Up&Up

"Up&Up" is an anthem of profound optimism, resilience, and the power of perspective. Its core message is a resounding call to “never give up,” no matter how dire the circumstances may seem. The song explores the idea that even from the lowest points—"lying in the gutter, aiming for the moon"—it is possible to rise and achieve greatness. It champions the human spirit's capacity to overcome adversity, suggesting that this strength is an innate part of us, something “in your blood.” The lyrics encourage a shift in perspective, to see the world not as broken but as full of potential and beauty waiting to be unlocked, like “angels in the marble waiting to be freed.” Chris Martin has stated that the song is a message to himself and others not to get despondent about the state of the world but to take ownership and believe in the power of love and collective action. It's a rejection of despair in favor of a unified effort to improve things, encapsulated in the recurring line, “We're gonna get it, get it together.”

The song begins with a quiet determination, painting a picture of someone starting from a place of struggle and actively working towards a better future. It’s about the fundamental, often difficult, first steps of recovery and rebuilding—like “fixing up a car to drive in it again” or “searching for the water, hoping for the rain.” These initial verses establish a theme of proactive hope, the idea that one must put in the effort even when the outcome is uncertain. The simple, repetitive chorus of “Up and up” serves as a personal mantra, a self-encouragement to keep moving forward and upward, despite the humble beginnings of being “down upon the canvas, working meal to meal.”

As the song progresses, this personal struggle expands into a broader, more universal perspective on potential and resilience. It introduces the powerful imagery of seeing immense possibility in the smallest things: “a pearl form, a diamond in the rough” and a bird soaring high above a flood. This isn't just about overcoming personal hardship anymore; it's about recognizing the inherent strength and beauty that exists in the world and within oneself, a strength that is described as being “in your blood.” The lyrics then confront pain directly with the metaphor of an umbrella in a storm, suggesting that sometimes enduring hardship, “sitting with the poison,” is what ultimately “takes away the pain.” This acknowledges that the path upwards is not devoid of suffering, but that perseverance through that suffering is key.

The central message of the song crystallizes into a powerful call for collective action and unwavering belief. Phrases like “We're gonna get it, get it together” transform the song from a personal reflection into a communal anthem. The lyrics pose profound, almost childlike questions about the nature of suffering—"How come people suffer? How come people part?"—but instead of dwelling on the despair, they pivot to a solution rooted in love and unity. The imagery becomes grander and more metaphorical, speaking of “angels in the marble waiting to be freed” and the seemingly impossible task of “trying to empty out the ocean with a spoon.” These lines suggest that incredible potential is locked away within the seemingly ordinary and that even monumental challenges can be faced with persistent effort. The song culminates in a powerful, direct address to the listener: “when you're in pain, when you think you've had enough, don't ever give up.” It’s a final, resounding declaration of hope, a plea and a promise that resilience, unity, and love are the forces that will carry us, together, up and up.

"Up&Up" is the final track on Coldplay's seventh studio album, A Head Full of Dreams, released in 2015. The song was recorded between 2014 and 2015 and was a piece the band felt they had been waiting to write for 15 years. It was produced by the Norwegian duo Stargate and longtime collaborator Rik Simpson. A significant aspect of its creation is the extensive list of collaborators. The powerful chorus features a choir that includes Beyoncé, Brian Eno, singer Merry Clayton, actress Annabelle Wallis, and even the band members' children and guests, including Blue Ivy Carter. The song is also notable for featuring a distinctive guitar solo from Noel Gallagher of Oasis. Chris Martin explained that he asked Gallagher to play a solo like Coldplay's guitarist Jonny Buckland, while asking Buckland to perform a solo in the style of Gallagher. The initial rhythmic idea for the song was reportedly inspired by Chris Martin attempting to play Lil Wayne's "How to Love" on the piano. The contribution of gospel singer Merry Clayton was particularly poignant; she recorded her powerful vocals from a wheelchair, having recently come out of the hospital after a serious car accident. This backstory adds a layer of authentic resilience to the song's hopeful message.

"Up&Up" follows a relatively straightforward structure with a consistent, uplifting rhythm that gradually builds in intensity. The song is set in a 4/4 time signature, common for pop and rock anthems, which provides a steady and accessible pulse. The tempo is moderate, allowing the lyrics and melody to unfold with clarity and emotional weight. The lyrical rhyme scheme is generally simple, often following an AABB or ABCB pattern in the verses (e.g., "again"/"rain", "meal"/"field"), which makes the lyrics memorable and easy to follow. The chorus and bridge sections rely more on repetition and direct, unrhymed statements like "Don't ever give up" for their impact. The rhythmic interplay between Martin's lead vocal and the powerful gospel choir in the latter half of the song is a key feature. The call-and-response dynamic creates a sense of community and shared purpose, elevating the track from a personal reflection to a collective anthem. The rhythm of the instrumentation, particularly the driving beat of the drums and the steady bassline, provides a solid foundation for the soaring vocals and orchestral elements, contributing to the song's overall feeling of triumphant ascent.

Musically, "Up&Up" employs a slow-burn structure that builds from a gentle piano and vocal introduction into a grand, anthemic crescendo. The arrangement incorporates elements of pop rock and alternative rock, with a significant influence from gospel music, most evident in the powerful choral backing vocals that dominate the song's latter half. The track features two distinct guitar solos, one by Jonny Buckland and a notable guest solo by Noel Gallagher, adding a classic rock feel. The vocal delivery by Chris Martin is emotive and earnest, shifting from a soft, contemplative tone to a passionate, soaring lead that rides above the choir. Repetition is used effectively in the chorus with the simple phrase “Up and up” acting as a mantra, while the collective chant of “We're gonna get it, get it together” creates a sense of communal purpose and unity. The rhythm is steady and uplifting, driving the song forward and enhancing its inspirational feel. Lyrically, the song uses vivid imagery (“pearl form, a diamond in the rough”) and powerful metaphors (“empty out the ocean with a spoon”) to convey its themes of hope and perseverance.

"Up&Up" served as the third single from the commercially successful album A Head Full of Dreams. The song gained significant cultural visibility when Coldplay performed it during the Super Bowl 50 halftime show in 2016, where they were joined by Beyoncé and Bruno Mars, cementing its status as a global anthem. The track was also used as the closing song for the entirety of their A Head Full of Dreams Tour. However, its most significant cultural impact came from its universally acclaimed music video. Directed by Vania Heymann and Gal Muggia, the surreal and visually stunning video won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Visual Effects and was nominated for a Grammy. Chris Martin himself called it "one of the best videos people have made." The video went viral, praised for its creativity and poignant commentary on social and environmental issues through its dreamlike imagery. While the single had moderate chart success globally, its enduring legacy is tied to its powerful message of hope, its role in major live performances, and its iconic, award-winning video.

The lyrics of "Up&Up" are rich with metaphors for struggle and hope. Phrases like “Fixing up a car to drive in it again” and “searching for the water, hoping for the rain” symbolize the act of starting over and working towards renewal even when the odds are stacked against you. The line “Lying in the gutter, aiming for the moon” is a powerful metaphor for maintaining lofty ambitions despite being in the lowest possible state. Similarly, “trying to empty out the ocean with a spoon” represents tackling a seemingly impossible task with persistent, small efforts. The imagery of seeing “a pearl form, a diamond in the rough” and a “bird soaring high above the flood” serves as a reminder that beauty and strength can emerge from hardship. The idea of “angels in the marble waiting to be freed” is a metaphor inspired by a Michelangelo quote, suggesting that potential and beauty exist within everything, waiting to be revealed through effort and vision.

The song's celebrated music video, directed by Vania Heymann and Gal Muggia, is a masterclass in surrealist visual symbolism. It juxtaposes objects of different scales to create impossible, dreamlike scenes—a volcano erupting popcorn, turtles swimming in a subway station, and Chris Martin lying on a giant-sized Earth. These images are not random; they often allude to contemporary issues like environmental problems (a plastic cup blocking a river), refugee crises (a ferry in a bathtub), and social conflicts (a wall separating a beach from the sea). By blending the mundane with the cosmic, the video visually represents the song's core theme: changing one's perspective can reveal a world of wonder and interconnectedness, and highlights the need to address global challenges.

The most prominent recurring motif in "Up&Up" is the titular phrase itself, "Up and up." This simple, two-word phrase acts as a powerful mantra of perseverance and optimism, repeated throughout the song to reinforce its central message of continuous striving and ascent. Another key recurring lyrical phrase is, “We're gonna get it, get it together.” This line transforms the song from an individual's struggle into a collective mission, emphasizing unity and shared responsibility. Its repetition builds a sense of communal energy and determination. The command, “Don't ever give up,” serves as the song's ultimate, direct thesis statement, appearing near the conclusion to leave the listener with a clear and powerful message of resilience. Musically, the song features a recurring piano melody that provides a gentle but persistent foundation, which is later joined by the swelling, powerful motif of the gospel choir, creating a feeling of growing strength and hope that mirrors the lyrical themes.