The "quiet half" of the song was originally a separate song altogether named "School". "School" was originally intended to be an introduction to another Coldplay song entitled "Rainy Day" that was later featured on the Prospekt's March EP.
While the band was working on the song, producer Brian Eno was the most obsessed with finishing it, even creating the line "I don't want a cycle of recycled revenge".
The song was recorded in several different places around the world such as Barcelona, London and New York City, taking several months for it to be finalized.
Chris Martin told MTV News: "Well, this is supposed to be the theme of the album, really. We're aware of all the bad stuff in life, you know - i.e. Death and all his friends - but that doesn't mean you should ever give in to it, you know? So we all sing that bit together really loudly, as kind of a message to ourselves: never giving up and never focusing on the bad stuff too much." (Source Death and All His Friends Songfacts).
Includes hidden song The Escapist, "The Escapist" contains samples from Jon Hopkins' Light Through The Veins.
Death and All His Friends
Coldplay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Over on the rooftops, let's get married
All summer we just hurried
So come over, just be patient, and don't worry
So come over, just be patient, and don't worry
So come over, just be patient, and don't worry
And don't worry
Try
Try
Try
Try
No, I don't want to battle from beginning to end
I don't want a cycle of recycled revenge
I don't want to follow Death and all of his friends
No, I don't want to battle from beginning to end
I don't want a cycle of recycled revenge
I don't want to follow Death and all of his friends
And, in the end, we lie awake, and we dream of making our escape
And, in the end, we lie awake, and we dream of making our escape
The lyrics to Coldplay's "Death and All His Friends" paint a picture of a couple's journey through a relationship. The song begins with the singers reflecting on the passage of time, discussing how they got "carried away" during the winter and wanted to get married, but were too busy during the summer. The repeated phrase "So come over, just be patient, and don't worry" conveys a sense of reassurance, as if the singers are urging the listener to remain calm and take things slowly.
The second half of the song takes a turn, with the singers expressing a desire to break free from a pattern of conflict and revenge. They declare that they don't want to "battle from beginning to end" or "follow Death and all of his friends." The final lines of the song suggest a longing for escape, with the singers dreaming of a better future.
Overall, "Death and All His Friends" is a deeply introspective song that tackles themes of love, conflict, and the human desire for escape. It asks us to reflect on our own relationships and consider how we can make meaningful changes in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
All winter we got carried away
We lost ourselves and got caught up in the moment during the winter season.
Over on the rooftops, let's get married
Let's take advantage of our carefree attitude and enjoy life, just like getting married on a rooftop.
All summer we just hurried
During the summer months, we were in a rush to enjoy everything we could.
So come over, just be patient, and don't worry
Relax and be patient, everything will work out fine.
So come over, just be patient, and don't worry
Relax and be patient, everything will work out fine.
And don't worry
There's no need to be anxious or concerned.
Try
Just keep trying, even when things are difficult.
Try
Just keep trying, even when things are difficult.
Try
Just keep trying, even when things are difficult.
Try
Just keep trying, even when things are difficult.
No, I don't want to battle from beginning to end
I don't want to fight or struggle from start to finish.
I don't want a cycle of recycled revenge
I don't want to keep seeking revenge over and over again.
I don't want to follow Death and all of his friends
I don't want to succumb to despair and end up following a path of destruction.
And, in the end, we lie awake, and we dream of making our escape
At the end of the day, we imagine running away from our troubles and starting anew.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Christopher Anthony John Martin, Guy Rupert Berryman, Jonathan Mark Buckland, William Champion
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alyas Scofield
on Yellow
love it
Jeannie Smith
on A Sky Full of Stars
<3 love it!
Jeannie Smith
on Shiver
Also I'd like to add that this song and some oyher stuff makes me think of The Bee Gees for some reason.
Jeannie Smith
on Shiver
I like this because of Lucy who's knickname is Shivers.
Jeannie Smith
on Speed of Sound
I like all of Coldplay's songs so far. :)
Jeannie Smith
on O
I like this.
Jeannie Smith
on A Sky Full of Stars
love this song <3
Jeannie Smith
on A Sky Full of Stars
Like this!
Kirstine Reville
on Fix You
NICE