Clocks

by

Coldplay

Album: A Rush Of Blood To The Head     Released: 2002

US Chart: 29      UK Chart: 9

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Like many Coldplay songs, this is about love. The lyrics are about being in a conflicted, but very intense relationship as precious time slips away.

Lead singer Chris Martin came up with the lyrics and the piano riff shortly before Coldplay released the album. Since they didn't have much time, they put it aside and planned to work on it for their next album. When Martin's friend heard the demo, he convinced them to do whatever was necessary to record it for A Rush Of Blood To The Head, especially since the song deals with the importance of time.

This won the Grammy for 2003 Record Of The Year, beating out "Hey Ya" by Outkast and "Crazy In Love" by Beyoncé. In accepting the award, lead singer Chris Martin dedicated it to the late Johnny Cash and to US presidential candidate John Kerry, "Who hopefully will be your president someday."

Despite the modest chart position in the US, this song was very popular there, as it appeared in television themes, movies, promotional films, and other commercial outlets. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France)

This plays over the ending credits of the 2003 movie Confidence. (thanks, Nayef - Golden, CO)

The song's pulsing, cyclical riff was inspired, according to Martin, by the band Muse.

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Comments:

This song is so very pretty.It's nice listening to it backwards also.Listening to Clocks backwards sounds really awesome!
- Jema , South Portland, ME

omg!!!!!! omg!! this is driving me crazee. what movie trailer has this song in it?? plz tell me!!
- Ivy , Springfield, NE

This song is about death;life will end....it will happen.....and then, "I AM " is the "HOME"- Heaven.....and nothing else compares, going home....
- bebe , la, CA

first colplay song i learned on the piano... great song it really is.
- Aaron , detroit, MI

This somg saved my life, and other people probably feel the same way!!!1
- Jeff , Flint, MI

The fact that people thought "Hey Ya" is a better song makes me wonder what's wrong with them. "Clocks" is an amazing song that I could never get tired of. "Hey Ya" is probably the MOST ANNOYING SONG every created.
- WESG , Philly, PA

"I dont know why you guys are comparing this to Hey Ya...it was obviously better because it won...Thats a no-brainer!" By your logic Dortez, that IS a no-brainer. "Clocks" may have won the Grammy, but "Hey Ya" is easily the more successful of the two songs. "Clocks reached #29 in the US and #9 in the UK. "Hey Ya" fared better by reaching #1 for nine weeks in the US and #3 in the UK, spending 12 weeks in the UK Top 10 and over six months in the UK Top 75. "Hey Ya" went five times platinum, "Clocks" only just went gold. One award does not make a song "better" than another
- Dave , Cardiff, Wales

As someone else mentioned, this song was used in previews of the movie, Peter Pan, and it also seems to be the tune that Peter is playing on the pan pipes in the movie.
- Ruth , Indianapolis, IN

Like the song but hate how Liberal Coldplay is.
- Seamus , Sligo, Ireland

Hahahahaha This is to John from Pheonix YES you should've listened to brits (especially Coldplay) about who you should've voted for in the 2004 election because you got BUSH and look where that got you. And to others- Pink Floyd are not better than Coldplay. You just prefer them cos they're more your time...
- Joe , Manchester, United Kingdom

Amazing Song. And how's this for depth: "he song's lyrical themes include contrast, contradictions and urgency.[3] Chris Martin sings of being in the state of "helplessness ... in a dysfunctional relationship he doesn't necessarily want to escape".[2] The lyrics are cryptic; the ending lines of the second verse emphasize contradicting emotion: "Come out upon my seas/Cursed missed opportunities/Am I a part of the cure/Or am I part of the disease?".[2] The song's title also "metaphorically alludes" to its lyrics, "pushing one to wonder about the world’s obsession with time while connecting it to the theory: make the best of it when we’re here, present and alive"
- Elliot , West Vancouver , BC

Coldplay's "clocks" makes me cry everytime I hear it. " Home is where I wanted to go." is just so sad. Graduating High School in '05 I considered it my graduation song, but now that im a mother I can sign it to her. This song talks about how precious time is and the melody is amazing!
- Ashley , Cape May , NJ

So many interesting comments on the meaning behind the lyrics. My 'take' runs close to the guy, Rick in Dayton,OH. I get an immediate spiritual impression, more so on a metaphysics level of ascending and descending and getting trapped by our own vices, for whatever they may be. The line ...closing walls and ticking clocks has a personal deeper meaning to me. Anyway, just one one opinion here. Terrific song, at any rate!
- Dee , LA, CA

I can play this on my guitar i thought it meant something deeper by the words *tigers waiting to be tame* but i dont know...
- Janatha , Houston, TX

I love this song but i must agree with Alex, these songs don't go very deep. Listen to some Pink Floyd, its awesome music and it gets ya thinking
- Allie , Pine Knob, MI

this song is the best in the whole world... my friend can play this on this
- Andrew , lafayette, IN

Hey ya and many other songs are great. However clocks is a classic, and a song that you can never get bored of. Coldplay created this whole new type of song that's simply outstanding. I loved this song so much I posted different versions of it on a myspace page. Visit it here: www.myspace.com/clocksland
- nate , tiverton, RI

I dont know why you guys are comparing this to Hey Ya...it was obviously better because it won...Thats a no-brainer! Any how this is a pretty rad song, and has really sweet vocals...About the You are being about god...i doubt it. I Believe they are about the girl he misses that happens to be back home...but things in his life seem to be pressing him and coming down on him. Home is his shelter and thats where he want to be. Just my opinion though...
- Dortez , Mesa, AZ

the people who think this is such an amazing piano riff should listen to more piano music. try ray charles
- joe , dublin

This song is easy to understand the many conflicts of life and looking for the meaning of life. The more complex and ingenious meaning is found in the numerous beautiful and harmonic repititions of the chorus "You Are" I truly believe the singer is saying GOD EXISTS / YOU ARE.... God said I AM and the singer is saying YOU ARE. It is stated this song is about love and of course Gods Greatist gift is his love for us. I love the midi I found for this song. I transposed it to a key in my range and a harmonizer for an truly heavenly chorus.. After singing it a few times the "TRUE" meaning is obvious. I can't believe no one else understands this?
- Rick , Dayton, OH

My wife introduced me to Coldplay when I was stationed in Japan. Less than 2 years after our wedding I found myself deployed to Iraq for a year. I'd become addicted to karaoke and so I practiced singing this song in my room alone while thinking of my wife and newborn son I hadn't met yet. Once I get my R&R I took them to a Karaoke booth in Ebina, Japan and sang it to her. Now it's a regular for us and still brings a tear to my eyes. Of course I changed final words to Home Home, where I want to go!!!!
- James , Atlanta, GA

I agree with Tom - I think Hey Ya is way better than Clocks - on the surface it is simplistically upbeat and energetic, but very dark lyrics and an underlying theme of longing for someone. Clocks is a good song, but has very little depth - also Outkast totally trump Coldplay in the originality stakes. Hey Ya is is a much better song in my view and deserved to win, but this is still a decent song. While appreciating that they are totally different genres, and as someone who would normally choose rock over rap/hip-hop/R&B everytime, I think that Coldplay are exceptionally overrated, and that Outkast are criminally underrated
- Dave , Cardiff, Wales

Europe was/ maybe still is undergoing a renissance of sorts with the re-telling and re-enactment of the story of William Tell. And a tiger's waiting to be tamed as the calliope plays on at the circus. You are?? You are?? He can't guess who's playing this tune! Later: Confusion that never stops; the closing walls and ticking clocks - Pressures mount to meet a deadline. Gonna come back and take you home - I could not stop that you now know - and so, now I know! And beaconing the music player to 'come out upon my seas'. Am I part of the cure, or the disease? =Have I chosen a wise path; or perhaps should I obsess about this? Still, not knowing who the mystery person is (You are, you are), and then hitting wrong notes (skunk keys); improved by rewriting this as "and nothing else compares" - still curious about the mystery person's home, or longing for home in England?? Not sure there! The rest might come out in time..
- Chuck , Crivitz, WI

All I know is that one minute I'm goofing around on a keyboard in the Mall of America (ca.Dec.2000), and the next a fellow is singing along to the tune, making up lyrics as I played! It could just be a collection of thoughts he had at the moment - Shoot an apple off my head - William Tell of Swiss legend; A tiger's waiting to be tamed? Perhaps a Circus reference to this Calliope-like music? And later, all the pressures he was under - 'the closing walls and ticking clocks?' Deadlines and commitments?
- Chuck , Crivitz, WI

Hello everyone, Try and listen to the great cover/colaboration by Cuban mythical artists Buena Vista Social Club (Rhythms del mundo, 2006). The acoustic semi-impromptu version's quite good too.
- JL , Bretagne, France

Im not sure how to interpret the words but all I know is the music has such a haunting melody. It is sad and exhilarating at the same time. At times I imagine it as someone struggling and defeating a inner personal dilemma.
- Anthony , Farmingville, NY

I heard this song had something to do with clocks being turned back or forward during WW2, or something like that. Rick in Humboldt speaks the truth rock is the best form of music
- Ty , kitchener, Canada

Coldplay is an awesome band, but it gets kinda annoying when they sing too high.
- Sapphire , Denver, CO

I tip my hat to anyone who can defensibly derive some meaning from these lyrics.
- James , Westchester, England

I think its kind of stupid to say that this song is about love: nearly all music made today and prior to is about love. Thats whats really cool about prog rock bands like Floyd and Yes; their lyrics are way more meaningful than any other bands lyrics.
- Alex , Fort Mill, SC

Good band, great song. If only they could have kept their personal opionions out of the 2004 election, seriously, do we need brits explaining to us who we should vote for?
- John , Phoenix, AZ

This song has one of the greatest panio riffs i have ever heard or played, and the lyrics to this song are great
- Nathaniel , pittsburgh, PA

this song is usually the end song for the radio show love line with dr. drew
- Christina , Richmond, VA

the begining of this song is the main song in petter pan.very cool
- aria , Brisbane, Australia

I have the video for this song as well 'in my place'. I really enjoy watching both the songs. I feel this song is all aboutr time.
- Burhab , pune, ME

thank goodness that it beat out hey yah and crazy in love because rock is the true form of music, not rap and whatever it is that beyonce does
- Rick , humboldt, IA

I love this song. And I do think its about love
- Amelia , south portland, ME

It seems as though whenever Coldplay begins a song with a piano riff, it will be an awesome song.
- Andy , Windom, MN

I think this song is about the mental turmoil associated with trying to figure out life's meaning while at the same time realizing one's own frailties. Pressured by the fact we only have a limited amount of time on earth to find these answers, the story speaks directly to the overwhelming maddness that accompany obsessivly trying to obtain all the answers to life's questions.
- Kevin , New York, NY

I saw them in concert 2 days ago on Sept 7 in Madison Square Garden! It was astonishing, amazing, awesome; Coldplay know how to put on a show. "Clocks" & "In My Place" and the finale "Fix You" were my favorite performances. I particularly enjoyed how they reworked "Clocks." The tempo got faster midway through the song and a rush of raw energy filled the Garden as it went past the 8 minute mark. Wonderful concert. Wonderful band.
- Sammy , New York, NY

clocks is better than hey ya and its not right that a song should win just because of popularity.
- Patrick , Humboldt, IA

I guess I get your point To, but songs shouldn't when Grammys just because of how popular they are. Both songs are pretty good though. By that, I'm refering to this one, and the one by Outcast.
- Stefanie magura , Rock Hill, SC

Coldplay has great melodies, but comes off sounding like a lot of other soft 00's artists.
- Nathan , Defiance, OH

Personally, I think Gwywneth Paltrow is too hot for Chris Martin. Actually, she isn't that hot, but defenitally too hot for him. He has big lips lol. Nonetheless, I love Coldplay.
- Elliot , St. Louis, MO

Their kid's name is Apple. (hee hee)
- rebecca , cityofbrotherlylove, SC

The song is about Chris Martin when he was away at school, wanted to go home. Was confused with love etc. Fact-en-fact, he told me.
- Michael , London, England

Brilliant Song. I'm quite sure it's about death though. I seem to remember Chris Martin saying that it was initially put aside for the third (main) album due to its rather sad theme but then due to other songs being removed from the final cut (Animal etc?) it was placed in instead. I think this song will probably mirror the third album's progression. Martin uses the chorus "You are" for the sound of the words rather than meaning which is pretty new for them!
- Matt , London, England

Way to go, Chris Martin, for dedicating it to John Kerry. And to Tom in England, sorry but I don't think that popularity should dictate how Grammys are given. Clocks is better in many other ways than popularity (don't get me wrong, Hey Ya is a good song though!).
- Jen , Boulder, CO

My opinion of this song is that for a long time he has been struggling to get to a certain place in life and there have been all these things stopping him or preventing him from getting to this place....home is the place he wants and this person to him is home.
- Megan , Wodonga, Australia

I can play this song on the piano as well. Coldplay is my #1 band! This is by far the best song on their second album. Coldplay just rocks!!
- Gabe , Utica, NY

Please... more well known and more popular? It's less serious and more shallow, besides it's just a mock to old rock bands, I DO like Hey Ya, but I definitely believe Clocks deserved the Grammy. It is one of these songs that turn themselves into instant classics.
- Esteban , Panama, Other

I like Coldplay and this song but I think Outkast deserved to win the Grammy cos their song is more well known and more popular.
- Tom , Trowbridge, England

This is about someone who is trying to save a lost relationship but meanwhile time is running out. Thats just my take...cool song!
- Dusan , Berkely, IA

i think that "a rush of blood to the head" refers to the feeling one gets when they act with no convictions, no rational thought, and totally will never regret it because it is usually worth it!
- SUSAN , TAMPA, FL

Chris Maertin is married to Gywneth Paltrow
- George , Florham Park, NJ

I LOVE this song. This is my favorite.
- Britney , Calabasas, CA

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