Christina Perri, is an American singer, songwriter, of Italian descent. Her tryst with music started at a young age with singing and acting in the musical theater. A multi-talented artist, she is a self-taught pianist and guitarist.
Her brush with fame and popularity started when her song ‘Jar of Hearts’ featured in the reality dance show, ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ in 2010. This happened serendipitously, with her friend passing on the song to a choreographer. In 2010, she signed her first record deal with Atlantic Records.
Being a huge fan of the Twilight series, the opportunity to write for Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1, came through Atlantic Records. She was asked to write a song for Edward and Bella’s wedding scene. She and co-writer David Hodges, wrote the lyrics capturing the love, poignantly. It was chosen for the movie soundtrack.
A Thousand Years, single released in 2011, catapulting her into the songwriting industry. It won the BMI Pop Awards for Song of the year and Award Winning Song in 2013. It is the single most popular song of hers, certified 5Xplatinum, with record sales of over 5 million copies in the US in 2015.
The meaning of the title—A Thousand Years
A Thousand Years lyrics meaning, starting with the title, refers to forever or eternity. As humans, our longevity is restricted to a hundred years. The vampires as depicted in the movie, live forever.
In the music video, you can see portions of the movie included. The focus is on the wedding of Edward and Bella. The promise is to love each other, for a thousand years or eternity.
This song strikes a responsive note in the hearts of all romantics. The quest to find a soul mate, a lover, who promises to be yours forever is still relevant. The presence of love has endured centuries and will continue even after our time.
Let us look at what A Thousand Years lyrics meaning is all about.
Verse 1—What it means
“Heart beats fast
Colours and promises”
A thousand years lyrics meaning of the first line, refers to the feeling of excitement, anticipation. A rush of adrenaline that charges you, getting you ready to act. The next line ‘Colours and promises’ could refer to the color that suffuses your face when you get excited, feel happy on seeing your soulmate. ‘Colours’ could also mean your thoughts influence or color the way you see the world. ‘Promises’ could mean an expectancy of the heart for something good to happen.
“How to be brave?
How can I love when I’m afraid to fall?”
The next two lines bring in the doubts and the worries. You question yourself and wonder how you can deal with your innate contradictions. Human nature tends to be contradictory. You tend to be self-protective especially with your heart. You do all that you can to guard your hearts against hurt, while still yearning to love.
“But watching you stand alone
All of my doubt
Suddenly goes away somehow”
The next three lines of the verse, dispels all the worries. Being fully present, you see your soul mate standing, alone like you. The certainty of belonging with each other, comes through, calming your fears. The very presence of your loved one makes you feel centered and sure about your decision.
The Pre-chorus—What it means
“One step closer”
In the structure of a song, the pre-chorus is the line that connects the verse to the chorus. It is introduced when you look to build up the tempo for the chorus. Or when the last note of the verse is much lower than the chorus.
In, a thousand years lyrics meaning, of the pre-chorus, the line is short and effective. It builds the anticipation in the story. It tells you that there is movement, a progression towards each other. The dream of being together is ‘one step closer’.
The Chorus—What it means
The Chorus part in a song is the repetitive part of the song. They form the crux of the story, the main message.
“I have died every day waiting for you”
Here, the first line conveys the cycle of birth and death, of a day beginning and ending. The positive expectation here is of finding the love of your life, every day. When this is unfulfilled, you feel the hope die, only to be reborn the next day.
“Darling, don’t be afraid”
The next line conveys the deep attunement felt between lovers. The fear in the other’s heart, brings out the instinct to soothe.
“I have loved you for a thousand years
I’ll love you for a thousand more”
The next two lines reassure the lover that the feelings aren’t ephemeral, but eternal. It also refers to a love felt over several lifetimes, and a bond that will continue for several more.
Verse 2—What it means
“Time stands still
Beauty in all she is”
The second verse pays an ode to the beauty of the soul mate. How mesmerizing she is to even slow down time! Everything seems to come to a standstill, capturing the attention and focus of the lover entirely. The reference to beauty is not restricted to her physical attributes, it alludes to all her qualities.
“I will be brave
I will not let anything take away”
The next few lines show the vulnerability of the man. His fear of anything untoward happening to her, even his own doubts getting the better of him. He chooses to tell himself to be fearless, and to protect her. The line also reiterates the role of a man to protect his mate from any danger.
“What’s standing in front of me
Every breath
Every hour has come to this”
Symbolically ‘what’s standing in front of me’ encapsulates the love of an eternity, embodiment of all things good. The last two lines of the verse justifies his existence. He understands, that every experience in his life has led him to this one moment, a culmination of sorts.
Bridge – What it means
A bridge in a song is meant as a connector, to transport you from one part to another smoothly. The reason for its placement could be due to a feeling of incompleteness after the second chorus. This helps to bring the song to its completion.
“And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me”
The lyrics in the bridge share the faith of the chorus. It connects time and his unwavering belief of finding her, of how his patience has paid off with her arrival. It talks about Time, the great healer-how it gives us the maturity to understand and accept things. He acknowledges how there is a time and a place for everything. A cosmic synchronization that allows for destiny to unfold.
“I have loved you for a thousand years
I’ll love you for a thousand more”
The bridge ends with the promise of undying love for an eternity.
Conclusion
This song, featured in a movie about vampires, is a love ballad at its heart. The timelessness of the lyrics make it popular even today. It continues to feature as one of the top 10 wedding song choices, the soundtrack to tying the eternal knot of love.
I hope a thousand years lyrics meaning intensified the experience of the song for you.
