Speed Of Sound
From WikiColdplay
"Speed of Sound" is the lead single from Coldplay's 2005 album, X&Y.
It made its radio premiere on BBC Radio 1 with Steve Lamacq on the evening of Monday, 18 April 2005. Beginning with a piano riff reminiscent of Coldplay's "Clocks", the song builds into a huge, synth-heavy chorus: "Birds go flying at the speed of sound, to show you how it all began / Birds came flying from the underground, if you could see it then you'd understand."
The song was created as the band attempted to work through a cover version of Kate Bush's song, "Running Up That Hill" ; the main riff of Speed of Sound resembles that of Bush's song.
"Speed of Sound" was infamously beaten to the number one spot on the UK Singles Chart by the novelty song "Axel F" by the Crazy Frog. However, it became Coldplay's first UK Download #1. It also became Coldplay's first and biggest single to chart in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #8, making it arguably Coldplay's most successful single.
Contents |
Track listings
Japan
- CD TOCP-40179 released 11 May 2005 by Toshiba-EMI
- "Speed of Sound" - 4:49
- "Things I Don't Understand" - 4:55
- "Proof" - 4:10
UK
- CD CDR6664, 7" R6664, 12" 12R6664, 10" 10R6664
- "Speed of Sound" - 4:49
- "Things I Don't Understand" - 4:55
- "Proof" - 4:10 (CD and 10" only)
Australia
- CD 872 9862 released 23 May 2005 by Capitol Records
- "Speed of Sound" - 4:49
- "Things I Don't Understand" - 4:55
- "Proof" - 4:10
Cover images
 Speed of Sound Cover |
Music video
The video promo for "Speed of Sound" was shot on a Los Angeles sound stage over 22–23 April 2005. Shooting took place on large sets backed by large LED displays. The performance based video was helmed by Mark Romanek, who was responsible for Johnny Cash's "Hurt" and Jay-Z's "99 Problems". The video earned 4 nominations at the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards.
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Awards and nominations
Awards
| Year | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | MTV Europe Music Awards | Best Song |
| 2006 | Brit Awards | Best British Single |
| 2006 | ASCAP Awards | Song of the Year |
Nominations
| Year | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | MTV Video Music Awards | Video of the Year |
| 2005 | MTV Video Music Awards | Best Special Effects |
| 2005 | MTV Video Music Awards | Best Editing |
| 2005 | MTV Video Music Awards | Best Cinematography |
| 2006 | Grammy Awards | Best Rock Song |
| 2006 | Grammy Awards | Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals |
Lyrics
How long before I get in? Before it starts, before I begin? How long before you decide? Before I know what it feels like? Where to, where do I go? If you never try, then you'll never know. How long do I have to climb, Up on the side of this mountain of mine? Look up, I look up at night, Planets are moving at the speed of light. Climb up, up in the trees, every chance that you get, is a chance you seize. How long am I gonna stand, with my head stuck under the sand? I'll start before I can stop, before I see things the right way up. All that noise, and all that sound, All those places I got found. And birds go flying at the speed of sound, to show you how it all began. Birds came flying from the underground, if you could see it then you'd understand? Ideas that you'll never find, All the inventors could never design. The buildings that you put up, in Japan and China all lit up. The sign that I couldn't read, or a light that I couldn't see, some things you have to believe, but others are puzzles, puzzling me. All that noise, and all that sound, All those places I got found. And birds go flying at the speed of sound, to show you how it all began. Birds came flying from the underground, if you could see it then you'd understand, oh when you see it then you'll understand? All those signs, I knew what they meant. Some things you can invent. Some get made, and some get sent, Ooh Birds go flying at the speed of sound, to show you how it all began. Birds came flying from the underground, if you could see it then you'd understand, oh, when you see it then you'll understand.
Trivia
- Coldplay were the first British band to enter directly in the top ten of Billboards Hot 100 chart since "Hey Jude" by The Beatles.
- Coldplay premiered "Speed of Sound" at a small warm-up gig in London in March 2005.
- During their performance of "Speed of Sound" at the 2005 Glastonbury Festival, Chris asked "Crazy Frog, where are you now?". This was a reference to the fact "Speed of Sound" was beaten to the UK number 1 spot by "Crazy Frog".
- There is another song by this title, written by Chris Bell.
- "Speed of Sound" appears on the videogame Singstar rocks.
- The song is a part of the comedian "Weird Al" Yankovic's polka medley Polkarama in his October 2006 hit album, Straight Outta Lynwood.
- "Speed of Sound" was the billionth download from iTunes.
