Coldplay – Fix You (Lyrics Review and Song Meaning)

Coldplay’s “Fix You” comes from their third studio album ‘X&Y’ released way back in 2005. After a decade this song can still mesmerize you and take you through a journey of nostalgia through your most sensitive memories. That’s what happens when a song is fueled by an artist’s inner-most feelings-it touches us all. Hence, the song receives the same heartfelt welcome by the fans after 11 years.

Despite being a fan-favorite, the song only reached #58 on Billboard Hot 100 chart in the USA. However, the song did peak at #4 in the UK Singles Chart.

“Fix You” has also been honored at the #2 spot on Q magazine’s “100 Greatest Tracks of the Year”, and was listed as one of the “Tracks of the Year” by NME in 2005.

Watch Coldplay Perform “Fix You” at Sao Paulo in 2018

That crowd-singing part at the end gives me goosebumps!

The magic of “Fix You” is that it can be played in an energetic upbeat tune as shown in the video below, and also it can be tuned down to a haunting acoustic music piece as well. The variants of covers of the song can be found at the end of the article.

“Fix You” Song Review, Lyrics Analysis, and Song Meaning 

Nobody really knows the true meaning of this track as Chris Martin of Coldplay hasn’t really spoken out about the song. However, the popular belief is that the song surrounds the tragic passing of the father of Gwyneth Paltrow-Chris Martin’s then-wife. When Chris Martin was composing this song, he used a big keyboard gifted by his father-in-law, Bruce Paltrow, to Gwyneth.

Also, the debut of “Fix You” is through an episode (“The O Sea”) of The O.C. TV program

“Fix You” speaks about consoling someone you love. The reason for consoling is unclear in the song and it has let the fans relate the song to their own personal struggles. The song clearly speaks about a loss or letting go, which we can relate to at some point of our lives.

The first verse goes as;

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 lines set the mood, pace and context to the song. It describes a situation where you are pretty much lost-not being able to move forward or back. Even your best is not good/strong enough to get you through this mess. That is when you need the aid of someone else. You feel as if your whole life has taken a turn for the worse and you constantly withdraw yourself from everything…

The second verse sets some context to the track…

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

Everything around you has an expiration date! Even the ones that you hold closest and dearest to you. You just have to live with the understanding that someday it all comes to an end and you are going to feel as if a big part of your has also gone away with them. That is when you need fixing.

The second verse of “Fix You” clearly speaks about a loss-the passing away of a person. It looks as if your love has gone to waste and you contemplate if anything could get any worse!

Now the chorus that has moved a world…

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

When you are down and lost, Chris Martin explains that ‘lights’ will take you home which is a metaphor for good souls healing you back to health. They will ‘fix you’ back to your safe zones. So in the chorus, Chris Martin says that he will be her ‘light’ that fixes her back to health.

“Ignite your bones” is a line that has controversy. But it’s as harmless as the rest of the song. This line means that the support you receive from those people around you will restore your energy and give some life to your fading soul. It simply means they are able to re-ignite themselves to former glory. It is also quite easy to associate this with drug use as the song is about being down and low and drugs can be seen as a temporary solution.

Verse 3 comes into play…

High up above or down below
When you’re too in love to let it go
But if you never try you’ll never know
Just what you’re worth

In a relationship, you can be on the seventh heaven or down in hell, but the departure is always painful. Nobody remembers the bad times after some time. Only the good memories flush in. And only in this departure, do we realize the real value of the other person. No matter how estranged you two have become over the years, their passing away will bring back some good memories and a small part in your heart will ache.

The last verse of the song takes a different tune…

Tears stream down your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down your face
And I…
Tears stream down your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down your face
And I…

The bridge can be played hauntingly beautifully on an acoustic platform and speaks about the true pain behind losing someone you love. You may be extremely emotionally strong, but you will still have tears running down your face-it’s involuntary and it comes from the depths of our hearts. Chris Martin also promises to learn from the mistakes he has done in the past.

So we conclude our lyrics review of “Fix You” by Coldplay and we have some amazing covers of the song waiting for you. While listening to these covers, leave your thoughts and ideas about the song, the background of the song, and what you think these lyrics mean.

Covers of “Fix You” by Coldplay

Below are some of the best covers of the song by some recognizable names;

1. Acoustic cover by Tyler Ward and Boyce Avenue

2. Piano cover by Lizzy

3. Instrumental cover

4. Rock cover of “Fix You”

5. Live in Toronto

6. Cover by KPOP sensation BTS

Drop a comment below of your thoughts on this amazing song and what makes this song special for you.

Watch Coldplay Perform “Fix You” Live with Billie Eilish in New York (2021)

Watch Coldplay Perform “Fix You” Live with Ed Sheeran