Speed of Sound
Ofln - Coldplay 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 got 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 got 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

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

"Speed of Sound" by Coldplay delves into themes of self-discovery, determination, and the pursuit of understanding one's place in the world. The opening verse highlights the uncertainty and anticipation that often precede embarking on a new journey or challenge. The questioning of timing and decisions contributes to a sense of introspection, hinting at the need to understand one's own motivations and desires before taking action.


The following verses introduce the metaphor of climbing a mountain and seizing opportunities as they come. This imagery underscores the idea of perseverance and proactive engagement with life's challenges. The mention of looking up at the night sky and observing the movement of planets at the speed of light suggests a fascination with the vastness of the universe and the potential for personal growth and exploration.


As the lyrics progress, the song shifts towards a reflection on the complexities of human achievement and the blend of the tangible and the intangible in the world. References to inventions, architecture, and cultural landmarks like Japan and China allude to the diversity and innovation present in society. The juxtaposition of beliefs and puzzles further emphasizes the fluid nature of knowledge and understanding, pointing to the endless quest for meaning.


The repeated motif of birds flying at the speed of sound serves as a metaphor for the relentless passage of time and the interconnectedness of past, present, and future. The lyrics suggest that a deeper appreciation of history and interconnectedness can lead to a greater understanding of one's own experiences and choices. Ultimately, the song conveys a message of enlightenment through observation and contemplation, encouraging listeners to seek meaning and connection in the world around them.


Line by Line Meaning

How long before I get in?
How much time will it take for me to get involved or included?


Before it starts, before I begin?
How much time will pass before the action commences, before I start?


How long before you decide?
How much time will elapse before you make a decision?


Before I know what it feels like?
Before I fully understand or experience the sensation?


Where to, where do I go?
In which direction should I head, where should I go?


If you never try, then you'll never know
If you never make an attempt, you will never gain understanding or insight


How long do I have to climb
How much time do I need to ascend or progress


Up on the side of this mountain of mine?
Up on the slope or face of this personal challenge of mine?


Look up, I look up at night
I gaze upward, observing the night sky


Planets are moving at the speed of light
Celestial bodies are in motion at incredible speeds


Climb up, up in the trees
Ascend, escalating within the trees


Every chance that you get
Every opportunity presented to you


Is a chance you seize
Is an opportunity you grab hold of or take advantage of


How long am I gonna stand
How much time will I remain stationary


With my head stuck under the sand?
With my mind oblivious or unexposed to reality


I'll start before I can stop
I will commence before I bring myself to a halt


Before I see things the right way up
Prior to my perception aligning correctly


All that noise, and all that sound
The cacophony and auditory disturbances


All those places I got found
All the locations where I was discovered or revealed


And birds go flying at the speed of sound
Birds soar swiftly, matching the pace of sound waves


To show you how it all began
Demonstrating the origins or beginning


Birds came flying from the underground
Birds emerged flying from beneath the surface


If you could see it then you'd understand
If you were able to witness it, you would comprehend


Ideas that you'll never find
Concepts that you will never come across


All the inventors could never design
Even the most innovative minds could not create


The buildings that you put up
The structures that you have constructed


Japan and China all lit up
Japan and China illuminated with light


The sign that I couldn't read
The symbol or indicator that I could not decipher


Or a light that I couldn't see
Or an illumination that I failed to perceive


Some things you have to believe
Certain matters require faith or belief


But others are puzzles, puzzling me
Yet others are enigmas, perplexing my understanding


All those signs, I knew what they meant
All those signals, I comprehended their significance


Some things you can invent
Certain concepts can be created or fabricated


And some get made, and some get sent
While some are produced, others are dispatched or distributed


Birds go flying at the speed of sound
Birds soar at the rapid rate of soundwaves


To show you how it all began
In order to illustrate the starting point


Birds came flying from the underground
Birds emerged flying from beneath the surface


If you could see it then you'd understand
If you were capable of witnessing it, you would comprehend


Ah, when you see it then you'll understand
Ah, when you perceive it, then you will gain insight




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Anthem Entertainment, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Guy Rupert Berryman, William Champion, Christopher Anthony John Martin, Jonathan Mark Buckland

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Clauder.

A música "Speed of Sound" é uma reflexão sobre a busca por entendimento e a coragem de enfrentar o desconhecido. A letra, repleta de questionamentos e metáforas, convida o ouvinte a uma jornada introspectiva sobre a vida e as decisões que tomamos.

"Speed of Sound" é uma canção cheia de camadas e metáforas, aberta a múltiplas interpretações.

A canção pode representar a ânsia por uma conexão verdadeira e profunda em um mundo barulhento e alienante.

Frases como "Eu só quero uma resposta/ Do outro lado da linha" e "Será que alguém está me ouvindo?" expressam o desejo de ser compreendido e não se sentir sozinho.

O "som da velocidade" pode simbolizar a rapidez da vida moderna, da qual o protagonista deseja escapar para encontrar a verdadeira intimidade.

A letra também sugere a sensação de perda e luto.

A imagem do "céu se despedaçando" e a repetição de "Eu não entendo" indicam uma incompreensão e tristeza diante de um evento crucial.

A busca por uma resposta na "velocidade do som" pode refletir a tentativa desesperada de entender o porquê de algo ter acontecido.

Apesar da tristeza, a canção também carrega uma mensagem de esperança e perseverança.

A metáfora da corrida ("Pés não falhem agora/ Me leve até a linha de chegada") sugere a luta contínua por um objetivo, mesmo diante dos obstáculos.

A imagem da porta se abrindo no final pode simbolizar a possibilidade de uma nova chance, um recomeço após a dor.

Alguns interpretam a canção como uma crítica à superficialidade e futilidade da cultura moderna.

A "cena da cidade" barulhenta e sem sentido pode simbolizar a falta de substância e conexão humana na sociedade de hoje.

A busca por algo verdadeiro e "feito para durar" contrapõe-se ao ritmo veloz e passageiro do mundo contemporâneo.

A verdadeira beleza da arte reside na interpretação individual.

Os elementos metafóricos da canção abrem espaço para que cada ouvinte encontre seu próprio significado pessoal baseado em suas vivências e perspectivas.

Essas são apenas algumas possíveis interpretações de "Speed of Sound." Não existe uma resposta definitiva, e a beleza da música está em sua capacidade de despertar diferentes emoções e pensamentos em cada um.

Espero que aprecie esta interpretação, que tem como objetivo o processo de desvendar o significado da música, levando a você uma compreensão mais profunda da obra.



All comments from YouTube:

@MotivationMadness

Anyone else doing their weekly/monthly coldplay marathon? :D

@mrfantastic407

You know it.

@tamarlovebunny

daily...

@icani6846

+Tamar Puttman i was about to say the same and then I saw your comment ahah i feel you

@kirjkenmanaos3370

The annual Coldplay marathon

@charamiranda9947

Motivation Madness it's my daily

372 More Replies...

@nelsonsilveira4183

Música pra vida! Umas das melhores músicas deles ever!!!

@huntresskrystle

Beautiful song. Never gets old. 👌🏻 X&Y is also Coldplay’s best album, in my opinion.

@karamp242

Yes!!! During indie/alt rock period 👌

@gavinhalm3016

Not too many bands can blur sonic melancholia and the uplifting all into one song…First time I heard it when it was released in mid-2005, over the cable radio station (remember those?) at our advertising agency in the studio bullpen, I knew it was an instant classic. Perfectly matched my mood at the time, for a whole host of reasons, and has stuck with me ever since. ❤

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