Speed of Sound
"Coldplay" Lyrics

How long before I get in?
The singer is asking how long it will take for them to be accepted or included in a particular situation or group.

Before it starts, before I begin?
The singer is wondering about the timing of their involvement in the situation, and whether they should act before or after it officially begins.

How long before you decide?
The singer is asking how much time they have before someone else makes a decision that will affect them.

Before I know what it feels like?
The artist is concerned about experiencing something before they know what to expect or how it will affect them.

Where to, where do I go?
The artist is lost and unsure of where to go or what direction to take.

If you never try, then you'll never know
The singer is encouraging listeners to take risks and try new things, since they won't know the outcome unless they do.

How long do I have to climb
The singer is wondering about the duration and difficulty of a journey or task ahead of them.

Up on the side of this mountain of mine?
The artist may be referring to a personal challenge or obstacle they need to overcome.

Look up, I look up at night
The artist is describing a moment of reflection or contemplation under the night sky.

Planets are moving at the speed of light
The artist is acknowledging the vastness and complexity of the universe, and how everything is constantly in motion.

Climb up, up in the trees
The singer is describing the act of reaching for higher goals or aspirations, like climbing a tree.

Every chance that you get
The artist is urging listeners to take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way.

Is a chance you seize
The singer emphasizes the importance of actively pursuing one's goals and taking control of their life.

How long am I gonna stand
The singer is frustrated with their current situation and wondering how much longer they will have to endure it.

With my head stuck under the sand?
The singer is feeling overwhelmed and powerless, like an ostrich with its head in the sand.

I'll start before I can stop
The artist is determined to take action and make progress, even if they don't have a clear plan or endpoint yet.

Before I see things the right way up
The artist may be referring to gaining clarity or perspective on a particular situation or problem.

All that noise, and all that sound
The singer is describing a world filled with a lot of distractions and chaos.

All those places I have found
The singer is reflecting on their experiences and adventures in various places.

And birds go flying at the speed of sound
The artist is drawing a comparison between the freedom and movement of birds and the speed of sound.

To show you how it all began
The artist suggests that observing the natural world can reveal insights about the origins of life and the universe.

Birds came flying from the underground
The artist may be referring to fossil records or the evolution of birds from dinosaur ancestors.

If you could see it then you'd understand
The singer is emphasizing the importance of observation and understanding in gaining new insights and knowledge.

Ideas that you'll never find
The artist is acknowledging the existence of elusive, intangible concepts or ideas that may be difficult to grasp or discover.

All the inventors could never design
The singer is marveling at the complexity and mystery of the natural world, and how even human ingenuity cannot replicate it.

The buildings that you put up
The singer is acknowledging human construction and urban environments as a product of human ingenuity.

Japan and China all lit up
The singer is describing the bright lights and technological advancements of modern societies like Japan and China.

The sign that I couldn't read
The artist is describing someone or something that is difficult to understand or interpret.

Or a light that I couldn't see
The artist is describing a hidden or obscure truth that may be difficult to uncover or grasp.

Some things you have to believe
The singer acknowledges the existence of certain concepts or ideas that may require belief or faith rather than empirical proof.

But others are puzzles, puzzling me
The singer is grappling with the complexity and mystery of certain concepts, which may require further investigation or contemplation.

All those signs, I knew what they meant
The artist is describing a moment of clarity or understanding, where previously confusing or ambiguous signs and symbols suddenly make sense.

Some things you can invent
The artist acknowledges the value and importance of creative thinking and innovation in discovering new ideas or solving problems.

And some get made, and some get sent
The artist is acknowledging the different paths and outcomes that can result from creativity and innovation.

Birds go flying at the speed of sound
The singer repeats this line as a way of reflecting on the recurring theme of movement and freedom in the song.

To show you how it all began
The artist repeats this line to emphasize the importance of discovery and understanding in uncovering the origins and meaning of life.

Ah when you see it then you'll understand
The singer suggests that true understanding and perspective can only be gained through direct observation and experience.