Princess Of China
From WikiColdplay
Princess of China is a track included on the fifth album Mylo Xyloto, released on 24th October, 2011.
Contents |
First introduction
On 12th January 2010 Coldplay's Chris Martin told NME [1] that the band are striving to write their "masterpiece", with the follow-up to 2008's 'Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends'.
Chris, speaking in the new issue of NME, on UK newsstands (January 12), spoke about new songs including Princess Of China and Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall, before admitting that he thinks the band can better their previous albums with the new effort. "We still don't think we've delivered our masterpiece, so we're still trying to do it," Martin said. "As long as we feel like that and we're hungry… that's all that matters."
The band have again been working with Brian Eno and Marcus Dravs on the album. "We were with Brian Eno for a long period just messing around," the singer said. "Now we're with Marcus, trying to turn that into something cohesive and under seven hours long. The worst mistake we could make, when we're the most Marmite-y of bands, would be to make a super-long thing".
Rihanna vocals featured on Princess Of China
Coldplay revealed on 12th September 2011 that singer Rihanna's vocals features on the track Princess Of China. The song features the singer's vocals, and Chris Martin revealed it took him some time before he could pluck up the courage to ask her to appear on the track - all this came from an article via The Sun in the early hours of 12th September 2011 and then was confirmed via the official site just hours later. [2]
"She has such an amazing voice and it's so different to mine," Chris Martin told The Sun. [3] "When the vocal happened I thought 'Wow, you sound different' but I think that's also because she was singing a different song to what we are used to hearing from her and it is written by a bloke from Devon."
Chris Martin also recalled the moment when he asked the Bajan singer whether she would be up for the collaboration, admitting that he was initially nervous about approaching the star. "The album is designed as a whole piece. It has boy and girl lead characters and top of our list for the girl part was Rihanna... but it took a while to pluck up the courage to ask her," he said. "We did a show in Las Vegas and I met her and said, 'Do you think there's any chance?' I was very Hugh Grant-like and spluttering about it."
Reviews
In the article by Q Magazine published on 10th October 2011 entitled "First Impressions of... Coldplay's Mylo Xyloto"[4] they wrote: "It would've been ridiculous to suggest in the giddy two-hour heyday of stool-rock that its latest pretenders would belining up the biggest r'n'b star on the planet for a duet on their record - but Coldplay are a long way from 2001, accordingly, Rihanna's appearance on Princess Of China doesn't jar like it would if she popped up on the chorus of Don't Panic. They make her feel at home; Princess Of China is decorated with r'n'b flourishes from the syncopated march of the drums to the bulldozing synths. Jonny Buckland's guitar takes a backseat - well, it's Rihanna, you would wouldn't you? - but this offers a tantalizing glimpse of where Coldplay could go next."
First performance
Coldplay first performed Princess Of China at a friends and family gig at The Forum in Kentish Town, London on 31st May 2011. They then played it at the first summer festival date of 2011, at Rock im Park Festival, Nürnberg, Germany (3rd June 2011). It was then dropped from the setlist because, according to the Oracle: "It simply didn't sound the same without Rihanna. It was written with her in mind." [5]
To date, it has not been played since.
Coldplay's Oracle on Princess Of China
October 6, 2011 - submitted by Kawrem, Australia
Q. What is Coldplay deciding to do in regards to a live setting for their duet songs (Lhuna and Princess Of China)? I understand that they are waiting to play Princess of China until Rhianna's voice can be heard on it, but does this mean that they'll only ever play it if Rhianna is on the stage with them? These are two of my favorite Coldplay songs ever, so I am wondering if we (the fans) are going to get to hear either of these songs played live regularly, if at all? Cheers from Australia!
The Oracle replies:
Lhuna is not likely to be played live now. It wasn't actually on a Coldplay release and don't think it ever has been performed live. PoC may get an airing again once the album is out. Chris has shown he can tackle both vocal parts live so there's no reason not to. I'm hoping it makes an appearance again after 24th October as I personally loved listening to that played live at the start of the festival dates.
October 4, 2011 - submitted by Logan, United States of America
Q. I'm really pumped for the new album and I was wondering why the band hasn't played Princess of China in concert since Rock im Park?
The Oracle replies:
There wasn't really much point people hearing it all summer not knowing that it is actually a duet. After trying it out live twice it felt right to leave it out of the set.
September 16, 2011 - submitted by Dave, United States of America
Q. Are Rihanna's vocals a duet, a solo, or a part similar to Emily Bart-Smith on Rainy Day?
The Oracle replies:
It's not at all like the EBS backing vocals that are a subtle part of Rainy Day. This is a proper duet and honestly guys, it's incredible.
September 12, 2011 - submitted by Kelly, United Kingdom
Q. Hey Oracle! Just heard Paradise. ITS AMAZING!! Love it! But after, I saw news that Rihanna was going to be featured in Princess of China?? I heard the original via YouTube, and I LOVE IT AS IS. Is Rihanna going to be featured? Thanks! Lots of fangirl love!
Kelly
The Oracle replies:
I've had a lot of mail about this since the news broke. The first time I heard POC it was just an instrumental. The second time I heard it Chris & Rihanna's vocals had been added. I have to say it sounds amazing.
I then heard the band perform it live. I liked it a lot, but not quite as much. For me it was wise to drop it from the set because it simply didn't sound the same without Rihanna. It was written with her in mind so it makes perfect sense. When you hear it, you will see and hopefully agree.
August 30, 2011 - submitted by Christina, Cyprus
Q. Dear Oracle, Was the Rock am Ring performance the only one that include Princess of China?
The Oracle replies:
Coldplay actually performed Princess of China live at Rock im Park, not Rock am Ring. Its live debut was at the family & friends show back in May at London's Forum so it's only had two outings.
Lyrics
Once upon a time somebody ran Somebody ran away saying ‘fast as I can I got to go, I got to go’ Once upon a time we fell apart You’re holding in your hands the two halves of my heart Oh oh oh, ohohohoh Oh ohohohoh, ohohohohoh, ohohohoh, oh Once upon a time we were burning bright Now all we ever seem to do is fight On and on, and on and on and on Once upon a time on the same side Once upon a time on the same side in the same game And why'd you have to go Had to go and throw water on my flame? I could have been a princess, you’d be a king Could have had a castle and worn a ring But no o o o oh you let me go o o o oh I could have been a princess, you’d be a king Could have had a castle and worn a ring But no o o o oh you let me go o o o oh You stole my star La, lalala lalalala, lalalalalalala, lalalalalalala, You stole my star La, lalala lalalala, lalalalalalala 'Cos you really hurt me, no you really hurt me 'Cos you really hurt me, no you really hurt me 'Cos you really hurt me, no you really hurt me 'Cos you really hurt me, no you really hurt me
