“Lifening” is the fifth single from Fallen Empires. The band frontman Gary Lightbody enlists the things he most desires from life. He stated that the song was written after his sister had children. He felt “his body clock” telling him that it was time to have children himself, and the song is his way of trying to work out what he actually wants from life. The song also serves as the first time he has mentioned his father in a song.

Lightbody spoke on the song with Billboard:

It (the song) kinda boils down what is important in my life and and I think it’s relatable in that the essence of what truly is important; family, friends, football and music for me. Trying to remove yourself from what doesn’t matter.