Speed of Sound
Coldplay - [www.zoann.com] Lyrics


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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 have 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 have 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 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

The opening lines of "Speed of Sound" by Coldplay convey a sense of apprehension and uncertainty, with the singer asking how long they have to wait before they can start something, and wondering how they will feel when they do. This sets the stage for a song that is ultimately about taking risks and seizing opportunities, as the singer muses about climbing a metaphorical mountain and looking up at the stars. Throughout the song, there is a sense of wonder and curiosity, as the singer marvels at the world around them and contemplates everything from the movements of planets to the mysteries of human invention.


Several key themes emerge in "Speed of Sound," including the importance of taking chances and pursuing one's dreams, as well as the idea that some aspects of life will always be a puzzle. The repeated references to birds flying at the speed of sound can be seen as a metaphor for the idea that anything is possible if one sets their mind to it, even if it seems impossible or out of reach. Overall, "Speed of Sound" is a song that encourages listeners to embrace the unknown and to approach the world with a sense of wonder and curiosity.


Line by Line Meaning

How long before I get in?
I'm wondering how long it will take for me to be a part of this. How long until I'm accepted?


Before it starts, before I begin?
I'm asking how long until things really get going, before I can actually get started?


How long before you decide?
I'm wondering how long it will take for you to make a decision. How long until I know your answer?


Before I know what it feels like?
I'm wondering how long until I get to experience this. How long until I know what it's really like?


Where to, where do I go?
I'm asking where should I be headed. What is the right direction for me to take?


If you never try, then you'll never know
I'm suggesting that you need to take a chance to reap the rewards. You won't know the outcome until you try.


How long do I have to climb
I'm wondering how long it will take me to reach the top. How long until I conquer this obstacle?


Up on the side of this mountain of mine?
I'm talking about the challenges I need to overcome. These challenges are mine, and it will take time to conquer them.


Look up, I look up at night
I look up at the stars at night.


Planets are moving at the speed of light
The planets move at an incredibly fast pace, comparable to the speed of light.


Climb up, up in the trees
I climb up into the trees.


Every chance that you get
Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way.


Is a chance you seize
When you have an opportunity, don't let it pass by. Seize the moment.


How long am I gonna stand
I'm questioning how long I will remain stationary. How long until I take action?


With my head stuck under the sand?
I'm acknowledging that it's easy to avoid problems by keeping my head buried in the sand. But I can't ignore my problems forever.


I'll start before I can stop
I'm acknowledging that once I start, it will be difficult to stop.


Before I see things the right way up
I'm acknowledging that I won't fully understand things until I start to take action.


All that noise, and all that sound
All the things around us make noise and create sounds.


All those places I have found
I have been to many places and seen many things.


And birds go flying at the speed of sound
Birds fly incredibly fast, almost as if they are moving at the speed of sound.


To show you how it all began
To demonstrate how everything started.


Birds came flying from the underground
Birds emerged from a hidden or unknown place.


If you could see it then you'd understand
If you could witness this, you would comprehend it.


Ideas that you'll never find
There are some ideas that are beyond your reach.


All the inventors could never design
Even the most inventive people cannot always create anything they imagine.


The buildings that you put up
The structures that you create and construct.


Japan and China all lit up
The countries of Japan and China are full of bright lights, symbols of progress and advancement.


The sign that I couldn't read
The symbol that is beyond my understanding or recognition.


Or a light that I couldn't see
The brightness or illumination that is beyond my ability to perceive.


Some things you have to believe
There are some things that you simply have to trust and have faith in.


But others are puzzles, puzzling me
Some things simply do not make sense to me, they are confusing and difficult to understand.


All those signs, I knew what they meant
I understand the significance of all of these symbols and signs.


Some things you can invent
Some things can be created through imagination and innovation.


And some get made, and some get sent
Some things are created, while others are delivered or transmitted from elsewhere.


Birds go flying at the speed of sound
Birds move so quickly and effortlessly, almost as if they are flying at the speed of sound.


To show you how it all began
To demonstrate the origins of everything.


Birds came flying from the underground
Birds emerged from a place of obscurity and anonymity.


If you could see it then you'd understand
If you could witness this for yourself, you would comprehend its significance.


When you see it then you'll understand
Only when you witness something yourself will you truly comprehend its significance.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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