while composing the song's lyrics, however, martin could not find the right words. he was thinking of a specific word to fit the song's main idea and theme. he thought that this missing word was a key word in the lyrics. he looked around the studio and found the telephone directory "yellow pages". martin later titled the song "yellow" as a reference to the directory. but according to him, "in an alternate universe, this song could be called 'playboy.'" the lyrics progressed from there with the band collaborating. the band's bassist guy berryman came up with the opening line "look at the stars". that night, having quickly composed the song, the band recorded it.