Singer Hannah Reid (born on 30 December 1989) and guitarist Dan Rothman met in the dorms of Nottingham University where they began writing music together in 2009. They later added multi-instrumentalist Dot Major to complete the London Grammar line-up.
Their popularity rose with the 2012 release of "Hey Now" which they uploaded to the internet and instantly found an online cult following. Their self-released 2013 debut EP "Metal & Dust" reached the Top 5 of the iTunes chart. The same year they signed to Ministry of Sound and the single "Wasting My Young Years" appeared as the first release on the label. 2013 also saw them play a sold-out show at the Islington Assembly Hall and make an appearance at the Great Escape Festival in Brighton.
"Strong" was the next single extracted from the album "If You Wait", released on September 9th, 2013.
The band's album "Truth Is a Beautiful Thing" was released on 9 June 2017.
On 19 August 2020, London Grammar released “Baby It's You,” their first single since 2017.
Official site: http://londongrammar.com
Bittersweet Symphony
London Grammar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tryna make ends meet
You're a slave to the money then you die
I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down
You know the one that takes you to the places where all the things meet, yeah
And I'll change, I can change, I can change, I can change
I am here in my mode, here in my mode
I can change my mode, no, no, no, no, no
Well I never prayed but tonight I'm on my knees, yeah
I need to hear some sounds that recognizes pain in me, yeah
I let the melody shine, let it cleanse my mind, I feel free now
But the airway's clean and there's nobody's singing to me now
And I'll change, I can change, I can change, I can change
I am here in my mode, here in my mode
I am a million different people from one day to the next
I can change my mode, no, no, no, no, no
Have you ever been down?
Have you ever been down?
'Cause it's a bitter sweet symphony, this life
Tryna make ends meet
You're a slave to the money then you die
I know I cannot change, I can change and I'm here in my
I'll take you down the only road I have ever been down
And I'll change, I can change, I can change, I can change
I am here in my mode, here in my mode
I am a million different people from one day to the next
I can change my mode, no, no, no, no, no
The lyrics to London Grammar's song "Bittersweet Symphony" delve into the struggles and contradictions of life. The phrase "bittersweet symphony" refers to the complex and conflicting emotions that one experiences in their journey through life. The song captures the relentless pursuit of financial success and the resulting loss of freedom and individuality. It recognizes the pressure to conform to societal expectations and the difficulty in breaking free from this cycle.
The lyrics suggest that the main character is caught in a never-ending loop, enslaved by the pursuit of money until death. These lines express a sense of resignation and a recognition that the path they have been on is the only one they have ever known. The repetition of "I can change" reflects a desire for transformation and to escape the confines of their current existence. They acknowledge that they have the potential to become different versions of themselves, but it is unclear whether they are able to fully break free from their circumstances.
The second part of the song explores a yearning for catharsis and relief from pain. The character expresses a need for something that recognizes and understands their suffering. The melody serves as a source of solace that allows them to momentarily cleanse their mind and feel a sense of freedom. However, there is also a sense of isolation and emptiness as they realize that there is no one else singing along with them.
Overall, "Bittersweet Symphony" captures the struggle to find balance and meaning in life, the conflict between societal expectations and individuality, and the longing for release from pain and hardship.
Line by Line Meaning
'Cause it's a bitter sweet symphony, this life
This life is like a symphony, filled with both bitterness and sweetness.
Tryna make ends meet
Struggling to meet financial obligations.
You're a slave to the money then you die
Being controlled by the pursuit of money, ultimately leading to death.
I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down
I will guide you down the path I'm familiar with.
You know the one that takes you to the places where all the things meet, yeah
It leads to the intersection of different elements and experiences.
And I'll change, I can change, I can change, I can change
I have the capability to adapt and transform.
I am here in my mode, here in my mode
I am present and in control of my state of mind.
I am a million different people from one day to the next
I have the capacity to change and evolve constantly.
I can change my mode, no, no, no, no, no
I have the power to switch my mindset and perspective.
Well I never prayed but tonight I'm on my knees, yeah
Although I usually don't pray, tonight I'm desperate and seeking help.
I need to hear some sounds that recognizes pain in me, yeah
I crave music or any form of expression that understands my pain.
I let the melody shine, let it cleanse my mind, I feel free now
Allowing the melody to take over, bringing clarity and a sense of freedom.
But the airway's clean and there's nobody's singing to me now
The environment is quiet, and no one is providing comfort or solace.
Have you ever been down?
Have you ever experienced hardship or despair?
'Cause it's a bitter sweet symphony, this life
This life is filled with both pain and joy, like a symphony.
I know I cannot change, I can change and I'm here in my
I acknowledge that there are limitations to change, yet I still possess the ability to adapt.
I'll take you down the only road I have ever been down
I will guide you down the path I've always known.
And I'll change, I can change, I can change, I can change
I have the capacity to transform and evolve.
I am here in my mode, here in my mode
I am present and in control of my state of mind.
I am a million different people from one day to the next
I constantly change and grow into different versions of myself.
I can change my mode, no, no, no, no, no
I can alter my mindset and perspective.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, Richard Ashcroft
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Leonardo DiCaprio
Happy Birthday, Hannah Reid!!! 🙂❤️👍
You're the best!!!
You're so amazing, talented and beautiful!!!
Your voice is so incredible!!!
You're a great singer and songwriter!!!
You're a genius!!!
I admire you so much!!!
Keep up the great work!!!
Best wishes to you!!!
Love you so much!!! 🙂❤️👍
tala
Cause it's a bitter sweet symphony, this life
Tryna make ends meet
You're a slave to the money then you die
I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down
You know the one that takes you to the places where all the things meet, yeah
And I'll change, I can change, I can change, I can change
I am here in my mode, here in my mode
I am a million different people from one day to the next
I can change my mode, no, no, no, no, no
Well I never prayed but tonight I'm on my knees, yeah
I need to hear some sounds that recognizes pain in me, yeah
I let the melody shine, let it cleanse my mind, I feel free now
But the airway's clean and there's nobody's singing to me now
And I'll change, I can change, I can change, I can change
I am here in my mode, here in my mode
I am a million different people from one day to the next
I can change my mode, no, no, no, no, no
Have you ever been down?
Have you ever been down?
'Cause it's a bitter sweet symphony, this life
Tryna make ends meet
You're a slave to the money then you die
I know I cannot change, I can change and I'm here in my
I'll take you down the only road I have ever been down
And I'll change, I can change, I can change, I can change
I am here in my mode, here in my mode
I am a million different people from one day to the next
I can change my mode, no, no, no, no, no
okay...
Cause it's a bittersweet symphony this life
Trying to make ends meet, you're a slave to the money then you die.
I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down
You know the one that takes you to the places where all the veins meet, yeah.
No change, I can't change, I can't change, I can't change,
but I'm here in my mold, I am here in my mold.
But I'm a million different people from one day to the next
I can't change my mold, no, no, no, no, no, no, no
Well I never pray,
But tonight I'm on my knees, yeah.
I need to hear some sounds that recognize the pain in me, yeah.
I let the melody shine, let it cleanse my mind, I feel free now.
But the airwaves are clean and there's nobody singing to me now.
No change, I can't change, I can't change, I can't change,
But I'm here in my mold, I am here in my mold.
And I'm a million different people from one day to the next
I can't change my mold, no, no, no, no, no, no, no
Cause it's a bittersweet symphony this life.
Trying to make ends meet, trying to find some money then you die.
I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down
You know the one that takes you to the places where all the veins meet, yeah.
No change, I can't change, I can't change, I can't change,
but I'm here in my mold, I am here in my mold.
But I'm a million different people from one day to the next
I can't change my mold, no, no, no, no, no, no, no
I can't change my mold, no, no, no, no, no, no, no
I can't change my mold, no, no, no, no, no, no, no
It justs sex and violence melody and silence
It justs sex and violence melody and silence (I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down)
It's just sex and violence melody and silence
It's just sex and violence melody and silence
It's just sex and violence melody and silence (I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down)
(It's just sex and violence melody and silence)Been down
(Ever been down)
(Ever been down)
(Ever been down)
(Ever been down)
(Ever been down)
Jessie Graham
Such a beautiful cover. Her voice gives me goosebumps. What an incredible gift ✨💙
pihen Max
this woman could sing the dictionary and it would become poetry
silverbull AG47
I like that
InSaNePePsI12
Dont get her started on a thesaurus
Francisco Ángel Poyatos Domínguez
Well, that’s why it’s called London Grammar
SinJon
Yikes really?
איתמר נגב
Agreed, She’s absolutely amazing
Chris Oliver
this was my best friends favourite song. We lost him to suicide 5 months ago, played this at his funeral and just cant stop listening to it. ,miss ya soo much bro
Steve Norrie eaglecrow888
Hang in there Brother. I've lost so many mates and acquaintances this way, it's real hard man. Much Love! 🙏🔮🙏
Juju Rellama
So sad 😢