Chris Martin :
This is probably the best song ever written And he's the best singer in the world, Mr. Richard Ashcroft. Ok, here we go:

'Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, this life
Tryin' to make ends meet
You're a slave to 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

You know I can't change, I can change
I can change, I can 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
Have you ever been down?, have you ever been down?

Well I never pray
But tonight I'm on my knees, yeah
I need to hear some sounds
that recognize the pain in me, now
I let the melody shine,
let it cleanse my mind, I feel free now
But the airways are clean and there's nobody singing to me now

You know i can't change, I can change
I can change, I can 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
Have you ever been down?, have you ever been down?

'Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, this life
Tryin' to make ends meet
You're a slave to 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

You know i can't change, I can change
I can change, I can 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
Have you ever been down?, have you ever been down?

I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down
I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down
Ever been down
Have you ever been down?, Ooh

'Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, yeah
'Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, yeah
My life
Your life
Their lives

Come take it down the only road I've ever been down
'Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, yeah
This life, this life, this life...

Thank you . . .



Lyrics submitted by ColdenScence, edited by Mellow_Harsher


Bitter Sweet Symphony (feat. Richard Ashcroft) (Verve cover) song meanings
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17 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:has anyone mentioned the double entendre of the veins line? that all veins l lead to the heart has been mentioned; however, they also lead to heroin and overdose. that is also the meaning of the line which goes "the airway is clean and there's nobody singing to me now" -- i've taken a lot of CPR classes, and that is the exact phrase "clean airway" that you check for before performing rescusitation. so i'm pretty sure he phrased it that way on purpose. he's talking about not hearing any beautiful sounds any longer because the heroin has overwhelmed the beauty in the world, a world that is ending by overdose
    Flag hoodoomeatbucketon September 15, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:To me all of the above have a round of 'truth.' I do however strongly resonate with the user -the day the music died...

    This tips the scale towards the 'breakthrough.' It is a song about a 'voice' who is an 'individual' struggling with the 'pain' of main-stream society...

    "I'll take you down that road where all the viens meet." Yes this is the place for those that want to be "Free!" but its hard to travel that path alone, to shed your skin your mould. ...but I feel so free!!!

    ...Its a bitter sweet symohony - "thats called Life." Have you been down? Though I can't change my mould. No ones listening to the same tune of 'freedom.' So I guess I will continue...
    Flag marieanneleclercon April 30, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:To me, the lyrics say this:
    We all have our 'mold' that we exist in, as far as how our upbringing was, our parents etc.
    The lines "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" points to the place of personal pain...where some people have had a lot of hurt...the stuff that cuts to the core, abuse abandonments etc. that gets carried on to all relationships as a adult.
    It's basically saying to me that there's the conflict of being able to change yourself vs not...changing the 'mold' of your life experiences that shaped you.
    Flag nerk72on November 14, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:youtube.com/…
    Flag dancinbearon June 10, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:youtube.com/v/…&">
    Flag dancinbearon June 10, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:To me, this song has always leaned toward suicide, and has a darker feel to it. I am in certain in no way does it lean toward a person who is being asked to change.

    First off, he talks about how this life is a "rat race". You work you a$$ off because you have no choice, and only to die later. It's the story of everyone's life, well the lay public anyway.

    "Bittersweet" is just that. We are all alive and living this so called "life" with some so-called happy moments, but it is bitter-sweet, meaning not 100% perfect and it is somewhat a tainted and jaded world.

    "I need to hear some sounds, that recognize the pain in me, now. I let the melody shine, let it cleanse my mind, I feel free now. But the airways are clean and there's nobody singing to me now" That section right there means he envisions escaping this world, this reality.

    When he talks about how he "can" change and then "can't" change, that is simply a battle inside his mind. He knows he should conform to the proverbial society and just "be", but he is resistant to do so.

    Well, that's my take on it, and NO I am not depressed or suicidal!
    Flag LexiJeton May 27, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Dude,
    Coldplay doesn't even sing this song.
    It's by The Verve.
    Flag FAGGOTxon May 07, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Lol @ Muslim.

    It's a pretty obvious metaphor... But here's a cookie for you anyways.
    Flag Justin Obsurveron July 07, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:read the above i think it is a revolutionary breakthrough in understanding the song. Granted I am talking about my own analysis! but come on, i've spotted something no one else has! I think i have just cause to brag a little!
    Flag MuslimPhilosopheron January 08, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I'd just like to add to what "the day the music died" has stated. I am actually critical of a comment he has made about the following segment:

    "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"

    His interpretation is rather lacking in any perspicuity and credibility, although his overall interpretation is quite refreshing and admittedly eye-opening.

    However, i'm pretty sure i have the correct interpretation of that passage, well at least i know what he's talking of when he says "the places where all the VEINS meet." It is an anatomical reference! HE'S REFERRING TO THE HEART! THE HEART IS THE PLACE WHERE ALL THE VEINS MEET IN THE BODY. This should lead one to countless rather deep interpretations. This particular passage, which i personally think is the most profound piece of the song, is genius.
    Flag MuslimPhilosopheron January 05, 2007   Link
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