Is It Any Wonder?

To me the most obvious interpretation, given the imagery used in the lyrics, is not political but religious. The mention of the "kingdom" and the empty cathedral setting, suggest the words are directed at God. It's like he's lost his faith, gone into a church and launched into a diatribe against God, accusing him of betraying his trust, and asking Him if he could have expected any different given all that's fucked up in the world. Religious overtones would fit perfectly with the U2 style as well. But whereas U2's view of religion tends to be positive, here Keane have twisted it around to a negative take, but whilst retaining the same sound. Quite clever really.

actually, its political. heres a quote from rolling stone:

While their debut featured the soaring, piano-driven ballad "Somewhere Only We Know," the new effort's "Strokes-y" first single, "Is It Any Wonder," deals with weightier stuff, inspired in part by England's involvement in the war in Iraq.

"It's probably the one song on the record that most expresses our dismay and confusion about what it means to be a British citizen, in terms of what our society's contributing to the world at large," Rice-Oxley explains. "It's very hard to make sense of why Britain feels it needs to sign up with George Bush's attacks on Iraq and the whole Afghanistan thing. It feels like there's a whole lot of trouble brewing up over Iran, and you just don't know where it's going to end. On a personal level, for people of our age, it's really unsettling."

Here's my thoughts:

1st verse: He's saying how he thought he had the right to be with a good, true person. Apparently this person was NOT good and true as he first thought, and now he feels like an idiot.

I'm also assuming the girl is NOW trying to fix things.

Chorus: He's asking if she's really surprised about how he feels. That he really doesn't know what to do. That he's afraid to let her in again because he's been betrayed and afraid of getting hurt.

Verse 2: He really doesn't know how he feels or what's going on with this girl. Maybe this is just a game to her and he doesn't even know. Sometimes he doubts love in general. Like he's stranded in a place where love doesn't actually exist "where love is just a lyric in a children's rhyme"

Bridge: I think the cathedral is like his heart. He's saying there's nothing left inside, just the spirals that hold it up. He doesn't know how to fix it...but she keeps trying. But he still doesn't know what to do.

What???

Is all the debate!

It's purely Toxic Relationship!

I guess, in common with a lot of songwriting, it can be made to fit whatever the listener finds appropriate. That's the baseline skill of any accomplished writing...you catch more that way. However, as anyone who has been through a miserable episode like it will empathise...it is Toxic Relationship, where someone is trying...and someone else is manipulating...and isn't!

Ahem, First entry ^^ !

I interpret this song the way that he's with a girl and he feels bored and doesn't know how to take back animosity in his relation.

Sounds like he's sort of explaining to her that he's like he is because of her - if that makes sense. Like she's been moaning at him for being like he is, when actually its her fault he's like that??? Not reallly sure - but just a guess.

to begin w/.. i like this new up-beat keane!!

lyrical-wise.. i feel like it connects to me. like he knew me nad wrote it 4 me!! (it's weird...) but apart from a relationship, what if he's talking about life?? its twists and turns (see MV) stressing us out (-"is it any wondor i feel tired...uptight...") and confusing us (- "i don't know what's right") and paranoid (-"afraid" "betrayed")??

interesting about the "lonely cathedral". does he find nothing in a church?? (like me?? and death cab 4 cutie's crooked teeth??)

strange ideas, i kno that's what i feel..... :)

o and "love is just a lyric in a children's rhyme" :D

I think this song is amazing. They sound a lot like U2. But that's not a bad thing. Are those... guitars I hear, Keane?

Oh, I also think that maybe the theme of this song was borne out of the conflicts between the band members while making this album. I read that they nearly broke up while making it, and maybe this song reflects the emotions they felt during that time.

i read it as... someone has done something to upset him (and now I look a fool for thinking you were on my side.), and now they seem to be surprised that hes upset/unsure of what to expect from the person/untrustworthy of what they say/they feel betrayed etc... (the "is it any wonder" bits)

Nothing left inside this old cathedral, just the sad lonely spires. How do you make it right?

that bit... im unsure how to read... maybe it the form relationship he had with the person.. but there isnt anything there... and... he doesnt know how to sort that.... maybe.... i am pretty lost on that bit

They DO sound a bit like U2 in this song, particularly the song Zoo Station. Maybe it's just me, but I like Keane with the addition of guitars.