Wiki Coldplay

Early dates of the Mylo Xylotour featured graffiti-covered walls and staging

The Mylo Xyloto Tour (affectionately named the Mylo Xylotour) is Coldplay’s fifth concert tour to promote the album Mylo Xyloto released in October 2011. The tour began in October 2011 with a series of rehearsal concerts in Europe. A full-production show began in December 2011 in the United Kingdom and continue into 2012 with shows in North America. A set of festival appearances preceded the Mylo Xylotour.

Contents

• 21 The Oracle on the Mylo Xylotour

Background

After devoting the summer of 2011 to a promotional tour in Europe, the Americas and Africa, the band announced the tour via their Twitter account in September 2011. Initial dates revealed shows in the UK, France, Germany and Belgium. A set of rehearsal shows were added for October and November, seeing the band partake in radio festivals and fan-exclusive gigs. Due to the demand, the band added additional shows in the UK. One of those dates is a concert at Dingwalls in London. At the same venue in 1998, the band played several shows to help finance their debut album. Later in November, more dates were added in the UK, this time, playing stadiums in June 2012. The shows in Manchester, Sunderland and London sold out in under two hours. The tour kicked off with a live-streamed concert in Madrid.

Broadcasts and recordings

The premiere concert in Madrid was streamed live on YouTube. Entitled, “Coldplay Live: Unstaged”, the band performed songs from their new album alongside their previous hits. The concert aired on 26 October 2011. The show was not only streamed on YouTube but also in Times Square. Internet users were able to view exclusive content including a pre-show interview and footage from the band’s soundcheck. Viewers were also able to select their camera view, spanning from “front of stage” to “aerial”. The show was directed by Anton Corbijn and presented by American Express.[29] The live webcast is reported to have been viewed by nearly 20 million viewers. Replay of the show on Vevo was viewed by nearly 8 million viewers.

The show at the UEA Large Common Room was broadcasted on BBC Radio 1 on 27 October 2011. The band’s concert at La Cigale was also live-streamed exclusively for views in Eastern Europe and Asia on Orange. The show at Dingwalls is also planned to air live on BBC Radio 2 on 15 December 2011.

Notes from the tour programme

Insert introductory paragraph here…!

XL and MX video production project

XL Video are supplying video production – including a projection system, LED screen, cameras and PPU

XL Video are supplying video production – including a projection system, LED screen, cameras and PPU – to Coldplay’s acclaimed “Mylo Xyloto” (MX) world tour, continuing its long working relationship with the band that started in 2005. Live video director is Andy Bramley and the content / media servers are designed and programmed by Ben Miles. Together they have evolved a unique, almost cinematic video aesthetic for the band’s live performances, working closely with the production and lighting designer Paul Normandale, who designed the screen layout, and Phil Harvey, Coldplay’s creative director. Misty Buckley styled the vibrant graffiti tagged set decoration which adds another layer to the visual tone.

Played to a 360 degree audience where possible, with audience seated behind the stage which is still in the end-on position, video is an intricate blend of raw and soft / colourful and monochrome elements in a lively, edgy interactive environment.
Both Bramley and Miles have worked with XL Video on many previous occasions and describe the service, equipment and attitude as “Excellent”. Over the stage is a single five metre diameter circular Barco O-Lite (10 mm) screen –which is directly backed with a projection screen surface for the 360 degree shows. Out in the auditorium are four circular screens – two at six metres and two at four metres – flown in the roof above the audience.

This ensured that everyone in the arena has a good view of the video. The screens showed a mix of IMAG and playback throughout the performance, and video was again an essential part of the band’s communication with the audience. Bringing the screens out to the audience also helps close the space down and make it intimate and theatrical when needed. Coldplay are one of a handful of bands to master the art of making large venues feel intimate and personal with a combination of performance, presence and production. Each screen is fed by a pair of XL’s Barco FLM 22K projectors with overlaid images, all connected via a fibre network, specified as the best data solution to deal with the long distances which can be up to 200 metres between projector and control. Miles is running two active Catalyst media servers, via a grandMA Lite console, with two hot backups. Each is fitted with a TripleHead2Go giving three outputs per device – one for each of the six screens, so all can receive independent feeds in any configuration.

This gives the full flexibility to send any source to any screen, together with a 16 x 16 Lightware DVI matrix supplied by XL Video, a new product geared to touring and also remotely controllable. XL built a custom rack to house all the Catalysts, the matrix, associated devices and a UPS. Miles does all the screen management and effecting both playback and camera outputs – an organic Bramley / Miles process often with a flourish of improv– in the Catalyst. The playback footage follows a graffiti inspired trajectory, including re-edited video of the bespoke ‘hypnoflow’ laser frame from the summer festival tour – and other funkiness, presented with futuristic twists of psychedelia. Bramley has directed Coldplay’s live video since 2005’s Twisted Logic tour. He and Miles worked in tandem on 2008/09’s Viva La Vida tour, where their particular synergy and style of harmonising IMAG, playback and lighting in colour and movement was initiated.

XL are supplying four main cameras for this leg of the tour, one stationed at front of house with a long lens and three hand-helds in the pit – where they can move freely and follow the band. These and one robot cam onstage are cut by Bramley on his GV Kayak console and then sent into the Catalyst system along with the TX feed, and from there, output to screen. XL is supplying six crew to work with Bramley, including Miles, engineer Ed Jarman, projectionist Kevin Parry, LED tech Pieter Laleman and Rob Wick and Sacha Moore on cameras. James Morden and Tracey Donnelly have been XL’s technical and project co-ordinators, with Phil Mercer from the LA office as the project manager. This tour sees the continuation of a long and successful history between XL Video and Coldplay, and is currently scheduled to continue throughout 2012. [1]

Grafitti on crescent stage as seen during the early Mylo Xylotour in 2011

Set designed and built by ‘Brilliant Stages’

The lead up to Christmas 2011 saw Coldplay undertake a twelve-date European arena tour with their album Mylo Xyloto, taking with them a set designed by Misty Buckley and Paul Normandale which featured specialist pieces by UK-based, Brilliant Stages. Chris Martin’s inspiration was of the tour as a ball of energy with a warm nucleus reaching out into the audience to provide an inclusive, intimate atmosphere despite the size of the arenas toured.

The design incorporated a crescent stage which spanned the main stage, and a cross-shaped B stage both of which were built by Brilliant Stages and delivered to Park Royal’s LH2 studios for rehearsals prior to the tour’s launch. The arc’d stage was low enough for Martin to run across and not obscure the sightlines of audience seated behind it, yet angled enough for those at ground-level to gain clear sight of the stunning artwork on its surface. Buckley also worked closely with the band and with street artist, Paris, to create the striking artwork which covered the stage, set and instruments with graffiti, inspired by the works of Basquiat and Picasso. Intensive workshops involved all parties in the creation of a visual representation of the lyrics, through what Buckley describes as “a process of real and gritty evolution” which continued into the performances themselves with Martin frequently adding to the images on stage. “The completely unpredictable, transient nature of the art was a vital part of the show’s concept which kept every part of tour fresh,” explains Buckley.

Providing the solid basis to this activity was Brilliant Stages engineering. “Brilliant Stages were, as always, just a treat to work with,” says Buckley. “Mel and Tony are so accommodating and, from presenting them with the first visual and design, I know they are on my wavelength. They just get on with it, leaving me to focus on the creative aspect knowing all the technicalities are being taken care of.”

Regular Brilliant sub-contractor, Andy Russell, currently helping Brilliant through its busy period, was able to take the show’s production team through the assembly process. Support was also provided by Brilliant Stages’ Luke Johnson, Ian Blunt and Wayne Croft who visited during the rehearsal period to carry out the fine-tuning necessary when putting a set together for the first time. “The work was done without any fuss, and they enjoyed a good lunch with us!” says Head Carpenter for the tour, Mike Humeniuk. “I had the pleasure of working on this set design with Mel Welch, who heads Brilliant’s CAD department, and whom I have known for quite a few years,” continues Humeniuk. “Between our production manager, Wob Roberts, Mel and myself, we have got ourselves a very nice package of the half donut and the “X” stage.”

The crescent shaped stage, measures 18.2m wide by 8.5m deep and rakes to a height of 1.5m at the upstage edge. Brilliant manufactured it from 39 decks of standard 18mm plywood, with each deck laid inside a special aluminium extrusion that protects the edge of the deck from damage. The decks are fixed together using coffin locks – half turn claw style devices that use an 8mm hexagon socket with a T-handled tool to lock and unlock for rapid set up and breakdown. The decks are set onto an aluminium framework which is held together using Brilliant’s ‘Hook and Channel’ system. “The ‘Hook and Channel’ system designed some years ago by Brilliant is such a fast way of constructing the framework of the stage set, and enables precise placement of this sub-frame,” says Humeniuk. “A slight taper within the mating of the hook to the channel ensure rigidity and, as near as dammit, squareness,”

The cross-shaped B-stage has a 7.3m span and rises 1.55m from the ground in front of the main stage. It is built from standard staging on a framework of interconnecting beams and aligned using custom made fittings secured with pins. Like the main stage, the edges of the outer risers are fitted with Velcro strips for attaching drapes and carry a number of cantilevered lighting brackets and shelves for laser fittings. Contained within the B-stage is a manually operated, hydraulic piano lift. A piano parking riser allows the piano to be moved easily on and off the lift, which is mounted on a dolly and wheeled into position before being secured and levelled on legs. Brilliant’s design process incorporated the mating of the All Access main stage and catwalk to the custom pieces supplied by Brilliant via a series of aluminium plates that formed intersections with the mainstage. “Mel was marvellous, I kept throwing bits at him and he handled it beautifully, getting the CAD team to produce drawings for approval almost by return of email!” says Humeniuk. “All those involved in this project have been nothing other than positive throughout.

“Of course, I would not be having such an enjoyable time on this tour if it was not for the fact that I have a couple of the best carps – Toby Pitts and Hobson (Andrew Pearson) – in the business covering my bottom! “Tony Bowern runs a great company that manufactures some of the biggest ‘Wow’ factors that the ‘rock n roll’ industry has ever seen. It is a pleasure working with them again, as you know exactly what you are going to get. “Brilliant Stages; it’s all in the name. Brilliant…… are!” [2]

Jason Regler’s Xylobands

Coldplay is on a world tour at present, called the Mylo Xyloto tour enthralling their fans. But the more interesting thing is that the pop/rock band is on to something new lately, turning its audience members into interactive participants by handing them, LED-illuminated wristbands called Xylobands that can be activated using a radio signal.

These LED-illuminated wristbands have been most notably featured in Coldplay’s “Charlie Brown” music video and at the band’s concerts.

These bands are given away free to the entire audience before the show and come in a variety of colors. They have the Twitter hashtag #coldplayfilm printed on them to promote the band’s live DVD. When turned on during the concert, the audience is illuminated with multicolored twinkling lights.

The Xylobands help to create a sense of community between the fans and connect them to the artist. After the concerts, they can either recycle the wristbands onsite or keep them free of charge. See what they look like in action in the video below:
[3]

The Inspiration:

Jason Regler, the Xyloband inventor and co-owner of RB Concepts told in an interview that he came up with the idea after listening to a lyric from the Coldplay song, “Fix You.”

“In 2005, when Coldplay did the Glastonbury Festival, I remember I was going through a few down days and I saw them doing Fix You. And there was just a feeling of it bringing everyone together, as well as the line “lights will guide you home.” That’s when the idea of a wristband came to mind.”

The entire concept was created with Coldplay in mind luckily the group was extremely receptive to the idea.

The LED Technology

The wristbands are controlled from single laptop that’s loaded with Xyloband’s software, provided by the RB Concepts company. The laptop is then connected to a transmitter and antenna through a cable, which can broadcast a signal to control the wristbands up to 328 yards away. Each wristband has a receiver, which allows data to be sent from the laptop to the wristbands, telling them how and when to flash during the concert.

Currently, the wristbands can only be switched on during events using the transmitters, combined with RB Concept’s software.

The Afterglow and the funny stories:

These wristbands are usually supposed to get turned off after the concerts. But there have been hilarious stories of Coldplay fans that freaked out when the wristbands continued to glow.

One fan told the Telegraph, “My Xyloband woke me up in the middle of the night and it’s still glowing.”

Another joked, “Really weird, my dad’s white Xyloband just started flashing again.” A Belgian fan added: “Mine is alive! It started flickering about an hour ago.”

Clive Banks, who is the co-founder of RB Concepts told The Independent that the “afterglow” is no cause for concern. “There’s no mind control or tracking, they are just for fun,” he said.

However Regler believes that if the Xylobands could be activated at home, users would control them during the event—thus ruining the community experience of flashing as one light.

For now geeks can try and replicate the transmission to activate the Xylobands, but according to Regler they might have a bit of trouble cracking the code.

The Cost to the Band

The front man Chris Martin confessed that the band was considering dumping the gimmick because of the huge cost.

“Most of the money we’re earning on the tour is put into the wristbands,” he told Bauer Radio. “We have to figure out how to keep it going without going broke because it’s a crucial part of the concert.”

The Band’s Guitarist Johnny Buckland said that it has cost Coldplay nearly half a million Euro a night to fund the Xylobands but he hopes they will be able to continue doing it. “It looks amazing, it just makes everyone have a great time, most of all us – and it just feels so magical”.[4]

2011: Appearances & Shows

January 29, 2013 – submitted by Danny Ackers, United Kingdom

Q. Hi Oracle.

So I seen MX tour at Manchester, Etihad… Which was fantastic – obviously, and managed to grab me some MX confetti.

When I got it home I posed the question, what do these shapes mean? Where do they come from?

Can you enlighten me with your knowledge?

Thanks.

Dan

The Oracle replies:

If you look at the artwork on the MX album, you will see the same symbols by the side of each song title.

Each confetti shape represents a song.

December 10, 2012 – submitted by Ethan, United Kingdom

Q. Hey Oracle,

I am just curious to know how does the band get to the C stage? I know that they come back through the crowd, do they go that way as well to the C stage?

Many Thanks,

Coldplay For Life!:D

The Oracle replies:

It depends on the venue. In the Live 2012 film, there’s footage of the band driving buggies around the corridors taking them to the back of the arena and then they run down the aisle to the C stage.

In the stadiums they walk around the back of the stage to come out half way down and are escorted through the crowd via a makeshift walkway fashioned from tapes used to cordon a section off for easy access.

December 3, 2012 – submitted by Jaroslav , Lithuania

Q. Dear Oracle

I wanted to question you why the band dosen’t play Square One in the MX tour ?

The Oracle replies:

Square One was very much an opener; that is to say that its place was perfect on the Twisted Logic tour as the first song of the set.

It doesn’t really fit anywhere else so hasn’t been played since.

Politik was an obvious opener too but that somehow works where they have placed it over the years.

November 19, 2012 – submitted by Terry, United Kingdom

Q. Hi Oracle, how many guitars have been wrecked by the throw at the end of GPASUYF? Looks like a damaging throw!

The Oracle replies:

Looks can be deceiving. Sometimes the guitar needs serious first aid and Hoppy will spend a long time repairing it but guitars are pretty durable so sometimes there’s little to no damage.

October 22, 2012 – submitted by Jameson, United States of America

Q. G’day, Oracle!

Now that the Mylo Xyloto comics have gotten so much more attention since the release of the HLH music vid, are the boys planning on incorporating any of the characters/animations into their shows? On the large screens where the multi-colored running man is, for example.

Hope you’re having a good one!

The Oracle replies:

No, they’re not. It would be pretty pointless to start anything new given the MX tour is coming to a close. Those characters have been around longer than the record so if anything it would have made sense to have them from the beginning.

August 15, 2012 – submitted by Daniel, United States of America

Q. Hello Oracle! How come Frank Ocean has been taken off the upcoming tour dates? Thanks!

The Oracle replies:

He hasn’t been “taken off”; he’s cancelled all his scheduled performances including his own European tour, V Festival and the opening slot with Coldplay.

Anchorman will announce his replacement soon.

July 31, 2012 – submitted by Iris, United States of America

Q. Hi Oracle,

After Coldplay’s tour is over in November what happens to the roadies?

Thank You 🙂

The Oracle replies:

They get to rest, go on holiday, return home to their families and then start all over again – with another band. There is a handful of our roadies who remain with the boys even when they’re not touring but most other crew members will go on the road again. It’s a hard life – really hard work but most of them wouldn’t have it any other way.

July 10, 2012 – submitted by Eve, France

Q. Hi Oracle,

How many T-shirts and pants have the band for the shows?

When I see the pics during their MX tour, I noted that they wear the same clothes. And I don’t think they have only 1 pant and T-shirt.

Thanks

The Oracle replies:

The guys have a wardrobe flight case each with various changes of clothes and footwear. If you look back at Anchorman’s live blogs, historically they often show a photo of the clothes. If you scroll down this one from the Emirates blog, you will see a picture of Chris’ garments.

July 3, 2012 – submitted by Miguel, Philippines

Q. Hey Oracle,

I was watching Coldplay live videos of Yellow during their Mylo Xyloto tour on youtube recently, and I was wondering if they stopped using the yellow balls they release during the song. If so are they going to use them again? Much thanks! And I’m seeing them in Toronto in July.

The Oracle replies:

You will have balloons don’t worry. They aren’t yellow and they aren’t released during Yellow. They appear during… actually, I won’t spoil it for you!

June 20, 2012 – submitted by Danny, United Kingdom

Q. Hi Oracle.

So I seen MX tour at Manchester, Etihad… Which was fantastic – obviously, and managed to grab me some MX confetti.

When I got it home I posed the question, what do these shapes mean? where do they come from? who came up with them?

Can you enlighten me with your knowledge?

Thanks.

The confetti is based on the symbols that appear in the Mylo Xyloto artwork.

June 12, 2012 – submitted by Bernie, United States of America

Q. Why is it that the set list stays almost exactly the same the entire tour? It’s a great set regardless but doesn’t the band get tired of playing the same songs in the same order night after night?

First time asking a question to the almighty Oracle so fingers crossed for a response!

The Oracle replies:

The production of a show can be very complicated and take a lot of time to prepare to get it perfect. This show particularly doesn’t lend itself to much change. I am aware of a very few number acts who change their set during a tour so it isn’t unusual not to – it’s more usual in fact.

A few songs have been replaced and moved around since the festivals last year and the latter end of the year’s dates.

The band buzz so much off playing the songs live to a different crowd every night that no, they don’t get bored.

May 31, 2012 – submitted by Gherardo, Italy

Q. Helloo!

Why not make a DVD at the end of Mylo Xyloto Tour? Like Live 2003!

It would be great to see how the band has changed, and what kind of show has created.

You should just do it, also for Xylobands !! They are f*****g incredible.

The Oracle replies:

I have no idea why, but every single question sent in by Italian fans this week (there have been a few) have all had swearing them! I have edited by inserting asterisks.

Anyway, to answer your request, you’re a little behind the news amico. There IS going to be a live film from the MX tour. We haven’t got any details to reveal to you just yet apart from a film is coming. Hoorah!

May 29, 2012 – submitted by Thomas, United Kingdom

Q. Hi Oracle,

I just watched the Hurts Like Heaven video from the European Stadiums (seeing them in Manchester on the 9th June) and noticed all the lasers. I was wondering, that with the stadiums being roofless, is there any problem with the lasers hitting low flying aircraft and such?

Thanks!

The Oracle replies:

That’s a very good question Thomas and a subject I was talking about in detail last week in fact.

Lasers obviously do come with certain risks so there are stringent safety rules and regulations in place – they can’t beam over a certain height if there’s a risk to aviation. The same goes for beaming below the heads of the audience to protect them also. The lasers are all perfectly harmless at our shows.

Enjoy Manchester!

May 22, 2012 – submitted by Aimee, Poland

Q. during European MX tour, concerts are every other day. I was wondering if guys comes home (I mean UK) or stays in European countries where they perform on the day off?

Love,

Aimee

The Oracle replies:

They were in Portugal the night before that show as it was the first of the European leg but they do come home in between the rest to be with their families.

April 30, 2012 – submitted by James, United Kingdom

Q. WILL THERE BE AN X STAGE?!

Hello Oracle,

I’ve printed off a seating plan for Coldplay’s upcoming gig at the Emirates Stadium but there is no sign of the ‘X’ stage in the middle, will it be there?

Many Many Thanks 🙂

The Oracle replies:

As far as I know, the X Stage is the B stage which is situated at the end of one of the runways from the main stage.

I have a feeling you are referring to the C stage, as that is positioned in the seated area at the back within the audience.

That wouldn’t appear on a seating plan. Apart from it being a surprise on the night, the seating plan from show to show isn’t modified too much online.

April 23, 2012 – submitted by Christian, Germany

Q. Hey Oracle, I’ve seen the picture of the crew vs. band football match Roadie #42 posted on his blog. I was wondering if this is the whole crew for the tour ’cause it seems like few people to manage such a big thing like a world tour.

The Oracle replies:

Gosh no, Christian, you’re quite right to assume that’s too few people for a huge tour; that’s nowhere near the full crew. There are 2 crews taking 2 stages, plus backline crew as well as a local crew at each venue. I should imagine the number of people it takes to put on a show of this scale is well into the 3 figure area. The backline crew who make up the crew football team is considerably smaller.

April 19, 2012 – submitted by Meghan, United States of America

Q. What time does Coldplay take the stage? We have tickets for Seattle, but my daughter has to play the flute in her school band concert and we need to know if we’ll still have time to get there for them or if we should just try to sell our tickets. We’d be bummed to do it, but we don’t want to miss half the show and there’s no way our 14-year-old can get out of her school performance. Thanks in advance.

The Oracle replies:

Here’s the info for States dates:

Doors 5pm

April 19, 2012 – submitted by Hannah, United Kingdom

Q. Hi

Phil tweeted before about there being another concert DVD, do you have any idea where they’re thinking about filming the concert yet? Or any other information regarding the DVD?

Thanks, its pretty exciting!

No, that’s why Phil tweeted “…but where to film it?”

Feel free to tweet him back with your suggestions – others have.

It is exciting, you’re right. I personally cannot wait!

I have no news for you. It’s a case of watch this space. Well, not *this* space obviously, just keep an eye on the website and twitter in the coming weeks & months.

April 17, 2012 – submitted by James, United Kingdom

Q. Dear Oracle, why is the UK tour so short compared to the US tour? All of the bands tickets are sold out in the MEN as far as I know and so is London plus I live in Liverpool so the only realistic place is Manchester, always wanted to go and see the band live and will now have to wait until their next tour :/

The Oracle replies:

The USA is in the top 5 countries listed by area while the UK is hanging around the #80 mark. There is a vast difference in size of the countries for starters!

By the way, if you’ve been looking at tickets for Manchester’s M.E.N, you definitely won’t find tickets as they’re playing the Etihad Stadium.
Keep trying, there may be tickets available or other fans may not be able to go so don’t give up just yet.

March 27, 2012 – submitted by Leah, Trinidad and Tobago

Q. Dear Oracle,

I bought tickets to see Coldplay on 24th July in Montreal with 4 other friends.
The Ticket we received says Section 205 “Obstructed view”. The Bell Centre said that they won’t know how obstructed the view will be because they don’t know the stage setup….

We’re flying in all the way from Trinidad & Tobago to see the show and I’m hoping that we didn’t get stuck with poor viewing :((((

Can you help or provide any info re: stage plan for Bell Centre at Montreal?? Thanks!

The Oracle replies:

The stage set-up is 360 degree so you’ll be able to see wherever your seats are. Obstructed view usually suggests some part of the supports and/or beams so you will definitely need to check with the venue to find out whereabouts Section 205 places you in relation to the structure.

March 15, 2012 – submitted by Josh Smullen, United Kingdom

Q. Will the stages for the UK Stadium tour strut into the crowd like I’ve seen on previous gigs? Would be amazing if they did!

The Oracle replies:

I’m pretty sure that a runway jutting out of the stage will always be there. It’s a great way to connect with the audience and of course, the band have had a ‘B stage’ section performed there too so don’t think they’d be keen to lose that.

March 15, 2012 – submitted by Hedy, United States of America

Q. Hello Oracle! I have been desperately searching for some floor seats to the show in Atlanta, GA on July 2nd. However, ticketmaster no longer has them. So, if I purchase tickets from eBay or StubHub, there wouldn’t be any problems when presenting my tickets, would there? I don’t think so, but I have seen some previous oracle questions mentioning that one’s ID must be presented, and if I am buying someone else’s ticket, I don’t want any complications! Thanks! Hedy

The Oracle replies:

As far as I know I.D is required to collect pre-paid tickets from the box office so you should be fine buying from a 3rd party as long as they already have their tickets in hand. Of course I would always advise to buy from a reputable company as otherwise there is always a chance you could somehow be at risk.

March 13, 2012 – submitted by Yvonne, United Kingdom

Q. I hope the Oracle can help, I’m probably panicking too soon, but I bought tickets from ticket master for the June Coldplay gig at the Emirates, and haven’t had the tickets yet. Has anyone else? I will be completely gutted if something has gone wrong.

The Oracle replies:

I have no idea if anyone else has got their tickets yet but rest assured yours are not late according to the event info so you can stop panicking. Ticketmaster do state on their website that “tickets for this event are provided directly by the promoter and not printed by Ticketmaster and may not be despatched until ten days before the event”.

March 12, 2012 – submitted by Elaine, Ireland

Q. I have front row tickets to see Coldplay in the Hollywood Bowl. As I’m Irish I’m used to an enthusiastic crowd (eg Oxegen 2011 BRILL) But Jesus the Yanks just stand there with what I would consider, total lack of respect. Do I take an Irish flag and give the band the reaction they deserve or just shut up and stand????

The Oracle replies:

Er, I have to disagree there Elaine as I think you’re being harsh on the American fans. Whenever I have seen the band in the States (4 times), the crowd has always been amazing. In fact, I remember one particular show where I couldn’t understand why the audience were screaming as if at an *NSYNC concert! Given you’re on the front row I am sure you’ll be able to react to the band in your own way so go for it and don’t worry what anyone else is doing. I’m a quarter Irish and love all things Emerald Isle but as the band aren’t Irish I am wondering why you feel the need to take a flag at all? If it’s because you’re from nearer their home, maybe just say it with a t-shirt as that’s not likely to block anyone’s view.

March 7, 2012 – submitted by Franco, Paraguay

Q. Dear Oracle, you can tell us if this video cellphone record is true?

“Will Champion: “Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela watch out, here we go”.

We can’t found the complete video anywhere… Thanks! Please send us any link to see the complete video!

The Oracle replies:

I found the complete video which is also a much clearer version.

This video is quite old now and although Will does mention certain countries and says “…watch out, we will come”; he doesn’t mention when.
There is always the possibility of tour dates being added to the current itinerary but as yet there has been no mention of South America other than in that interview.

March 7, 2012 – submitted by Sarah, Canada

Q. Can you point me to a picture of how the stage is set up for the North American Tour. This is in regards to buying seats behind the stage and I am curious if it has a high backdrop or not.

Thanks!

The Oracle replies:

As I said last week (or the week before), the view from behind the stage is a good one so don’t worry. There isn’t a backdrop as such; it’s open apart from a low graffiti wall.

March 5, 2012 – submitted by Craig, United Kingdom

Q. Hi there, just wondering if the bands clothing is custom made or if I can buy similar gear in the shops as I love the colours and graffiti used in them ? Look forward to a reply thanks 🙂

The Oracle replies:

The beauty of Coldplay stage costumes is that you can easily recreate the look at home and most of the key items can be found on the high street. Ooh get me, I sound like Gok Wan[5]. Any that aren’t available from popular chains can be replaced by similar items given that they will be customized with dye or paint to change their appearance anyway.

February 29, 2012 – submitted by Paul, United Kingdom

Q. I Have two standing tickets for coldplay Friday 1st June 2012 want to swap for the Monday 4th June. Anyone interested?

The Oracle replies:

Try asking here[6]. Hopefully you’ll be able to find someone to swap with.

February 29, 2012 – submitted by JD, United Kingdom

Q. is Coldplay not playing at T in the Park 2012?

The Oracle replies:

Now there’s a date I can definitely confirm that they’re NOT playing given they appeared there last year.

February 28, 2012 – submitted by Shiva, Canada

Q. Hi Oracle, Coldplay is selling tickets for behind the stage seats for the upcoming shows. Any idea how the view would be?

The Oracle replies:

I assume it will be just like the London’s shows in December I know someone who sat there and said “good actually… really suprised how good”.

February 2, 2012 – submitted by Monique, Australia

Q. Hi Oracle, I recently heard that Coldplay are coming to Sydney, Australia, for two intimate shows. I really really want to enter to win tickets to these shows but the terms & conditions say you have to be a permanent resident of NSW and be 18 years or over. I am almost 17 and live in QLD but I would willingly travel any distance in Australia to see them. I can easily get transport and accommodation sorted accompanied by an adult guardian. I would like to know if there is anyway I can still attend???
Please please help, I really want to see them live and would do anything, I just hate not being eligible.

The Oracle replies:

I remember being of an age where I couldn’t attend gigs as I couldn’t get in certain venues. There are safety concerns with competitions and that’s why the minimum adult age of 18 is imposed. I am sorry to say it doesn’t matter how mature a person is or whether they have accommodation, the rules are there for a reason and they* will not bend them for any one individual or it wouldn’t be set that way in the first place.

I’m sorry it must be really frustrating but at least it is being streamed live so you’ll be able to watch.

• “they” is not the band by the way. We have nothing to do with terms & conditions but for what it’s worth, I have organised quite a few fan events and I insist on the same rule. If it had said “unless accompanied by an adult”, that would be the only way you could attend.

February 1, 2012 – submitted by Holly, United Kingdom

Q. Dear Oracle,

if I was to buy tickets off of a friend would I still be able to get into the Coldplay concert at the Emirates? is there any photo ID or name ID in use (like at Glastonbury) or can I use them without this friend present?

The Oracle replies:

If you have the tickets in hand you don’t need photo identification to get in to the show. It’s only if you’re collecting tickets from the box office that they may stipulate that at point of purchase.
Please make sure you always read the small print and terms & conditions regarding tickets as rules may differ between certain venues/ticket agents.

January 11, 2012 – submitted by Andrew, United States of America

Q. When I went to my first Coldplay concert at the Verizon wireless amphitheater in Irvine, California, the band moved stages three during their set. Meaning, they had two mini stages set up in the audience, which were more like raised platforms. On these mini stages, the band played their cover of Billie Jean and also did some acoustic songs. I was wondering if this was just special to the Viva tour, or to the Irvine venue, or if the band is planning on doing the stages in the audience thing in the future. It was truly memorable because I was able to be five feet away from them while they were playing on one of the stages.

The Oracle replies:

It always amazes me when I get two similar questions in quick succession. I think our fans have psychic powers!

See the last question I answered about the X stage (previously known as the B stage).

There hasn’t been a C stage (the part where the band went right to the back of the venue and performed from within the audience) so far on the MX tour. I don’t think it will be making an appearance.

January 11, 2012 – submitted by Leah, Canada

Q. I have tickets in front of the X stage for Toronto’s July show. How many songs does the band usually do on this stage?

The Oracle replies:

Generally they do 2-3 songs on the X stage. Don’t forget the protrusion is at the end of a catwalk that is used a lot by Chris mostly, but also Jonny. You’ll have a great view of those moments as well as a good vista via the screens positioned around the venue.

December 21, 2011 – submitted by Leah, Canada

Q. Greetings from BC!

I’m finally getting to go to a Coldplay concert in April and I’m so excited! I was wondering if they will be doing an acoustic part on the c-stage for this tour like they did before?

Thanks so much!

The Oracle replies:

The C stage – now dubbed the X stage given its shape – is pretty much a permanent fixture these days so yes, I’d say it’s pretty certain they will continue to have an acoustic set at the end of the runway to get closer to the crowd and have that more intimate moment.

December 15, 2011 – submitted by Giulia, Germany

Q. I see that Emeli Sande has done the openings for some of Coldplay’s concerts recently. Do you know whether she will do the same for the summer 2012 concerts (I would love to see her at the September concerto in Munich).

Thanks!

The Oracle replies:

It’s not usual for the support slots to do more than one leg (yes, I know that Bat For Lashes did but that was a Latin American tour sometime after the initial run).

I think Emeli will be very busy doing her own tours anyway. Did you know that yesterday it was announced yesterday that she has won the Brits Critics Choice award. Congratulations Emeli!

August 16, 2011 – submitted by Sarah, United Kingdom

Q. Hey Oracle!

In the beginning of Coldplay’s performance at the iTunes Festival and Lollapalooza, there’s an orchestra recording playing that sounds like something from Disney. Is that Coldplay’s doing or the festival’s way of introducing them?

Thanks!! 🙂

The Oracle replies:

It’s actually the Back To The Future Theme Song. I don’t know if you’ve seen the film or not but it was made back in 1985 and is a modern day classic worth checking out.

July 21, 2011 – submitted by Maaike, Canada

Q. Hi Oracle,

I hope you’re well. Did the boys make their own clothes for the upcoming tour like they did for the Viva tour? If not, who did? Thanks! 🙂

The Oracle replies:

The band are involved in ideas for what their clothes will look like and did have a hand in certain customising of the Viva costumes but didn’t actually make them.

The same goes for the current clothes. Beth, their stylist, bought various pieces and got t shirts screenprinted etc. The band designed patches that were added and they all put bits of spray paint on them.

May 26, 2011 – submitted by Laurens, Belgium

Q. Dear Oracle,

Will the band wear the same Viva jackets and use all the Viva la Vida stuff for the summer festivals or have they come up with something new?

TNX

The Oracle replies:

It’s all gonna be new. We’ve all had haircuts and there are new threads to wear too.

Continue Reading

The most accurate and up to date information on Paradise!

Paradise is the third track from Coldplay’s fifth album, Mylo Xyloto, and the second single, following on from the earlier release in 2011 of Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall.

Contents

• • 12.1 Comments

Release

Paradise was debuted at 7:48am on The Chris Moyles Show on BBC Radio 1 on 12 September 2011 – two minutes before its scheduled play at 7.50am. The song was released on 12th September, 2011 at 8:30am BST as the second single to the album.

According to Coldplay.com, the single was not initially chart eligible in the UK, because it was available on iTunes as an “instant grat” (immediate download) with the album. The song became eligible to chart in the UK on 30th October after the album’s release, entering the UK Singles Chart at #14, and was met with generally positive reception from critics. On 1st January 2012 after 10 weeks in the singles chart, it was confirmed as #1 following consistent sales leading up to the Christmas period. [1]

First introduction

Paradise was first introduced immediately after the announcement of Mylo Xyloto on 12th August 2011, and was announced as the second single off the album.

A 30 second studio preview clip of Paradise appeared on TuneTribe[2] on the morning of 10th September 2011, two days before its official release. This was followed by the full version on the official Coldplay YouTube channel, ColdplayTV, on 12th September 2011:

Cover Art

The single cover for Paradise predominantly features an abstract crayon piece that enmeshes different shades of blue. The artwork includes butterfly and an Archimedean spiral, both of which are a recurring theme in the Coldplay concerts, wardrobes and official webpage. The single artwork was praised for being “an important piece of a jigsaw puzzle built around the theme used by Coldplay to promote the Mylo Xyloto album”.

Chart performance

The Official Paradise symbol

Paradise had huge success on charts worldwide. Following release on 12 September 2011, Paradise was revealed chart ineligible in the United Kingdom, having been offered as and ‘instant grat’ (immediate download) for anyone who pre-ordered the parent album, Mylo Xyloto. The release of the album on 24 October 2011 saw Paradise debut at number fourteen on the UK Singles Chart with sales of 27,277 copies; having sold 118,547 copies in the six weeks of chart ineligibility. It was not eligible for the chart, having been used as an inducement for fans to pre-order Mylo Xyloto.

After being made purchasable at 59p (instead of 99p) on the UK’s iTunes Store and being played on the X Factor final, Paradise regained momentum in the UK and skyrocketed up the single chart to #2 on December 18, 2011 becoming the band’s highest charting single since their 2008 number-one hit Viva La Vida – later becoming 2012’s first UK number-one on Sunday January 1, almost four months after its release. It moved 14-17-20-13-11-12-7-2-5-1 on it’s way to #1. It was also a top 10 hit in many countries in Europe. It reached number-one in Norway. In the US, it reached #15 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Had Paradise been eligible for the chart since its release, it would have shattered the record for most weeks in the Top 40 before reaching number one, a record held by Celine Dion’s Think Twice which was on its 13th week in the Top 40 (and its 16th in the Top 75) when it reached number one in 1995. [3]

Awards

On November 30th, 2011, Paradise was nominated for a Grammy Award, in the category Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. The winner will be announced on February 12, 2012 at the 54th Grammy Awards. Coldplay also contributed the track Paradise to the 2012 Grammy nominees album compilation, which also features tracks by fellow Grammy nominees Katy Perry (“Firework”), Adele (“Rolling In the Deep”), Foster the People (“Pumped Up Kicks”), Mumford and Sons (“The Cave”), Maroon 5 (“Moves Like Jagger” Featuring Christina Aguilera), and Foo Fighters (“Walk”). The album was released on Universal Republic on 24th January 2011, with a portion of sales benefitting the Grammy Foundation and MusicCares Foundation.

Reviews

In the article by Q Magazine published on 10th October 2011 entitled “First Impressions of… Coldplay’s Mylo Xyloto”[4] they wrote: “The second single to be released from the album sounds much better in the context of the record – a mid-tempo bridge between the relative surge of Hurts Like Heaven and Charlie Brown. And, if the fuzzy stomp of those hip hop synths jarred with your impression of Coldplay (well, they wouldn’t work on Yellow, would they?), then they make perfect sense on Mylo Xyloto as a whole, revisited on the first thirty seconds of Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall and punctuating the Rihanna-assisted hollers of Princess Of China.”

First live performance

Paradise was first played in front of a Television studio audience on the night of 9th September, 2011. It was shot for France 2’s Taratata, a Parisian music show [5]. It was also played at both the Austin City Limits Taping event on 15th September 2011 (for a 31st December 2011 airing) and then the following day at the Austin City Limits Festival (shown below):

Paradise video

Coldplay initially announced that the single’s music video would be directed by Hype Williams (who previously directed the first version of the “Viva la Vida” music video) but that version was scrapped after shooting and the band decided instead to record a new version directed by long-time collaborator Mat Whitecross.

The video was released on 19 October 2011. In the video, a man dressed as an elephant (played by Chris Martin) escapes from a zoo in London and attempts to hitch-hike his way to another country (doing so finally by stowing away inside a suitcase). An aerial shot reveals that his initial destination was Cape Town, South Africa. He is then seen wandering around Johannesburg, at one point, walking past Nelson Mandela Bridge and a set of railway tracks in Braamfontein. He then earns enough money by busking (which appears to be ZAR 67.05, roughly equivalent to USD 8.40) on the street for a unicycle, and after a seemingly hopeless wander comes across three other elephants (the rest of Coldplay) playing the song in the veld (South African grasslands). The video shifts to the band playing a live show at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg before returning to the desert where they run towards the camera.

The music video was shot on location in London, Cape Town, the Klein Karoo in the Western Cape and Johannesburg.

At the release of the first play of Paradise, Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles let slip that Coldplay were working on a video on Monday and Tuesday (12th and 13th September, 2011). This was partly-confirmed by a tweet from a user from the RED Cameras and Filmmakers forum that said: “RED EPIC-X #00031 flies to London for Coldplay Music Video Shoot with Hype Williams”. [6]. However this shoot was never released.

See also (in-detail):

• Director Mat Whitecross on the Paradise video (20111110)‎

Critical reception

The song was met with positive reviews from the majority of music critics. Billboard.com gave a positive review calling the track “another slice of hug-warm ecstacy” and gave praise to the the “boiling strings, rattling synthesizers, and bass-heavy-beats” saying “it shows they know how to bring a few new tricks to the table”. Both Q and Rolling Stone offered similar praise. Altsounds.com gave a similar review remarking that there are “Drums that you would expect in a Rihanna song and melodies you would expect from a band like Friendly Fires and the ‘oohs’ from 3Oh!3 is what you first hear. That is, of course, until Chris Martin’s vocals come into play and there is no doubt in your mind that this is Coldplay. A wonderful chorus of “para-para-paradise” reminds you just how good they really are. It will remain with you for weeks to come, like that new piece of clothing you just can’t get enough of”. About.com said, in a three and a half star review, that “even when Coldplay sound a bit like they are spinning their wheels musically, it can still have quite beautiful moments. The huge opening fanfare of “Paradise” is simply gorgeous” but felt the rest of the song didn’t hold up as well as it could have. NME gave a more mixed reaction to the song, and felt that “It’s hard to say what the band is aiming for with the song. To replicate the epic football stadium “moment” of ‘Yellow’? The energy of a ‘Viva La Vida’? If so it doesn’t quite work on either count.”

Media reviews

Odd electro noises are accompanied with classical strings in the typical window sill fashion sense before everything else steps onto the “Paradise” stage. Drums that you would expect in a Rihanna song and melodies you would expect from a band like Friendly Fires and the ‘oohs’ from 3Oh!3 is what you first hear. That is, of course, until Chris Martin’s vocals come into play and there is no doubt in your mind that this is Coldplay. A wonderful chorus of “para-para-paradise” reminds you just how good they really are. It will remain with you for weeks to come, like that new piece of clothing you just can’t get enough of. Some would argue that this is perhaps a little bland from the Coldplay boys. For example, is there really any defining riff? The answer, I’m afraid to say, is no. There isn’t a whole lot of creativity or originality chucked into the blender of musical production. But, let’s be honest now, who gives a crap?! Not me, for sure. Yes, it is a little different from the normal Coldplay formula, incorporating a large amount of electro elements into their songs, but it still upholds this sense of emotional window sill experiences. The heart and soul of Coldplay remains the same, it’s just the body that has changed. Maybe it isn’t as handsome as its predecessor, but I’m not that shallow – it’s all about what’s on the inside. So, in short, as Mr. Micawber would say, Coldplay have retained themselves. They’ve safeguarded the essence of Coldplay in this second single, “Paradise”. It’s still Coldplay, it’s still brilliant – it always will be. It’s not the same, necessarily, but it’s still brilliant. And that’s all that matters. [7]

“Yawn”. Before the new album is released later this month (with it’s terrible title – what the hell does ‘Mylo Xyloto’ actually mean?!), the band have released another piece of pathetically pretentious posturing. The trouble with Coldplay is they seem to be hell bent on the idea that more is more. It’s not. Over-production suffocates decent songwriting, though they left that far behind after ‘A Rush Of Blood To The Head’. Paradise begins with a church organ and fluttering strings – a shallow attempt at grandure – though the booming synth bass adds a modern twist to the sound. Otherwise, they’ve thrown everything at this track: epic piano and guitar riffs, orchestral strings, synth effects, a sing along chorus sung by a stuttering Chris Martin. What also annoys is the unnecessary self referencing of Every Teardop… in the second chorus – it just smacks of “head up own arse” syndrome. What’s the obsession with epic grandure? It’s as if adding more layers will help them reach some sort of musical nirvana, when in fact a return to the raw simplicity of their earlier work would be far more preferable. Coldplay may be in paradise but their latest work is far from sublime. 2/5 [8]

It said something that the optimistic euphoria of Coldplay’s last single ‘Every Tear Drop Is A Waterfall’ was more palatable when it was covered by Robyn. The music-makes-it-all-better sentiment and the day glo rhythms felt slightly forced coming out of Chris Martin’s mouth, whereas there was an ease and conviction to the whole thing when Ms Carlsson was delivering the same lines. ‘Mylo Xyloto’ is set to reverberate with more pop sensibilities- Rihanna is to make an appearance on ‘Princess Of China’, so it’s no surprise that new single ‘Paradise’ takes the normal Coldplay model and gives it a chart-friendly make over. There’s the dropped drum beat, the vaguely dubstep-like bassline and the “Para-para-paradise” hook of the chorus. This is all played over a New Age-ish sounding backing; strings, the familiar simple piano riff and, eventually, a choir who intone a “Woah-oh-oh-oh” line. It’s hard to say what the band is aiming for with the song. To replicate he epic football stadium “moment” of ‘Yellow’? The energy of a ‘Viva La Vida’? If so it doesn’t quite work on either count. ‘Paradise’ feels both slightly listless and muddled. The “hip” new sonic treatments sound out of date (there’s a mid-noughties vibe about the whole thing) and the chorus comes off as a weak facsimile of what Coldplay have done effortlessly in the past; specifically that people-uniting aspect. Whilst Coldplay’s pop makeover may be – for them at least- quite revelatory, it feels like Chris Martin’s populist songwriting tendencies have been clipped. Ultimately it feels like a few steps back rather than forward. 6.2/10. [9]

Coldplay once again aim for a stadium-sized sound and achieve it on ‘Paradise,’ the new single from their upcoming album ‘Mylo Xyloto.’ While many of Coldplay’s best songs are built around the voice of singer Chris Martin, ‘Paradise’ makes a lasting impression before Martin offers a single word. The minute-long introduction builds with strings and keyboards before a slow, hypnotic beat enters the picture. Martin sings a third-person narrative about a girl whose life hasn’t measured up to her expectations: “When she was just a girl / She expected the world / But it flew away from her reach / So she ran away in her sleep.” Martin references the band’s last single with the lines, “Life goes on, it gets so heavy / The wheel breaks the butterfly / Every tear, a waterfall / In the night, the stormy night / She closed her eyes,” before launching into an epic sing-along chorus, “She dreams of para, para, paradise.” After a guitar solo, the song fades out with soft humming and a brief piano section, a nicely understated ending to a captivating song. 4.5/5 [10]

The evolution of music is something that is as old as time, and so is the evolution of sound within a particular act. No music act should ever cling to the same rock when it comes to music or be in a position where they’re resting on the same credentials thirty years on from now (if they’re still lucky enough to be around), and neither should any act ever be content with staying on one rock for their entire career, so it therefore stands to reason that no act should ever shoe-horn themselves into a position where growth, maturity and musical exploration is impossible. Exploration of sound is imperative, if not for the continued interest or popular media then for the continued interest of their most loyal listeners. Perhaps not noticeably, Coldplay’s progression from their MOR-rock beginnings spent dwelling in U2’s shadow have always been a step – or maybe a deliberately low-key shuffle – in the right direction, when you manage to ignore the fact that the album that should’ve followed the brilliant ‘A Rush Of Blood To The Head’ shouldn’t have been ‘X&Y’, until of course, U2 themselves strayed into MOR-rock territory. And possibly because of it’s high ambitions, buzz single ‘Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall’ got by because it didn’t so much clunk along in the same piano-led fashion Coldplay are renowned for – it had a charming gallop to it despite being their mostly easily digestible lyrical affair thus far, and added with it’s spacial freshness and faultless musicianship, it gave the impression that the band had learnt how to create an accompaniment which could home Chris Martin’s vocals at last, rather than making them sound like they put a downer on everything the band put their hands to. Suffice to say a lot has been resting on the shoulders of the proper lead single ‘Paradise’, and on it’s opening you could be led to thinking Coldplay’s earlier learnings have gotten the better of them and already spoiled it, but the orchestral strings are simply one of many a nod to past Coldplay with nods to future Coldplay maintaining the balance. Not to say that the song is perfect: without pillaging too much to say it’s an outright influence, ‘Paradise’ boasts a thumping percussion loop and bass making an entrance like a wrecking ball backed up with high-flying strings, only to be removed when the whining echo of Gwyneth Paltrow’s beaux adds a pathos-less verse about a girl or something, before being joined once again by the post-apocalyptic verve. Once the song climaxes, Martin’s falsetto creates grandiose at a volume and pace that hasn’t ever been seen by the band before – they tried it on ‘Fix You’ (most of ‘X&Y’ in fact) and somewhat succeeded in terms of the song’s connotative value, but the unnecessarily depressing ordeal of having to actually listen to it can’t keep people awake long enough to be pissed off anymore. That’s where ‘Paradise’ succeeds – it’s bold and dramatic with chilling harmonies and well-placed passing noise, proving that the band as musicians are flawless, but it’s still no hard task to tell a Coldplay song from a U2 song or a Radiohead song. Martin’s lyrics and his slow-paced delivery only really resolve to the listener’s forgiveness at one point – the chorus, and that only arrives half-way through and is only held together by a sequence of “Ohhh” chanting from the rest of the band. [11]

The Oracle on Paradise

February 25, 2014 – submitted by Gerardo, Mexico
Q. Hi Oracle,
Since I saw the Paradise video I’ve had this question in my head and right until this moment I took the time to put it together and send it to you.
What is this picture?
I thought that was at the recording of the Paradise video, as it says in the caption, but it never came up. I hope you can answer this question as I’m sure I’m not the only Coldplay fan that noticed this.
The Oracle replies:
This Paradise video never made the light of day – I’ve never seen it – and was replaced with the wonderful Mat Whitecross video.

September 11, 2013 – submitted by Kaylie, United States of America
Q. Did Chris have to learn to ride a unicycle for the Paradise video?
The Oracle replies:
No, he already knew how to ride one.

August 14, 2013 – submitted by Maren, Germany
Q. Dear Oracle,
I have another question about underground scenes in Video PARADISE. We all know it was recorded at Belsize Park Station but this station has no escelator and in Min 0:40, Elephant Chris is standing between signs Northern Line and Bakerloo Line. As you know Elephant wants to go to Heathrow. Only Piccadilly Line goes there. So he has to change. My question: Was it recorded also in Charing Cross Underground (because of Northern and Bakerloo Line) and he changes at Piccadilly Station to Heathrow?? Sorry for my bad English.
Maren
The Oracle replies:
Well, the first thing to tell you is that a video isn’t necessarily factually correct. That means that artistic license can be used to create illusion. The elephant appears to make that journey but that doesn’t mean he actually did. You are right that Belsize Park Underground station doesn’t have an escalator.
If I was going to Heathrow from Belsize Park, I would take the Northern Line to Leicester Square and change for the Piccadilly Line there. However, it is indeed Charing Cross station that we see our elephant stood between signs for the Northern & Bakerloo line. London has several airports and none of them would require getting off at Charing Cross station. This is where the artistic license comes in.
The video is shot and edited to tell a story but shouldn’t be taken as 100% accurate.
Some scenes look better with the benefit of those aesthetic choices (the escalator for sure).
I’d never really paid attention to the details or inaccuracies but you went to a lot of trouble so I hope I made sense of it for you.

May 9, 2013 – submitted by Jamie, United Kingdom
Q. Hi, The Oracle.
I’ve always wondered, why did Coldplay choose Belsize Park Underground Station to record part of the Paradise video, and was the station closed to the general public when they were filming? If so, how long for?
I hope you can answer this question
Thanks!
The Oracle replies:
Our second London tube question of the day.
Belsize Park station (ooh – Princess of China remix has just come on Kiss radio as I type this) is the closest Underground station to The Bakery, that’s why it was used.
It wasn’t closed to the public – none of the Underground shots involved closing the stations.

March 28, 2013 – submitted by Maria, Italy
Q. Hi Dear Oracle. Hope everything’s ok over there 😉
I got excited reading that Life Of Pi won as Best Soundtrack at Oscars 2013… so is it true that Paradise is part of it? If yes I’ll be more excited. actually! And you? Thanks a lot xxx MC
The Oracle replies:
No, Paradise was used as a trailer for the film but the Oscar was given to Mychael Danna for the Best Original Score.

November 21, 2012 – submitted by Katelyn, United States of America
Q. Is there any personal meaning behind the writing of Paradise to the band?
The Oracle replies:
There was a newspaper that reported the song was inspired by the ‘everyday childhood disappointments’ experienced by Chris’ daughter.
He himself said: “Paradise is about a girl really, the female half of the album, just about being a bit lost in the world and escaping through fantasy.”
Don’t forget, the band also said the album is more of a concept album than anything.

November 8, 2012 – submitted by Ben, United Kingdom
Q. Dear Oracle,
At the end of the Paradise video when the Chris elephant meets the rest of the ‘elephant band’ in the savannah, is it actually the band members in the costumes or just actors?
Thanks!
The Oracle replies:
Yes, it really was the whole band involved in being the elephant band. That was a long, hot day!

October 9, 2012 – submitted by Pepijn, Netherlands
Q. Dear Oracle,
Today I found this awesome video from the directors of the Strawberry Swing video. They made an alternative music video for Paradise and I LOVED it. So I was wondering, has Coldplay had anything to do with this video?? I have, I think, never seen it anywhere on the website. I loved it so much that I wanted to share it with everyone.
Greetings from Holland.
The Oracle replies:
Yes, that was the first incarnation of the Paradise video before Chris came up with the concept for the award-winning elephant video that became the official video for the song.
I like Shynola’s work but am so happy with the band’s final decision as Paradise is still my favourite Coldplay video so far.

January 9, 2012 – submitted by Olivia, Canada
Q. Paradise is absolutely one of my favorite songs, but lately I’ve started to ponder over the meaning. The dictionary says paradise is a place of extreme beauty, delight, or happiness. I think that paradise is different for everyone and that it is always beautiful, but somewhat unattainable. O mighty oracle, what is your definition of paradise? From a Candian Coldplayer, Olivia
The Oracle replies:
Paradise does represent different thing to different people but you can’t re-write its dictionary definition. You’re right in some ways as a place of extreme beauty, delight or happiness may not always be achievable. The first meaning of paradise I encountered was at church when at primary school. Heaven was commonly referred to as paradise – I suppose it fits – though these days that’s the last thing I would think of when thinking of my own paradise. The Maldives is the closest I came to feeling I was in a real paradise but then I also visited a local island where locals lived and it was anything but in comparison. It opened to my eyes to how man-made and false paradise can be too.

November 7, 2011 – submitted by Isa, Brazil
Q. Hey Oracle.
I don’t know already this questions but,
where (or who was) the idea of elephants on Paradise?
Thank You, Isa.
I’m pretty sure that Phil & the band came up with the idea…

October 20, 2011 – submitted by France, Canada
Q. Hi Oracle,
I saw the Paradise video and it made my day. And what a day it was…
Can you share a funny story about the shoot? I am sure that there is one… an elephant does not blend well in our busy cities.
France
The Oracle replies:
As it was filmed in different locations it was pieced together over quite a time.
The South African outdoor shots were filmed on 7th October and the live performance was the following night at the Johannesburg gig.
The week after when they got back to London, Chris shot the underground scenes. I do have a funny story (well, I think it’s funny) from that day.
On 11th October, Shaun Weston (from Bristol) wrote on twitter, “I rode a Charing Cross escalator with Chris Martin today. He was dressed as an elephant. Anyone else see him, or was I dreaming?”

I know a few people saw Chris that day and it did surprise a few fans.

October 20, 2011 – submitted by Jessica, United States of America
Q. Dearest Oracle,
I am in love with the song Paradise and rightly so I am also in love with the music video for it. I have a question though. Why does Guy have a different elephant suit than everyone else? I noticed that his suit is darker than the rest and doesn’t have elephant feet/shoes. Also why doesn’t Guy’s elephant have any identifying features like Johnny’s has his trademark hat and Will’s has a pair of glasses? Also why does Will’s elephant have glasses? I don’t recall ever seeing him wear glasses during performances.
Thank you Oracle!
p.s. I want to tell the band that I loved that they used elephants over any other animals, they’re the best, both the band and elephants.
Love,
Jessica
The Oracle replies:
See, the fact that Guy’s elephant doesn’t have elephant feet makes him different and so maybe that’s his defining difference?
I actually wonder if there’s more to a passing nod to The Banana Splits, a late 60’s children’s entertainment combo. They had an elephant who wore glasses – although Snorky (the bespectacled one) wasn’t the drummer; he was the keyboard player.
I have seen Will wear glasses – granted not during a performance but that wouldn’t be practical anyway given the power machine that he is. Can you imagine attempting Politik and avoiding glasses steaming up or flying off? No, I didn’t think so…
One of The Banana Splits doesn’t have his animal’s feet, so maybe as with Guy, the normal feet is another nod?

October 20, 2011 – submitted by Darren, United Kingdom
Q. Hi Oracle, hope you are well did Chris really get on the tube at Belsize Park and Sit on the tube with norms (normal peoples) and no one knew it was him? Or was it a stunt a phant?
The Oracle replies:
He really did get on the tube. There’s been a lot of questions about the video so read the next couple also…

October 19, 2011 – submitted by Brian K, United States of America
Q. Just watched the Paradise video and was wondering, can Chris really ride a unicycle?
The Oracle replies:
You saw it with your own eyes; it wasn’t a trick. Chris takes things seriously so I doubt him not unicycling was ever in question. I think that man could quite possibly do anything he sets his mind to!

September 5, 2011 – submitted by Sebastien, Switzerland
Q. Dear Oracle, Do you know if the new single Paradise will be aired on a radio before its release date? Thank you a lot! Greetings from Switzerland! Sébastien
The Oracle replies:
Given the single is out next week it’s not looking likely that it’ll be played before.

August 25, 2011 – submitted by Jory, United States of America
Q. Great Oracle! Here is my question, have you got the chance to hear Coldplay’s unreleased single Paradise? What is your opinion about the song. Cheers!
The Oracle replies:
I LOVE it. Eduardo from Mexico was a little concerned that Charlie Brown was being ditched in favour of Paradise but he needn’t be. The Billboard interview mentions that Charlie Brown was always planned to follow ETIAW as a single but perhaps too obvious a choice. It goes on to say that Paradise is more representative of what’s to come on the album as a whole.

Lyrics (official)

When she was just a girl

She expected the world

But it flew away from her reach so

She ran away in her sleep

And dreamed of

Para-para-paradise, Para-para-paradise, Para-para-paradise

Every time she closed her eyes

When she was just a girl

She expected the world

But it flew away from her reach

And the bullets catch in her teeth

Life goes on, it gets so heavy

The wheel breaks the butterfly

Every tear a waterfall

In the night the stormy night she’ll close her eyes

In the night the stormy night away she’d fly
And dreams of

Para-para-paradise

Para-para-paradise

Para-para-paradise

Oh oh oh oh oh oh-oh-oh

She’d dream of

Para-para-paradise

Para-para-paradise

Para-para-paradise

Oh oh oh oh oh oh-oh-oh-oh
Lalalalalalalalalalala

And so lying underneath those stormy skies

She’d say, “oh, ohohohoh I know the sun must set to rise”
This could be

Para-para-paradise

Para-para-paradise

Para-para-paradise

Oh oh oh oh oh oh-oh-oh

This could be

Para-para-paradise

Para-para-paradise

This could be

Para-para-paradise

Oh oh oh oh oh oh-oh-oh-oh

Continue Reading

‘Princess Of China’ single artwork

Princess of China is a track included on the fifth album Mylo Xyloto, released on 24th October, 2011.
It was released in 2012 as the fifth single of Mylo Xyloto.

Contents

• 7 Lyrics

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’s vocals appear on Princess Of China

Music Video

See: Princess Of China – Music Video

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]

The Oracle on Princess Of China

March 27, 2013 – submitted by Mandie, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle,

You mentioned yesterday that Princess of China is in some way based on a Sigur Ros song, could you please tell me which one? Coldplay and Sigur Ros are my two favorite bands and I would love to know how one inspired the other!

Thanks!

The Oracle replies:

Chris has been a longtime fan of Sigur Ros. Princess of China is more than just inspired by Sigur Ros, it includes a sample from Takk.

December 10, 2012 – submitted by Jennifer, Australia

Q. I was wondering, did Rhianna help Coldplay write Princess of China or was she just selected to sing it as a duet with them? (meaning they wrote the song on their own)

Also, why Rhianna and not someone else such as Alicia Keys?

The Oracle replies:

Although Coldplay LOVE Alicia Keys and have performed with her, there was no doubt that Princess of China was meant for Rihanna from the very inception of the song. The band wrote it & recorded it before Rihanna’s vocals were added.

November 29, 2012 – submitted by Thomas, United Kingdom

Q. Hi Oracle did Rihanna only come to Paris with Coldplay. If she did why? Hope you can reply. Thomas.

The Oracle replies:

Rihanna travelled to Paris to perform Princess of China with the band because that is where the majority of concert footage for the Live 2012 DVD was being recorded. They performed it twice there and then again at the Paralympics Closing Ceremony a week later.

August 1, 2012 – submitted by Nicole, Canada

Q. Dearest Oracle,

I attended the concert on Monday night and it was AMAZING. Truly unforgettable.

I just had one question; I was excited to hear Princess of China and I was curious as to how they would fill the sections sung by Rihanna, but quite frankly I was disappointed that her section was filled by a recording. As much as I love Rihanna I would have liked that those parts be sung by one of the openers as they both featured female artists.

Has Coldplay ever considered involving another female artist in the event Rihanna wasn’t present?

Thanks for your time!

Nicole

The Oracle replies:

The answer is rather like the one I gave on 26th July on a similar subject; no.

The song was written with Rihanna in mind, recorded with her and released featuring her so it wouldn’t feel quite right to have anyone else perform it.

It does seem like we’ve had a lot of talented ladies on tour with us this time but how would you pick between two?

Marina vs. Rita vs. Robyn vs. The Pierces etc. See what I mean? That would be a tricky decision even if they wanted to make it.

July 26, 2012 – submitted by Lauren, United Kingdom

Q. Who would Coldplay’s choice have been for Princess of China with if it was not Rihanna?

The Oracle replies:

If Rihanna hadn’t wanted to be involved there wouldn’t have been a second choice. It was her or nobody as they had her in mind when writing it.

May 3, 2012 – submitted by Matiss, Latvia

Q. Hey Oracle, I’ve just noticed at one of Coldplay last concerts that they played Princess of China with Rihanna in it. I was at Rock Im Park last year and there they played it too but without Rihanna. And I just wanna know why Chris doesn’t sing all of the song without Rihanna. The Rock Im Park version sounded really great!! Thank you so much!!

The Oracle replies:

Chris sang all parts at Rock Im Park because that was before the album had been released and there hadn’t been any announcements about it being a duet. It didn’t feel right so the song was dropped from the live set until now.

April 3, 2012 – submitted by Matt, Channel Islands

Q. Dear Oracle,

My wife and I are going to see Coldplay on the 1st of June. First big Stadium gig… very excited. Unfortunately can’t get to queue as early as we’d like as our flight doesn’t get in till midday 🙁

But… we both adore Princess of China, will Coldplay ever play it live? Obviously they will need a female vocalist…. I’ve heard Marina and the Diamonds are supporting…??

The Oracle replies:

Don’t worry, you’ll still have time to get a good spot.

Marina & the Diamonds opened for the band in Manchester and Emeli Sande supported on the dates before Christmas. Neither female vocalists took the lead in PoC so I doubt very much that it’s going to happen this Summer either.

December 19, 2011 – submitted by Susan, United States of America

Q. Just got home from the club and I heard what I thought was a Coldplay song. Did Coldplay cover any Rhianna songs recently? Possible it was just the house mix.

Thanks, the one who knows everything!

The Oracle replies:

Coldplay did cover a Rihanna song recently but that was for BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge and was an acoustic version of We Found Love so it won’t have been that – unless it’s an unofficial remixed version that we know nothing about.

What you probably heard was a bootleg (that means totally unofficial) mix.

It was possibly Princess of China which is a Coldplay song on their new album, Mylo Xyloto, featuring Rihanna on vocals.

Without knowing though, it could have been any of their songs and hers in some kind of mash-up as those do the rounds also.

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.

June 15, 2011 – submitted by Lotfi, Algeria

Q. Why coldplay has withdrew Princess of China of the setlist… It seems to be a great song.

The Oracle replies:

It IS a great song so don’t worry, that’s not the issue. Tweaking the set list always happens at the start of touring whether that be festivals or their own live shows. Violet Hill has been added for instance and the order of songs was changed too. It’s all very normal to see what feels right an works well.

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

Continue Reading

WikiColdplay

Coldplay from L-R: Chris Martin, Will Champion, Jonny Buckland and Guy Berryman

WikiColdplay is a sister-site of the Coldplay fansite Coldplaying.com and is the world’s first and largest dedicated Coldplay wiki site. There are currently 3,474 pages. WikiColdplay willl undergo a major redesign soon. Make sure to follow our twitter and like us on facebook! @wikicoldplay

Welcome Back & How to Sign-Up!

WikiColdplay is back and we need your help updating the wiki to modern times (ie. LP7) To sign up visit the sign up thread hereCheck out the pages that need updating below, just hit the edit button to update the information!

Pages that Need to be Updated – Difficulty

• Discography – Easy Nearly finished, EP’s need descriptions.


• Songs – Easy Thank you BiggerStronger for updating


• Awards – Easy Thank you Alisbe


• Miracles – Easy Thank you Alisbe, great job!


• Unbroken – Easy Finished by Stephen

• A Head Full of Dreams – coldplay’s unreleased seventh studio album


• Ghost Stories – the sixth album released in 2014


• Ghost Stories Live 2014 – the live album and a concert film available in stores now!


• Miracles – a song by Coldplay which was written and recorded for the 2014 drama film Unbroken, directed by Angelina Jolie.


• Game of Thrones: The Musical – A special project, created for the first Red Nose Day fundraiser in the United States!


• Coldplay Timeline – The Coldplay Timeline is a living history of the band, from their first rehearsal in 1998 to the present day.


• Concert Reviews 2014 – Coldplay’s small tour promoting their sixth album Ghost Stories.

Older…

• Concert Reviews 2011 – Coldplay’s multiple massive festival headline appearances for summer/autumn 2011 and ending with a European Arena tour!


• Mylo Xyloto – Coldplay’s fifth studio album released in 2011.


• Concert Reviews 2009 – up to date setlists, reviews, tweets and links to all the 2009 shows!


• LeftRightLeftRightLeft (live album) – giveaway CD available at all the 2009/10 shows.


• Prospekt’s March EP – The overspill of songs from the Viva La Vida era – leading to the release of this EP in November 2008.


• Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends – Coldplay’s fourth album, released in June 2008.

Coldplay

Coldplay are an English rock band. Formed in 1997 in London, the group comprises vocalist/pianist Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman and drummer Will Champion. Coldplay achieved worldwide fame with their 2000 single Yellow, followed by the success of their debut album, Parachutes, which was nominated for the Mercury Prize. Coldplay went on to be nominated for this prestigious award on two further occasions, once in 2003 and again in 2005. Coldplay have been one of the most commercially successful acts of the new millennium, selling over 40 million albums. The band are also known for hit singles, including In My Place and the Grammy Award-winning Clocks.

Coldplay’s early material was compared to acts such as Jeff Buckley and Radiohead, while also drawing comparisons to U2 and Travis. Since the release of Parachutes, Coldplay have also drawn influence from other sources, including Echo and the Bunnymen and George Harrison on A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002) and Johnny Cash and Kraftwerk for X&Y (2005). Both of these albums were released to great critical acclaim and commercial success. In 2002, A Rush of Blood to the Head was named as NME’s Album of the Year.

Coldplay have been an active supporter of various social and political causes, such as Oxfam’s Make Trade Fair campaign and Amnesty International. The group has also performed at various charity projects such as Band Aid 20, Live 8, and the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Since December 2006, the band worked with producer Brian Eno on a fourth album, Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends. Released on 17 June 2008, recording sessions for the album took place during June 2007 to April 2008 and featured production by Jon Hopkins, Rik Simpson, Markus Dravs, and Brian Eno.

The band finished recording the fifth album, Mylo Xyloto in mid-2011. When Martin and Champion were interviewed by BBC Radio and asked about the album’s lyrical themes, Martin replied “It’s about love, addiction, OCD, escape and working for someone you don’t like.” When asked whether or not their fifth album would be out by the summer, Martin and Champion said that there was plenty of work to be done before releasing it. They confirmed several festival appearances before its release date, especially a headlining spot in the 2011 Rock Werchter, Glastonbury Festival, T in the Park, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Rock in Rio, and Lollapalooza festivals. On 24 October 2011, they released Mylo Xyloto, which was met with favourable reviews.

Continue Reading

This article is about the song. For the EP, see Brothers & Sisters EP.Tracksearch

The Oracle on Brothers & Sisters

April 16, 2012 – submitted by Andrew, United States of America

Q. I listened to Brothers and Sisters on YouTube and it sounds like a different mix than my CD. is that the case, or is it only my imagination?

The Oracle replies:

There are actually 3 versions of Brothers & Sisters – not mixes – although only 2 of those are available to buy.

There was the original demo of 1998 followed by the Fierce Panda single version in 1999. A re-recording of the song also appeared as a b side to Trouble in 2000.

January 24, 2012 – submitted by Oscar, United States of America

Q. Hello Oracle! My question is this: One of my favorite songs is Brothers and Sisters, and I’ve heard other versions of the song, so I was wondering if the band ever released it. Thanks, and I hope you answer my question.

The Oracle replies:

As far as I know there are only 3 versions out there; a demo that was never released, the Fierce Panda single that was and the later version that appeared on the Trouble single.

September 13, 2010 – submitted by Dan, United States of America

Q. I have a couple questions concerning one Coldplay song.

1) Was the Trouble single version of Brothers and Sisters originally recorded with the intention of putting it on Parachutes?

AND

2) When was the last time ANY version of the song was played live / Why hasn’t it been played since?

This is why I ask:

I can’t help but think that the band hasn’t played it live in a long time because the single peaked at #107 on the UK Singles Chart, and as a result, they didn’t think it was good enough. 🙁

(I hope that’s not what they really thought). But considering that they were not very well known at the time when the single was released, I think that’s a rather unfair judgment to pass on the song (which, by the way, is an extremely epic song).

Very much obliged,

Dan The Coldplay Fan

PS The best version is the live version (27/10/99) because you can really feel the energy of the band through the music in the live recording. That’s precisely why I’m hoping and begging that they’ll play it live again when they go back on tour.

The Oracle replies:

No it wasn’t; it had already been released – as you know – so it wasn’t a contender. The original release was such a low key/limited release that it wasn’t likely to chart highly and that was not the purpose of the single.

It hasn’t been played for such a long time (tbc?) but that has nothing to do with sales results more that to be honest the song doesn’t really fit in the set as many of their other older songs do.

August 20, 2008 – submitted by Josh, United Kingdom

Q. Is Brothers & Sisters (on the Without Parachutes) really as Marxist as I think it is?

The Oracle replies:

Brothers & Sisters was a single released on Fierce Panda and was in no way Marxist! Without Parachutes is a bootleg by the way so is not an official Coldplay release.

Lyrics

Brothers and sisters unite

It’s the time of your lives

It’s the time of your lives

Break down, break down

Gotta spread love around

Gotta spread it all around

Brothers and sisters feel fine

It’s the time of your lives

It’s the time of your lives

No sound, no sound

Like this feeling you’ve found

Like this feeling you’ve found
But just stay down

‘Cos some sounds you’ll feel

So stay round

And some sounds you’ll feel
And it’s me, they’re looking for

And it’s me, I will never survive

But we’ll be around some more
Brothers and sisters unite

It’s the time of your lives

It’s the time of your lives

Break down, break down

Gotta spread love around

Gotta spread it all around
But just stay down

And some sounds you’ll feel

So stay ’round

And some sounds you’ll feel
And it’s me, they’re looking for

And it’s me, I will never survive

But we’ll be around some more
Brothers and sisters unite

Its the time of your lives

Its the time of your lives

Trivia

Continue Reading

From WikiColdplayA Rush of Blood to the Head tour poster

Coldplay’s A Rush Of Blood To The Head Tour was a global concert tour that supported the band’s second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head. Officially, the tour ran for almost nine months in 2003, covering five continents in the process. In 2002, Coldplay also performed a series of concerts in Europe and North America to support the album. However, these shows were not advertised as being part of the official album tour.

The tour DVD Live 2003 was filmed at the Horden Pavilion in Sydney, Australia on July 21 and 22, 2003.

Headliners for the tour included extended appearances by Idlewild and Ash in 2002 and Feeder, The Music, Eisley, and Ron Sexsmith in 2003.

Contents

• 4 External links

Show structure

Overall, Coldplay’s concerts during this period showcased its progression as a bona fide live act. The band began playing more shows in arenas and ampitheatres, moving away from the club venues that dominated earlier tours. Shows also had more elaborate stage and lighting effects. For example, strobe lighting for the song “Daylight” featured the image of a rotating sun superimposed over the stage. Taking a cue from U2’s recent Elevation Tour, Coldplay also adopted a series of back screens that displayed video footage of each band member simultaneously.

Other highlights included:

• Lead singer Chris Martin sang with Ron Sexsmith on the track, Gold In Them Hills during the headling set.


• Guitarist Jonny Buckland regularly played a harmonica solo on the track Don’t Panic. He tossed the harmonica into the crowd after the solo’s completion. Buckland also performed an original electric guitar introduction for the track.


• The aformentioned back screens were unfurled mid-concert, usually during the beginning of One I Love.


• At some shows, Martin sang lyrics after inhaling from a helium balloon.


• Martin usually wore a Make Trade Fair t-shirt during 2002 shows to promote the Oxfam campaign. Make Trade Fair booths were present at venues, where concert-goers could sign petitions and learn about the campaign’s objectives.

Setlist

Coldplay’s shows during this period was noted for its use of strobe lighting

The 2002 shows contained a rough 50/50 split in material from Parachutes and A Rush of Blood to the Head. The official tour in 2003 focused on songs from the second album, as well as many unreleased tracks. For example, future Live 2003 single Moses and b-side Pour Me were introduced during the tour. Other new songs included Gravity, The World Turned Upside Down and Ladder to the Sun.

Coldplay also made a habit of covering other artists on the tour, often as outros to their own songs. Covers ranged from a tongue-in-cheek excerpt of Avril Lavigne’s “Sk8er Boi” to the Louis Armstrong classic “What a Wonderful World”. Coldplay also regularly covered Echo and the Bunnymen’s Lips Like Sugar in its entirety, in homage of Bunnymen frontman Ian McCulloch’s role as a mentor during recording of A Rush of Blood to the Head.

The musical introduction to the concert featured selections from Brian Eno’s Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks.

The following is a sample setlist, taken from a concert in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on June 11, 2003.

Main set

The Oracle on A Rush Of Blood To The Head Tour

June 22, 2010 – submitted by Natalie, United Kingdom

Q. Hi Oracle!

I was going through some old issues of the Coldplay e-zine and came across an article where “the riddle of 1560” was mentioned. Please enlighten me, what is it?

Thanks!

The Oracle replies:

In 2003 there was a Coldplay competition based on the opening lyric from Politik followed by the number 1560 on the back page of the AROBTTH tour programme.

Giles Greenwood (who also designed the programme as well as other merch items) came up with the idea that drove thousands of fans crazy. Very few people worked out the answer to the riddle which was asking what the significance of that number 1560 was.

It was all connected to how many days it had been from the band signing to Parlophone to the last tour date on the AROBTTH tour.

December 10, 2009 – submitted by Jacob, Australia

Q. Dear Oracle

Could you please clarify this for me once and for all so that I may rest peacefully. What is the intro music to Coldplay’s 2003 tour concerts. Most people claim it’s a piece from Eno’s Apollo album but I don’t think they’ve ever actually heard that album because there is no part that sounds like that. Thank you!

The Oracle replies:

The band did indeed use Eno’s music from the film For All Mankind before they took to the stage. However, Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks was the album released 6 years earlier that largely soundtracked the movie.

The actual piece the boys walked on to is called An Ending (Ascent).

Continue Reading

From WikiColdplay’Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall’ single artwork

Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall (often referred to as ETIAW), was the first track to be announced as part of Coldplay’s fifth album era and is the seventh track on the fifth Coldplay album, Mylo Xyloto, released on 24th October, 2011.

Contents

• 12 Lyrics

Release

Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall was made available digitally and on-air at 12pm (BST) on Friday 3rd June, except in the UK where it was released at midnight on June 4th.

Background

It emerged that Chris Martin collaborated with I Go To Rio tunesmiths Peter Allen and Adrienne Anderson – whose original song was sampled on the dance track. The duo have a writing credit on Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall and Coldplay wrote on their website: “Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall contains elements of I Go To Rio written by Peter Allen and Adrienne Anderson.”

Chris was inspired to write the song after watching the film Biutiful by Alejandro Gonzalez. In the film, there is a nightclub scene – during which a track is playing in the background, based on I Go To Rio by Peter Allen and Adrienne Anderson. As a result, Allen and Anderson are also credited as writers on Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall.

A statement[1] on Coldplay’s official site read: Dear friends, we’re about to play a bunch of summer festivals so it’s as good a time as any to put out a new song. ‘Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall’ will be available digitally on Friday 3rd June at 12pm (BST), except in the UK where it’ll come out on the stroke of midnight between Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June. We’ll also stream it here on Friday and give it a run out at Rock Im Park. Love Will.

The announcement followed a number of teaser clues posted on the band’s Twitter and Facebook pages.

Chart Success

The song debuted at number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, selling 85,000 copies in its first week. It also entered the UK singles chart on Sunday 12th June 2011 at number 6.

Music Video

‘Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall’ video screenshot

Coldplay released the video online on Coldplay.com and via their YouTube videos channel, ColdplayVEVO[2] in the early hours of 29th June 2011. The video shows the band playing across various backdrops sprayed with colourful graffiti. The video was shot between June 14th and 15th June 2011.

It was filmed at Millennium Mills[3], close to London City Airport. Millennium Mills is a derelict turn of the century flour mill in West Silvertown on the south side of the Royal Victoria Dock in London. The mills also appear as the setting for a number of other music videos, including “Ask” by The Smiths (1986) filmed by Derek Jarman on the north side of Royal Victoria Dock, “Fluorescent Adolescent” by the Arctic Monkeys (2007) and “Take Back the City” by Snow Patrol (2008). As of 2011, the building remains derelict and is a destination for Urban Explorers who enter the site at high risk.

See also: Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall – Music Video

First reference

Further to the November 2010 Q article[4] revealing the inspiration behind Coldplay’s fifth album being old school American graffiti and anti-Nazi movements, Chris Martin spoke to The Sun about some of the tracks within said album.

Aside from song titles beginning with the letter U, Chris revealed there are tracks slated for inclusion on the album including Hurts Like Heaven and Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall, which will likely be the album closer. Describing the sound, Chris added that guitarist Jonny Buckland is coming into his own. He said: “‘Hurts Like Heaven’ is all Jonny. It only has two chords. The songs are group-y, its guitar-y. Johnny is coming out of his cocoon. We’re just trying some risky things.”

Chris said: “We’re hungry and very fired up. In five years we’ll be in our late 30s. You have to have your best work done by then. I’m trying to make sure there are three songs that start with the same letter. On the last album it was L. It might be U this time. One of them is Up With The Birds. It might be a duet, but we don’t know who with yet.”

First performance

Coldplay first performed Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall at a friends and family gig at The Forum, Kentish Town, London on 31st May 2011. They then continued to play it at the summer festival dates of 2011, beginning at Rock im Park Festival, Nürnberg, Germany.[5]

Recording at Glastonbury

Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall continued to be played live at subsequent festivals of 2011, and an official recording was captured by the BBC at Glastonbury on 25th June 2011.

Coldplayer’ ratings

Fans’ rating of ETIAW on Coldplaying.com’s front page after 48 hours

Coldplaying received so many comments about the song in the ETIAW subforum[6], both good and bad, that it was almost impossible to keep up with them all. The polls, however, spoke for themselves. Almost 2400 votes were cast in 48 hours.

Coldplayer’ reviews

Below are just a selection of Coldplayer’ reviews:

Since it’s been released, I’ve listened to Live 2003 a couple of times, Rock Am Ring live yesterday evening and ETIAW – in other words, I’ve listened to ETIAW probably more times than would be recommended, but I still love it! I don’t think I’llever set my virtual foot in the negative ETIAW thread! Compared to some of the older songs, I think ETIAW stands proud in the Coldplay catalogue… To me there’s real passion, and happiness for life that inspires this track, which makes it really enjoyable. I think the track could do without the bit that was sampled… But it goes well with the track, it doesn’t remove anything from it. If Chris wrote ETIAW or was inspired to write after hearing the original song, it makes some sense to include the sampling. That said, I’d like to hear an official version without it. I’m watching the Rock am Ring concert again (it took me 6 hours to download!) and I’m definitely looking forward to Every Teardrop is a Waterfall!! [thanks WH25]

As a Coldplay fan, I find this single very disappointing. This is weak, way under Coldplay’s full potential, so is Chris’ singing. It’s as if they only want to please the people who listen to hit radio and be number 1 in the hit lists. I was wrong at first by comparing ETIAW to gorgeous songs they made before, such as Spies, AROBTTH, Trouble and I Ran Away, songs that don’t use (catchy) melody samples that aren’t even their own (something they shouldn’t need at all). I was afraid they would be going this “big band with big hits” way. While I, and many other fans that have been following them for a longer time, am a huge fan mainly because of their moody, stripped down and goosebumps-inducing sound and deep lyrics, and also blowing-away rock, things ETIAW definitely doesn’t have. Now I realise that they can still do it, and ETIAW is just some kind of experiment and it proves that they can do whatever they want, although ETIAW could have been made by any commercial pop band. However that makes me afraid that people who are not fans will know Coldplay as a band that makes stadium-filling big songs, and they are missing out on the real Coldplay. [thanks Tryptophan]

ETIAW is incredible live! There is so much energy in the performance, and they all really seem to love the song. Chris kept smiling and even Guy (who I always find looks very serious on stage!) seemed really into it. It makes it an even better performance when the band is excited about what they are playing! While it may not be a musical masterpiece, it is still far better than half the crap out there. It is an uplifting tune with good lyrics, a catchy melody, and some lovely instrumental bits. It’s going to be fantastic for the festivals this summer as it is fun and easy to dance and sing along to. I think that Coldplay wanted to have some fun with this song, and they have definitely achieved that goal. [thanks Technicolor Sparks]

There is something positive about ETIAW for me. I won’t have to waste $.99 on the song. [thanks the_gloaming09]

My first listen was about a 6-7. Didn’t really know what to think about it. Then I found out about the sampling. Listened a few more times. Kind of grew on me. It sounds like Glass of Water and A Spell A Rebel Yell mixed together. I enjoy the song immensely. Very joyous and well constructed. But I do hope that LP5 will take on a different tone. When I heard the teaser for the chorus bassline, with the Radiohead-esque electronic sound, I was pumped. I’m just hoping for a slightly darker, more serious sound in LP5. A return to form, if you will. [thanks Squish92]

You guys thought Coldplaying’s reaction was intense, did you see what happened when Taiwan’s Parliament heard the song? [thanks matts05]

It is truly a very different and a bit too mainstream sound… I gues there’s nothing wrong with the band wanting to reach a different and bigger crowd. I personally don’t love it, and think is only a very fun summery dancin song, easily forgettable… but I think there’s nothing to be afraid about ’cause all the hard-root fans trully know Coldplay and know that we’ll still have them back…meaning we will hear the regular coldplay sound in the future. So, let them have their moment, it’s O.K. we haven’t lost them. Lyrics, for example, sound tipically deep and meaningful. Kudos for the band, keep up the great work. [thanks starearendil]

“So you can hurt, hurt me bad but still I’ll raise the flag” LOVE this lyric. Also in the beginning it mentions escaping into your favorite song. Who hasn’t done that? I know people have been trashing the lyrics but I think they are beautiful. I think people are stuck on this idea that since it is the new single and it’s been awhile since the last Coldplay release it needs to be a monumental, groundbreaking masterpiece. It’s a good solid song. And whats so wrong with it making people happy? That’s a good thing, the world needs more happiness. [thanks monkeeypantz]

I really dislike the song… First I was like…it’s nothing special but it might work. But now, it’s one of my least favorite Coldplay songs…Probably next to that old song No more keeping my feet on the ground…Which I can’t stand. Anyway… Having heard the other songs on YouTube I really hope that Every Tear won’t be on the album…Or if it is, that it will be a bonus track… Or at least NOT a single. Too lame for the leading single IMO. And yes, it disappoints me that they used the sample very much so! [thanks Strawberry Swinger]

I’m one of the fans who really likes ETIAW. Everyone is definitely allowed his or her opinion, and I can understand why fans who were waiting for the next “Yellow” are disappointed. However, spare some thought for the marketing aspects behind the single’s release. The single is meant to get people – some of whom may never have listened to Coldplay before – interested in the festival shows and in LP5. So the song had to be accessible to the casual listener, and the band went the danceable route to make it so. No, it’s not “Warning Sign” but it’s not crap, either. I have to smile a little and wonder, if media such as this had been around in 1967, we’d have had Beatles fans dissing “Sgt. Pepper” and longing for the times when we had lyrics such as “beep beep and beep beep yeah!” And seeing the videos from last night makes me even more eager for the album! [thanks JillyBlue]

I think the song is the sound of four people playing very tightly together and is actually a magnificent celebration song. If it is indeed the last song on the album, what a great way to end what could still be a rather intimate affair (we have heard only ONE song!). Also, in understanding Chris’ statement about making a final push to be the biggest band in the world, I think they have succeeded in making an organic sounding, yet large, pop song along the lines of U2. Love the energy, and am completely intrigued by their promotion (or lack thereof) for the album. Bands get tired of their tour/record cycle and want to switch up their sound and their strategy. They have redesigned everything, from stage, to clothes, to sound, and haven’t spoken one word about it like in previous campaigns. They dont need to repeat themselves or build hype after months of magazines and reporters living with them at the studio in building to the album release. They will simply let the music speak for itself. When a band the size of Coldplay say they want an album to come out with less fan fair, it’s hard to imagine how, but somehow, in typical Coldplay style, they have achieved just that. A large affair without any fan fair! Kanye tried this promotion style with his last album and in some respects it failed, the gamble didn’t work out with regards to album sales. But Google Coldplay and see how many sites are making the story up for the band. They haven’t had to do interviews with anyone and yet EVERY music source is writing long articles about the new single and forthcoming album. They are already getting all the promotion they need. It will be interesting to see if this works out for Coldplay. I hope it does. Good job boys. Haters gon hate! [thanks joshtimo]

It sounds so forced. they’re trying so hard to make this ridiculous dance epic summer singalong that will make everyone happy, but they tried to hard to do that instead of just making music the natural way it feels like they have the past four albums. this is so much more processed / commercialized sounding. I love the album Viva, along with all their other albums, and the song Viva was my least favorite on that album, it was popppish but at leassst it was original! That song sounds so much better now!!! [thanks Eh Steve!]

I think the reason why I am so disappointed with it is because I was expecting it be something it wasn’t. I first was thinking it could be something along the lines of acoustic, because as you said matts05, Chris has said the new album would be along the lines of intimate, and acoustic. The next thing I was thinking the song might be was a “punkish” song. I just got that kinda feel from the Artwork for the song, and the pictures of the band in the new clothes. But instead we got a dance song.. I guess I was just too hyped from all the little teasers the band put out weeks prior. I applaud the band for going down a new path. I tend to enjoy things that are new, and fresh. Thats why I loved VLV so much. It was a new sound, to a familiar structure of songs the band are well known for. I always loved Coldplay for singing about big things in life. Talking about the good, the bad, and the mysterious. This song talks about dancing the night away.. (Hmmm). I think this song will always be known for one of their biggest mistakes, like it or not. This song is just not my cup of tea. [thanks The Joker]

I am baffled as well. I like it. Is it The Scientist? No. Is it Clocks? No. But it’s really, really catchy, and that’s what Chris is best at, giving us songs to hum and sing along with. No, he doesn’t write Arcade Fire type lyrics. But give him a break. Will it be on the album? We don’t know, but I think Coldplay fans saying they’re going to give up the band completely if it’s on the album is a bit shortsighted. It’s ONE SONG, people. Enjoy it, dance to it, exercise to it, listen while you’re driving (Chris writes great driving songs). It’s really not that bad. We’re still Coldplay fans, after all. [thanks kittybitty]

I don’t totally dislike the song. That said, what a real fan does in my opinion is trusting the guys, that does not mean welcoming whatever they release as if it was gold even when it’s not that good, but thinking that if they wrote that song they had their reasons, be trying sth different, having a festival tune, or whatever, they had sth to express. I really can’t understand those who question their skills in such a dramatic way for ONE song that they don’t like, especially because the other new songs show the guys are still great. [thanks Steph589]

At first I was incredibly skeptical, maybe because I had built up the return to an unimaginable level, so I voted it a 6, maybe a low 7. After repeated listening, each time raising the volume just a tad bit louder, I would give it a solid 9. It’s not a Yellow or CLocks…yet. I disliked Violet Hill when it first came out, but after listening to it in the context of the entire album, I fell in love with it, so maybe that’s how it will become with this song. Also, Coldplay stated a while back that the album would be about Spray Paint Art…and Nazis. I actually listened to this song, picturing war refugees in Germany during WW2, and their expressions toward the war ending, and being able to sing and dance again. Their teardrops were a waterfall, but they were free, and thus joyous and hopeful. It’s not the Coldplay I’m accustomed to, but I do like it, and with each listen I like it more and more. [thanks danmets21]

I’m also no big fan of this song. So happy that the other new songs played at the festivals are way better than this one. I would also agree that it is the most flat song Coldplay ever made….I think Coldplay just did this track to jump onto the dance trend in popular music and as a seller for the new album. It does not even come close to Viva la vida, although I always considered this to be one of their worse songs. ETIAW starts in the beginning with this awful sample which I always associate with Verona Feldbusch (German fans will understand). Afterwards the verses always repeat this “stolen” melody, the vocals are not interesting, it is overproduced etc.. Yeah, live it functions a bit better but that does not change the fact that it will be on the studio album and sound very cheesy. The only things I appreciate about this song are the drums at the end and that it will be the final track on the album so I don’t have to skip! [thanks Sparks22]

Media reviews

“Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall”: B+ (Boston Herald)

Chris Martin does it again. He gives force to wimp music, beauty to base pop and the world another Coldplay anthem. The first bit of new music from Coldplay’s as-yet-untitled fifth album, an expected fall release, continues the band’s journey away from its dark, mopey Radiohead roots and toward the bright, modern universalism of U2. It also, oddly (and apparently intentionally) lifts the hook from Peter Allen’s “I Go to Rio.” Basically, the boys are joyous. And so is this stadium-rock track. “I turn the music up, I got my records on, I shut the world outside until the lights come on,” Martin sings over buoyant synths, ringing guitar and big drums. You can feel the love and hear the band’s next chart-topper all at once. [7]

“Every Teardrop is a Waterfall” is as sappy as its name suggests, and that’s great” (The Atlantic)

Chris Martin has a cold. Just listen to the guy. His vowels are long and thickly exhaled. His consonants are swallowed. That soft, nasal chest voice breaks every few words into an apologetic, crackling falsetto. There is a kind of permanent head cold in Martin’s voice and outlook, which might explain why he writes so much about feeling sorry for himself and finding cures. I was lost, I was lost oh yeah, but everything’s not lost, and I will try to fix you and also, stars. That is every Coldplay song in a sentence. Or, it used to be. Four years ago, the band teamed up with superproducer Brian Eno to make a record, Viva La Vida, that forced Martin and his bandmates to shrug off their mopiness. Sighing syths were replaced by rougher reverb, and symbol-crashing choruses gave way to primal thumps. The critics had a point: You can smear mud on sentimentalist sap, but you’re still dealing with sentimental sap. Even so, Eno convinced the group to drop the in-the-gutter-looking-at-the-stars motif and act like a rock band.

And today, the gang is back. Coldplay’s latest single, the dreadfully named “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall,” begins undreadfully. An angelic synth swell lays the foundation for a jangly electric piano riff that sounds like what you would get if Animal Collective remixed Peter Allen’s 1976 song “I Go to Rio” (thanks to Village Voice for the sharp eyes on the song credit, which lists Allen as a co-writer). Then everything gets very Coldplay. Martin’s voice, throaty and self-assured, kicks off a talk-sing verse. A guitar line takes the bluegrassy twiddle-diddle from the band’s “Strawberry Swing” and adds a few extra diddles. The monosyllabic thump of the kickdrum that dominated Viva La Vida comes back with clubby untz. There is a battle-hymn quality to the melody, a marching insistence that gamely sets up a chorus written to be sung and heard in a rock hall.

Must we talk about the lyrics? It will not surprise you to learn that a song titled “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall” does not hold up well to textual analysis. As darkness is to Conrad, light is to Martin: He is pathologically incapable of writing two stanzas without multiple references to lights, stars, skies, or other bright shiny things guiding him, always, “home.” In the first two verses of “Every Teardrop,” we get two lights, one heaven, and one morning (Coldplay bingo!). There are “cathedrals in my heart,” and “every siren is a symphony,” and it’s all pretty horrible if you stop and think about it. But the point is, don’t stop and think about it. Martin’s words are more like percussion than prose, marking time, filling space, distinguishing verses and choruses. Listening to Coldplay for the lyrics is like reading a book for the page numbers. Insist on doing so and you’re missing the real work. Everything that Coldplay does is big. Even the “small” songs are stadium anthems. But the crux of Coldplay’s talent–yes, talent–is subtler than the music sounds. It is, very simply, melody. Or better yet, finding the balance between predictability and surprise that characterizes most successful melodies. Hundreds of bands play wistful choruses over the same four chords and don’t get much further than the garage or local bar. Most of them fail because their melodies are crap.

Chris Martin might be a soggy trunk of sap, but he is genetically incapable of writing abstruse melodies. They draw clear lines. They take a shape. They pose a question, and they give a satisfying answer. They open the chord and resolve the fleeting dissonance, and it’s all done deftly enough that the hook comes into focus just as it’s ending. Is this song any good? It’s a Coldplay song–a carefully orchestrated, melodically solid, hands-to-the-sky, all-around rousing rock anthem about, literally, crying. Does that make any sense? Of course not. Is that description abhorrent to you? Me, too. Which is why I’m carefully monitoring the volume on my earphones to make sure nobody hears me hitting the repeat button again, and again, and again. [8]

Coldplay take inspiration from Australian songwriter on comeback track (NME)

Coldplay’s long awaited comeback single ‘Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall’, which you can hear by scrolling down and clicking at the bottom of the page, takes a sample from Australian 1970s songwriter Peter Allen’s single ‘I Go To Rio’, the band have confirmed.

The track, which you can hear below, was released in 1976 on Allen’s fourth album ‘Taught By Experts’ and has since been covered by a number of high profile artists, including Peggy Lee. Allen, who died in 1992, enjoyed a successful music career in the 1970s and 1980s, releasing over ten solo albums. He has also seen his songs covered by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dusty Springfield and Olivia Newton-John. Coldplay have credited Allen as a songwriter on the list of writers for ‘Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall’ on their official website Coldplay.com, possibly as an extra precaution after they were sued by Joe Satriani in December 2008 over claims they plagiarized his 2004 track ‘If I Could Fly’ for their 2008 single ‘Viva La Vida’. The case was settled out of court. [9]

New Coldplay! And It’s AMAZING!!!!!!!! (Perez Hilton)

Wow. Wow. Wow. Chris and the boys really hit it out of the park! Not just a homerun but a grand slam! After a bit of a break in between albums, their brand new single is such a powerful, instant, undeniable, huge, global hit. It feels sooooo good on the ears! We can’t stop listening!!!! Coldplay at its best!!! [10]

New Song: Coldplay, ‘Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall’ (MTV)

Modern rock behemoths Coldplay just previewed the first single off their upcoming Brian Eno-produced fifth studio album, and it’s every bit as soaring as we’ve come to expect from the band. It begins with an airy riff taken from the 1976 song “I Go To Rio” by Australian singer-songwriter Peter Allen, and spins it into something uniquely inspirational. Eno’s influence shows, as do echoes of U2 and solo-era Sting. The lyrics are intimate, describing the singer’s inner state as he listens to music and contemplates life: “I turn the music up, I’ve got my records on, I shut the world outside until the lights come on,” Chris Martin sings, meditatively. But as the song picks up, with grand orchestration and a recurring, triumphant guitar lick, you get the sense you’re being let in on something much more universal as he croons “every tear is a waterfall.”

We’re not totally sure what Martin could have to cry about (with multiple accolades, beautiful children and a movie star wife, his life seems pretty good), but I guess we all feel bummed sometimes. In any case, “Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall” has major summer smash potential, so teary waterfalls, be gone, Coldplay! [11]

Coldplay’s New Single is Streaming, And So Are Chris Martin’s Tears (The L Magazine)

Sometimes things with stupid names are not as bad as they seem. Sometimes things with stupid names are great, despite their stupid names. And one should never judge a book, a song or a person by its stupid name because that would be narrow-minded and callous, right? Wrong. Well, wrong for today. Coldplay’s new single, “Every Tear is a Waterfall” is streaming from their website, and it is precisely as shmaltzy and terrible as it sounds.

The lyrics speak for themselves. From them, and what we can gather, this is how it came about: Chris Martin was sitting in his darkened apartment, listening to his records and crying. Then he decided to write a song about the experience. And that is how “Every Tear is a Waterfall” happened. How did this happen? How can this have passed through the hands of the band, the record label, the industry execs without someone going, “Uh, what?” And who decided this was good? Because if it was wifey and (apparently) now-country-singer Gwyneth Paltrow, that would be cause for real tears.

Coldplay has had some good songs with artistic integrity. They have. And great, transformative, era-making music has come out of musicians’ “blue” periods (i.e. Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake, Elliott Smith, the list goes on). This is not one of those. Words fail. Listen for yourself. [12]

Coldplay in ‘not actually rubbish new song shocker’ (Holy Moly)

It’s all gone a bit rave-tastic. Well, a bit. It’s been a day for musical surprises, first Kaiser Chiefs released an album that you have to build yourself. Then we found out that Christina Aguilera and Adam Lambert were recording a duet* and then Coldplay released a new single, just like that. And we didn’t hate it. It’s not going to change the world, but once you’ve cleared the vomit from your mouth that arose when you read the title: Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall, you have to admit, this is a pomposity free, pleasantly spangly tune. Could do without the bits where he goes “ooh!” though. There’s no need for the bits where he goes “ooh!”. It’s crying out for a banging Tony Lamezma remix, isn’t it? [13]

Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall, Guys: The Wisdom of Coldplay (Riverfront Times)

There’s a strange interview lurking somewhere in the unpopulated regions of the Internet in which Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher calls Coldplay singer Chris Martin a “plant pot.” It’s a weird thing to say for more than one obvious reason: What actually is a plant pot? Should Chris be offended? Would he even care? How many people actually listen to Liam’s insults? Does any of this make sense?

The answers, after considerable deliberation, are as follows: I’m guessing just a pot for a plant, probably not, probably not, few and no. The last answer is the most important because it also applies to pretty much the entirety of the pot plant’s band’s new song, the tongue-out-of-cheek “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall.” Fortune cookie title aside, the song is the current zenith of two years of fans and skeptics waiting to hear what comes after Viva La Vida, which was produced by Brian Eno and significantly altered the band’s aesthetic and its crossover success. The aggressively low-pressure jam was released to Americans — the band’s fellow Brits have to wait another day — early this morning and, let’s be real, it’s groundbreaking. The early rise was worth it for the moments of stunning lyrical clarity, found in pure, Shakespearean lines such as, “I’d rather be a comma than a full stop” (Who wouldn’t?) and, “Maybe I’m the gap between the two trapezes” (Woah).The best part of that last one is that it functions as a rhyme with “knees.”

The single clocks in at exactly four minutes, which means you can listen to it fifteen times per hour, depending upon your speed at clicking “Play” and your knowledge of the Repeat option. At the very least, you have a minimum of fourteen chances an hour, and you probably should be doing that for at least three hours today in order to truly plumb the plant pot’s depth. As you listen to the song, we recommend making predictions for the full album, debating Chris Martin’s expression in the new press photos and considering the literal and figurative implications of every teardrop actually being a freakin’ waterfall. Shit gets deep. [14]

First song off their upcoming album finds the band in full-on uplift mode (MTV)

“You probably didn’t need that second cup of coffee Friday (June 3) morning if you heard Coldplay’s caffeinated new single, “Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall.” It premiered while most of us here in the States were just waking up and is certainly the kind of tune that can jump-start a day. Vaguely trance-y, slightly meditative and most definitely sunny, “Teardrop” is basically four minutes of pure, unadulterated uplift. Beginning with shimmering synth stokes, building steam on guitars both strummed and bent skyward and kicking into high gear on a thumping, four-on-the-floor house beat, it is a song in a state of constant build, growing more massive with each passing second. It’s a single more eye-opening than a snoot-full of arabica. Frontman Chris Martin matches the wide-screen sonics with his lilting vocals, hitting the (many) “woah-oh-ohs” with aplomb and delivering refrains (“I turn the music up/ I got my records on”) with a wiry persistence. The latter only adds to the song’s dreamlike feel; the lines almost seem like a contemplative prayer, their repetition like layers in an ever-growing mantra that eventually leads to some sort of higher consciousness. The funny thing is, those lyrics — which are all about finding solace in music and strength in self — are also incredibly insular, and when paired with the unapologetically over-the-top music, they create a rather interesting dichotomy: This is, one can assume, a deeply personal song that Martin wrote for … everybody in the entire world.

Then again, that’s seemingly the only way Coldplay do things, and “Teardrop” is certainly a worthy addition to their inspirational songbook. It also seems to fit the theme of their still-untitled new album, which Martin described as being “about life, the good stuff, the bad stuff, everything.” And really, how can you sum up their brand-new single any better than that? So if I’m being a tad too professorial in my assessment of “Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall,” you’ll have to forgive me … I guess I really miss that second cup of coffee.” [15]

Coldplay – Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall (Rolling Stone)

Chris Martin says Coldplay’s upcoming album is influenced by old-school New York graffiti, and in a recent photo the bandmates are dressed in neon chillwear like they just walked off the set of Breakin’ 3: A Brit-Pop Odyssey. But the first single doesn’t go for the sound of early hip-hop so much as its sense of year-zero possibility. Over a rave-tinged keyboard melody, leavened by producer Brian Eno’s rainforest-of-the-soul ambience, Martin sings of kids dancing until morning and heaven inside his headphones. When the drums kick in fully, it moves like “Sunday Bloody Sunday” by way of the Velvets’ “Sunday Morning,” a flag-waving ode to change-as-inspiration: “I’d rather be a comma than a full stop,” Martin sings. Coming from a guy whose critics take him for a human exclamation point, it’s a welcome sentiment. 3.5/5. [16]

Coldplay, ‘Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall’ – Song Review (Popcrush)

Coldplay‘s brand new single ‘Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall’ is as big as its title suggests. It is not a ballad, but an uplifting, room-filling Brit pop song laced with the band’s rock ‘n’ roll edge. While Coldplay have endured plenty of Radiohead comparisons throughout their career, they’ve turned the corner here, going for stadium-sized hooks a la U2 with this bold, bright, guitar-driven new song that is steered by Martin’s inimitable voice. Thanks to its massive size and scope, the four-minute monster more than makes up for all the time fans had to wait for new music from the band.

At about the three-minute mark, ‘Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall’ balloons with layered harmonies and faster guitar work. It’s as though vocalist (and Gwyneth Paltrow baby daddy) Chris Martin wrote the song with the express intent of performing in a stadium or at the Olympics. (Ahem — the 2012 Olympics will be held in London, so…) When Martin sings, “I turn the music / I got my records on / I shut the world outside until the lights come on / Maybe the streets alright / Maybe the trees are gone / I feel my heart start beating to my favorite song,” he pulls us into his world, where everything around you fades into the background while you focus on what you hear in your headphones. Speaking of which, you will pick up all the nuances of sound via a pair of earbuds. The song doesn’t fade out, either. It ends on a percussive note. You’ll want to listen to it over and over again. It’s a gorgeous mix of Coldplay’s knack for pretty melodies mixed with some escalating guitar work, despite not being nearly as polished as the band’s previous pop songs. The song comes in like a lion and goes out like one, too! 4/5 stars. [17]

The Singles Bar: Coldplay, Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall (Popdust)

It’s pretty simple, actually—if you like Coldplay, you’ll like this song. (And if not, what are you doing jumping to listen to a Coldplay song the day it gets released, anyway?) It’s got that big, stadium filling drum-and-guitar sound, a fantastically evocative synth intro (which reminds of Alice Deejay’s “Better Off Alone” to our ears, but then again, so does everything) and a crowd-pleasing, hands-in-the-air lyric about the almighty power of music (“I turn the music up / I got my records on / I shut the world outside / Until the music’s gone”). It gets bigger and more anthemic as it goes for its four-minute running time, and then suddenly it’s over. It’s thrills are far from unpredictable, but after the band’s two-year absence, you might be surprised as to how welcome they are nonetheless. Truth told, the compact swell of “Every Teardrop” doesn’t even sound so much like a comeback single as it does a concert opener, something to announce the band’s presence before delving into the real hits. But if so, we can’t wait for the rest of the gig—over a decade after their mainstream breakthrough, and with endless imitators in their wake, it’s as true now as ever that nobody does Coldplay as well as Coldplay themselves. POPDUST SAYS: 3.5/5 [18]

Music Review: Coldplay – “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall” Single

Coldplay has released a new single which will be on their upcoming, as yet untitled fifth studio album. “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall” still retains their signature pop-rock sound, but yet is refreshingly new-and old at the same time, with electronic elements and Coldplay-esque production style (Brian Eno and Rik Simpson return as the production team). The song begins with the rave-like synthesizer riff, over a swimming pad. Chris Martin then comes in with rousing lyrics: “I turn the music up, I got my records on/I shut the world outside until the lights come on.” The words certainly make me want to get out under the sun and just party the day away. Cue the electric guitar intro riff, which is not too impressive. But I’ll let that slide. The pounding kick drums give “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall” its anthemic quality. Each beat of the drum calls listeners to pump their fists in the air in unison to the rhythm of the song. The lyrics are not poetic or deep in any sense of the word, but yet are able to reach into the very soul of the listener. The repetitive synth lines and guitar strumming and “dance-rock” beat isn’t the most complicated. But it is the simplicity of the song and perhaps Chris Martin’s stretched “oohs” that resonate so much with me. I’m not really a huge fan of Coldplay, but this song makes me excited to hear what it has to offer in their upcoming album.[19]

Stereoboard: Coldplay – Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall (Single Review)

The extent to which you appreciate the vibrant new Coldplay single can perhaps be gauged by objectivity. The band’s latest tunes, showcased at Rock AM Ring this week, have been received in ‘rapturous’ fashion according to one of their roadies. Meanwhile, you won’t have to search too hard on social networks to find the naysayers: “this one is ripping off so-and-so…”; “they want to be U2…” so on, so forth. Somewhat predictably then, the truth is that the ironically named ‘Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall’ is somewhere in the middle. Coldplay are far from bland, and whether you loved or hated Viva la Vida (and it’s needlessly long title), you had to admire their willingness to progress as a group. However, whichever way you look at it, this latest single is further proof that although Martin and co certainly don’t lack fear in regards to experimentation, their song writing can leave something to be desired. Lyrically, there’s some very clumsy stuff here, “Don’t want to see another generation drop/I’d rather be a comma than a full stop” being a particular culprit. The main melodic idea, mainly synth-based, is also a little uninteresting (even grating), but it does give Jonny Buckland a chance to shine with his underrated skills on the guitar. Once Chris Martin’s repetitive vocals disappear into the mix around halfway through, the track begins to pick up momentum, before its frustratingly abrupt finish. Some bands are well suited to this proclaimed role of ‘stadium kings’; just look at where Muse are. Coldplay are arguably even bigger, having played arenas across the world themselves for a good part of a decade, and there is no doubt that the anthemic nature of this track is very deliberate. ‘Every Teardrop…’ is far too linear to be considered alongside pop classics ‘Yellow’ and the Buckley-esque ‘Shiver’ (I still consider the latter to be their best song). Maybe it would be unfair to say that Coldplay have regressed, especially as this is the poorest of the new songs. But hey, let’s be objective: Coldplay are not the new U2, and they’re certainly not the new Radiohead, but they can definitely do better than this. [20]

Coldplay’s “Waterfall” Explores New Rhythmic Territory

Here’s the standard critical take on Coldplay’s new track, their first hint at their upcoming fifth album: Think really hard about every line, every word, every implication of every lyric and note. Prattle on about the transparent silliness of its lyrics, its lightweight, bouncy tune, its needless final measures–is drummer Will Champion just out to show us he can bang sticks on drumheads? And those lyrics–ugh! More clichés, more rhymes thrown carelessly together, more disjointed phrases stacked one on the other, a towering mess of poetic amateurism! Following this method, though, seems to miss the forest of Coldplay’s intent for the trees of their method. Let me explain. “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall” is somewhat of a trap for Coldplay’s ever-present critics: the song bears its faults and shallowness so proudly that to bemoan them turns the joke on you. This is breezy, beautiful stuff, from the pulsing opening riff to the obligatory “ohhh ohhhs” of the final chorus. Chris Martin surely knows how to write things more weighty than this, yet he went the summer party route. No doubt his band’s busy festival season partly inspired that, but there’s something else going on here. It’s a thumbing of the nose at snobbery; a gutsy move, a kind of musical Light Brigade. Being a spectator never sounded so lovely. So what actually IS happening on this song? Well, those hoping for another “Speed of Sound” are in for disappointment. I regret to inform you, this is not a masterpiece. There’s plenty of fun to be had here, though, especially in the rhythm section where Mr. Martin has apparently handed over some of the creative
duties to bassist Guy Berryman and Champion. The martial stomp of “Waterfall” continues in the theme of Viva la Vida‘s “Lovers in Japan“, a delightful number quite similar to this newest single. This is a song to power your summer misadventures, particularly those accomplished on the open road. If you’re looking for pearls of sage wisdom, look elsewhere.[21]

The Oracle on Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall

The Official Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall symbol

February 4, 2014 – submitted by Anna, Denmark

Q. Hey there!

I saw the ETIAW question and wondered, if the building from the music video is the same as the one from Fluorescent Adolescent by Arctic Monkeys?

And if so, was the location chosen to make some kind of connection between the two?

Anna

The Oracle replies:

Yes it’s the same location but no there is absolutely no connection other than it’s Millennium Mills and frequently used as a location for film, TV and music videos.

One of which was my favourite Snow Patrol song’s video, Take Back the City.

October 10, 2012 – submitted by Lindajarousi, Finland

Q. Hi. My friend seems to think there’s a bagpipe in Every Teardrop is a Waterfall. She claims it’s a bagpipe when Jon plays solo with electric guitar. She was so certain about her being right that I got suspicious, so please tell us whether it’s a bagpipe or a guitar. Thanks a lot.

The Oracle replies:

Bagpipes? Wow, I’ve never been asked that before or heard anyone mistake the guitar for them. Now I listen again, I can sort of see why your friend could think that but no, there are no bagpipes on that track or any other Coldplay song.

August 20, 2012 – submitted by Daniel, United Kingdom

Q. Dear Oracle. I love how you’ve adopted the graffiti art form for the album. I was particularly interested in the music video for Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall which uses large quantities of graffiti. My question is, when you filmed the video at Millennium Mills, London, did you leave the graffiti behind, or was it just CGI? Thanks!

The Oracle replies:

The graffiti was real but no, it wasn’t left behind. The grafitti was removed by a team as each new shot was being set up.

Read more here.

April 10, 2012 – submitted by Ellie, United Kingdom

Q. In the building where ETIAW was filmed, was the graffiti kept on the walls, or did it have to be washed off?

The Oracle replies:

I have never been to the filming location as it’s behind a Private Property sign but a friend of mine who lives close by informs me that evidence of the video is left behind though not all of the graffiti remains.

October 6, 2011 – submitted by Colleen, France

Q. Hello oracle, I just happened to see the ETIAW video on a French TV music channel and the composing was credited to “Berryman” … I thought it was a strange way to put it, without the first name ! And was it only written by Guy ?? Thank you 🙂

The Oracle replies:

Song credits are usually listen by surname in alphabetical order (or full name in surname alphabetical order) which means Guy would be the first writer to be credited followed by Jonny, Will & Chris. I’m not sure why they only listed Guy but assume it’s because he is first in the credit roll but it should actually read Berryman, Buckland, Champion, Martin.

July 11, 2011 – submitted by Will, United States of America

Q. Good afternoon, Oracle!

Where was the music video for ETIAW filmed? I noticed at the beginning of the video one of the buildings looked awfully familiar to the Sears tower in Chicago.

Thanks!

The Oracle replies:

I can’t confirm where the opening shot is exactly, but yeah, it is actually somewhere in America. The rest is London’s Docklands as previously mentioned.

July 4, 2011 – submitted by Elise, France

Q. Dear Oracle,

I heard that ETIAW official’s clip was filming in Paris ? Is it true ? If it is, when the guys were filming and where was it exactly in Paris ?

Thanks a lot for your answer,

Best wishes.

The Oracle replies:

No, I think you may have misunderstood the reference to Paris in Roadie #42’s blog. It was referring to the graffiti artist whose name is Paris. It was filmed in London’s Docklands area.

June 16, 2011 – submitted by Amio, United Kingdom

Q. Would you explain a little about ETIAW video?

What is the sign that Phil has uploaded about the video?

The Oracle replies:

I love the way fans are hungry to know every single solitary last detail about what the band are doing but all I can tell you is the video – featuring the band – was shot at Docklands on Tuesday/Wednesday this week. I promise once you’ve seen it, I will tell you more. The photo that appeared was taken at the shoot so gives a hint of the feel.

June 9, 2011 – submitted by Daniel, Canada

Q. Dear Oracle

I really need to know, have Coldplay lost their touch? I know that they’ve collaborated with Peter Allen and Adrienne Anderson to write Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall, but do they now need to rely on other people writing their music for them? Is this the direction the band is headed?

The Oracle replies:

Er, Peter Allen is dead so that’s impossible! There has been NO collaboration. I don’t think people are quite understanding the song’s composition. To clarify: Chris was inspired to write Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall after hearing some chords in a nightclub scene in Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s film Biutiful (2010).

The chords in the film are part of a track that is based on I Go To Rio written by Peter Allen and Adrienne Anderson, released by Peter Allen in 1976. If you look at a clip on YouTube you’ll hear the chords for yourself.

As for other people asking if Ritmo de la Noche by The Sacados should also be credited the answer is “no”. Firstly, that is a cover of Chocolate’s song by the same name who sampled I Go To Rio. Secondly, they both came later in 1990 so hopefully they should have credited Peter & Adrienne.

June 6, 2011 – submitted by Bowen, United States of America

Q. Hey Oracle!

I watched the live stream of Rock Am Ring on Saturday and loved all of it, the boys reminded me why they’re my favorite band in the world. All the new songs are great.

I know that someone has said that there will be “no video” for ETIAW. So I guess my question is two-fold. First, why not? And second, does this mean that it isn’t the lead single from LP5 (or even will be on it)? Thanks Oracle, you rock!

-B

The Oracle replies:

As you rightly notice there is no video – at the moment. That doesn’t mean that whoever told you there’ll be “no video” is correct. There MAY be a video. There may not. Oooh I’m annoying aren’t I? It must appear that everything is shrouded in secrecy right now but it’s not meant to be.

I just want to clear up that no album track listing has been announced so whether ETIAW appears on the album remains to be seen and is not for me to speculate upon. Until the album is mastered and totally ready it would be pointless.

ETIAW is a single. It’s irrelevant whether it’s a lead single or not as the album is still a while off. A single does not have relate to an album or appear on one, it can stand alone (as Christmas Lights did) but that doesn’t mean that it will or won’t.

Ah sorry for being slightly cryptic guys, you know I couldn’t say even if I knew (which I don’t).

May 31, 2011 – submitted by Lucy, United Kingdom

Q. Can’t wait for the new song on Friday. But I’m baffled as to why it’s not available to the UK first? Were we not the fans that put them on the map in the first place? Do the loyal British fans not matter to the boys anymore?! Sob!

The Oracle replies:

The UK chart week runs from 00:01 Sunday to midnight Saturday so that is the reason behind a slightly later release on our home shores.

Lyrics

I turn the music up, I got my records on

I shut the world outside until the lights come on

Maybe the streets alight, maybe the trees are gone

I feel my heart start beating to my favourite song

And all the kids they dance, all the kids all night

Until Monday morning feels another life

I turn the music up

I’m on a roll this time

And heaven is in sight
I turn the music up, I got my records on

From underneath the rubble sing a rebel song

Don’t want to see another generation drop

I’d rather be a comma than a full stop
Maybe I’m in the black, maybe I’m on my knees

Maybe I’m in the gap between the two trapezes

But my heart is beating and my pulses start

Cathedrals in my heart
And we saw oh this light I swear you, emerge blinking into

To tell me it’s alright

As we soar walls, every siren is a symphony

And every tear’s a waterfall

Is a waterfall

Oh

Is a waterfall

Oh oh oh

Is a is a waterfall

Every tear

Is a waterfall

Oh oh oh
So you can hurt, hurt me bad

But still I’ll raise the flag
Oh

It was a wa wa wa wa wa-aterfall

A wa wa wa wa wa-aterfall
Every tear

Every tear

Every teardrop is a waterfall
Every tear

Every tear

Every teardrop is a waterfall

Continue Reading

Shiver artwork

Shiver is a song by Coldplay and is featured on their debut album, Parachutes. It was also released as the lead single from the album. “Shiver” most likely is about unrequited love.

Shiver is one of the older songs in Coldplay’s catalogue, and had been performed at their early concerts since 1999. This was in contrast to other Parachutes tracks like “Yellow”, “Everything’s not Lost”, and “Trouble” that were written around New Year 2000.

Contents

• 9 Lyrics

Chart history

The song was released as the album’s lead single in the United Kingdom, and second in the United States following the hit single “Yellow”. The single reached number 35 on the UK Singles Chart, and its critical reception was generally positive.

Production and composition

Shiver was written two years before its actual release. Accordingly, Chris Martin wrote the song while thinking of Australian singer-songwriter Natalie Imbruglia, the woman he was linked to, but later denied it. Some accounts have claimed, however, that Imbruglia was indeed not Martin’s inspiration in writing the song. Instead, he appeared to have been inspired with girlfriends in his teenage days and early 20s. Martin actually wrote the song in a “glum” day, when he felt he would never find the right woman for him. He described it as something of a “stalking song”, admitting he wrote it for a specific woman. In addition, Martin wrote the song while listening to music of Buckley, and had claimed it is their “most blatant rip-off song”.

Shiver was recorded in Rockfield Studios in Wales, United Kingdom, where the band was booked by A&R representative Dan Keeling to begin working on the band’s debut album, Parachutes. Keeling was disappointed with the early demos presented to him, saying it “didn’t have any of their passion, their energy”, a result of the band’s freshly resolved internal pressure in the time. Keeling deemed the demos as “limp” and asked the band to redo it. Smaller parts of the song were recorded at Parr Street Studios in Liverpool, England, where the band relocated after Christmas in 1999.

The song was produced by Coldplay and British record producer Ken Nelson. As with most songs in the album, Nelson used an analogue desk in recording “Shiver”. The guitar was re-dubbed in search of perfection, while Martin de-tuned his guitar to easily generate complex chord sequences. Martin’s vocals were recorded in more than one take, but the band chose the one with a single take.

Shiver is in the alternative rock genre. A review claims that Coldplay’s indie rock inclinations are obvious in the song Shiver has been perceived to have influences of Buckley, whom Coldplay’s early song influences were drawn from. Martin later said of the song that it was “a blatant Jeff Buckley attempt, not quite as good, that’s what I think”.

Release and reception

Shiver is one of the older songs in Coldplay’s catalogue, and had been performed at their early concerts in 1999. Later, it was initially released as an EP in the spring of 2000. It was released as the album’s lead single in the United Kingdom on 6 March 2000, months before the release of the album. The single had been picked up for B-play lists on some European prominent radio stations. In the United States, it was released as the second single, following the hit single Yellow. Website IGN posted a video at the 2008 Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany, revealing Shiver to be part of the song list in the video game Guitar Hero World Tour.

The single’s reception was generally positive. It reached number 35 on the UK Singles Chart. It also reached number 26 at the US Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks. The song remains, to this day, an audience favorite in live performances. It has earned the band praise from critics. Adrian Denning, in his review of the album, wrote, Shiver has a vocal that could be Jeff Buckley influenced, the soaring vocals are a joy over a reasonably guitar rock based instrumental track.” A review by David DeVoe in Hybridmagazine.com reads, “‘Shiver’ is a delightfully laid back tune, full of that great guitar sound that I have come to appreciate this band for.” Spencer Owen of Pitchfork Media noted, “It’s the only truly decent song on Parachutes, but simultaneously, it’s the only one that blatantly shows its influences. In fact, the influence can even be pinned to a single song: Jeff Buckley’s ‘Grace.'”

Live

On later legs of the A Rush of Blood to the Head Tour, the song was dropped from the setlist. The band has joked that they have grown tired of playing it for the past seven years. [1]

In 2003, Shiver was featured on Coldplay’s live album Live 2003.[20]

Track listing

Music video

“Shiver” music video

The “Shiver” music video was directed by Grant Gee (Radiohead – “No Surprises”). It featured Coldplay performing in a small studio. It was the band’s first video to earn daytime MTV airplay received “strong exposure” on MTV.

The yellow globe featured on the Parachutes cover can be seen on top of an amplifier in the video.

The Oracle on Shiver

August 16, 2012 – submitted by Ally, United States of America

Q. HEY ORACLE!

I know I ask you questions like every day but this one is good so please answer! In the video Shiver in the background there is a yellow globe. It looks like the album cover from Parachutes! Is it?

The Oracle replies:

There is indeed a yellow globe in the Shiver video and that very one is the one that was photographed for the Parachutes cover.

October 21, 2010 – submitted by Anush, India

Q. Dear Oracle,

My question to you is who is the guitarist playing in Shiver music video, is it Jonny or His brother Tim?

The Oracle replies:

Er, I’m not entirely sure why you would think it’s anyone else but Jonny! I know it was a long time ago and he may look slightly different (young) but as Jonny has always been the guitarist in Coldplay it wouldn’t make any sense for his brother to be in the video.

October 8, 2010 – submitted by Susie, United Kingdom

Q. I heard that Shiver was recorded in one take, was it?

The Oracle replies:

Shiver was recorded more than once during the album’s studio process, however the version on the album is, in fact, the first take. Ken Nelson who worked with Coldplay on Parachutes gives some great insight.

March 18, 2010 – submitted by Michael, United States of America

Q. I just wanted to know if there were any plans for Coldplay to start playing Shiver at stadium shows ever again? I hear that there are always signs for that song and that is probably their best song in all their catalogue ever of all time if you catch my drift…they are some of the best musicians I bet they could pull it off!! Thanks! Hope ur days are filled with much splish splashing cuz I know mine are.

The Oracle replies:

Didn’t you hear? Shiver was played every night of the Latin American tour with the exception of the first show in Argentina.

They performed it in C Stage as part of the acoustic set. If Guy gets his way they won’t be playing it again as he didn’t like doing it all that much!

December 3, 2009 – submitted by Neil, United Kingdom

Q. Why did Coldplay not play Shiver for the Viva La Vida Tour? It’s one of their best songs!

The Oracle replies:

There’s an interesting Roadie #42 blog

about how after more than 150 shows Shiver got a dusting off and the band gave it a try backstage…

They can’t possibly play every song and Shiver just didn’t make the final set list.

Lyrics

So I look in your direction

But you pay me no attention, do you?

I know you don’t listen to me

‘Cos you say you see straight through me, don’t you? 

And on and on

From the moment I wake, to the moment I sleep

I’ll be there by your side; just you try and stop me

I’ll be waiting in line, just to see if you care 
Oh…

Did you want me to change?

Well I changed for good

And I want you to know that you’ll always get your way

I wanted to say… 
Don’t you shiver

Shiver

Sing it loud and clear

I’ll always be waiting for you 
So you know how much I need you

But you never even see me, do you?

And is this my final chance of getting you 
And on and on

From the moment I wake, to the moment I sleep

I’ll be there by your side; just you try and stop me

I’ll be waiting in line, just to see if you care 
Oh…

Did you want me to change?

Well I changed for good

And I want you to know that you’ll always get your way

I wanted to say… 
Don’t you shiver

Don’t you shiver

Sing it loud and clear

I’ll always be waiting for you 
Yeah I’ll always be waiting for you

Yeah I’ll always be waiting for you

Yeah I’ll always be waiting for you, for you

I will always be waiting… 
And it’s you I see but you don’t see me

And it’s you I hear so loud and so clear

I sing it loud and clear

And I’ll always be waiting for you 
So I look in your direction

But you pay me no attention

And you know how much I need you

But you never even see me

   

Continue Reading

Hurts Like Heaven single artworkHurts Like Heaven artwork, as seen in the pop-up version of the Mylo Xyloto album

Hurts Like Heaven is the second track of Mylo Xyloto, Coldplay’s fifth album released on 24th October 2011, and also the last single of the album, released on 6th August 2011. The accompanying video to the song was released on 8th October 2012, following a weekend of smaller promotion video releases obtained through the Xperia Lounge website.

Contents

• 6 Lyrics (official)

First introduction

Further to the November 2010 Q article[1] revealing the inspiration behind Coldplay’s fifth album being old school American graffiti and anti-Nazi movements, Chris Martin spoke to The Sun about some of the tracks within said album.

Aside from song titles beginning with the letter U, Chris revealed there are tracks slated for inclusion on the album including Hurts Like Heaven and Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall, which will likely be the album closer. Describing the sound, Chris added that guitarist Jonny Buckland is coming into his own. He said: “‘Hurts Like Heaven’ is all Jonny. It only has two chords. The songs are group-y, its guitar-y. Jonny is coming out of his cocoon. We’re just trying some risky things.”

Chris said: “We’re hungry and very fired up. In five years we’ll be in our late 30s. You have to have your best work done by then. I’m trying to make sure there are three songs that start with the same letter. On the last album it was L. It might be U this time. One of them is Up With The Birds. It might be a duet, but we don’t know who with yet.”

Reviews

In the article by Q Magazine published on 10th October 2011 entitled “First Impressions of… Coldplay’s Mylo Xyloto”[2] they wrote: “The first track proper sets the tone for the rest of Mylo Xyloto, bursting in with an up’n’at’em urgency. The melodies, like the title, are a nod to the ’80s heroes they so successfully channeled on A Rush Of Blood To The Head, the Cure and Echo And The Bunnymen’s influence looming large as Chris Martin sings like he’s in a hurry; “I’m strangled with the feeling that my life isn’t mine” sings the most brilliantly neurotic man in music, Jonny Buckland’s guitars still set to the cosmic sparkle sound of the opener. The chorus – “you use your heart as a weapon/And it hurts like heaven” – is as upliftingly bittersweet as Robert Smith & co.’s best pop songs, whilst the “whoa oh oh” bridge provides the record’s first stadium-singalong moment.”

First performance

Coldplay first performed Hurts Like Heaven at a friends and family gig at The Forum, Kentish Town, London on 31st May 2011. They then continued to play it at the summer festival dates of 2011, beginning at Rock im Park Festival, Nürnberg, Germany (3rd June 2011), and again at Rock am Ring the following day (see below) [3]

The live performance of Hurts Like Heaven is synonymous with the appearance of the “Fuzzy Man” which was first seen on Coldplay’s YouTube channel, ColdplayTV in the lead up to the online and radio release of Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall. The instrumental song MX (Mylo Xyloto) has so far always preceded Hurts Like Heaven.

Music Video

Coldplay posted a 30 second teaser trailer on Twitter for their “Hurts like Heaven’ music video on the evening of Friday 5th October 2012. “The next single from Mylo Xyloto will be ‘Hurts Like Heaven’,” they tweeted. “Full video coming on Monday – watch the trailer now…”

The clip featured comic book style animation set to a futuristic dsytopian storyline and does not feature the band. Digital Spy described it as: “The futuristic animation contains flashes of neon, which have become the band’s trademark over the course of Mylo Xyloto’s promotions. The story also appears to feature male and female protagonists who, according to briefly displayed captions, fight a villain named ‘Major Minus’ and his army of ‘silencers’.[4]

Shortly after the preview clip was posted, Coldplayers found three more videos from the Xperia Lounge website that were made available as MP4 downloads, as follows: Hurts Like Heaven promo video[5], Storyboard video[6] and the Making of Hurts Like Heaven video[7].

The Oracle on Hurts Like Heaven

The offical Hurts Like Heaven symbol

August 8, 2012 – submitted by Greg, United States of America

Q. I was watching some early live versions of Hurts Like Heaven like this and Chris sang the part “On every street, every car, every surface are names” in a different way. And he seemed to do this for little while until changing it soon after the beginning of the festival tour last year.

The Oracle replies:

I just realized this isn’t a question so it’s not going to be an answers as er, yes, you’re right. Chris often does this; he may change either the way he sings or the lyrics as the tour goes on.

August 16, 2011 – submitted by Matthew, United Kingdom

Q. I know you can’t talk about it, but this concerns Hurts Like Heaven. With the album being announced and the billboard story, there’s a massive thing going around that HLH won’t make it to the album. Why?! It seems to be THE song for the album, and ties in with everything that has been promoted so far (running man, graffiti, opening song to the concerts!, etc). It’s my (and a lot of others) favorite song so far, and I guess that all I want is for Coldplay to know what a great song they have here, and that it deserves to be on Mylo Xyloto. I know you know nothing of final track listing, and you can’t say anything to us; but is there the chance that you can let the boys know that this song deserves everything it can get for the album? Thanks from a lot of fans.

The Oracle replies:

I have to say I think it’s great that you – and others – are worried that it won’t be on the album because you’ve heard it and love it but trust me, whether it does or doesn’t won’t matter when the album comes out. You’re right I can’t say but I will tell you a story. Just before X&Y was finished I heard that Talk was going to be left off. I felt I had to step in so texted Chris. The next thing I knew, it was being mixed and included on the album. Hand on heart I don’t know the tracklisting right now but if I did and Hurts Like Heaven wasn’t on, I wouldn’t text about it. I absolutely LOVE the song but I have faith that this is the album the band wanted to make and want to release so that’s good enough for me.

Lyrics (official)

The “Fuzzy Man” features in the live version of Hurts Like Heaven

Written in graffiti on a bridge in a park

‘Do you ever get the feeling that you’re missing the mark?’

It’s so cold it’s so cold

It’s so cold it’s so cold

Written up in marker on a factory sign

‘I struggle with the feeling that my life isn’t mine’

It’s so cold it’s so cold

It’s so cold it’s so cold

See the arrow they shot

Trying to tear us apart

Take the fire from my belly and the beat from my heart

Still I won’t let go

Still I won’t let go

Oh you- ooh ooh

Cos you do

Oh You use your heart as a weapon

And it hurts like heaven
On every street every car every surface a name

Tonight the streets are ours

And we’re writing and saying

Don’t let em take control

No we won’t let em take control

Yes I feel a little bit nervous

Yes I feel nervous and I cannot relax

How come they’re out to get us

How come they’re out when they don’t know the facts

So on a concrete canvas under cover of dark

On a concrete canvas I’ll go making my mark

Armed with a spraycan soul

I’ll be armed with a spraycan soul

And you ooh ooh

You ooh ooh

Cos you use your heart as a weapon

And it hurts like heaven
Woah oh oh oh, woah oh oh oh

Yeah it’s true

When you

Use your heart as a weapon

Then it hurts like heaven

And it hurts like heaven

Oh oh oh-oh
And it hurts like heaven

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh

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Prospekt’s March EP cover

Two Coldplay radio interviews aired on Saturday 30th August 2008 the UK, the first one on BBC Radio 2 with Dermot O’Leary and the second on BBC6 Music. During the second one Chris Martin confirmed details of future Coldplay releases to a well respected Steve Lamacq. An EP entitled Prospekt’s March was to be released from 19th November 2008 and the band would then wrap up the decade with a full length release in December 2009.

We reported on 1st August 2008 at Coldplaying.com [1] that the band had finished working on some songs that will be released in EP format sometime in March next year, so it appears that this EP has been brought forward by four months. It also appears that the news [2] we reported back on June 2nd about a new album release in 2009 is correct.

Coldplay’s new releases can be attributed to an overflow of material the band created with producer Brian Eno while recording Viva La Vida. “The Viva La Vida sessions were incredibly fruitful. They gelled brilliantly with Brian and recorded much more music than they could fit on one album,” a spokesman for the band’s EMI record label said.

Background

Prospekt on Prospekt’s March EP

On 30th August 2008, two of the biggest bands in the world went head to head on BBC 6music as Coldplay chatted to REM’s Michael Stipe [pictured] live in the studio with Steve Lamacq.

Following reports that Coldplay planned to release a record this year it fell on Stipe to get to the bottom of the rumours: “Is it true?” he asked. To which Martin replied: “We’re going to put an EP out at Christmas called Prospekt’s March and we’re going to release an album next December to end the decade.”

Martin then turned to Will Champion and asked: “Is it [the EP] called Prospekt’s March or Prospekt’s Song?” Before adding: “Lets ask Michael Stipe!”

Stipe preferred Prospekt’s March and the band agreed. This EP will come only months after Coldplay’s 4th studio album Viva La Vida which was released in June this year. But as previously reported, the band recorded so much material during the writing of Viva La Vida they had more than enough for one album.

Listen to the interview at http://www.badongo.com/vid/858982

Tracklist

• Now My Feet Won’t Touch The Ground

Release date

Coldplay confirmed on 6th October 2008 (thanks to Anchorman via Coldplay.com) the release date of both the Prospekt’s March EP and the special version of the album containing the EP’s eight tracks, which will be called Viva La Vida Prospekt’s March Edition. The dates are as follows (the EP and the album are released on the same day in each country)…

• Wednesday 19th November – Japan, Sweden (digitally on 21st)


• Friday 21st November – Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Denmark, Norway, South Africa


• Saturday 22nd November – Australia


• Monday 24th November – UK, rest of the world


• Tuesday 25th November – USA, Canada, Spain

Cover

At the same time the tracklisting was announced, Coldplay said that the cover would be another Eugène Delacroix painting (similar to the cover art for Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends). Indeed it is by Delacroix. It’s the ‘Battle Of Poitiers’ (1830). The complete painting can be seen online. [3]

Steve Lamacq talks about Prospekt’s March

Steve Lamacq caught up with recent Coldplay events on 30th August 2008 and wrote about them in his online blog. Here goes:

So what we suspected – but weren’t at liberty to confirm – turns out to be true. There will be another Coldplay album next year, currently set for release in December ’09. Chris Martin broke the news during a convivial chat with REM’s Michael Stipe and yours truly on BBC 6 Music on Saturday afternoon. What’s more surprising is that there will be a new EP, Prospekt’s March, released around Christmas… (“hopefully December 26th, something like that”).

All of which seems to confirm earlier suspicions that the sessions with Brian Eno for the current album Viva La Vida were so productive that they had songs to spare – although the band still claim the next album is far from finished. In the meantime, we got to hear a laid-back Coldplay democratically choosing the title for the EP, live on air, with the added bonus of Stipe having the casting vote.

Coldplay Spark New Online Interest Over New EP And Album News

Below are just some of the articles written across the world by the likes of NME, BBC, Gigwise et al. It might take you a while to read them all!

To summarise, Coldplay confirmed that they will be releasing an EP before the end of the year, followed by a new album at the end of 2009. Chris Martin announced the decision to release the EP only months after Coldplay’s fourth studio album, Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends. He told BBC 6Music: “We’re going to put an EP out at Christmas called Prospekt’s March and we’re going to release an album next December to end the decade.”

• http://www.gigwise.com/news/45753/coldplays-chris-martin-tabloid-newspaper-has-kept-me-off-drugs

As previously reported, the band recorded so much material with producer Brian Eno during the writing of Viva La Vida that they had more than enough for one album. Chris previously revealed that the 2009 album will feature ‘Lunar’, a collaboration with Kylie Minogue that was deemed “too sexy” to be on Viva La Vida.

The Oracle on Prospekt’s March EP

April 7, 2010 – submitted by Dennis, United States of America

Q. In the Prospekt’s March booklet, there is a picture of the band running uphill with one person almost directly behind them and a lot of people way down the hill. Who are those extra people? Thank you, Oracle.

The Oracle replies:

All the ‘people’ in that photograph are actually the band members.

March 25, 2009 – submitted by Christi, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle,

Forgive me if this is common knowledge but I’m a fairly new Coldplay fan. What are the paintings on the cover art of the Viva la Vida and Prospekt’s March?

The Oracle replies:

Both feature original paintings by Eugène Delacroix. The first being Liberty Leading the People, the latter is called the Battle of Poitiers.

October 28, 2008 – submitted by rohan, India

Q. How can I get the new Prospekt’s March cd without buying the Viva la Vida special edition ?

The Oracle replies:

I think a few people are a little confused. You don’t have to buy the album to get Prospekt’s March, you can buy it separately OR as part of a special edition of Viva la Vida as it says HERE.

In fact, we also announced that you’ll be able to order it from this very website.

   

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The Blue Room EP Album Cover

The Blue Room EP was the third EP released by Coldplay, and their first release after signing with the Parlophone label in April 1999.

The version of “Don’t Panic” featured on this release is a different, more atmospheric version than the one that appears on the band’s debut album Parachutes. It also features two songs culled from their Safety EP: “Bigger Stronger” and a shorter version of “Such A Rush” – the original recording but without the music before Chris Martin’s vocals. The fourth track, “High Speed”, would also appear on Coldplay’s debut album, Parachutes.

Only 5000 copies were manufactured in the original pressing. The EP is available in greater quantities after a 2001 re-issue.

Track listing

1. “Such a Rush”

Artwork

On October 8th 2010, the official Coldplay site [1] continued their new series of news articles that focus on interviewing the designers of some of the artwork to their previous releases. They featured Tim Moore, the man responsible for designing the cover of Coldplay’s first release for Parlophone, The Blue Room EP, which was released almost exactly 11 years before this interview was published, on October 11th 1999.

Hi Tim. So, how did you come to design the cover for the Blue Room EP?

It was a lucky one, I had just graduated from Edinburgh College of Art & was in London planning a trip to Japan funded by the Royal Society of Arts I was discussing my work with a friend who had popped round and was mates with Claire O’Brien at Parlophone. He gave me Claire’s contact details, I made contact and showed her my portfolio at EMI. Luckily she really liked my sketchbooks, so she held onto them and mentioned she would show them to a new band she was working with, I was called back into Parlophone soon after that & ended up meeting with Chris and the band at their flat in Camden.

Was it among the first covers you designed?

I had done a few covers for Electronic Music artists – Global Communication but yes it was early days in terms of my commercial work

What had you trained in at college?

I trained as a Graphic Designer on the Visual Communication course at Edinburgh College of Art. I did my dissertation on the visualisation of music & that subject continues to fascinate & inspire my work.

Was there a specific brief for the Blue Room EP?

Both the band & the label had some ideas of how they wanted the cover to look, I remember feeling pretty hemmed in by the process. At that time I had no studio of my own and laptops were a bit out of reach on my budget, so due to time restraints and the way it all turned out I did the design in the basement of the EMI building in Kensington. It was full of people busy artworking EMI communications, this gave me my first taste of the realities of Commercial art for major record labels.

Who was responsible for picking the image and why was it chosen?

Chris Martin had this book on the National Geographic Photographer David Doubilet called ‘Water Light Time’ published by Phaidon. It contains incredible images of marine life & I was also really interested in underwater photography so it was decided to work with several images from the book. We had to contact the photographer’s agent and request the rights to the eventual image, in the end the image of a delicate coral in the hand worked best within the 12-inch format.

Were there lots of different options for the cover?

Not really no. It was a choice between 5 potential images and the coral in the hand worked best within the frame. Then it was a case of working with type to best balance the information with the beauty of the image itself.

The Blue Room EP Album Cover as posted in Tim Moore’s interview on Coldplay.com on 8th October 2010

Were the band involved with the process?

Not after the first meeting, no. I remember they gave feedback on the first visuals and liked the crop and the way in which the cover felt using a simple layout & clean typography. I remember wondering how I could work more of my own ideas on this job, but to be honest at this time pure typography alongside photography didn’t play to my strengths. This was a lesson to me & soon after I ended up working for one of Europe’s top designers for 3 years to greatly improve my typographic skills.

Were you a fan of Coldplay’s music? Obviously it was very early days for them.

I had never heard of them before I received an early copy of the EP & knew straight away that they had a sound that would go on to be very popular. It wasn’t my kind of sound, but I did appreciate the production even then, the Bigger Stronger & High Speed tracks felt like well-honed pop records. I was fresh out of college, & had been djing and producing underground dance music since I was 16 so I didn’t take the music as seriously as I might have. I would certainly take the cover in a new direction now, but hindsight is a luxury of the past.

How much time did you spend on the design?

Probably about a week as I also did a promo mail out in the form of the coral from the cover image. I remember thinking the CD worked best, as the Digipac opened up and the CD on body was the coral with the hand sitting behind it under the clear tray to make it seem as you were removing the coral from the hand. It’s such a beautiful image and ended up working well across formats with the tone of the EP.

Were you pleased with the finished result?

I learnt a lot on the job and it was great to work with an image of such power, but I had little creative freedom & when the vinyl came out the record company had placed this huge white limited edition box below the type in the lower left hand corner without consulting me, which completely messed the entire balance of the cover and just felt like such a careless thing to do… I was pretty shocked by that to tell you the truth.

And what do you think of it now?

The cover is really the photograph & the photograph is excellent so it certainly works as an arresting image & fits the music well in terms of the mood, with almost ten years having passed there are lots of things I would change especially the type on the back – it makes me cringe. It’s probably the worst bit of typesetting I have ever let out into the world but as a cover it works well.

The EP goes for quite a bit on eBay now – do you still have a copy?

Yes I still have copies of the CD and vinyl release + some very rare and rather basic blank colour versions that have a varnished finish to them. I was lucky enough to be given the 0001 copy of the 12 inch so if anyone wants the first ever limited release of Coldplay’s Blue Room EP on Parlophone make me an offer! It’s been in my portfolio for some time, so it’s pretty mint.

Do you tell people about your role in Coldplay’s career?

It’s always been a useful door opener when it came to working for other labels & design companies, but it’s nearly ten years ago now so I don’t tend to bring it up that often. I am still proud to have been involved though.

Have you designed many covers since?

I have designed quite a few, but mainly for independent labels as on the whole that’s where I find a lot of the music I love. I designed the Nigeria Special series for Soundway records & created designs for other releases on that label. I Art Direct the House music label Prime Numbers out of Manchester, I also designed much of the early firecracker records releases & I am currently working on a new label for Electronic Sound records.

Are you still designing? What do you work on these days?

As Art director of Nth Creative I get to design lots of different things which is how we like it, although we make sure thats it’s for things we like which sometimes reduces the big fees but keeps us inspired & engaged. I design logos for companies such as Canongate books, websites for Galleries & a lot of work for the music industry. I am currently designing my brother’s new record label, I have just finished the cover for my new record which is out now… It’s a track called Shake Your Body Down by Discreet Unit on Prime Numbers. I am also trying to get time to design our new website as the current site is about 3 years out of date. I am a visiting lecturer at Edinburgh College of Art, although since moving to Cornwall the visits have become less frequent. And when I get the time beyond all that I am doing up an old barn in Cornwall which I hope to turn into a studio in the very near future.

And do you still keep an eye on Coldplay’s progress?

I listen to a wide spectrum of music, but to be honest Coldplay’s sound is not regularly on my system. I did like the last album & could certainly hear the effect Brian Eno had in terms of the production, it’s great that they have been so successful & I hope it all stays positive for them.

The Oracle on The Blue Room EP

April 3, 2013 – submitted by Erin, United States of America

Q. Hey guys

I am totally wondering about the Blue Room e.p. and Brothers and Sisters e.p.

Are these the first Coldplay recordings or just demos? Thank you in advance! (PS you guys are awesome!)

The Oracle replies:

Brothers & Sisters was a band demo that was released as a single by Fierce Panda. There was a subsequent version of Brothers & Sisters recorded for the b side of Trouble.

Coldplay’s first release for EMI was The Blue Room. It contained a couple of tracks from their professionally studio recorded Safety ep demo.
So to answer your question, both eps are made up of both.

Coldplay’s demos were all of high quality though so it’s hard to see them as demonstration when they were so good.

February 1, 2012 – submitted by Caleb, Malaysia

Q. Hey Oracle, I just bought Coldplay’s The Blue Room E.P for GBP 20.00 and the item is in good condition but it have a little defects on the back cover. Since this is my first time buying things online, I want to make sure that the purchase is a good purchase. Therefore, I want to ask you about The Blue Room E.P. Can you please tell me how many of them were produce and are they considered as rare items? 🙂

Thanks in advance for your help! 🙂

The Oracle replies:

It would depend from which batch the cd you have is from. The initial run of the E.P was 5000 which is considered low and would make the item somewhat rare. It was re-issued a couple of years later which means it was more readily available and therefore cds from that batch wouldn’t be considered to be rare.

I don’t have access to serial numbers so can’t help you work out whether yours is from the earlier or later pressing.

December 21, 2011 – submitted by Britt, United States of America

Q. Hello, Oracle! I have a CD copy of the Safety Room EP, but I’m not sure if it’s the original 1999 version or the 2001 re-release. Is there any way to tell the difference?

The Oracle replies:

Unless I am going mad, do you mean The Blue Room? The Saftey EP was never re-released… It was ‘released’ in 1998 too so that would rule it out. It’s hard to know with The Blue Room but I’m not sure it would make much difference in financial worth or investment terms.

November 12, 2010 – submitted by Karen M, Colombia

Q. Q.Dear Oracle

the hand that is in the picture of the Blue Room EP is from one of the guys? Or is from another person?

Thanks!

Bye.

The Oracle replies:

Anchorman recently interviewed the designer of the Blue Room EP’s cover; the hand in the photo does not belong to anyone in the band.

The article explains the picture was sourced from a magazine.

September 25, 2010 – submitted by Dan, United States of America

Q. Good day to you Oracle,

I was wondering if the name for The Blue Room Ep stemmed from an unreleased song with that name; quite like LeftRightLeftRightLeft (Coldplay’s live album from the Viva La Vida Era).

As always I appreciate your time and consideration.

Thanx

P.S. How Is Your Life Today?

The Oracle replies:

There was never a song called The Blue Room; it doesn’t exist, unlike Leftrightleftrightleft that does but hasn’t been released (as you say).
The Blue Room got its name from the studio where it was recorded.

p.s My life today is great. Thanks for asking!

April 16, 2010 – submitted by Baran, Germany

Q. Dear Oracle,

The Blue Room ep there are 5,000 copies, I have a promo of The Blue Room and wanted to get you ep questions whether this is or whether it really is just a fake. The ep has no image and only in white above and below the name in blue Coldplay The Blue Room ep

Moreover, still stuck two stickers on it. In front the phone numbers of Kevin McCabe, Mike Walsh and Jackie Jenkins are on it. On the back side is a sticker on it on the band’s history.

One more quick question, I have a Brothers & Sisters Cd original unopened wrapped in foil, will you have this, perhaps, because it has all started with this CD, so to speak?

The Oracle replies:

The first run of the Blue Room EP was limited to 500 copies and what you have is a promo copy from EMI so is not a fake exactly although different of course from the released version in appearance only. Promos usually state “not for resale” on them.

I have never seen a foil wrapped promo of Brothers & Sisters; it wasn’t released in one and it would be unusual for it to be.

September 1, 2009 – submitted by Nikki, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle,

How much is The Blue Room EP worth?

Thanks,

Around the £40 mark but can of course reach more in online auctions.

August 12, 2009 – submitted by sam, Australia

Q. Oracle,

Who’s hand is it in the Blue Room EP cover?

Who’s idea was it?

Why is that version of Don’t Panic so different and cool? Who made them change it to the version on Parachutes?

The Oracle replies:

It isn’t a band member; it’s a deep sea diver. The design company Blue Source, erm, sourced the photo. Mark Tappin who used to work there still has a creative input on Coldplay artwork.

The first version of Don’t Panic was recorded with a different producer to the album. Chris Allison worked with the band before Ken Nelson was brought it for Parachutes. The band and label preferred the material with Ken’s production.

April 3, 2009 – submitted by Jean Baptiste, France

Q. Dear Oracle. I recently bought the Blue room EP and I was wondering : “to who belongs the hand on the cover ?” Chris? Will? Guy? Jonny?

Thanks

The Oracle replies:

The design company chose that shot and it isn’t actually a photograph of anyone in the band.

   

Continue Reading

Mince Spies

Mince Spies (2001, released only to the pre-Parachutes Coldplay fan club, consists of a cover of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and a remix of “Yellow”, limited to 1000 copies worldwide).

Tracklisting

The Oracle on Mince Spies

August 21, 2012 – submitted by Marcus, Hong Kong

Q. A simple question. Is it still possible to buy Mince Spies? And if yes where?

The Oracle replies:

Not unless anyone is selling their copy somewhere on the Internet I’m afraid. Very occasionally they turn up on a well-established auction site or an online store for rare collectibles. I just looked and couldn’t find one.

July 24, 2009 – submitted by John, United States of America

Q. I own a copy of Coldplay’s Mince Spies CD. How many other people own this CD?

The Oracle replies:

It was limited to a 1000 copies but that doesn’t mean that 999 other people own it. For instance I have 2 and there are a few stray copies. Still, fewer than 1000 people with a copy does make this a highly collectible and rare item.

June 29, 2009 – submitted by Benjamin, United States of America

Q. Is there such a thing as Mince Spies?

The Oracle replies:

There is if you mean a limited edition CD that the band gave away to fans at Christmas 2001.

It featured two tracks: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and Yellow (Alpha Remix).

January 7, 2009 – submitted by Daan, United Kingdom

Q. Happy New Year, Oracle!

I am embroiled in an imbroglio; exactly which version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” did Coldplay record for the limited edition EP Mince Spies, back in 2001? Was it the one that you have on the time line on this site, which is also the one that was recently (re-)aired, and put up for download, by Radio 1, who said Chris had come especially to record it in their studio, or is it the version where Chris says at the beginning of it “This is take 4 of Have yourself a merry christmas, just for *something sounding like “Kay”* Rock, Los Angeles. Ready?”, which is also the version to be found on Youtube, adorned by a cover of the EP, when you search for “Coldplay have yourself a merry little christmas”?

I know I have a habit of writing criminally long sentences. Apologies.

The Oracle replies:

It was the former version you mention. Recorded for a radio 1 Christmas show session that appeared on the Mince Spies CD. The latter was a recording for an American radio station KROQ.

August 22, 2008 – submitted by Tyler, United States of America

Q. Is there a fanclub?! Because I would love to further support my favorite band XD

The Oracle replies:

There isn’t a fan club. Kudos to a group of people who ran Coldplayground, which was a fan club for fans by fans that ceased to be in December 2001. The Mince Spies CD was given away with that last ever issue as a Christmas present and thank you to the members for their support. That CD has become quite a collector’s item.

Continue Reading

Yes

“Trouble” is a piano-based ballad that underwent many stages of development. In September 1999, the song was dominated by fast guitar riffs and aggressive vocals reminiscent of Supergrass. This version can be previewed on the Tour Diary of the Live 2003 DVD. By November, live performances of “Trouble” began to incorporate the piano. At the final recording sessions for Parachutes, the song was slowed down to its current form with the new guitar and percussion pieces.

Trouble is the third single from Coldplay’s debut album Parachutes. This was the band’s second Top 10 hit on the UK Singles Chart. Regional singles were released for UK/Europe, Norway (Live EP), and Australia (Double A-side). Promo releases included the UK, USA, and Taiwan.

Contents

1. “Brothers & Sisters (New Version)” – 4:50


2. “Shiver (Jo Whiley’s Lunchtime Social)” – 4:23

Cover images

UK/European video

“Trouble” music video

The original UK/European version of “Trouble” was directed by Sophie Muller, a frequent collaborator with artists like No Doubt, Eurythmics, and Blur.

In the video, Chris Martin is bound by his hands and feet to a chair in a freezing cold, dark warehouse at night. The other three band members are standing on an upper-floor balcony in dim light, watching Chris struggle with the ropes tying him to the chair. A black BMW and various other cars repeatedly circle Chris, their headlights shining and casting a silouhette of Chris singing.

Eventually another chair on the balcony is revealed when Jon Buckland and Will Champion turn on Guy Berryman and start fighting him. They drag him over to the chair as Chris spins on his seat and sings, while watching Guy getting incarcerated. Guy is tied to the chair in similar fashion to Chris and his head forced by hand to look forward. At this point, Chris’s struggling causes his chair to tip over, and Chris hits the ground on his side. He sings the final line of the song {“They spun a web for me…“), before the darkness suddenly turns to daylight.

A beautiful sunrise is then revealed, but as the camera zooms out, it is revealed to be fake and part of a large theater set, with Chris still lying on his side, tied to the chair.

US video

“Trouble” US Version

In October 2001, a newer version of “Trouble” was created for US audiences and it featured the entire band. The video is directed by Tim Hope and follows the motif of “Don’t Panic” by showing the band as two-dimensional cut-outs. The band are aboard a horse carriage that cruises along a forest. On the top of a mountain we see a woman inside a house, watering the plants. A little crow flies from the carriage up to the house, where it transforms into a more menacing bird. It flies over the house and turns into a black cloud, which pours rain onto the land. The rain burns little holes on the things it falls into, and crow feathers protrude from the holes. Finally a tornado grabs the house and lifts it from its foundations placing it along others in a more suburban setting.

Its lush visuals earned Tim Hope an MTV Video Music Award for Best Art Direction in 2002. It was also nominated for Breakthrough Video.

The Oracle on Trouble

April 11, 2012 – submitted by Ryan, Australia

Q. Hi Oracle,

I was just wondering why are there two music videos for Trouble?

The Oracle replies:

The first Troublevideo was deemed too dark for the U.S audiences so a second one was made. The second bears more than a passing resemblance to their video for Don’t Panic as both were directed by Tim Hope.

September 4, 2009 – submitted by Kevin, United States of America

Q. Hello great and wise Oracle!

I know there’s an alternate Trouble video that was rejected in the States for being “too dark”. Now that Coldplay is as big as they are, do you think this video will see the light of day again??

The Oracle replies:

That video was the original not the alternative so it hasn’t been hidden away; should be easy to find online given that it wasn’t banned or anything.

September 23, 2010 – submitted by Frances, Mexico

Q. Hi Oracle :B

Wazzuuup?

My question is… is the girl from the Trouble video the same of The Scientist video ?

thanks for answer !!

The Oracle replies:

As mentioned before Elaine Cassidy is the actress in the The Scientist video. As I am sure you know there are two video for Trouble; there isn’t a girl in the original video and Elaine didn’t appear in Tim Hope’s alternative U.S version so the short answer is no.

January 23, 2009 – submitted by Mary Anne, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle,

Coldplay got a major start in the US with Trouble. But out of curiousity, was there a time that Trouble was not the mellow piano ballad that we’re used to hearing now (released on the Parachutes LP)? And if so, is there a way that I can find a copy of the song? Thank you for your time. 😀

The Oracle replies:

I know not of a time that Trouble was not a mellow piano ballad… There has only ever been this version. The only other time I have heard Trouble played another way was a very short clip on their Live 2003 DVD of a sound check but it was never performed.

August 21, 2008 – submitted by Navid, United Kingdom

Q. Dear oracle

Why did the band wanted to make two different videos for Trouble? and I still don’t know which ones the official one!

The Oracle replies:

It wasn’t the band’s decision to have 2 videos for Trouble. The U.S label commissioned the second one because it was thought that the original one (you know, the one featuring Chris tied to a chair) was too dark for the American market, so a lighter, brighter alternative version was made.

Lyrics

Oh no, I see

A spider web is tangled up with me

And I lost my head

And thought of all the stupid things I’d said

Oh no, what’s this?

A spider web and I’m caught in the middle

So I turned to run

And thought of all the stupid things I’d done
I never meant to cause you trouble

I never meant to do you wrong

And I, well if I ever caused you trouble

Oh no, I never meant to do you harm
Oh no, I see

A spider web and it’s me in the middle

So I twist and turn

But here am I in my little bubble
Singing and I never meant to cause you trouble

I never meant to do you wrong

And I, well if I ever caused you trouble

Oh no, I never meant to do you harm
They spun a web for me

They spun a web for me

They spun a web for me…

   

Continue Reading

Christmas Lights single cover

Christmas Lights was a song written by Coldplay in time for Christmas 2010. Described by the band, the song will be “in the key of G”, before adding that it is a “mid-tempo number”.

Contents

• 6 Lyrics

Release

Christmas Lights was available on iTunes from 8pm (GMT) on Wednesday December 1st, according to the official Coldplay website.[1]

To announce the release of Christmas Lights a handwritten note was posted on the official Coldplay website dated 24 November 2010.[2] As well as telling fans that the song is written in the key of G, the release date and that it will be available on iTunes, a portion of scrawl had been scribbled out which fans have worked out to read: “We are doing the video right now. It is a mid-tempo number.”

Video

A few days before releasing a new single called “Christmas Lights”, Coldplay braved the cold weather to film its music video at the South Bank of River Thames in London. They are seen performing the song on a small theater-inspired stage with red velvet curtains.

Several Elvis Presley impersonators play violins (including Phil Harvey and Simon Pegg), and a boat full of Coldplaying members[3] holding colorful balloons and singing the song in a choir-like fashion was floating on the river. “The idea for the video was like a magical, surreal theater show with loads of tricks packed in,” frontman Chris Martin said.

In the meantime, fans could take a sneak peek through the behind-the-scenes footage[4]. Additionally, several on-set pictures have hit the web to provide closer look.[5]

Coldplaying Choir

The band also invited one hundred lucky fans to be part of the video and sing a small portion of their new song. The loyal one hundred flew to London from all over the globe for this special boat trip across the River Thames and an exclusive first listen to the much anticipated new track from Coldplay. The devoted fans gladly braved the blistery winter chill on the outdoor boat deck holding balloons in the air which were to be released whilst singing in a choir-like fashion.

Top of the Pops Appearance

On Wednesday 8th December, a few hundred people were able to see Coldplay film their appearance for the Christmas edition of “Top of the Pops”. They played “Christmas Lights” four times. Some of the members of Coldplaying were lucky enough to attend and their reviews can be found on the following page 8 December 2010: Filming for Christmas Top of the Pops, BBC TV Centre, London, UK. The Christmas edition of “Top of the Pops” is usually aired on Christmas Day in the UK.

The Oracle on Christmas Lights

December 13, 2011 – submitted by Paul, United Kingdom

Q. I have been trying to get my hands on a copy of the CD of Christmas Lights since 2010… is there a chance you are going to sell it or stock it in any way shape or form, really wanna own it

The Oracle replies:

Does it have to be a physical copy? We don’t have any. There were a limited number made but we didn’t make them available for purchase. Anyway, the track is 59p this week from iTunes!

December 12, 2011 – submitted by Simon, United Kingdom

Q. Went to see the boys in Manchester they were unbelievable best I’ve ever seen them, but one problem they didn’t play Christmas Lights 🙁

How come they haven’t been playing it?

The Oracle replies:

The Manchester gig was on the 4th December which is a little early to be rolling out a Christmas song, no?

They performed it at Dingwalls last Tuesday but only as that is being broadcast this week on Radio 2 – a much more acceptable date to be playing festive songs I feel.

Oh and they did give it an airing on Saturday at the O2 as part of the Under 1 Roof night. It was interrupted by a certain Mr. Alan Partridge…

December 8, 2011 – submitted by Stan, United States of America

Q. Will they be playing Christmas Lights at any of their upcoming shows?

The Oracle replies:

On 1 December Will wrote “Christmas Lights being dusted off for the festive season” on the band’s Twitter. It has been performed live this week already and I have a feeling it will be again…

May 9, 2011 – submitted by Junior, Australia

Q. G’day Oracle. I noticed in the song Christmas Lights that some of the lyrics used in the song were also from the unreleased song Wedding Bells. Does this mean we will never see a finished version of Wedding Bells? It would be a shame if it wasn’t. Keep up the good work!

The Oracle replies:”

I very much doubt it myself but never say never. It isn’t uncommon for a song to end up with lyrics from a previously written one as they often lend themselves better. If Wedding Bells ever does make the light of day, I would say there’d be some adjustment to the lyrics.

December 30, 2010 – submitted by Blake, United States of America

Q. Dearest Oracle,

Is the video performance of Christmas Lights from the Live Lounge available online? I’ve looked everywhere with no luck.

Thank you!

Everywhere Blake? Are you sure about that? Here it is! Enjoy…

December 29, 2010 – submitted by Imrano, Singapore

Q. Hey Oracle!

Is the piano in the Christmas Lights video hand painted by the crew making the video or was it already painted when it arrived on set? It is stunning!

The Oracle replies:

Beautiful isn’t it? It was hand painted by an artist prior to the video shoot.

December 28, 2010 – submitted by Aimee, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle,

I hope you are well, yes? I’ve watched the Christmas Lights video numerous times, and I just love it. How on earth did the fans on the boat find out about it?! And why wasn’t I invited? Ok, so I live far off on the other side of the pond . . .

Thanks and Merry Christmas! : )

The Oracle replies:

Once the idea for the video was confirmed we called on coldplaying.com for help to recruit fans to be part of the boat scene. In fact there were fans who travelled from the ‘other side of the pond’ as it wasn’t restricted to U.K residents.

December 27, 2010 – submitted by Valentina, Colombia

Q. Hello again Oracle… 🙂

On Christmas Lights video the vinyl on the beginning, does it really exist? Is it available for purchasing?

Thank you and happy new year. Greetings.

The Oracle replies:

That record was merely a prop and the fantastic authentic central label on the vinyl was made by the multi-talented roadie, Miller.

December 21, 2010 – submitted by Valeria, Mexico

Q. Dear Oracle:

Can you tell me who are the 3 Elvises that appear on the Christmas Lights video?

p.s. Merry Christmas

The Oracle replies:

I’ll assume that you mean the live version that was posted today? Anchorman did reveal who they were during the live blog from the show on Sunday night but from left to right we have Phil Harvey, Steve Strange (the band’s live booking agent) and Anthony Martin (Chris’ dad). Last night in Newcastle there were only 2 Elvises; brilliantly portrayed by Ant & Dec.

As previously answered the official video features Phil Harvey, Simon Pegg & Tim Crompton.

December 16, 2010 – submitted by Emilda, Malaysia

Q. How are you Oracle? I have questions for you; it’s all about the Christmas Lights video:

1. When was the video was filmed?

2. Are those fireworks real?

3. Are they filming outdoors or indoors?

thanks so much!

The Oracle replies:

You may know where it was filmed as I have previously mentioned it and we now have the interview with Mat up on this website but recording took place on Thursday 25th November, less than one week before it was aired for the first time.

The fireworks weren’t set off that night and so aren’t “real” in terms of being live.

The entire filming took place outdoors on a specially designed set and of course a boat.

December 16, 2010 – submitted by Jens, Denmark

Q. Hello omniscient Oracle!

Hope you’re having a great day.

I know this is a pretty irrelevant question, but I’m just asking it anyway. 🙂

In the new Christmas Lights video, who’s hand is it that puts the pickup on the record in the very beginning?

Cheers

The Oracle replies:

It’s a popular question Jens although the answer is not very exciting – no offence to the owner of the hand. It was a member of the filming crew so no-one we collectively know and love.

December 15, 2010 – submitted by Gretchen, United States of America

Q. Hello, Oracle!

I have two questions: 1) Is Oxford Street a real street and if so can you tell us about it and why someone would ‘take their feet’ there if they were feeling troubled? And 2) Are you tired of answering questions about Christmas Lights yet?!

I suppose that was technically 3 questions, so forgive me for that! 😉

Merry early Christmas, Oracle!

Gretchen

The Oracle replies:

Oxford Street is most likely the busiest shopping street in London and home to many large chains and department stores. It’s pretty famous for its Christmas displays in shop windows and the lights that adorn the street. It’s not necessarily somewhere you’d take your troubled self, in fact it’s probably best avoided unless you want to be jostled around a fair bit – it’s insanely populated most days let alone during the run up to Christmas. It can be synonymous with Christmas and I always see the lyric as referring to where one would have once gone to buy your loved one a gift.

I’m actually enjoying answering questions about the song Gretchen and there’s plenty more in the Oracle’s bank…

December 15, 2010 – submitted by Brad Scott, United States of America

Q. Do you remember when Coldplay was featured on 60 Minutes? Chris played a few notes of Christmas Lights for the interviewer (forgot his name). Why are the lyrics on the release of Christmas Lights different than the ones that Chris sings on the 60 Minutes clip from many months ago?

The Oracle replies:

Songs can sometimes go through many changes before the final track is recorded – even then they can be modified for live shows – Talk is an example of trying out different intros and lyrical changes. Obviously this isn’t a blueprint but in the case of the version of Christmas Lights played on 60 minutes, that was then a work in progress.

December 13, 2010 – submitted by Chris, United Kingdom

Q. Hi Oracle, I was listening to the interview that Chris and Jonny gave on XFM. Chris was being very mysterious about the new album, BUT I do remember him joking about February 9th as a release date for Christmas Lights. I’m just wondering if this is a secret coded release of information for us very intrigued fans?? I hope so! 🙂

Thanks

Chris

The Oracle replies:

A couple of people have written in asking why Chris mentioned a February release date in radio interviews on the night Christmas Lights was released.

Just to clear this up he was referring to the fact that Christmas Lights isn’t a song that you can release at any other time of year, such as February. A few fans got excited thinking he was talking about the album; he wasn’t.

I guess this would be a good time to answer another question I was asked:

“Is Christmas Lights inherently a love song with Christmas context or a Christmas song with love context?” I’d say it’s the former and as it wasn’t written for the next album it made sense to release it at the start of the festive season – although some shops seem to think that is in October…

December 9, 2010 – submitted by Javier M E, Spain

Q. My cousin watched your Christmas Lights video and asked what Elvis had to do with Christmas. Of course I know Elvis Presley sung lots of Christmas songs, but I answered him that it might have been a mistake in the transcription or reading of the video script: Maybe the script writer intended to show THREE ELVES (like Santa’s helpers) and someone read THREE ELVIS??

The Oracle replies:

Hahahahaha! That’s funny! If you listen to the lyrics of the song – or you can read them here – you will hear (or see) there is actually an Elvis reference in the song so it’s no mistake.

December 9, 2010 – submitted by Eman, Lebanon

Q. Dear Oracle,

I see in a previous question you clarified that the building in the Final scene in the video of Christmas Lights was St. Paul’s Cathedral not a mosque, but what about at 1:14 in the video isn’t that a mosque??

Also I’m guessing that Mat Whitecross directed the video of Christmas Light, did I guess right?

Thank you,

Eman = Faith

The Oracle replies:

The cardboard scenery you mean? Well, I had just thought it was maybe an Arabian skyline with no particular religious leanings at all. The song has no undertones alluding to it.

December 8, 2010 – submitted by Emily, United States of America

Q. Oracle!

Who did the art work on the Christmas Lights cover?

The Oracle replies:

December 8, 2010 – submitted by Kathryn, United States of America

Q. Where was the music video for Christmas Lights filmed? Many thanks! 🙂

The Oracle replies:

It was filmed at Southbank in London on the River Thames. This also answers other questions asked:

The building in the final scene is not a mosque nor is it The White House it is in fact St. Paul’s Cathedral.

December 8, 2010 – submitted by Pranav, India

Q. Has the Christmas Lights video been shot in one shot? 🙂

The Oracle replies:

A few people have asked this and apparently the word on the street is that it was a single shot video. There might have only been one camera (to be confirmed) but I can assure you that the video was not filmed in just one take.

They didn’t ‘wrap’ until around 3 in the morning.

FYI: For those who wish to know, ‘wrap’ is the term used when the final filming has taken place. My favourite example of the word being used is at 3 minutes 55 seconds in this.

December 2, 2010 – submitted by Marie, Czech Republic

Q. Dear Oracle.

What does it mean the sign above the curtain in the video Christmas Lights? Thank you

The Oracle replies:

Ha ha, a few people have been asking this. In the Christmas Lights video the words above the stage curtain say CREDO ELVEM ETIAM VIVERE. This means “I believe Elvis lives” in Latin.

December 2, 2010 – submitted by Nathanael, Ireland

Q. Hi Oracle, I’ve heard some rumours that Coldplay were forced to release Christmas Lights by EMI. Is this true?

The Oracle replies:

Utter rubbish Nath! It’s a slightly long story to explain how that could/would work with some bands/labels but here that just wouldn’t be and wasn’t the case.

December 1, 2010 – submitted by Joseph, United States of America

Q. What did you mean when you said that Christmas Lights wasn’t ‘penned for the new album’ in a response to Peter from Ireland? I looked through Coldplay’s release history, and with the exception of the Parachutes album, a brand new single has only been released a month or less before a new album. This makes me think, “well hey Coldplay will have their album out for Christmas!” (And they better if they value my happiness.) I realize you couldn’t tell us even if you did know when the next album comes out, but I just wanted to know what you meant in your other response. Thanks! 🙂

The Oracle replies:

Can I categorically say here and now that Christmas Lights is a stand alone song and has absolutely no bearing on what is to follow. Nor is it any indication of any kind as to when the album will be released. Please don’t treat it as any previous single which is usually a prelude to an album; this is not the case.

I know that is both vague and specific but hey, let’s just enjoy it!

The short answer is no.

December 1, 2010 – submitted by Santiago, Mexico

Q. Is it me or is Simon Pegg appearing on the video of Christmas Lights playing the violin?

Thanks a lot

The Oracle replies:

One of the Elvises – playing violin – is indeed Simon Pegg. (The other two are Phil Harvey & as mentioned yesterday, Tim Crompton).

November 30, 2010 – submitted by Kris, United States of America

Q. Is the Christmas Lights single going to have other songs on it? Like the previous singles?

The Oracle replies:

No, the track will just be released as a sole song with no extra tracks or b-sides.

November 30, 2010 – submitted by Jacob, United States of America

Q. Hello Oracle!

Have you been able to hear the entire Christmas Lights song or are you having to wait just like all of us?

The Oracle replies:

I was lucky enough to hear it a few weeks ago but it’s not long now until everyone will hear it… It’s rather exciting!

November 30, 2010 – submitted by Devin, Netherlands

Q. Will the single Christmas Lights only be available on iTunes, or will it be in the shops too as a CD?

Devin.

The Oracle replies:

The track will not be available to buy on CD in shops but to all those asking, it will be available on iTunes worldwide.

November 29, 2010 – submitted by Christina, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle,

Who in the world is the third Elvis in the Christmas Lights video?! I can recognize Phil and Simon Pegg, but I don’t know who the third one is. He looks a lot like Guy, but it is definitely not Guy!

Thank you, have a nice day!

The Oracle replies:

It’s funny because from the photos I can see how the 3rd Elvis looks like Guy but obviously that’s impossible!

The other Elvis is someone some of you may know – it is in fact Tim Crompton.

November 29, 2010 – submitted by Peter W, Ireland

Q. Oracle, is Christmas Lights an old song (Dec 2009) or is it a new album. While watching a video on YouTube I spied the titled and some Coldplay-esque art. The video was from December 2009.

The Oracle replies:

Yes Peter the idea for the song started a while ago and there were snippets of it available on the Internet e.g YouTube via video/interview footage. The song isn’t penned for the new album however; it’s just a single release that happens to be out this week – “cannot wait” – that we’ve had teasers of over the past year or so.

May 13, 2010 – submitted by Angelica, Philippines

Q. I heard a bit of a song on YouTube and it goes like this: “six feet of snow and water deep wish you would let your troubles sleep”…something like that… is there anyway that they could continue working on it and the release it…cause i really did like it.

The Oracle replies:

You were close enough with the lyrics. That song, Christmas Lights, was indeed worked on but as with all work in progress, whether it’s ever officially released in any form remains to be seen. Plans constantly change during the writing and recording process so what starts as a clear song or album idea can frequently change back, forth and back again. Check out Roadie #42’s Blog (#119 – 16.04.10) to see what I mean.

Lyrics

Christmas night, another fight

Tears we cried a flood

Got all kinds of poison in

Poison in my blood

I took my feet

To Oxford Street

Trying to right a wrong

Just walk away

Those windows say

But I can’t believe she’s gone
When you’re still waiting for the snow to fall

Doesn’t really feel like Christmas at all
Up above candles on air flicker

Oh they flicker and they float

But I’m up here holding on

To all those chandeliers of hope
Like some drunken Elvis singing

I go singing out of tune

Saying how I always loved you darling

And I always will
Oh when you’re still waiting for the snow to fall

Doesn’t really feel like Christmas at all
Still waiting for the snow to fall

It doesn’t really feel like Christmas at all
Those Christmas lights

Light up the street

Down where the sea and city meet

May all your troubles soon be gone

Oh Christmas lights keep shining on
Those Christmas lights

Light up the street

Maybe they’ll bring her back to me

Then all my troubles will be gone

Oh Christmas lights keep shining on
Oh Christmas lights

Light up the street

Light up the fireworks in me

May all your troubles soon be gone

Oh Christmas lights keep shining on

Continue Reading

Yes

“What If” is the second track from Coldplay’s 2005 album, X&Y. It was released as a single in June 2006 to radio stations in France and the French speaking portions of Belgium and Switzerland. A commercial CD was also released in Belgium and features the same B-side as “The Hardest Part” (“How You See The World” recorded live at Earls Court), which was released in other European markets as well as Japan and Australia. More discussion on the commercial CD What If Tom Lorde Alge Mix can be found here Coldplaying thread

Contents

• Belgium CD 00946 3 66951 2 9

1. “What If” (Tom Lord Alge mix) – 5:07


2. “How You See The World” (live from Earls Court) – 4:16

Cover images

• Belgium CD
  

Trivia

• It has been said by the tabloid media that this song was about Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow’s relationship. But since, when played live, Chris Martin places an apple on his piano, it has been speculated that this song is really about his daughter, Apple.

The Oracle on What If

June 14, 2012 – submitted by Melina, Mexico

Q. Is this the What If official video? Because the guy who is playing the piano doesn’t look like Chris.

Thanks!

P.S. Hope you come to Mexico soon!

The Oracle replies:

I’ve never seen that video before and while 7,634,258 is an impressive number of views, it’s nothing to do with us. Not only is the guy not Chris but there wasn’t an official video for What If made.

May 24, 2012 – submitted by Fokke, Switzerland

Q. Dear Oracle,

Like yourself, I love the song What If from X&Y. I don’t think they ever played this song live. Do you know why?

I will go to to concert in Zurich this Saturday and obviously hope that you can influence the guys to put this on their playlist 🙂

Best regards from a Dutch guy in Switzerland.

The Oracle replies:

It was played during the Twisted Logic tour back in 2005 but it wasn’t a permanent fixture on the setlist.

Last December it reappeared, much to my delight, on the European leg of the tour after a lengthy hiatus.

July 23, 2010 – submitted by Roberto, Italy

Q. Hi Oracle, I was watching on You Tube some Coldplay’s concerts and then I found this video Is this a promo video or what? Because the Chris Martin’s part is original! I would like you answer me to uncover the truth! Thanks a lot, greetings from Italy.

The Oracle replies:

It is not an official promo video. There has never been a video of someone else miming to Chris’ vocal part – that’s not him. Yes the song is the original but many people create their own videos for songs.

May 20, 2009 – submitted by Joshua, Switzerland

Q. Dear Oracle,

I have a rather interesting questions.

Wikipedia and the Wiki at Coldplaying.com seem to be under the illusion that ‘What If’ was released as a single, with Wikipedia also stating ‘White Shadows’ as another. Evidently, the Wikipedia has no wiki pages leading to the two – which would lead one to think someone has incorrectly edited the Coldplay page… until I realised that the Coldplaying Wiki had supplied cover artwork for What If. It even included a brief description of where it has been released. Has someone played a elaborate prank? It would seem so, as the code on the cover art is off-centered, unlike the others.

Thanks,

Joshua

The Oracle replies:

Sometimes singles are released in very few territories and that may be physical, digital or radio release only. That’s the case with the above singles. What If was released to radio in France, for example, and White Shadows was released to coincide with the Latin American tour of 2007.

Lyrics

What if there was no light.

Nothing wrong, nothing right.

What if there was no time?

And no reason or rhyme?

What if you should decide

That you don’t want me there by your side.

That you don’t want me there in your life. 

What if I got it wrong?

And no poem or song..

Could put right what I got wrong,

Or make you feel I belong

What if you should decide

That you don’t want me there by your side

That you don’t want me there in your life. 
Oooooh, that’s right

Let’s take a break jump over the side

Oooooh, that’s right

How can you know it if you don’t even try?

Oooooh, that’s right
Every step that you take

Could be your biggest mistake

It could bend or it could break

But that’s the risk that you take

What if you should decide

That you don’t want me there in your life.

That you don’t want me there by your side.
Oooooh, that’s right

Let’s take a break jump over the side.

Oooooh, that’s right

How can you know it when you don’t even try?

Oooooh, that’s right
Oooooh, that’s right

Let’s take a break jump over the inside

Oooooh, that’s right

You know that darkness always turns into light

Oooooh, that’s right.

Continue Reading

Yes

“The Hardest Part” is the fourth single from Coldplay’s 2005 album, X&Y. The song was released to UK radio and download sites on 3 April 2006 and was released internationally on CD in Europe, Japan, Canada, and Australia in May and June 2006. The international version of the single was made available in the UK on 19 June 2006. In France and the French speaking portions of Belgium and Switzerland “What If” was released instead of “The Hardest Part”, and a Belgium commercial CD featured the same B-side, “How You See the World” recorded live at Earls Court.

Like the previous single from X&Y, “Talk”, had been a tribute to Kraftwerk, “The Hardest Part” was intended by Coldplay as a stylistic nod to R.E.M.. In fact, according to the band, they felt “The Hardest Part” resembled R.E.M.’s 1991 hit “Losing My Religion” so much that they almost left it off the album.

Contents

• 10 External links

Release

Coldplay released The Hardest Part in the US and UK on 3 April 2006 as the fourth single of their third album. The single was pressed with a B-side, How You See The World, recorded live at Earls Court. The international version of the single was made available in the UK on 19 June 2006. Regional singles were released for Canada, Europe, Australia, and a different version for Taiwan. Promotional singles were released in the UK and US. The track peaked at number 37 on Billboard’s Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart.

Although the song did not chart on the UK Singles Chart, as the song was released as a radio-only song, the single peaked on the Italian charts on 11 May 2006 at number 19 and spent a week in the chart. Afterward, the song peaked on the New Zealand Charts at number 34 on 21 August 2006.

In 2009, a live piano version of The Hardest Part appeared on Coldplay’s live album LeftRightLeftRightLeft.

Production and composition

The previous single from X&Y, Talk, was a tribute to the German band Kraftwerk; similarly, The Hardest Part was intended by Coldplay to acknowledge American band R.E.M. When asked why the song paid a tribute to R.E.M.’s lead singer, Michael Stipe, Chris Martin said: “I’ve lost all respect for fame, but I haven’t lost all respect for respect. So the one great thing about being famous is that I get to meet people who I respect. Our relationship is akin to a dog and its master. I’ll always look up to him.”

The band felt the track resembled R.E.M.’s 1991 single, “Losing My Religion”. The Hardest Part was left out of the album track list when the band sent an early version of the album to their record label, Parlophone. The track, however, was included when X&Y was finalized. When asked about the song’s meaning, Martin referred to it as a “terrible song, good video”. He does not give any reason for this statement, other than a short explanation of how the video was recorded.

The Hardest Part features a piano ballad sound. The song starts with a repeating two-note piano riff, and features an instrumentation of a singsong guitar. It also includes a slow tempo with a drumming rhythm. The track ends with the band playing the repeated instrument riffs.

Media reception

Critics were positive towards the song. In the Entertainment Weekly review of the album, music contributor David Browne wrote that the song “is imbued with the sense of regret and letting go that we’ve heard from the band before, but with added musical muscle.”

Michael Hubbard of MusicOMH wrote: “A Message and The Hardest Part sound like companion pieces, both big songs.” Critic Kelefa Sanneh of Rolling Stone noted that the song gets “less catchy as it goes along”. Adrien Begrand from PopMatters wrote that “The Hardest Part” is a “pleasant slice of R.E.M. style pop.” Cameron Adams of the Herald Sun reported that the song sounded “like the Smiths meets REM.” David Cheal of The Daily Telegraph noted, “…’The Hardest Part’ is lovely, straightforward, instantly accessible pop-rock”.

Track listings

1. “How You See The World” (live from Earls Court)

Cover images

Music video

“The Hardest Part” Music video

The music video for “The Hardest Part” was shot on 3 March 2006 in St. Petersburg, Florida at a yacht marina. The video is similar to Weezer’s video for Buddy Holly, in that uses a clip from a short-lived 80s program “Attitudes” on the Lifetime network, and has the band digitally inserted. The band essentially plays beside a stage where an 84-year-old lady and her 25-year-old male friend put up an incredible act of athleticism, despite her age. Actress Linda Dano, who played “Felicia Gallant” on the soap opera Another World, is also featured via the Attitudes footage. The video was directed by Mary Wigmore. Another version of the video features a cameo from Chris Martin’s father, Anthony Martin, but was never broadcast. It premiered on Wednesday, 22 March at 11:05 p.m. on Channel 4 in the UK.

Chart Performance

In the U.S., “The Hardest Part” entered Billboard’s AC chart, peaking at #37. It’s being played on Triple A radio, reaching #18 on the Radio & Records Triple A chart.

The Oracle on The Hardest Part

September 10, 2010 – submitted by Kaley, Ireland

Q. Q.Yet another question for you Oracle.

I was watching the Hardest Part music video. Was that an actual gig that Coldplay went to or was it set up for the music video?

Much love!

The Oracle replies:

The Hardest Part video’s live performance was set up purely for the video; technically some audience members are extras.

August 17, 2009 – submitted by Karen, United States of America

Q. Dear Coldplay

A question, and a heartfelt thanks to you…

I’m wondering why you selected my grandmother’s (Barbara Moseley) dance video for your song The Hardest Part? I have loved your music since the beginning, and was so happy when you chose her video for so many reasons I can’t explain here.. I will forever be in your debt for bringing her back to me in this way. Your music is poetry brought to life…most sincerely, Karen

The Oracle replies:

Wow! Awesome to hear from you Karen. How strange that I just read a question asking if Barbara was in fact a stunt woman!

It wasn’t actually the band who chose the clip; it was the video’s director Mary Wigmore.

I have answered a couple of questions about your Grandmother that you may have missed so have a look here and here. Thanks for getting in touch!

June 5, 2009 – submitted by Andy, New Zealand

Q. Dear Oracle,

On the new album, whose lovely voice is it doing the harmonies on The Hardest Part? When I saw the show I do not remember anyone else being on stage, but perhaps I was just distracted by Chris?

Gratefully yours,

Andy

The Oracle replies:

I sort of answered this only yesterday but perhaps I wasn’t clear. Anyway, as Chris performs this song from Stage B it’s easy to miss that Will is singing backing vocals behind his drums on the main stage.

June 4, 2009 – submitted by Andrew, United States of America

Q. Oh wise Oracle,

I just went to the Darien Center concert yesterday and it was by far the best concert I have ever been to in my life. I was wondering though, how come Chris played The Hardest Part acoustically? Hope you answer!

P.S. – When the band came and played in the back area of the crowd it was amazing I could have reached out and touched them!

The Oracle replies:

This started back on Saturday 30 August 2008 when Coldplay performed an intimate live concert for BBC Radio 2. Chris announced that they were playing it that way as the band were divided on their opinion of the song. Two members like it; two don’t so he and Will performed it acoustically. It then became a part of the live show and proves to be a popular version.

April 15, 2009 – submitted by Kiran, Canada

Q. At a BBC radio gig, Chris started playing the Hardest Part on his own, then called it an ego trip. He went on to say two of the guys liked The Hardest Part (one of them being him, I assume) and that two of the guys weren’t too fond of it. So who’s on what side?

The Oracle replies:

Chris and Will are on the pro side with Jonny & Guy on the other. All members favour the acoustic version though.

October 31, 2008 – submitted by Whisp, New Zealand

Q. Hello. we were recently priviledged enough to stumble across Coldplay’s “Hardest Part” video and to let Barbara the 84 year old dancer into our lives. Is there anywhere that we might obtain some further information about the legend herself (and perhaps a tad about Spencer her tanned, g-string clad companion)? thanks oracle, you’re a champ. Whisp and Thong xxx

The Oracle replies:

That video was made 16 years after Barbara (R.I.P) and Spencer appeared on the Attitudes show. There’s not much information about the pair, which is a shame, but you can see a variation of the routine here.

September 4, 2008 – submitted by Ana, Mexico

Q. Chris recently said that two of the Coldplays did not like the hardest part and other 2 who like it.

Who are those who like it?

The Oracle replies:

You refer to last Saturday (30th August) when the band played a gig at the BBC theatre. Chris remarked that only 2 of them liked the song. As he and Will started he turned around to Guy & Jonny who weren’t participating and gestured that it was obvious which 2 didn’t.

However, I know die-hard fans may be confused as Chris has commented in the past that The Hardest Part was a terrible song, good video.

Unfortunately Ana as you’re from outside the U.K you won’t be able to watch footage from the show, but you can read about it and see photos on the Radio 2 website.

August 15, 2008 – submitted by Miriam, United States of America

Q. I was wondering- in Coldplay’s music video The Hardest Part, was it the bands idea to to have that those 80’s dancers in it? How did that come up and is it supposed to be funny? I was trying to find an “inner meaning” but I can’t seem to find one.

The Oracle replies:

There isn’t an inner meaning. Basically Mary Wigmore, the video’s director had been waiting for the right project to come along so she could use the footage. It was originally from a U.S talk show called Attitudes. The clip was taken from a 1990 episode in Miami featuring Gene & Barbara (the latter died a few years ago) and was spliced with the band’s performance. It is supposed to be funny but of course no way patronizing to the amazing dancers.

Lyrics

And the hardest part

Was letting go not taking part

Was the hardest part

And the strangest thing

Was waiting for that bell to ring

It was the strangest start

I could feel it go down

Bittersweet I could taste in my mouth

Silver lining the clouds

Oh and I

I wish that I could work it out
And the hardest part

Was letting go not taking part

You really broke my heart, oh

And I tried to sing

But I couldn’t think of anything

And that was the hardest part, oh, oh
I can feel it go down

You left the sweetest taste in my mouth

You’re a silver lining the clouds

Oh and I

Oh and I

I wonder what it’s all about
I wonder what it’s all about
Everything I know, is, wrong

Everything I do

It just comes undone

And everything is torn apart

Oh and thats the hardest part

That’s the hardest part

Yeah that’s the hardest part

That’s the hardest part.

Continue Reading

Violet Hill single cover

Violet Hill is a track included on Coldplay’s fourth album, Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends and the album’s first single, released on May 5, 2008.

One of the strongest of the new songs, the band was considering giving it away as a special promotion in coming weeks and then leaving it off the album. However it was later revealed that not only would Violet Hill end up being on the album, it would be the first single. Opening with a jagged distorted guitar riff, the song announces a new template: The stalking, bluesy beat fits nicely with Chris Martin’s earthy vocals and plaintive lyrics: “If you love me, won’t you let me know?”

The band also announced on April 28, 2008 that the single would be released from the official Coldplay website on April 29 for a week free of charge before the paid download on May 5. The song received its first radio play on April 29, 2008, on BBC Radio 1 at 12:13. Coldplay’s new single ‘Violet Hill’ was downloaded for free by over 600,000 people in the 24 hours since it was made available at 12.15pm on April 29.

Chris Martin described the song as having a “chalky, pastel feeling” which he said reminds him of his childhood. “Imagine a pseudo guitar-like circus music with a pinch of Chicago… It’s something new from us and you will be impressed.”

Contents

1. “A Spell A Rebel Yell” – 2:46

European release (CD)

1. “Lost?” – 3:39

First Release Of Violet Hill Causes Websites To Crash

Coldplay’s new single ‘Violet Hill’ was downloaded for free by over 600,000 people in the first 24 hours when it was made available online at 12.15pm on Tuesday April 29, 2008. In the first 12 hours it was downloaded by 300,000. This figure doubled overnight as other countries logged on to Coldplay.com, the source of the free download. The single was made available free for a week and then released as a paid-for digital single on May 6, 2008.

Meanwhile, Last.fm were keen to point out that the Coldplay figures are a record, exceeding even the most popular track from the Radiohead album, In Rainbows, that was streamed for free back in October. That notched up 22,000 listens in 12 hours. Last.fm’s figures are based, obviously, on the traffic that is scrobbled among Last.fm users, so these are only a minimum figure. But in 23 hours, there have already been 33,523 listens of Violet Hill – equivalent to 1 listen every 2.4 seconds. That’s despite Coldplay’s server wobbling about a bit under the weight of requests yesterday. Last.fm has already claimed a significant 119% rise in the number of click-throughs to Amazon’s retail site since it introduced free streaming for the big four music labels.

Trending of Violet Hill

During Coldplay’s headlining performance on the Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury festival on 25th June 2011, Violet Hill trended on Twitter worldwide after the song had been played.

Reception

Critics were positive towards the song. In the Los Angeles Times review of the album, critic Todd Martens wrote: “The song’s first guitar crush arrives after a lengthy ambient intro, and brings an electrifying jolt to the striking piano melody. Martin brings a booming confidence to his vocals that has been more evident in Coldplay’s live shows than on record.”

Simon Vozick-Levinson from Entertainment Weekly wrote: “‘Violet Hill’ opens with a thin synth wash that’s very Music for Airports, and proceeds from there to some droning, stabbing guitar textures that sound cooler than most any Coldplay tunes I can think of.”

Kristina Feliciano of Paste magazine wrote: “You know you’re in for a different kind of Coldplay experience when Chris Martin ditches his anguished falsetto for a deep, doomy basso profundo, as he does on ‘Violet Hill'”.

Mikael Wood of Spin magazine wrote: “‘Violet Hill’ pulls a similar fake-out, bludgeoning a delicate Eno-style soundscape with big Black Sabbath guitars.

Darcie Stevens of the Austin Chronicle wrote: “While the band’s fourth LP begins light and pretty, its power breaks late-album with Old West tangent ‘Violet Hill'”. The song appeared on Rolling Stone’s Hot List for May 2009, with the magazine calling it “a (relatively) hard-rocking attack on Fox News’ America”.

After the song’s release, Violet Hill was featured in the music video games Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, as downloadable content, and in Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits. The single was covered by Pendulum, when they were guests in BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge. The song has been mixed by Michael Brauer, who also mixed Coldplay’s debut album, Parachutes. It was also featured on an episode of the UK soap opera, Hollyoaks.

Awards

The official video for Violet Hill was nominated for Best UK Video as well as Best Special Effects for the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards. The track was also nominated for two Q awards in the categories of Best Track and Best Video; the song lost in both categories to Keane’s “Spiralling” in Best Track and Vampire Weekend’s “A-Punk” in Best Video, respectively. The song was nominated for two Grammy Awards in the categories of Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group.

First ever review

Coldplaying.com messageboard member locust7 [1] revealed on 18th April 2008 that he had already heard Violet Hill, almost two weeks before it was actually released on the internet. Although his sources were not revealed, his review turned out to be true, describing the song precisely. Here’s his review:[2]

I know many of you are not going to believe me, but I’ve already heard Violet Hill. I’m not going to give away many details of how I did it, only that it was via an ipod, and a few days ago. And I see that everybody is so eager to know, that I think you finally deserved to share this with me. Believe or not, I’m going to give my impressions about it. It’s awesome! The lyrics are the part that I can’t remember precisely, because English is not my native language. The chorus is the same that Rolling Stone explained. However, the song does not start with the jagged guitar Rolling Stone said, but with an atmospheric intro of about 15-20 seconds very Eno-esque. Then the guitar and piano begin to sound. Their riffs are heavier, faster and louder than ever. I don’t think I’ve heard Buckland studio work this hard (live you always hear it louder and lower), but it’s very attractive combined with the piano.

Chris voice is his low voice of the Parachutes era, but seems to be just stronger, muscular, not delicate till the end of the song. Not a single falsetto note here. Also, the bass and drum sound different from general past Coldplay songs. Here they define the whole rhythm by themselves, especially Will’s work. It’s very distinctive and it has an intense effect between verses, and especially after every chorus. You think the drums are going to end, but they follow and remark these moments. You’ll recognise very well this part of the song: bam, bam, bam, bam, bam, bam, bam, bam (six or seven times I think).

There’s an intermediate guitar bridge before the final chorus, a continued riff, in which sometimes I thought of a Pink Floyd Dark Side or Pulse era, atmospheric soundful but at the peaks of the guitar distorted. After the final chorus, there’s the end, a coda of 35-40 with Chris only on the piano and singing low. Here his voice is delicate but not mellow. Seems to express he’s broken inside, sadder and lonelier than ever, and the song slowly fades after the last word and note and dissapears into atmospheric as well, bringing you loneliness but strength. The structure of the song is very Coldplayish, but the general sound is different, in the way of being more mature, stronger and epic without pretending it (unlike some X & Y songs). The instruments are very well integrated, much better than other times, but in many parts, an instrument carries by itself the song. Eno Production makes them sound louder, stronger but not pretentious. It feels both natural evolution, and I hope for the rest of the songs, seems to announce a more adult themed work and the step beyond we were awaiting.

Overall I give it 9,5/10. Ok. That’s all folks. As I said, I know some will believe me and some will not. I’ll be called liar by some, I have no doubts. But when all of you will be able to hear the song, and it’s sooner than you expect, you’ll know it’s true.

And it was.

Music Video

Radiotimes.com announced an exclusive broadcast of Coldplay’s new video for the forthcoming single, Violet Hill. It was due to be broadcast on UK’s Channel 4 on May 13 at 11.05pm, however, this never occured, with the video instead being posted on the band’s official website, along with an alternative Dancing Politicians version by Mat Whitecross, which spliced images of prominent politicians with images of the band taken from the official video.

The official video for Violet Hill was filmed in Sicily, Italy. It was originally thought that only ‘Prospekt’ was present in Italy, but Italian media that it was the whole band, ready to film a video for the first single of the fourth album. The film set was a very restricted area located in Enna (the Italian city at the highest altitude), near Nicoletti lake.

The video itself features the band performing the song with various instruments, dressed in their now familiar military outfits. On occasion, members of the band distort their faces with a magnifying glass. It ends with Chris Martin attempting to walk on snow, and failing somewhat.

Alternative Music Video – Dancing Politicians

An alternative music video, named ‘Dancing Politicians’, was posted on Coldplay’s official website on 17 May 2008, directed by Mat Whitecross. The video is made up of clips, sometimes looped, featuring various politicians and scenes of war, along with clips of the band in Ada Mader’s version of the video, as well as firework displays at the end. It prominently features George W. Bush, presenting clips of him in a mocking manner. Prominent personalities, such as Fidel Castro, Richard Nixon, Hugo Chávez, Robert Mugabe, Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, Boris Yeltsin, Barack Obama, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Tony and Cherie Blair, and Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip are featured in this alternate video. This video is shown on a small on-stage TV screen at live shows, including the band’s 2008 Viva la Vida tour.

B-sides

A Spell A Rebel Yell vinyl release

A free Coldplay 7″ vinyl single was given away with the May 7 issue of NME. The vinyl includes Violet Hill and non-album track A Spell A Rebel Yell, and is not available anywhere else.

Krissi Murison, deputy editor at the NME, said Chris Martin contacted them directly: “He called up our editor one night from the studio, he said ‘I have just written this song [A Spell A Rebel Yell] and it’s the pefect song. NME readers are gonna love it, we have to get it out there.'”

A Spell A Rebel Yell is absent from the commercial CD release of Violet Hill however, which includes Lost? as its b-side instead.

Reviews

Reviews of Violet Hill have in the main been positive, even from those most sceptical of Coldplay’s direction. One read:

Well, they promised us different, and I can confirm that Coldplay have delivered something different. But is it good? Hell yeah. Even speaking as a determined Coldplay hater, Violet Hill sounds dark, foreboding, and heavy. Less of the piano-sturbation, and Chris Martin retires the falsetto in favour of a more earthy vocal tone.

Violet Hill is a song rich in texture: fuzzed-up power chords, wailing string bends in the background, and some very atmospheric drumming from Will Champion. This most definitely rocks. If this is a sampler of Coldplay’s new direction, then it’s certainly enough to persuade me to listen to the album. Unlike other Coldplay songs I’ve heard, this has balls.

Gentlemen… well played. Thumbs up.

You can read many of the reviews at http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44253

Song Facts

Lead singer Chris Martin told Entertainment Weekly that this was Coldplay’s first attempt at a protest song. He added that the song is a nod to The Beatles, and Violet Hill is a street near Abbey Road.

After this song was offered as a free download for a week on coldplay.com in April, such was the demand that the site crashed. The week after this song was made available free for download, it still sold sufficient copies for it to debut at #8 on the UK chart and #40 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Drummer Will Champion told Q magazine about this song’s bluesy Lennonesque sound: “We really tried to make it sound like this great big machine that was slightly knackered. Something that’s slow and grinding. I’m sure people won’t get that! A psychedelic title? Violet Hill is a road in St John’s Wood (North-west London).”

Chris Martin revealed to Rolling Stone magazine that this was inspired by self-proclaimed “traditionalist” political commentator Bill O’Reilly. He said: “The first line in that song is the first line of any song we ever wrote. Years ago, when Guy [Berryman, bassist] heard that first line and that first little melody – ‘It was a long and dark December’ – he said, ‘OK, I’ll join the band.’ But we just didn’t have the other 49 lines until last year. And then one day I was watching Bill O’Reilly, and I was like, ‘I know how to finish that song.’ My best friend, Tim, he’s a musician in a band called the High Wire, but he also has to work in a bar. He was having trouble with his boss, and it made me think that so many people spend their lives being told what to do by people that they just don’t like. So it was that idea, and watching Bill O’Reilly, and all these words just came out.”

Guy Berryman explained to MTV News how this came close to being left off the album: “It was one of the older songs we had been working on, and we had sort of moved it to one side from the list of songs that were going to be on the record. And there’s this secret fifth member of the group, [manager] Phil Harvey, and he really championed it, as well as a few other people, so quite rightfully so, we dragged it back into the short list.”

Two videos were made for this song. One of them, which was filmed on top of Mount Etna in Sicily was the first promo ever to receive a simultaneous premiere on VH1, MTV and The N. The other alternative video (named “Dancing Politicians”) was described by Chris Martin to MTV News as “our favorite video we’ve ever made.” He added: “We just thought it was funny that in the run-up to elections, everybody dances. And we thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great to make a video of just politicians dancing?’ So we did.”

The Oracle on Violet Hill

February 15, 2011 – submitted by Frisby, United States of America

Q. All I’ve got to say is lolwut…?

Please explain…xD

The Oracle replies:

All I’ve got to say is what on earth does lolwut mean? Actually, don’t answer that I really do not wish to know…

Anyway, what’s there to explain? You must have missed this alternative video when the single was released. Two were made and this one was directed by Mat Whitecross – long time friend and collaborator.

August 26, 2010 – submitted by Emmett, Canada

Q. Hey Oracle!

I found this video on the Coldplay YouTube channel from EMI and I was wondering if it’s something that the boys had made, like is it a Coldplay production? Or just something they found they thought was cool and put up?

Thanks! Have a good day! 😀

The Oracle replies:Mat Whitecross met the band at UCL and directed their first video for Bigger Stronger. He has gone on to make some amazing films and at the start of the Viva campaign came up with this alternative video for its first single, Violet Hill.

The EMI/Coldplay YouTube account only shows official videos so this was a commissioned piece.

July 2, 2009 – submitted by Natale, Australia

Q. Hi Oracle

I was wondering apparently there are two videos for Violet Hill and Viva la Vida

Which are the official videos?

Also the other ones were they just jokes or just a tried ideas?

Hope you answer.

The Oracle replies:

There are indeed two videos for both of those tracks and both are official. They were far from jokes, they were just alternative videos. Trouble had two videos for different reasons. To find out why, click Trouble in the tag cloud.

May 27, 2009 – submitted by Mandy, Australia

Q. Dear Oracle,

Was the Violet Hill single with A Spell a Rebel Yell available anywhere outside the UK? I’m desperate and resorting to ebay.

The Oracle replies:

The combination of those two tracks on a physical format (7 inch vinyl) was only available as a free giveaway with the NME; unfortunately they cannot extend the offer outside of the U.K

April 27, 2009 – submitted by jake, United Kingdom

Q. Hey, in one of your interviews on YouTube, the guy interviewing you said that Jonny’s daughter came up with Violet Hill? is that true or was it a joke? ‘Cause my sheet music said written by you four. Violet Hill rocks!

V i v a v i v a!

The Oracle replies:

Given that she was a baby at the time it’s impossible! Her name is Violet, though Violet Hill is a place. You sheet music is correct.

January 27, 2009 – submitted by Ben, United States of America

Q. kk, 2 questions.

1: My dad won’t believe me that the “dancing politicians” version of Violet Hill on youtube is official. Would you mind giving me proof of this so i can win this arguement once and for all?

2 Why is there a delay in posting the LiT ii music video to iTunes? I want to buy it so i can show all my buddies…

The Oracle replies:

1 Yes it is. The same chap who filmed the Bigger Stronger video made it. Seems both band and director have done pretty well. Mat Whitecross also directed the Lost!/Lost? videos amongst others.
http://www.betweentheeyes.co.uk/page/music-videos/director/1034
2 Although the single isn’t officially released it’s on there. Ah but you’re in the States and it’s not available outside the U.K right now.

Lyrics

Was a long and dark December

From the rooftops I remember

There was snow, white snow

Clearly I remember

From the windows they were watching

While we froze down below

When the future’s architectured

By a carnival of idiots on show

You’d better lie low

If you love me

Won’t you let me know?

Was a long and dark December

When the banks became cathedrals

And a fox became God

Priests clutched onto bibles

Hollowed out to fit their rifles

And the cross was held aloft

Bury me in armor

When I’m dead and hit the ground

My nerves are poles that unfroze

If you love me

Won’t you let me know?
I don’t want to be a soldier

Who the captain of some sinking ship

Would stow, far below

So if you love me

Why’d you let me go?
I took my love down to violet hill

There we sat in snow

All that time she was silent still

So if you love me

Won’t you let me know?

If you love me

Won’t you let me know?

Continue Reading

Phil Harvey (born Philip Christopher Hammond Harvey, 29 August 1976) is Coldplay’s former and first, manager. Still heavily involved with the band, he usually goes on tour with them, as well as joining them in the studio. He is considered to be Coldplay’s fifth member, being cited as such in the linear notes of many of their albums. In 2002, before the release of A Rush of Blood to the Head, Phil took a hiatus from the group, and ceased to be their manager. During this time he lived in Argentina and Australia, studying psychology at the latter. He would return in 2006 and from then on has been called the “5th member”. He has appeared in the videos for Life in Technicolor II, Christmas Lights and Paradise.

As Coldplay’s Manager

The Oracle on Phil Harvey

August 6, 2013 – submitted by Zach, United States of America

Q. Do you know if we’ll ever hear Phil sing or play any instruments on any album or track?

The Oracle replies:

Phil has picked up a guitar in the past few years but other than his 3 video cameo roles, there’s been nothing else performance wise. If he was to perform on a track I can’t see him wanting to appear on stage (I’m dicounting the times he dressed as a violining Elvis) but he certainly has an ear that he lends in all senses.

January 15, 2013 – submitted by Amelia, United Kingdom

Q. Phil Harvey is always referred to as the ‘fifth member of Coldplay’ but do you know if he regrets not ever becoming an actual member of Coldplay, as in an onstage member?

Thanks, and Happy Christmas!

The Oracle replies:

There was never a time that Phil was considering that position, so no, he doesn’t.

He’s as much part of the band as Chris, Jonny, Will & Guy but it’s always been behind the scenes. Phil has appeared in videos and onstage as Elvis during Christmas Lights but Phil has never been in the band as a playing musician.

He is musical though which is why his input is such an integral part of the role of 5th member.

January 2, 2013 – submitted by Tzukeet, New Zealand

Q. Hi!

On the very beautifully drawn Christmas well-wishing card from Coldplay, who is the person in Jonny’s thought bubble? With a ‘P’ on him?

Happy New Year!

The Oracle replies:

When Anchorman first showed me that photo I must have been on a go slow not to immediately realize that it’s P for Phil!

August 29, 2012 – submitted by Alessandro, Italy

Q. Dearest Oracle,

Today, watching again the video of Life In Technicolor ii, I saw a character that looked very similar to Colplay’s beloved secret member Phil Harvey.

I am referring to the guy who is holding a camera and making a video of the “concert”.

Is that guy actually Mister Phil Harvey or mine was just an impression?

Thanks in advance

Alessandro

The Oracle replies:

It is indeed Phil (today also known as the Birthday Boy) in a nice little cameo role. He was also in the Christmas Lights & Paradise videos.

April 18, 2012 – submitted by Meagan, United States of America

Q. Does Phil tour with the band or does he only work with them in the studio?

The Oracle replies:

Both. There may be the odd occasion when Phil’s not on tour but generally he is. He’s not always sat in every studio session either, but he’ll be around and very much a part of it all.

April 16, 2012 – submitted by Lisa, United Kingdom

Q. Since I read the question concerning the AROBTTH singles’ cover art, I have been itching to ask if the album cover was Solve Sundsbo’s portrait of Phil Harvey? Coldplay does have five official members and I was wondering if he was depicted on the album cover as Jonny, Will, Chris, and Guy were for the single artwork.

I hope your day is filled with joy!

-Lisa

The Oracle replies:

Phil isn’t depicted in any of the AROBTTH artwork – not singles or album.

Although we now call Phil the 5th member of the band, that wasn’t the case when AROBTTH was released; he was then their manager before taking a hiatus from all things Coldplay.

January 30, 2012 – submitted by Karl, Lebanon

Q. Dear Oracle who never answers my questions, on the demo cassette tape of Ode to Deodorant is written the number of Phil Harvey the fifth member of Coldplay since the demo was sent to promoters.

Does he still have the same number?

The Oracle replies:

To be honest I didn’t reply because I assumed that if you wanted a quick answer, you’d have just called the number?

No, Phil changed his number years ago. He sent it as he was their manager at the time.

February 24, 2011 – submitted by Gise, Argentina

Q. When did Phil Harvey live in Argentina, and for how long?

Say hi to the guys for me… Have a really nice day and thank you

Ps. I work in a bar and EVERYDAY on my playlist have Coldplay OFC..!

The Oracle replies:

I’m thinking it was 2003. He took his extended haitus in 2002 before the release of A Rush of Blood. Given he was at a London show on his birthday later that year, Argentina must have been the following year. He stayed there for 6 months.

December 28, 2010 – submitted by Jenny, United States of America

Q. What does the pH at the end of Coldplay’s tweets mean?

The Oracle replies:

It’s Phil’s sign-off so it stands for Phil Harvey or rather, phil Harvey.

July 23, 2010 – submitted by Jeff, United States of America

Q. Will you please tell me where is Phil Harvey(the mysterious 5th member) is in the Life in Technicolor ii music video. He holds a video camera is a clue you have given to us but there are 3 people holding cameras.

The Oracle replies:

Phil is spotted on the left hand side at 1 minute 55 seconds wearing a cream Arran sweater (another clue I also gave).

July 5, 2010 – submitted by Margaret, United Kingdom

Q. Oracle, is it true that 5th band member Phil moved to Australia for a few years?

The Oracle replies:

It is indeed true. He left the UK in 2002 and eventually made it to Australia where he studied Psychology.

I have it on good authority that he became a fan of Mrs. Ashmead’s home cooking whilst there.

June 29, 2010 – submitted by Katie, United States of America

Q. Hello Oracle,

Since your judgement is probably more accurate than mine, do you agree that Phil looks like a slightly older Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (from the Dutch team)?

The Oracle replies:

I can see what you mean as there’s a similarity but it was hard to find a larger version of photo were they looked the same.

This one was the best I could find.

June 21, 2010 – submitted by James, United States of America

Q. Is the fifth member Phil really a dog? If so, what kind?

The Oracle replies:

Blimey where on earth did you hear that?? Phil is most certainly NOT a dog!

November 2, 2009 – submitted by Jordan, New Zealand

Q. Hey Oracle!

I was looking at the cassette tape for Ode to Deodorant, and it has Phil’s number on it. Could I still contact him on it, or is he guilty of false advertising after all these years?

Thanks!

The Oracle replies:

The only thing Phil’s guilty of is changing his phone number many years ago so, no, you wouldn’t be able to contact him on the cassette’s out of date info.

October 16, 2009 – submitted by Alan, South Africa

Q. Hi Oracle

Had Phil had any previous experience in management? It seems quite fascinating that someone inexperienced could take the band so far. Was Phil just smart and talented enough to learn the ropes quickly?

Thanks

The Oracle replies:

Phil had no previous experience of management or music business. Apart from being smart and talented Phil was never afraid to ask questions and therefore progressed at a fairly rapid rate with the band. He also took advice and always kept the band at the forefront of any decision.

September 28, 2009 – submitted by Caitlin, United States of America

Q. Dearest Oracle,

Who is the fifth man standing on the stage with the boys at the end of their final concert on the Viva tour? This picture was placed in the blog overflow for Saturday and in it, Guy’s hand is covering his face. I was wondering if it was Phil or someone else.

Thank you so very much!

The Oracle replies:

Yes that was Phil Harvey in the pre-last night at Wembley group huddle.

September 8, 2009 – submitted by Elizabeth, Mexico

Q. Hello Oracle!!!

This question just came to my mind a second ago…. Why doesn’t Phil have his own puppet if he’s the fifth member of Coldplay?

Thanks for answering all these questions, know it’s a lot of work!!!

Have a nice day!!

The Oracle replies:

As Phil is in the video where we first saw the puppets, it would be very strange to have a puppet of him in it too! Granted he isn’t appearing as himself but it’s a cameo appearance nonetheless.

August 4, 2009 – submitted by Rachel, Canada

Q. Dear Oracle,

I am currently watching my tenth run of the Live 2003 Tour Diary today, and I haven’t noticed Phil anywhere! Is he in the diary or not?
Thank you.

The Oracle replies:

Wow, good effort Rachel! Phil took a hiatus in 2002 just after the recording of the second album. He doesn’t appear as he wasn’t touring around the DVD filming.

May 8, 2009 – submitted by Angela, United States of America

Q. Hi Oracle,

Why does Phil Harvey play in the back and not on stage?

Thanks,

Angela

The Oracle replies:

Phil doesn’t actually play in the band on or off the stage. He’s referred to as the 5th member but not in terms of being a musician. Matt McGinn is the only person outside of the band to have done that during live shows. For example he played guitar offstage on Yellow during the Twisted Logic tour.

April 16, 2009 – submitted by Nico, Qatar

Q. In a previous oracle question, you answered when the bands birthdays were. But we noticed that missed Phil’s birthday even though he is the 5th member. So we were just wondering when his birthday was?

The Oracle replies:

I’m sure he’ll appreciate the question and therefore won’t mind me telling you it’s August 29th.

April 7, 2009 – submitted by Aleksandar, Serbia and Montenegro

Q. Dear Oracle,

Is Phil Harvey pretty???

The Oracle replies:

We don’t tend to use the word pretty to describe boys (unless they look like girls perhaps), but Phil is definitely handsome.

February 9, 2009 – submitted by karman, India

Q. All knowing Oracle who is Phil Harvey and Roadie #42 im kinda new to the site but absolutely love Coldplay and congrats to them for winning 3 Grammys.

The Oracle replies:

Phil Harvey is the “5th member” of the band and is their closest confidante. He was their manager in their early days and steered their career during the first 2 albums. Roadie #42 is crew member extraordinaire who not only writes blogs for our delectation but does a host of other jobs too.

January 21, 2009 – submitted by Simon, Netherlands

Q. Hi Oracle, is it true that Coldplay’s fifth member made an appearance in the new Life in Technicolor ii video?

The Oracle replies:

Indeed it is. One of the chaps holding a video camera is wearing a cream sweater, similar to Aran style and that is Phil Harvey.

October 10, 2008 – submitted by Rafael, Philippines

Q. Who is Phil Harvey? His name appears in the credits of Viva La Vida as a band member but he’s only credited for “wise words” in X&Y. I don’t seem him in the photos in the sleeves of any of the albums and his name doesn’t even appear in the first two. Is Phil Harvey the Oracle?

The Oracle replies:

Phil met Chris and bonded as best friends at school. Phil subsequently became Coldplay’s first manager. He took a break after the recording of A Rush of Blood… and came back on board after X&Y. He takes a creative role and is a trusted member of the team hence being referred to as the 5th member of the band. But no, he is not I and I am not he.

September 12, 2008 – submitted by Thibault, France

Q. Dear Oracle, “the manager Phil Harvey is a childhood friend of Chris Martin”, is it true ?

The Oracle replies:

Yes, Chris & Phil go way back. He’s not their manager though. He was up until A Rush Of Blood… He returned in 2006 and is considered to be the band’s 5th member.

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