Yes
Coldplay Lyrics

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When it started we had high hopes
Now my back's on the line
My back's on the ropes
When it started we were alright
But night makes a fool of us in daylight

Yeah we were dying of frustration
Saying "Lord lead me not into temptation"

But it's not easy when she turns you on
Since they gone

If you'll only, if you'd only say yes
Whether you will's anybody's guess
God only, God knows I'm trying my best
But I'm just so tired of this loneliness

So, up they picked me by the big toe
I was held from the rooftop, then they let go
There's only screaming
Let the windows, down
As I crawl to the ground

If you'll only, if you'd only say yes
Whether you will's anybody's guess
God, only God knows she won't let me rest

But I'm just so tired of this loneliness
I've become so tired of this loneliness

Overall Meaning

Coldplay's "Yes" is a song about the difficulty of maintaining a romantic relationship. The song begins with the singer reminiscing about the early days of the relationship - when they had "high hopes" and everything seemed alright. However, as time passes, their situation becomes more challenging. The singer feels like their "back's on the line," and they're "dying of frustration." They plead with their partner to "say yes" and commit to the relationship - but they're also aware that they can't force someone to feel a certain way. The singer is "just so tired of this loneliness" and the constant uncertainty of their partner's feelings.

The second half of the song is more surreal and metaphorical than the first. The phrase "up they picked me by the big toe" conveys a sense of being plucked out of reality and dropped into a nightmare. The imagery of being held on a rooftop and then being let go with only "screaming" is terrifying and chaotic. However, the song ends on a somewhat ambiguous note. It's unclear whether the singer is actually experiencing these events or if they're using metaphors to describe their emotional state. The only certainty is that they're exhausted and frustrated by the loneliness they feel.

Line by Line Meaning

When it started we had high hopes
At the beginning of this relationship, we had great expectations about where it could lead.

Now my back's on the line
Now I am in a challenging position where I have to face the consequences of my actions.

My back's on the ropes
I feel like I am backed into a corner and have no way out of this situation.

When it started we were alright
At first, things between us were fine and we were happy.

But night makes a fool of us in daylight
However, as time went on, we realized that things were not as perfect as we thought they were, and our flaws became more apparent.

Yeah we were dying of frustration
We were experiencing intense emotional pain and were struggling to cope.

Saying "Lord lead me not into temptation"
We were praying for strength to resist the temptation that was causing us to suffer.

But it's not easy when she turns you on
But resisting temptation is not easy, especially when you are strongly attracted to someone like I am.

Since they gone
Things have been much harder since they left.

If you'll only, if you'd only say yes
If only you would agree to be with me, then everything would be better.

Whether you will's anybody's guess
I have no idea whether or not you will agree to be with me, but I hope that you will.

God only, God knows I'm trying my best
I am doing everything in my power to try to convince you to be with me, and I hope that God sees that.

But I'm just so tired of this loneliness
I am exhausted from feeling so alone and want nothing more than to be with someone who loves me.

So, up they picked me by the big toe
I was forcefully and painfully pulled up, as if by my big toe, out of my despair.

I was held from the rooftop, then they let go
I was lifted up to great heights, given a new perspective on my situation, but then was abruptly let go back into my current reality.

There's only screaming
All I hear is loud, chaotic noise and chaos around me.

Let the windows down, as I crawl to the ground
As I am brought back down to reality, I feel like a prisoner who is finally able to break free from his confinement, as I let the outside world in.

God, only God knows she won't let me rest
I cannot find peace or comfort without her, and I hope that God hears my plea for help.

But I'm just so tired of this loneliness
My loneliness is becoming unbearable, and I cannot continue to live like this forever.

I've become so tired of this loneliness.
I am beyond the point of exhaustion; I desperately need someone to be with me and help me through this.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Christopher Anthony John Martin, Guy Rupert Berryman, Jonathan Mark Buckland, William Champion

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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