Speed of Sound
Coldplay Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

How long before I get in?
Before it starts, before I begin?
How long before you decide?
Before I know what it feels like?

Where to, where do I go?
If you never try, then you'll never know
How long do I have to climb
Up on the side of this mountain of mine?

Look up, I look up at night
Planets are moving at the speed of light
Climb up, up in the trees
Every chance that you get
Is a chance you seize
How long am I gonna stand
With my head stuck under the sand?
I'll start before I can stop
Before I see things the right way up

All that noise, and all that sound
All those places I got found
And birds go flying at the speed of sound
To show you how it all began
Birds came flying from the underground
If you could see it then you'd understand

Ideas that you'll never find
All the inventors could never design
The buildings that you put up
Japan and China all lit up
The sign that I couldn't read
Or a light that I couldn't see
Some things you have to believe
But others are puzzles, puzzling me

All that noise, and all that sound
All those places I got found
And birds go flying at the speed of sound
To show you how it all began
Birds came flying from the underground
If you could see it then you'd understand
Ah, when you see it then you'll understand

All those signs, I knew what they meant
Some things you can invent
And some get made, and some get sent
Ooh

Birds go flying at the speed of sound
To show you how it all began
Birds came flying from the underground




If you could see it then you'd understand
Ah, when you see it then you'll understand

Overall Meaning

"Speed of Sound" is a song by British rock band Coldplay, which was released in 2005 as the lead single from their third studio album, X&Y. The lyrics of the song describe the feeling of uncertainty and hesitation that can accompany the start of a new venture or relationship, as well as the thrill of taking a chance and seizing opportunities. The singer wonders how long it will take for him to embark on his journey and find out what it truly means to feel alive.


The song begins with a series of questions that reflect the uncertainty and lack of direction that the singer is feeling. He wants to know when he will finally start his journey and how long it will take to reach his destination. He is also unsure of where to go and what he should do next. The chorus speaks to the importance of taking risks and pursuing opportunities when they arise, rather than wasting time wondering what might have been.


The second verse of "Speed of Sound" touches on themes of progress and discovery. The singer marvels at the wonders of the world around him, including the lights of Japan and China and the mysteries of ancient symbols and hidden patterns. He acknowledges that some things must simply be believed, while others are meant to be uncovered through careful observation and exploration.


Overall, "Speed of Sound" is a song that encourages listeners to take risks, embrace uncertainty, and see the world with a sense of curiosity and wonder. The lyrics mirror the band's own creative process, which involved taking risks and pushing the boundaries of their sound in order to create something new.


Line by Line Meaning

How long before I get in? Before it starts, before I begin?
I am eager to start something new, but I am unsure how to begin or when to start.


How long before you decide? Before I know what it feels like?
I am waiting for someone else to make a decision before I can figure out my own thoughts or feelings on a matter.


Where to, where do I go? If you never try, then you'll never know
I am unsure of my direction in life, but the only way to find out is to try and take risks.


How long do I have to climb Up on the side of this mountain of mine?
I feel like I am stuck in a difficult situation, but I know that with perseverance, I can overcome it.


Look up, I look up at night Planets are moving at the speed of light
When I feel lost or overwhelmed, I try to find solace in the beauty of the universe and its vastness.


Climb up, up in the trees Every chance that you get Is a chance you seize
I believe that life is full of opportunities, and it is important to make the most of every chance that comes my way.


How long am I gonna stand With my head stuck under the sand?
I have been avoiding a difficult decision or situation, and I know that it is time to face it head-on.


I'll start before I can stop Before I see things the right way up
I am willing to take risks and make mistakes in order to achieve my goals and find my way in life.


All that noise, and all that sound All those places I got found
I have experienced a lot of things in life, traveled to many places, and been exposed to a lot of noise and new sounds.


And birds go flying at the speed of sound To show you how it all began Birds came flying from the underground If you could see it then you'd understand
Nature has a lot to teach us, and sometimes we need to step back and look at the bigger picture to understand the world around us.


Ideas that you'll never find All the inventors could never design The buildings that you put up Japan and China all lit up The sign that I couldn't read Or a light that I couldn't see Some things you have to believe But others are puzzles, puzzling me
There are many things in the world that we take for granted or don't fully understand, and some things may always remain a mystery to us.


All those signs, I knew what they meant Some things you can invent And some get made, and some get sent
I have learned to interpret the signs and symbols around me, but there are some things that cannot be created or controlled by humans.


Birds go flying at the speed of sound To show you how it all began Birds came flying from the underground If you could see it then you'd understand Ah, when you see it then you'll understand
Nature has a way of showing us the beauty and complexity of the world, and sometimes we need to experience it firsthand in order to truly understand it.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Anthem Entertainment, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Guy Rupert Berryman, William Champion, Christopher Anthony John Martin, Jonathan Mark Buckland

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Clauder.

A música "Speed of Sound" é uma reflexão sobre a busca por entendimento e a coragem de enfrentar o desconhecido. A letra, repleta de questionamentos e metáforas, convida o ouvinte a uma jornada introspectiva sobre a vida e as decisões que tomamos.

"Speed of Sound" é uma canção cheia de camadas e metáforas, aberta a múltiplas interpretações.

A canção pode representar a ânsia por uma conexão verdadeira e profunda em um mundo barulhento e alienante.

Frases como "Eu só quero uma resposta/ Do outro lado da linha" e "Será que alguém está me ouvindo?" expressam o desejo de ser compreendido e não se sentir sozinho.

O "som da velocidade" pode simbolizar a rapidez da vida moderna, da qual o protagonista deseja escapar para encontrar a verdadeira intimidade.

A letra também sugere a sensação de perda e luto.

A imagem do "céu se despedaçando" e a repetição de "Eu não entendo" indicam uma incompreensão e tristeza diante de um evento crucial.

A busca por uma resposta na "velocidade do som" pode refletir a tentativa desesperada de entender o porquê de algo ter acontecido.

Apesar da tristeza, a canção também carrega uma mensagem de esperança e perseverança.

A metáfora da corrida ("Pés não falhem agora/ Me leve até a linha de chegada") sugere a luta contínua por um objetivo, mesmo diante dos obstáculos.

A imagem da porta se abrindo no final pode simbolizar a possibilidade de uma nova chance, um recomeço após a dor.

Alguns interpretam a canção como uma crítica à superficialidade e futilidade da cultura moderna.

A "cena da cidade" barulhenta e sem sentido pode simbolizar a falta de substância e conexão humana na sociedade de hoje.

A busca por algo verdadeiro e "feito para durar" contrapõe-se ao ritmo veloz e passageiro do mundo contemporâneo.

A verdadeira beleza da arte reside na interpretação individual.

Os elementos metafóricos da canção abrem espaço para que cada ouvinte encontre seu próprio significado pessoal baseado em suas vivências e perspectivas.

Essas são apenas algumas possíveis interpretações de "Speed of Sound." Não existe uma resposta definitiva, e a beleza da música está em sua capacidade de despertar diferentes emoções e pensamentos em cada um.

Espero que aprecie esta interpretação, que tem como objetivo o processo de desvendar o significado da música, levando a você uma compreensão mais profunda da obra.



All comments from YouTube:

@MotivationMadness

Anyone else doing their weekly/monthly coldplay marathon? :D

@mrfantastic407

You know it.

@tamarlovebunny

daily...

@icani6846

+Tamar Puttman i was about to say the same and then I saw your comment ahah i feel you

@kirjkenmanaos3370

The annual Coldplay marathon

@charamiranda9947

Motivation Madness it's my daily

372 More Replies...

@nelsonsilveira4183

Música pra vida! Umas das melhores músicas deles ever!!!

@huntresskrystle

Beautiful song. Never gets old. 👌🏻 X&Y is also Coldplay’s best album, in my opinion.

@karamp242

Yes!!! During indie/alt rock period 👌

@gavinhalm3016

Not too many bands can blur sonic melancholia and the uplifting all into one song…First time I heard it when it was released in mid-2005, over the cable radio station (remember those?) at our advertising agency in the studio bullpen, I knew it was an instant classic. Perfectly matched my mood at the time, for a whole host of reasons, and has stuck with me ever since. ❤

More Comments

More Versions