When you try your best and you don’t succeed - analysis of “Fix You” by Coldplay
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
And 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?
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
And 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
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
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
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
Coldplay's "Fix You" offers a rich tapestry of such intersections, cloaked in lyrics that wield symbolism in ways that speak to universal human experiences.
The opening lines of the song—"When you try your best, but you don't succeed / When you get what you want, but not what you need"—carry an inherent conflict that resonates across various cultural tropes. This juxtaposition of desire versus necessity is reminiscent of classic Greek tragedies, wherein characters often find themselves achieving their aims, but at the cost of what they genuinely require. It also relates to existentialist themes where the protagonist's perceived sense of success doesn't correspond with their inner needs or reality, invoking echoes of Camus' "The Myth of Sisyphus" or Sartre's "No Exit".
Moreover, the motif of trying but not succeeding is a human universal, seen in literature, films, and everyday experiences. It channels the pain of unfulfilled dreams and ambitions that can resonate across social classes and experiences. Its presence in the song places "Fix You" in a long line of narratives about personal struggle, perseverance, and the often painful gap between aspiration and reality.
The line "Stuck in reverse" uses an automotive metaphor to encapsulate a sensation of stagnation or regression, a theme that echoes in various facets of our culture. Consider Franz Kafka's "The Metamorphosis," where the protagonist finds himself suddenly trapped in a state from which he cannot advance—a potent symbol of feeling stuck, just in a drastically literal sense.
When it comes to the chorus, "Lights will guide you home / And ignite your bones / And I will try to fix you," the song shifts into a healing, nurturing mode that stands in stark contrast to the struggle depicted earlier. The symbolism here brings to mind elements of salvation and redemption, themes prevalent across many religions and philosophical traditions. The concept of "light" has long been used symbolically to represent knowledge, hope, and guidance, as in Plato's allegory of the cave. It has also been employed extensively in various works of literature and philosophy to illustrate the journey from ignorance or despair towards enlightenment or hope.
The idea of "igniting your bones" introduces an interesting dichotomy of destruction and creation. While "ignite" often conveys a sense of burning and destruction, in this context, it carries a sense of rekindling, rejuvenation, or perhaps even resurrection. This symbolism resonates with the myth of the phoenix, which was said to rise anew from the ashes of its predecessor, symbolizing rebirth and renewal.
The repetition of the line "And I will try to fix you" imbues the song with a sense of persistent, unwavering commitment. It takes on the theme of rescue, which is prevalent in countless stories and narratives from folklore to modern pop culture— from the fairy tale prince rescuing the damsel in distress to superheroes saving the world. Yet, the word "try" brings an element of uncertainty to this trope. It doesn't guarantee success, but pledges effort—a beautiful, vulnerable admission of the potential for failure even in the act of salvation.
Finally, the line "Tears stream down your face / I promise you I will learn from my mistakes" acknowledges the role of pain and regret in the human experience, another universal theme. This has parallels in the literary world in the form of characters experiencing regret and redemption, such as Dostoevsky's Raskolnikov in "Crime and Punishment".
In sum, "Fix You" by Coldplay is a mosaic of symbols and tropes, deeply rooted in our shared cultural consciousness. It draws upon age-old themes of struggle, pain, redemption, and the human yearning for light amidst darkness. Its emotional resonance across cultures and times could be attributed to the universal nature of these themes and the artful way in which they are interwoven in the song, proving once again the power of art to mirror, express, and sometimes even heal, our human condition.
