Horrible Lyrics Edition I

So i've been meaning to write about Coldplay's "Fix You" song for a while. Before i go into a diatribe about the song let me admit that i like Coldplay. They are my guilty pleasure. Yes they are predictable and their lyrics are horrible (as Fix You exemplifies) but i still find them soothing at times.

The gist of the song goes something like this, when you're all sad and at the end of your rope i'll be there to help you/comfort you. Basically the power of someone to be able to see you when you can't see yourself.

So here's a sample of the lyrics:

When you try your best but you don't succeed
When you get what you want but not what you need
When you feel so tired but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse

These lyrics might not be so bad a little generic...want and need - that's a good point, lots of people make the wrong choices. Depending on the angle your looking at, on the point of not being able to sleep even when you are very tired, little mundane or deep. Mundane because it happens all the time and deep because it implies being REALLY, REALLY tired and still not being able let your mind rest because you're thinking of deep things even though technically when people are tired they sleep.


And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
And you love someone but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?


Again, the lyrics not too bad. Nothing incredible no imagery that surprises you or inspires. Losing something irreplaceable = big bummer. The tears imagery almost poignant, but in the end quite boring and generic.

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

However this part of the song, the damn chorus, is what made me really cringe and decide to devote a whole frickin post to this damn song. Where to begin? Bones? Ignited? Was Chris Martin watching some creepy sci-fi movie while writing this? Was there no other
word to rhyme with "home?" Does he realize his lyrics are not only lame but make zero sense and not in that "cool" avant-garde makes-no-sense way. More like i-didn't-have-anything-to-rhyme-with so i came up with this totally irrelevant image that make ZERO sense and is kind creepy since it might remind some people of radiation and you know igniting bones while fixing your.... Cancer!? The other thing that annoyed me is the "fix you" refrain, there something grating about someone telling me they are going to fix me, reminds me too much of a dog getting "fixed" and sounds a bit manipulative.

Chris Martin was quoted as saying this was the most important song he has ever written. To which i point to Elliot Smith's "Between the Bars" as the best song (subtle, beautiful, without big gestures or really stupid examples) Martin will never write.

Drink up baby
Stay up all night
With the things you could do
You won't but you might
The potential you'll be
But you'll never see
The promises you'll only make
Drink up with me now
And forget all about
The pressure of days
Do what I say
And I'll make you okay
Drive them away
The images stuck in your head
People you've been before
That you don't want around anymore
That push and shove and won't bend to your will
I'll keep them still
Drink up baby
Look at the stars
I'll kiss you again
Between the bars
Where I'm seeing you there
With your hands in the air
Waiting to finally be caught
Drink up one more time
And I'll make you mine
Keep you apart
Deep in my heart
Separate from the rest
Where I like you the best
And keep the things you forgot
The people you've been before
That you don't want around anymore
That push and shove and won't bend to your will
I'll keep them still