A Whisper
Cold Play- Lyrics
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A whisper, whisper, whisper, whisper
I hear the sound of the ticking of clocks
Who remembers your face
Who remembers you when you are gone
I hear the sound of the ticking of clocks
Look for me when I am lost
And just a whisper, a whisper, a whisper, a whisper
Just a whisper, a whisper, a whisper, a whisper
Night turns to day
And I still have these questions
Bridges will break
Should I go forwards or backwards
Night turns to day
And I still get no answers
Just a whisper, a whisper, a whisper
A whisper, a whisper, a whisper
(Just a whisper, whisper, whisper, whisper)
I hear the sound of the ticking of clocks
Who remembers your face
Who remembers you when you are gone
I hear the sound of the ticking of clocks
Come back and look for me
Look for me when I am lost
And I am just a whisper, a whisper, a whisper, a whisper
Just a whisper, a whisper, a whisper, a whisper
Oh ha ah ah ah ah ah ah
The opening lines of Coldplay's "A Whisper" feature four repetitions of the word "whisper" with increasing volume, suggesting the tentative and uncertain nature of the song's narrative. The first verse of the song centers around the ticking of clocks, serving as a metaphor for the passage of time and the uncertainty of what happens to us after we are no longer in the world. The lines "Who remembers your face/Who remembers you when you are gone" express this sentiment, as the singer ponders their own mortality and the fear of being forgotten after death.
The second verse once again focuses on the ticking of clocks, but this time with a different perspective. The singer seeks to be remembered and found if "lost," as if clinging to the hope of leaving some sort of legacy. The repetition of "just a whisper" at the end of each verse further emphasizes a sense of smallness and insignificance, underscoring a fear of being forgotten.
The chorus brings up more questions for the singer, as they express uncertainty about which direction to go - "Should I go forwards or backwards?" - and the frustrating lack of answers to their inquiries. The ticking of clocks returns once again, driving home the idea that time continues to move forward despite one's uncertainty and lack of direction.
Overall, the song is an introspective reflection on life's uncertainties and the fear of being forgotten after death. The ticking of clocks is a repeated motif that serves to emphasize the passage of time, as well as the inevitability of death. The repetition of "just a whisper" expresses the singer's fear of insignificance and being forgotten.
Line by Line Meaning
A whisper, whisper, whisper, whisper
The repetition of 'whisper' emphasizes the softness and secrecy of what will be said
I hear the sound of the ticking of clocks
The passage of time is audible and can be unsettling
Who remembers your face
The idea of being forgotten after death is frightening and raises existential questions
Who remembers you when you are gone
The artist worries about being forgotten and seeks validation for his existence
Come back and look for me
The artist is pleading for someone to care for him and not forget him
Look for me when I am lost
The singer feels lost and alone and needs someone to anchor him
Night turns to day
The cycle of the day is a metaphor for life, which has its ups and downs
And I still have these questions
The artist has not found the answers to his existential questions
Bridges will break
Metaphor for how life can be fragile and unpredictable
Should I go forwards or backwards
The artist is uncertain about how to move forward in life
And I still get no answers
The singer's search for meaning is ongoing and frustrating
Oh ha ah ah ah ah ah ah
A nonsensical vocalization that does not convey a literal meaning
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHRISTOPHER ANTHONY JOHN MARTIN, GUY RUPERT BERRYMAN, JONATHAN MARK BUCKLAND, WILLIAM CHAMPION
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind