| "Destiny" | ||||
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| Single by Ellie Goulding | ||||
| Released | 12 November 2025 | |||
| Recorded |
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| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:38 | |||
| Label | Polydor | |||
| Songwriters |
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| Producer | Kurtis Wells | |||
| Ellie Goulding singles chronology | ||||
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| 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.
"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". [1] [2]
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. [2] She later characterised "Destiny" as a turning point, and explained that it represented acceptance and "surrender of what had happened" rather than escapism, which marks the beginning of a new creative chapter focused on vulnerability and restraint in her songwriting. [1]
Discussing the start of what she described as a "new chapter", Goulding explained that she returned to guitar-led songwriting, writing songs with Jack Rochon and a small group of collaborators. She stated that she travelled to Nashville for the first time to write material and later worked in Los Angeles during what she characterised as "old-school writing sessions". She described the resulting songs as "really nice to play" and added that the process felt like returning to a version of herself with "nothing to lose". Goulding compared the experience to the period before she signed a record deal, when she wrote more instinctively and allowed songs to "come out naturally". Although she noted that she continues to work across genres such as classical, electronic and dance music, she emphasised that the sessions were marked by a heightened sense of creative freedom and lyrical honesty, describing the material as "probably the most honest" she has written. Goulding further characterised the recording process as "really liberating" and explained that the songs avoid being either overtly mainstream or excessively unconventional, an approach she summarised as "really freeing and different". [1]
"Destiny" is a pop [2] and soft rock song. [3] Co-written by Goulding, Jack Rochon, Livvi Franc and Kurtis Wells, with the latter serving as the song's producer, [4] it is built on layered harmonies, a distinctive guitar tone, and clean drum patterns, which incorporates subtle electronic elements while moving away from Goulding's traditionally upbeat pop sound toward a restrained pop rock approach. [3] 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. [5] [6]
Goulding described recording "Destiny" as a cathartic experience that made her feel "so much better", framing the song as an expression of personal escape and empowerment rather than emotional investment in past relationships. She explained that the track marked her first sense of "straight-up escape", and added that its tone conveys "surrender" and acceptance, which reflects the idea of letting events unfold naturally—an outlook that ultimately informed the song's title. [2] The cover art of the song features a side profile of Goulding with her head draped in a veil and the word "Destiny" written in a gothic font. [7]
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. [4] 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. [7]
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. [8] An accompanying lyric video was released alongside the song, [9] and the music video was unveiled on 14 November. [2] On 4 December, Goulding uploaded an acoustic live performance of the song to her YouTube. [10]
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. [11]
A music video, directed by Floria Sigismondi, [6] was released on 14 November 2025, [12] [2] marking Goulding and Sigismondi's second collaboration in over a decade following their work on the music video for Goulding's "Anything Could Happen" (2012). [13] American actor Beau Minniear co-stars as the songstress love interest. [14] [15]
Credits were adapted from Apple Music. [16]
Weekly charts
| Monthly charts
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| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worldwide | November 12, 2025 | Polydor | [16] |
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