song. Lorde sings in the same deep, smoky voice showcased in her cover of “Swingin' Party”, and then switching to a younger, higher voice in the choruses. She debuted it live in New York at Le Poisson Rouge on August 6. She later premiered the track on KCRW. Lorde talked about what inspired this song at a concert:

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