Underrated Coldplay songs (Part 1)
You're probably thinking "Coldplay" and "underrated" don't fit in the same sentence. People love them, love to hate them, and always have an opinion on them. I was fifteen with my legs dangling off the edge of my bed when I grew to love Coldplay, song after song, drinking albums day after another. Hence the surprise when the glory of some of their good work overshadow some real masterpieces. Here are a few of the latter:
Strawberry Swing (Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends)
It begins with pulsating claps and addictive synths, and in centre stage are the instruments throughout this track. This song is a perfect day in a life full of organised chaos. The innocent love on a strawberry swing and colourful conversations that make your feet not touch the ground. It has a mild blend of swing elements offset by a bridge with acoustic-y lead. The album would be events and moments of Viva La Vida and Strawberry Swing - both important and significant, but some tucked away in precious corners only accessible when you're happiest.
Look for : Instruments
Gravity (X & Y)
This song is simplicity, elegance and soul. Chris Martin says "Baby?" and you're split in a million pieces with an urge to respond. This song expects you to really listen, with a dramatic bass presence on occasion. The lyrics resound in silence that make you feel so much, while making you feel so small until you realise it's not about you at all. Somewhere in the middle there is accompanying acoustic guitar, understated. There are more lyrics, assuring. The last two minutes are backup vocals and soft instrumentals, almost ever present.
Look for : Feels
Warning Sign (A Rush of Blood to the Head)
The lead guitar introduces the rhythm and melody that glide into earnest everyday vocals. He tiredly sings, because he doesn't know how else, with the instruments leaving cliff hangers that you're waiting will explode. But they never do -- just like when you're bursting to tell someone you miss them but you can't. So you tell your friends. This song is the optimistic heart break you hear in the sharp exhales and hope - that comes with sleep and dreams of crawling back into their arms. These are sober thoughts before bed time, when everyone feels a little drunk, dreary and lonely.
Look for : Vocals
Don't Panic (Parachutes)
The beginning is very MGMT until the guitar and Martin. This song is severely undramatic but grotesquely impactful. It sounds like it could be the extra track they added to make the list, recorded in one go. Simple instruments, unwavering vocals and blunt lyrics. Ironically, that is everything the song should be in pure genius - we are all going to die in this very beautiful world, but at least for now we have somebody to live for. Don't panic.
Look for : Lyrics
Strawberry Swing (Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends)
It begins with pulsating claps and addictive synths, and in centre stage are the instruments throughout this track. This song is a perfect day in a life full of organised chaos. The innocent love on a strawberry swing and colourful conversations that make your feet not touch the ground. It has a mild blend of swing elements offset by a bridge with acoustic-y lead. The album would be events and moments of Viva La Vida and Strawberry Swing - both important and significant, but some tucked away in precious corners only accessible when you're happiest.
Look for : Instruments
Gravity (X & Y)
This song is simplicity, elegance and soul. Chris Martin says "Baby?" and you're split in a million pieces with an urge to respond. This song expects you to really listen, with a dramatic bass presence on occasion. The lyrics resound in silence that make you feel so much, while making you feel so small until you realise it's not about you at all. Somewhere in the middle there is accompanying acoustic guitar, understated. There are more lyrics, assuring. The last two minutes are backup vocals and soft instrumentals, almost ever present.
Look for : Feels
Warning Sign (A Rush of Blood to the Head)
The lead guitar introduces the rhythm and melody that glide into earnest everyday vocals. He tiredly sings, because he doesn't know how else, with the instruments leaving cliff hangers that you're waiting will explode. But they never do -- just like when you're bursting to tell someone you miss them but you can't. So you tell your friends. This song is the optimistic heart break you hear in the sharp exhales and hope - that comes with sleep and dreams of crawling back into their arms. These are sober thoughts before bed time, when everyone feels a little drunk, dreary and lonely.
Look for : Vocals
Don't Panic (Parachutes)
The beginning is very MGMT until the guitar and Martin. This song is severely undramatic but grotesquely impactful. It sounds like it could be the extra track they added to make the list, recorded in one go. Simple instruments, unwavering vocals and blunt lyrics. Ironically, that is everything the song should be in pure genius - we are all going to die in this very beautiful world, but at least for now we have somebody to live for. Don't panic.
Look for : Lyrics
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| Coldplay in 2009 Wikimedia : By Nababan - Own work, CC BY 3.0. |
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