the climb
Elevator To Hell Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

On the ground, feeling so small

Look up the tree, a mile above

Grab the lowest branch in my left hand

Second highest with the right
Up above five storeys wind begins to sway

Up above the highest building

Thinning of the air

Branches getting slightly bending

Blue sky turns to stars

On the top branch of the tree

No cares left or no gravity

Reach into the starry sky

Seems like I could fly

Swim into the ocean black

Look down the tree to cloud

Wonder how I'll get back down

Can't ever see the ground

On the moon, there is no air

But the ground is grey and soft

It may seem like I'm unaware





But actually I'm not.

Overall Meaning

The song "The Climb" by Elevator to Hell is a reflective piece about the human experience, using the metaphor of climbing a tree to reach new heights and gain perspective. The opening lines convey a sense of vulnerability and insignificance as the singer stands on the ground, feeling small in comparison to the towering tree above them. However, they take the first step towards the climb by grabbing onto a lower branch with their left hand, and then reaching higher with their right. As they ascend into the canopy, the wind picks up and they feel the thinning of the air.


At the highest point, they are surrounded by stars, and they feel weightless as though they could fly. They even contemplate swimming into the deep, dark ocean below. The view is exhilarating but also unnerving, as they consider how they will ever make it back down to the ground. The final lines, which reference the moon, suggest that while the singer may seem unaware, they are in fact very present, perceiving the world and their place in it in a unique way.


Overall, the lyrics express a sense of curiosity and gratitude for the vastness of the world and the many experiences it has to offer, even while acknowledging the dangers and uncertainties that come with exploring new heights.


Line by Line Meaning

On the ground, feeling so small
Feeling insignificant and unimportant while standing on the ground


Look up the tree, a mile above
Observing a tall tree towering above, seemingly impossible to climb


Grab the lowest branch in my left hand
Attempting to climb the tree by grabbing the lowest branch with the left hand


Second highest with the right
Continuing to climb the tree by grabbing the second highest branch with the right hand


Up above five storeys wind begins to sway
Experiencing strong winds and feeling the tree sway at the height of five floors


Up above the highest building
Climbing higher than the tallest building in the area


Thinning of the air
Noticing the air getting thinner at higher altitudes


Branches getting slightly bending
Feeling the branches bend slightly due to one's weight at the top of the tree


Blue sky turns to stars
Seeing the blue sky turn into a clear night sky filled with stars


On the top branch of the tree
Finally reaching the top branch of the tall tree


No cares left or no gravity
Feeling carefree and weightless at the top of the tree


Reach into the starry sky
Reaching out to touch the stars and enjoy the beautiful view


Seems like I could fly
Feeling like one could fly due to the height and sensation of weightlessness


Swim into the ocean black
Visualizing swimming in a dark ocean below while still at the top of the tree


Look down the tree to cloud
Gazing down at the clouds from the top of the tree


Wonder how I'll get back down
Pondering the difficult journey back down the tall tree


Can't ever see the ground
Being unable to see the ground due to the height of the tree


On the moon, there is no air
Reflecting on how there is no air on the moon


But the ground is grey and soft
Describing the surface of the moon as grey and soft to the touch


It may seem like I'm unaware
Appearing to be uninterested or oblivious


But actually I'm not.
Clarifying that despite appearing uninterested, one is actually engaged and present




Contributed by Ellie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions