COLDPLAY’S Top 5 Songs of All Time
THROWBACK TO SOME OF THE CLASSICS IN ANTICIPATION OF THEIR UPCOMING ALBUM
You must have heard of Coldplay right? Unless you’ve been living under a rock or something this entire millennium.
From the moment the London-based alt-rock band Coldplay burst on the scene in 2000, fans have been in for a terrific ride. The band’s songs have hit the top of the charts and have garnered plenty of critical acclaim along the way, too.
In lieu of their upcoming album “A Head Full Of Dreams” we’ve decided to have a Throwback Thursday moment.
What’s the best of them, you ask?
We’ve compiled a list of top 5 here for your listening pleasure!
VIVA LA VIDA
Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida” is a grand song writing and recording achievement. The lyrics centres on contemplation of being swept from a position of power and esteem and are filled with historical and religious references.
Musically, the song soars along on a percussive beat overlaid with a gorgeous string arrangement. “Viva La Vida” won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year and was nominated for Record of the Year. It went to #1 in the US and the UK.
The song’s pensive journey of wistful soul searching as the singer recalls lessons learned from the actions of his youth, in particular the futility in seeking power through leading others on misguided causes, with a refrain confessing nagging thoughts of mortality and what the consequences may be in the afterlife.
The music video is designed to make the band and set resemble a sort of live-action Renaissance painting
PARADISE
This critically-acclaimed song appears on the band’s 2011 album Mylo Xyloto. “Paradise” is a smooth departure from the band’s earlier hits like “Yellow,” but there’s nothing wrong with that.
It earned the group a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. The accompanying music video features lead vocalist Chris Martin dressed as an elephant.
Paradise has sold over 900,000 copies!
This song shows off the fantastic voice and music that Coldplay has to offer and the unique sound/style that differentiates them from the rest of the bands.
We sometimes want to see ourselves from others eyes. And this song has, undoubtedly, given us that chance.
There’s only word that can describe the feeling you get when you listen to this song – Paradise.
FIX YOU
One of the band’s signature ballads, Fix You was written by frontman Chris Martin for his wife Gwyneth Paltrow following the devastating loss of her father.
Coldplay’s Chris Martin says the inspiration for “Fix You” began with the sound from a keyboard left behind after his father-in-law Bruce Paltrow died. The song slowly builds through lyrics aiming to help someone overcome adversity.
Even the most unemotional rock of a person can be reduced to tears by this saddening, yet beautiful song. Chris Martin puts certain emotions into words and music that other people of the world cannot.
Thanks for your music, Chris Martin. Thank you so much.
“.. And I will try to fix you. ”
VIOLET HILL
Anti-war song “Violet Hill” is an achingly beautiful song that starts off like a standard rock anthem, then takes a sharp turn and ends on a low note.
It was written by all members of the band for their fourth album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends
The progression from strong guitars to hushed vocals makes Violet Hill one of Coldplay’s deepest pieces. The accompaniment just adds perfectly to the overall message of the song. A message of pain that many can relate to at some point in their life.
This is a phenomenal song – for one, it is catchy and melodic. It is also an astute commentary on politics, specifically the separation of church and state.
It’s a melt of violence, bitterness, love, regret, with a powerful melody, powerful lyrics about a world quite hostile, a kind of prayer, to tell people you care about not to “let you go”, to face that world with you. It creates a dark (violet) yet beautiful picture.
YELLOW
We’re going right back to where it all started. One of Coldplay’s first singles, “Yellow” was the single that made the band a household name when it was released back in 2000.
Coldplay’s breakthrough hit went straight in at Number 4 giving them their first ever Top 10 hit. Yellow was taken from their debut album Parachutes, which has sold over 2.6 million copies. It’s so emotional, really heart-felt, you can really tell Martin cares more about this song more than any of the others, and most importantly, it kick-started the band and set the platform for all the other songs to come.
Coldplay hit the big time with “Yellow,” a sweeping great rock ballads of the 2000s –instantly catchy and heart-melting without getting too syrupy or bombastic.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
THE SCIENTIST
EVERY TEARDROP IS A WATERFALL
CLOCKS
MAGIC
A SKY FULL OF STARS
And basically every other song of Coldplay.
So what are you waiting for? Put on those headphones and get lost in the stunning music of COLDPLAY.
Adventure Of A Lifetime from the new album has already been released.
A Head Full Of Dreams releases on 4 December.