| "Destiny" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Ellie Goulding | ||||
| Released | 12 November 2025 | |||
| Genre | Soft rock | |||
| Length | 4:38 | |||
| Label | Polydor | |||
| Songwriters |
| |||
| Producer | Kurtis Wells | |||
| Ellie Goulding singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Destiny" on YouTube | ||||
"Destiny" is a song by the British singer and songwriter Ellie Goulding. It was released as a single on 12 November 2025 through Polydor Records. An accompanying lyric video dropped the same day, while an official music video premiered two days later.
In November 2025, Goulding announced her new single "Destiny", marking her first solo release in two years following a series of collaborations, including "Save My Love" with Marshmello and Avaion earlier that year. [1] Prior to the announcement, Goulding shared a teaser image of herself wearing a dark red leather trench coat and a veil, with her hands raised near her neck. [2]
"Destiny" was inspired by Goulding's experiences following her divorce, which reflects a period she described as "a really turbulent time" marked by uncertainty and emotional upheaval. Goulding stated that after separating from her husband, she felt compelled to process the experience through music, noting that it was a marriage rather than "just a relationship", which shaped the song's emotional foundation. The track originated when Goulding encountered a demo by producer Jack Rochon, whose guitar playing she discovered on Instagram and found "immediately fixated" by, prompting her to reach out and begin working together the same day. She later characterised "Destiny" as a turning point, explaining that it represented acceptance and "surrender of what had happened" rather than escapism, and marked the beginning of a new creative chapter focused on vulnerability and restraint in her songwriting. [3]
The song focuses on a superficial but intense chemistry with someone that served a purpose, for total sensual and surrendering from a type of suffering, and how powerful it can feel in that moment even if it's not love.
"Destiny" is a soft rock song built on layered harmonies, a distinctive guitar tone, and clean drum patterns, incorporating subtle electronic elements while moving away from Goulding's traditionally upbeat pop sound toward a restrained pop rock approach. [5] It was co-written by Goulding, Jack Rochon, Livvi Franc and Kurtis Wells, with the latter serving as the song's producer. [1] Goulding stated that the track reflects an intense but non-romantic chemistry which provided catharsis and personal freedom, and it marks a shift in how she viewed self-love and connection. She added that the song's sound was intended to convey the recklessness and empowerment associated with embracing her sexuality and the chaos in her life. [4]
The cover art of "Destiny" features a side profile of Goulding with her head draped in a veil and the word "Destiny" written in a gothic font. [2]
A portion of the song had previously been featured as the official ending theme for the dark fantasy anime series Clevatess , which premiered on 2 July 2025. [6] A lyric video was released alongside the song. [7] On December 4, Goulding uploaded an acoustic live performance of the song to her YouTube. [8]
Nylon described "Destiny" as a track encompassing "drama, romance, acceptance", praising Goulding's "dreamy, atmospheric approach" amid a pop landscape driven by more abrasive trends. The review characterized the song as a "welcome change of pace" that invites anticipation for her future work. [9]
A music video, directed by Floria Sigismondi, was released on 14 November 2025. [10] It marks Goulding and Sigismondi's second collaboration in over a decade, following their work on the music video for Goulding's "Anything Could Happen" (2012). American actor Beau Minniear, co-stars as the songstress love interest. [11]
Credits were adapted from Apple Music. [12]
Weekly charts
| Monthly charts
|
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worldwide | November 12, 2025 | Polydor | [12] |
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)