The Real Meaning Behind ‘A Thousand Years’ by Christina Perri

Journeying Through the Timeless Tapestry of Love and Longing in Perri’s Magnum Opus

Nathan Chen
4 min readAug 15, 2023
Photo by Danny Howe on Unsplash

Hello there, friends. It’s me, your good old neighborhood music enthusiast, here to unravel some of the mysteries hidden within our favorite songs. Today, we’re diving headfirst into a timeless classic, ‘A Thousand Years’ by Christina Perri.

Have you ever been stuck in traffic, zoning out to the tunes on the radio when suddenly, this song comes on, and bam! You’re not just in your car anymore. You’re on a journey through time and space, feeling emotions so profound they seem to transcend reality. Yeah, I’ve been there too.

This song — let’s call it what it is, a masterpiece — is loved by millions worldwide. But have you ever stopped to ponder what ‘A Thousand Years’ actually means? Well, buckle up, folks, because we’re about to take a wild ride down Interpretation Lane.

Let’s hit it!

The Lyrics — A Deep Dive

“Heart beats fast, colors and promises” — right from the first line, Christina sets the stage for a love story that transcends the mundane. The fast heartbeat indicates nervousness, anticipation, a sense of impending change. The colors, the promises — they…

--

--

Nathan Chen

I'm Nathan Chen, a queer Asian writer advocating for LGBTQ+ issues, Asian representation, work life & mental health. Let's explore life's complexities together!