“Clocks” from A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002).They played it during the closing ceremonies of the London Olympics, and Chris Martin once referred to it as “our best song.” It’s beautiful and bittersweet and utterly catchy. With an orchestral focus on strings and a medley of Biblical allusions, double-Grammy winner “Viva La Vida” is unlike anything else in Coldplay’s discography or in mainstream pop music. This was the #1 song on that first list I discovered and with good reason. “Viva La Vida” from Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008).The video is also one of my favorites, with blended time-lapse images keeping time with the beat. Unfortunately, that drum solo at the end wraps up too soon. “Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall” from Mylo Xyloto (2011)Ĭoldplay’s U2 influences are most felt in this phenomenal single with a breakneck Irish flavor that builds to a headbanging finale.I’m always touched by the metaphor of “Life goes on it gets so heavy. How could anyone not love this song? While the music video seems to be trying to make a meme out of elephant costumes, “Paradise” is about a girl with dreams of an elusive home, and the wistful lyrics are among the band’s best.
With a bitter anti-war theme clearly felt in the lyrics, double-Grammy nominee “Violet Hill” rages as a brilliant rock ballad yet ends in sullen peace.
#BEST OF COLDPLAY LIST FULL#
“A Sky Full of Stars” from Ghost Stories (2014)Ī dreamy beginning yields to club-style headbanging in this hit, again nominated for a Grammy.I should point out that the yangqin part was used at the end of Night at the Museum 2. It’s just one of Coldplay’s many unique videos, with a small puppet show that jumps from Punch and Judy to pyrotechnics and helicopters. Starting off with a tinny dulcimer called a yangqin (yes, I looked that up), the Grammy-nominated “Life in Technicolor ii” gradually adds layers of rock instrumentation to this base, which sort of parallels the music video. “Life in Technicolor ii” from Prospekt’s March (2008).This is one song that I keep noticing as background music in restaurants and such, and when I recognized it on that other top ten list, I said, “Oh, that’s who does that song!” It’s a good representation of Coldplay’s style, with some high notes and airy blend of piano, guitar, and drums it just doesn’t quite stand out as much as their best songs.
Right on the heels of bad news for District 12 and that smoldering look from Katniss, this atmospheric number slowly builds with beauty and depth.
#BEST OF COLDPLAY LIST MOVIE#
I like to make some movie connection even on my non-movie lists, and the end credits song for Catching Fire earned Grammy and Golden Globe nominations for Coldplay. “Atlas” from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2013).Here, therefore, are my all-time favorite songs by Coldplay. I normally just watch the Super Bowl for the commercials (or if there’s a favored team playing), but this is one of the few halftime shows I’m actually looking forward to. Since they’ll be headlining Super Bowl 50 this Sunday, February 7, I thought it appropriate that things come full circle and I count down my own list of favorites. This quartet has produced some of the most memorable alternative rock of the last two decades, and while I’d heard some of their songs before, I was truly introduced to their music ironically by a top ten list I found online. While I like quite a few bands, from recent groups like The Band Perry and Walk the Moon to classic acts like the Beatles, Genesis, and U2, I’d have to say that my favorite is Coldplay, made up of lead singer Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, and drummer Will Champion.