☝️ Key Points
- The song lyrics are a metaphorical expression of despair, problems, and the struggle with inner demons
- The verses show the desire for liberation and the risks associated with it
- The feeling of being trapped and the pressure of time passing is represented by 'Confusion never stops / Closing walls and tickin' clocks'
- The line 'Am I a part of the cure? / Or am I part of the disease?' shows self-reflection and uncertainty about one's own position in life
- The repetition of 'Home, home / Where I wanted to go' symbolizes the desire for belonging and security
Interpretation
The lyrics of "Clocks" by
Coldplay are metaphorical and highly symbolic. They deal with the singer's struggle with his inner demons, his life, and the decisions he must make.
The opening lines "The lights go out, and I can't be saved / Tides that I tried to swim against / Have brought me down upon my knees" portray a state of despair and hopelessness. The singer feels overwhelmed by the problems, like being swept away by a tidal wave he cannot fight against.
With "Come out of things unsaid / Shoot an apple off my head," there is a sense of liberation from unresolved matters and conflicts, with the image of shooting an apple off one's head recalling the risk and danger associated with it.
"Confusion never stops / Closing walls and tickin' clocks" depicts the constant confusion and feelings of being trapped and time slipping away.
The lines "Am I a part of the cure? / Or am I part of the disease?" show self-reflection and the question of whether the singer is part of the problem or the solution in his life.
The repeated "You are" refers to an unnamed person or thing that plays an important role in the singer's life.
The repetition of "Home, home / Where I wanted to go" conveys the need for belonging and security, symbolized by home.
Overall, the lyrics of the song are an expression of self-awareness, self-reflection, and the desire for change and improvement.