Released: 2002
Let’s break down Coldplay’s hit, “Clocks”. This song is a journey through a man’s inner thoughts and struggle, expressing feelings of being lost, confused, and the longing for a place of comfort or “home”.
“The lights go out, and I can’t be saved”, this line suggests a sense of despair and hopelessness, like when lights go out, we’re left unsure where to go or what to do. When he says, “Tides that I tried to swim against,” Coldplay’s lead Singer Chris Martin could be referring to the problems and difficulties in life that are hard to overcome, just like swimming against strong tides in the ocean.
“Come out of things unsaid, shoot an apple off my head,” this line might be referencing a desire for honest communication, and the “apple off my head” could be a nod to the story of William Tell, who had to shoot an apple off his son’s head. It conveys a sense of taking risks or taking a daunting challenge head on.
“A trouble that can’t be named, a tiger’s waiting to be tamed,” suggests there’s a looming problem or issue, represented as the “tiger,” that he can’t quite put into words or doesn’t know how to confront yet.
“Confusion never stops, closing walls and ticking clocks,” this line deepens the feeling of being stuck or trapped, with time running out, typical of a stressful situation. When he says, “come back and take you home,” it could be a plea to a loved one, or to himself, to return to a place or state of mind where everything felt safe and right.
The repetitive “You are” phrase suggests a search for identity or an understanding of something fundamental, while “Am I a part of the cure? Or am I part of the disease?” reflects doubt and uncertainty about his role in the problems he’s facing.
Finally, the recurring ending lyrics, “Home, home, where I wanted to go,” are a clear declaration of his longing to return to a familiar, comforting place. The sense of longing for home could symbolize a desire for peace, warmth, and a sense of belonging.
In conclusion, “Clocks” by Coldplay dives deep into the human struggle with problems and the yearning for relief, expressed with the metaphor of yearning for ‘Home’.
