[Verse 1]
Written in graffiti on a bridge in a park
"Do you ever get the feeling that you're missing the mark?"
It's so cold, it's so cold
It's so cold, it's so cold
Written up in marker on a factory sign
"I struggle with the feeling that my life isn't mine"
It's so cold, it's so cold
It's so cold, it's so cold
See the arrow they shot trying to tear us apart
Took the fire from my belly and the beat from my heart
Still, I won't let go
Still, I won't let go
[Pre-Chorus]
Of you
'Cause you do
[Chorus]
Oh, you use your heart as a weapon
And it hurts like heaven
[Verse 2]
On every street, every car, every surface, a name
Tonight, the streets are ours and we're writing and saying
"Don't let 'em take control"
No, we won't let 'em take control
Yes, I feel a little bit nervous
Yes, I feel nervous and I cannot relax
How come they're out to get us?
How come they're out when they don't know the facts?
So on a concrete canvas under cover of dark
On a concrete canvas, I'll go making my mark
Armed with a spray can soul
I'll be armed with a spray can soul
And you
Oh, you
[Chorus]
'Cause you use your heart as a weapon
And it hurts like heaven
[Guitar Solo]
[Bridge]
Oh, oh
Yeah, it's true
When you use your heart as a weapon
Then it hurts like heaven
[Outro]
Oh, it hurts like heaven
About
Continuing from Mylo Xyloto, Hurts Like Heaven continues the story of Mylo and Xyloto, and opens up the world to the listener, as well as early life. With 1984 8-bit synths, amazing drumming, refrained bass hooks, distorted and high-hitting guitars, and the best vocals from Chris Martin, the song will rivet you through damnation and back, as it talks about the oppression of government, rebellion, and love, with Silencia turning into a living hell.
Talking through the early points of Mylo’s life, his parents were affiliated with a sparker gang known as the “Car Kids”. Through the course of the song, it talks about their struggles, and their eventual capturing, leaving Mylo emotionally unstable since the witnessing, and his parents to rot in jail.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
According to Songfacts, singer Chris Martin explained to Music Week :
That’s the opening track, really. That’s kind of our call to arms to each other. I think it’s callisthenics musically for us. It warms you up."
He also praised the song for being “all Jonny. It only has two chords” to Q magazine.
He developed that point in an interview for Billboard magazine :
When we finished the last record Viva La Vida, we were all feeling pretty pleased with ourselves when it was like #1 or whatever. Then… (producer) Brian Eno wrote to us and said, ‘Dear Coldplay. I really think we’ve made a good record here. But I do think we can do a lot better, and I feel we all need to get back to work as soon as possible because I feel like Jonny especially is on the route to something, and he hasn’t got there yet.
- 1.Mylo Xyloto
- 2.Hurts Like Heaven
- 4.Viva La Vida
- 5.Clocks
- 6.Fix You
