What If
Coldplay (by f@riz rec.) Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

What if there was no lie
Nothing wrong, nothing right
What if there was no time
And no reason, or rhyme
What if you should decide
That you don't want me there by your side
That you don't want me there in your life
What if I got it wrong
And no poem or song
Could put right what I got wrong
Or make you feel I belong

What if you should decide
That you don't want me there by your side
That you don't want me there in you life

Oooooooh that's right
Let's take a breath try to put it aside
Ooooooh that's right
How can you know it if you don't even try
Ooooooh that's right

Every step that you take
Could be your biggest mistake
It could bend or it could break
That's the risk that you take

What if you should decide
That you don't want me there in your life
That you don't want me there by your side

Oooooooh that's right
Let's take a breath try to put it aside
Ooooooh that's right




How can you know when you don't even try
Ooooooh that's right

Overall Meaning

Coldplay's "What If" explores the uncertainties and consequences of relationships. The song starts with a hypothetical question, "What if there was no lie, nothing wrong, nothing right, no time, no reason, or rhyme?" This line implies the idea of a perfect world without any conflicts, a world that is only imaginable. The next line reflects the central theme of the song, where "What if you should decide that you don't want me there by your side, that you don't want me there in your life?" The lyrics then explore the fear of making mistakes in relationships and the singer's insecurity about his place in his partner's life.


The chorus consists of a repeated phrase, "Oh, that's right, let's take a breath try to put it aside, how can you know it if you don't even try?" suggesting the importance of communication and trying to make things work. It highlights that relationships require patience and the willingness to try despite the possibilities of failure. The second verse acknowledges the possible mistakes made in the relationship, "And no poem or song could put right what I got wrong or make you feel I belong."


Overall, "What If" is a reflection of the ups and downs of relationships and the constant uncertainty that comes with it. It portrays the importance of communication and effort to make things work despite the risks involved.


Line by Line Meaning

What if there was no lie
Imagine a world without any deceit or dishonesty


Nothing wrong, nothing right
A world where there are no clear-cut mistakes or successes


What if there was no time
A world without the construct of time, no past, present or future


And no reason, or rhyme
Without purpose or pattern; a world that lacks logic or coherence


What if you should decide
Consider the possibility of you choosing


That you don't want me there by your side
You may make a decision to not have me as your companion


That you don't want me there in your life
You may choose to exclude me from your life entirely


What if I got it wrong
Imagine a scenario where I have made a mistake


And no poem or song
A situation where even words fail to rectify the mistake


Could put right what I got wrong
Nothing can correct the error I have made


Or make you feel I belong
My mistake is so great that it can make you feel that I don't belong in your life


Oooooooh that's right
Expression of understanding of the situation


Let's take a breath try to put it aside
Take a moment to calm down and try to move past the situation


How can you know it if you don't even try
Don't be too quick to judge or dismiss something without at least attempting it


Every step that you take
Each decision you make


Could be your biggest mistake
It's possible for your decision to backfire and become your biggest mistake


It could bend or it could break
Your decision could either be flexible or falter completely under pressure


That's the risk that you take
The uncertain results of your actions are the price of taking chances




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
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

More Versions