Music 105: Ten Years of Coldplay

Recently, there was a celebration of Coldplay's album Parachutes (out July 2000) being out for ten years. Parachutes was the real start of Coldplay's popularity when Yellow broke through. I have been a huge fan of Coldplay forever so when this came up I just had to write about it.

If you don't know much about Coldplay here is a little refresher:

Genre: Alternative Rock
Members: Chris Martin, Johnny Buckland, Guy Berryman, and Will Champion.
Band Started: 1996.
Broke Through: 2000

Coldplay in Numbers:
Studio Albums: 5
Live Albums: 2
Complimation Albums: 1
Singles: 22
Music Videos: 24
Albums Sold: Over 50 Million around the world.
Grammys Won: 2

Fun Facts:
-All albums went Platinum at least twice in the UK, Australia, Canada, and the US.
-Every song Coldplay makes has to be perfect before releasing it. They don't care how long it takes to make an album as long as they are happy with it.
-Active helpers of many charities such as Oxfam's Make Trade Fair and Amnesty International.
-Preformed at many charity events such as Band Aid 20, Hope for Haiti Now, Teenage Cancer Trust, Sound Relief, and Live 8.

Whether you're a fan or not, here are some songs you must check out. Whether they're singing sweet love songs or speaking of spies all around, you're bound to get the shivers. I picked three off each album that you should definitely listen to. By all means though, if you like the songs you hear listen to the rest too!

Parachutes
Released: July 10th 2000.
1)Yellow: This song was what got them to popularity. It had a sweet and sincere vibe and Chris Martin's voice on here is so beautiful. The ultimate love song. The live version is also great. This song is a must have in your Coldplay collection. 5/5.
2) Don't Panic: This is a song that was a part of the Garden State Soundtrack review. It has a haunting vibe that screams indie. 4/5.
3) Spies: Try to not be paranoid after listening to this song. It has an eerie background tune and the lyrics are just beautiful. It is hard to tire of this song. 5/5.

A Rush of Blood to The Head
Released: August 26th 2002.
1) Green Eyes: One song I wish a could play on the guitar. Listening to this makes me wish I had green eyes. It's a simple song that matches the Coldplay mold but stands out so much when listening to the album. 5/5.
2) The Scientist: This song is the one super-hit off of this album. The Scientist is that song that makes you sad but it feels so right. 'Nobody said it was easy, no one ever said it would be this hard' croons Chris Martin. That is true. 5/5.
3) Clocks: This is a song I had to mention because I know this is a song that is quite popular with the Coldplay crowd. The beat takes you to another place with this song. It isn't a track I play over and over and over again but if you haven't listened to it...well just listen to it. 4/5.

X&Y
Released: June 6th 2005.
1) Speed of Sound: A typical Coldplay song, that still stands out in it's own way. When I first listened to X&Y I didn't necessarily pay attention to this song but now listening to it, it gives off a special vibe. Get further into this song and you see the real magic. 5/5.
2) Talk: I heard this song on the radio and fell for it, the beginning took a little while to get into but the lyrics are just gold. This is the first song I think of when I think of X&Y. 4/5.
3) Til Kingdom Come: This is supposed to be a hidden track. I like the originality of it and how it feels as if it should be background music in my life. It reminds me of a much needed change. 4/5.

Viva La Vida
Released: June 11th 2008.
1) Viva La Vida: This song won best song of the year at the Grammy's in 2008. I feel as if this fits the song of the year. It incorporates so many beautiful classic instruments and feels like such a timeless tune. 5/5.
2) Strawberry Swing: This song reminds me of childhood, back to a good time. This song makes the perfect feel good song and even after two years, I'm not bored of listening to it. 4/5.
3) Death and All of His Friends: I feel like this song is under appreciated. It speaks out so much to me, at the part where everyone chants: 'No I don't wanna battle from beginning to end; I don't wanna cycle, recycle revenge; I don't wanna follow death and all his friends.' 5/5.

I had to put in this song. The original was on X&Y but I think the Hope for Haiti song does so much more justice for it. Apparently the lead singer Chris Martin had a cold while singing it. But he still showed up to preform it. If you buy this song, the money goes towards Haiti so I suggest everyone gets it. So here it is, my favorite Coldplay song: A Message!

So there you have it, Coldplay through ten years. Hopefully I have showed you a band you liked, and maybe you all will pick up LP5 which is supposed to be dropped this winter (their fifth studio album).