Coming up for Air
Philip Selway Lyrics


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It started out today
I feel alive and the air has changed
I'm not alone, I'm not alone
It's taken an age just to
Find a way but I made it through
I'm not alone, I'm not alone, I'm not alone

These are the days, this is the place where I belong
Lost in another world, I believe our time will come
We shift and we change, I took a long time coming round
But I'm standing here, still standing here
I await for a breath, I'm coming up for air

One look away
The lost chance and the plans I've made
They come and go, they come and go
Took off on the silver years
The fault lines and the cracks appear
They come and go, they come and go

These are the days, this is the place where I belong
Lost in another world, I believe our time will come
We shift and we change, I took a long time coming round




But I'm standing here, still standing here
I await for a breath, I'm coming up for air

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Philip Selway’s “Coming Up For Air” express feelings of hope and renewal. The song begins with the singer feeling alive and sensing a change in the air. After a long journey, he has finally found his way and is grateful for the company of others. The chorus emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment and believing that our time will come, even if it takes time to get there. The second verse reflects on missed opportunities and changes that can fracture one’s life. But even in those moments of uncertainty, the singer knows that he will keep moving forward.


Overall, the song is an anthem of resilience, encouraging the listener to stay resilient through difficult times and to appreciate the moments when things fall into place. The chorus in particular is a powerful reminder to stay present and focused on the present moment instead of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.


Line by Line Meaning

It started out today
I am beginning a new day with a fresh outlook.


I feel alive and the air has changed
I have a renewed sense of energy and the environment around me feels different.


I'm not alone, I'm not alone
I have people around me who support me.


It's taken an age just to
It has taken a long time to


Find a way but I made it through
But I have finally found my way and persevered.


These are the days, this is the place where I belong
I am happy with the current state of my life.


Lost in another world, I believe our time will come
I feel hopeful and believe that things will work out eventually.


We shift and we change, I took a long time coming round
It has taken me a long time to accept change.


But I'm standing here, still standing here
Despite the challenges, I have not given up and am still pushing forward.


I await for a breath, I'm coming up for air
I am looking for a moment of rest and relief in the midst of everything.


One look away
It only takes one moment to miss an opportunity.


The lost chance and the plans I've made
I have missed opportunities and plans have fallen through.


They come and go, they come and go
Opportunities and plans come and go.


Took off on the silver years
I have experienced the passage of time and have grown older.


The fault lines and the cracks appear
The signs of aging are starting to show.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Philip James Selway

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

Ritesh Mayekar

It started out today
I feel alive and the air has changed
I'm not alone, I'm not alone
It's taken an age just to
Find a way but I made it through
I'm not alone, I'm not alone, I'm not alone
These are the days, this is the place where I belong
Lost in another world, I believe our time will come
We shift and we change, I took a long time coming round
But I'm standing here, still standing here
I await for a breath, I'm coming up for air
One look away
The lost chance and the plans I've made
They come and go, they come and go
Took off on the silver years
The fault lines and the cracks appear
They come and go, they come and go
These are the days, this is the place where I belong
Lost in another world, I believe our time will come
We shift and we change, I took a long time coming round
But I'm standing here, still standing here
I await for a breath, I'm coming up for air



All comments from YouTube:

Bobo

You know your in a good band when your drummer can go solo and write this

Endors Toi

+Ell Guy *you're

georgios pahatouridis

read it again

erichllenz

When "you are" drummer...?

Mason Rowell

Two uses guys, one right, one wrong.

meowmyr

You’re. The correct usage of this variant of your would be “You know your band is good”.

3 More Replies...

OtaconNachos

Bit nostalgic seeing this now, can't believe it's almost been 10 years. Wonder what Phil is up to these days with his songwriting.

Michael Staples

Great news. I ended up here & saw your comment after reading an article about his up-and-coming new album. Sometime in February. I've followed Radiohead since the beginning, and Phil is one of my biggest drumming influences, but I had no idea his solo work was so good. Down the rabbit hole I go.

Vivek Mathur

Great work, Philip. It never seems to amaze me how brilliant each and every piece of your and Radiohead's work is. On a side note, the world really needs more humble and down-to-earth artists like you.

Von Sevich

Such a beautiful song, I could write a eulogy to it- the haunting, forlorn ambience, the feeling of emerging from a lost, dark place. It moves me like few other pieces of music can.

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