This Mountain of Mine

In keeping with our speed theme this week, I present to you...

My choice for The Song of the Summer, 2005...

Coldplay's ubiquitous and haunting hit single "Speed of Sound," from their new album "X & Y." Those catchy piano chords and birds flying and "signs, I knew what they meant" and "this mountain of mine," yes, "this mountain of mine."




How long before I get in?
Before it starts? Before I begin?
How long before you decide?
Before I know what it feels like?
Where To? Where do I go?
If you never try, then you'll never know.
How long do I have to climb
up on the side of this mountain of mine?

Look up, I look up at night.
Planets are moving at the speed of light.
Climb up, up in the trees...
Every chance that you get
is a chance you seize.
How long am I gonna stand
with my head stuck under the sand?
I'll start before I can stop,
before I see things the right way up.

All that noise, and all that sound,
All those places I got found.
And birds go flying at the speed of sound
to show you how it all began.
Birds came flying from the underground -
If you could see it then you'd understand.

Ideas that you'll never find -
All the inventors could never design.
The buildings that you put up,
Japan and China all lit up.
The sign that I couldn't read,
or a light that I couldn't see...
Some things you have to believe.
But others are puzzles, puzzling me.

All those signs, I knew what they meant.
Some things you can invent.
Some get made, and some get sent....
Birds go flying at the speed of sound
to show you how it all began.
Birds came flying from the underground -
If you could see it then you'd understand.
Ah, when you see it then you'll understand.

...


No matter, up or down, all that sound or silence, I find myself with some blues and joy up on that side of this mountain of mine....


Carpe diem. Crank it up, those piano chords. Don't forget passion. Don't forget poetry. Don't forget obtuse insight and genius, all at the speed of life. Carpe vita!

...........