The 10 best Coldplay songs of all time (2023)

Coldplay had their first hits in 2000 and over the decade became one of the most popular pop rock bands in the world. Their hits could be heard around the world and at a wide variety of events. These are the 10 best Coldplay songs.

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"Paradise" (2011)

The 10 best Coldplay songs of all time (1)

"Paradise" was the second single from the album by Coldplay.Mylo Xyloto. This earned the group a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Chris Martin began writing "Paradise" when he was approached to write a winning single for the competition show. Instead, Coldplay kept them to themselves. They ended up playing the song live onfator Xfinal show. They also performed live on the US television showsaturday night live"Paradise" became a Top 5 hit on the adult alternative, rock, and pop charts in the United States. It also became a dance hit, peaking at No. 7 and entering the adult contemporary radio charts. "Paradise" reached number one on the UK pop singles chart.

The accompanying music video features singer Chris Martin dressed as an elephant. It was filmed in London and South Africa and won Best Rock Video at the MTV Video Music Awards. The band is also featured in elephant costumes at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa. The music video was directed by longtime Coldplay collaborator Mat Whitecross after a clip shot with Hype Williams was scrapped.

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"Speed ​​of Sound" (2005)

The 10 best Coldplay songs of all time (2)

Chris Martin of Coldplay said that "Speed ​​Of Sound" was inspired by the band listening to music by Kate Bush and her own daughter Apple. The beat was inspired by the song "Running Up That Hill" by Kate Bush. "Speed ​​Of Sound" was released as the album's lead single.X e Y. It reached the top 10 on the US pop singles chart and became the band's highest-charting single to that point. It also reached the Top 10 on Adult Pop and Alternative Radio. With its Top 10 debut onbillboardHot 100, Coldplay became the first British group to achieve this feat since the Spice Girls nine years earlier with Say You'll Be There. "Speed ​​​​Of Sound" was the group's biggest chart success in the United States until "Viva La Vida" reached No. 1 three years later.

In recent years, Chris Martin has said that he doesn't like "Speed ​​Of Sound" because the band never got the timing right to record it. That's why he hesitates to play the song live. Others were happier about it. "Speed ​​​​Of Sound" was nominated for two Grammy Awards, including Best Rock Song, and won a Brit Award for Best British Single. "Speed ​​Of Sound" also won Best Song at the MTV Europe Awards.

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"Anthem for the Weekend" (2016)

The 10 best Coldplay songs of all time (3)

With additional uncredited vocals byBeyoncé, "Hymn For the Weekend" was released as the album's second singleA head full of dreams. This Coldplay song was originally intended to be a simpler party anthem, but it evolved into an exploration of what happens when an angelic person enters your life. "Hymn For the Weekend" achieved the unusual feat of reaching the top 10 on both the rock and dance charts. It also reached the top 10 on adult pop radio and the top 20 on mainstream pop radio charts.

The accompanying music video was directed by Ben Mor and shot in various cities across India. The clip was inspired by the Hindu spring festival of Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors. Beyonce and Indian actress Sonam Kapoor appear in the music video.

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"Every tear is a waterfall" (2011)

The 10 best Coldplay songs of all time (4)

Coldplay released Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall to promote their albumMylo Xyloto. It received two Grammy nominations for Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song. The song was written around elements of Peter Allen's 1976 single "I Go To Rio". Coldplay explained to fans and media that Chris Martin was inspired to write "Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall" after hearing chords in a nightclub scene in the film directed by Alejandro Gonzalez IñarrituSchön. The chords are based on the song "I Go To Rio". "Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall" was a top 10 hit at adult alternative, rock, and pop radio in the United States.

The artwork for the single and music video makes extensive use of graffiti-style graphics. Mat Whitecross directed the video, which used a stop-motion approach. The locations used were in London, but the clip also starts with a sunrise over the downtown Los Angeles skyline.

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(Video) Coldplay - Greatest Hits [Playlist]

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"The Scientist" (2002)

The 10 best Coldplay songs of all time (5)

"The Scientist" is a song built around regret. It was released as the second single from the album.Blood flow in the headin the United Kingdom and the third in the United States. The desire to "go back to the beginning" resonates throughout the song. The groundbreaking accompanying music video runs backwards and depicts the events leading up to a tragic accident. Chris Martin had to learn to sing the song's lyrics in reverse to make it look like he was singing the lyrics correctly in reverse film. Directed by British experimental filmmaker Jamie Thraves. The music video won three awards at the MTV Video Music Awards, including Best Group Video and Best Direction. It also received a Grammy nomination for Best Short Form Music Video.

Coldplay reached the top 10 in the UK and Canada with "The Scientist" and reached the top 20 on the US alternative radio chart.Rolling Stoneincluded "The Scientist" on its list of the 100 Greatest Songs of the Decade.

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"A Sky Full of Stars" (2014)

The 10 best Coldplay songs of all time (6)

Coldplay teamed up with dance music producer and artist Avicii and producer Paul Epworth, known for his work withAdeleand Florence and the Machine to create A Sky Full of Stars. The result is an expansive, danceable track released ahead of the group's sixth studio album.ghost stories. It became Coldplay's third US top 10 pop hit and first in six years. Chart success crossed musical genres, reaching No. 1 on the rock and dance charts and reaching the top 10 at adult pop radio. "Sky Full Of Stars" received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Duo or Group Performance.

"A Sky Full of Stars" sounds more upbeat than most other songsghost stories. Chris Martin said the album is about concepts, exploring the impact of past actions on the future and the personal capacity to love unconditionally. Chris Martin's separation from his wife Gwyneth Paltrow is also credited as a major influence on the album.

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(Video) Coldplay Greatest Hits Full Album 2021|| Coldplay Best Songs Playlist 2021

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"Fix Yourself" (2005)

The 10 best Coldplay songs of all time (7)

Coldplay's Chris Martin says the inspiration for "Fix You" started with the sound of a keyboard left behind after the death of his father-in-law, Bruce Paltrow. Chris Martin says he still cries every time he hears it. Coldplay bassist Guy Berryman also says that reggae legend Jimmy Cliff's "Many Rivers To Cross" inspired "Fix You". The song builds slowly through lyrics meant to help someone overcome adversity. "Fix You" was a top 5 pop hit in the UK and reached the top 20 on the US Alternative chart. It also made inroads on the adult pop radio chart, climbing to number 24. Coldplay performed "Fix You" live at the Steve Jobs Memorial at Apple Computer Headquarters.

Coldplay performed "Fix You" live on Saturday Night Live and at the Live 8 event in the summer of 2005. "Fix You" was nominated in the UK for the Ivor Novello Awards for Best Song Musically and Lyrically.

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"Gelb" (2000)

The 10 best Coldplay songs of all time (8)

This was Coldplay's hit single. Reportedly, the title "Yellow" appeared somewhat by accident to title the song. There are several stories that explain how the band chose "Yellow". Chris Martin told Howard Stern that the word meant absolutely nothing, and over the years he made up stories about it to encourage an interviewer to move on to the next question. Once "Yellow" was chosen, the rest of the text was built around the title. The melody line of "Yellow" supposedly came to Chris Martin while the band Coldplay were outside looking at the stars in the sky.

"Yellow" peaked at number 4 in the UK and then reached the top 10 on the Alternative Radio chart in the US. It also peaked at number 11 at adult pop radio. "Yellow" was nominated for two Grammy Awards, including Best Rock Song. The minimalist music video was directed by James Frost and Alex of The Artists Company. The clip is a continuous slow-motion shot of Chris Martin singing "Yellow" while walking along a beach in England.

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"Watches" (2003)

The 10 best Coldplay songs of all time (9)

"Clocks" builds on one of the most beautiful pop piano riffs of all time. Coldplay assembled the song in the final stages of recording the albumBlood flow in the head. The haunting lyrical theme matches the speed at which the band recorded the song. "Clocks" won a Grammy Award for Record of the Year. It has been used in a variety of commercials, movies and TV shows. "Clocks" became very familiar to US music fans, despite only reaching number 29 on the charts.billboardHot 100. It reached the top 10 at alternative and adult pop radio. The albumBlood flow in the headbecame Coldplay's first top 10 hit album in the US and peaked at #5 on the charts.

Chris Martin stated that "Clocks" was inspired by British rock band Muse. "Clocks" was released as the third singleBlood flow in the headin the United Kingdom and the second in the United States.

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"Long Live Life" (2008)

The 10 best Coldplay songs of all time (10)

Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" is an excellent songwriting and recording achievement. The lyrics focus on the contemplation of being swept away from a position of power and esteem, and are filled with historical and religious references. The title was taken from a painting by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. An English translation of the title reads "Live the Life". Musically, the song rises to a percussive beat overlaid by a beautiful string arrangement. "Viva La Vida" won the Grammy for Song of the Year and was nominated for Record of the Year. It reached number one on both the US and UK pop singles charts. It also topped alternative pop, adult pop, and adult contemporary radio. Many releases listed "Viva La Vida" as one of the top 10 songs of the year.

Two music videos were shot for "Viva La Vida" by two of the world's most successful music video directors. Hype Williams, known for his work withKanye Westfilmed the official clip, among other things. Shows Coldplay in front of a blurred and distorted image of the Eugene Delacroix paintingLiberty leads the peoplethat forms the cover of the album oflive to life. The alternate video was directed by Anton Corbijn, known for his groundbreaking work withDepeche Mode. It is an offshoot of his acclaimed Enjoy the Silence video. Chris Martin appears as King in the lyrics of "Viva La Vida" and carries the Delacroix painting with him.

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FAQs

What is Coldplay's most iconic song? ›

But putting aside Live365's respect for the Coldplay hit, "Yellow" has been a fan favorite ever since it was first released in 2000. It's Coldplay's most beloved - and oldest - magnum opus. “Yellow” is the fifth track and second single from Parachutes.

Who are the top 10 songs? ›

Today's Top Hits
  • Boy's a liar Pt. 2PinkPantheress, Ice Spice.
  • FlowersMiley Cyrus.
  • Kill BillSZA.
  • Escapism. RAYE, 070 Shake.
  • Creepin' (with The Weeknd & 21 Savage)Metro Boomin, The Weeknd, 21 Savage.
  • Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53Bizarrap, Shakira.
  • Calm Down (with Selena Gomez)Rema, Selena Gomez.
  • As It WasHarry Styles.

What was Coldplay's first famous song? ›

The band's debut album, Parachutes (2000), included their breakthrough single "Yellow" and received a Brit Award for British Album of the Year, a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album and a Mercury Prize nomination.

Has Coldplay ever had a number 1? ›

The title track, "Viva la Vida", was their first number-one song in the United Kingdom and United States, as well as the first British group track to achieve the feat since "Wannabe" by the Spice Girls in 1997.

What are Coldplay fans called? ›

Coldplay Coldplayers

How many number 1 does Coldplay have? ›

Founded at University College, London, by Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman and Will Champion, Coldplay hold the distinction of every single one of their nine studio albums reaching Number 1 on the Official Albums Chart.

When was Coldplay most famous? ›

The band's second studio album, A Rush of Blood to the Head, released in 2002 topped the charts in the UK and in many other countries, including Australia and Canada. The third studio album, X&Y, was released in 2005 and finally gave Coldplay commercial success in the US, peaking at No. 1. Now they were unstoppable.

What made Coldplay famous? ›

Coldplay became famous around the world with their 2000 song "Yellow". Their first album, Parachutes, was very successful and was nominated for the Mercury Prize. Coldplay were nominated for this award again in 2003 and 2005.

What are the top 5 most listened to songs? ›

Top 10 Most Streamed Songs on Spotify
  1. 1. “ Blinding Lights” - The Weeknd. ...
  2. 2. “ Shape of You” - Ed Sheeran. ...
  3. 3. “ Dance Monkey” - Tones and I. ...
  4. 4. “ Someone You Loved” - Lewis Capaldi. ...
  5. 5. “ Rockstar” - Post Malone featuring 21 Savage. ...
  6. 6. “ Sunflower” - Post Malone and Swae Lee. ...
  7. 7. “ ...
  8. 8. “
Jan 9, 2023

Who has the most #1 hits in history? ›

Mariah Carey (USA) has topped the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart on 19 different occasions.

What songs do Coldplay always play at concerts? ›

Most played songs
  • Yellow (1043)
  • Clocks (871)
  • In My Place (840)
  • The Scientist (827)
  • Fix You (709)

What is the most viewed Coldplay video? ›

5 of Coldplay's Most Iconic (And Cinematic) Music Videos
  1. The Scientist. Coldplay. 24.5M subscribers. Coldplay - The Scientist (Official 4K Video) ...
  2. Fix You. Coldplay. 24.5M subscribers. Coldplay - Fix You (Official Video) ...
  3. Adventure of a Lifetime. Coldplay. 24.5M subscribers. ...
  4. Paradise. Coldplay. 24,5 mi de inscritos.
Sep 15, 2021

How much is Chris Martin worth? ›

Personal life. According to an article released by The Times in May 2022, Martin has an estimated net worth of £132 million.

What song was #1 the longest? ›

"Old Town Road" holds the record for the longest stretch at No. 1 with 19 weeks.

What is a #1 hit in music? ›

Chart hits

In most cases, the amount of weeks spent on either music chart may also play a big part in its relevance as a 'hit,' regardless of its peak chart position. A hit single is variously called a number one hit, a top 5 hit, a top 10 hit, a top 20 hit or a top 40 hit, depending on its peak position.

Who is the youngest number one song ever? ›

The youngest person ever to top the US charts is Stevie Wonder, who was 13 when he hit Number One with 'Fingertips Pt 2' in 1963. Lorde releases her debut full-length LP, 'Pure Heroine', on October 28.

What was Coldplay's original name? ›

They consist of vocalist and pianist Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, drummer Will Champion and creative director Phil Harvey. They met at University College London and began playing music together from 1996 to 1998, first calling themselves Pectoralz and then Starfish.

What does Taylor Swift call his fans? ›

While fans are known as "Swifties," Taylor Swift nicknames come in a much larger variety.

What does the phrase Coldplay mean? ›

This is when a group plays a song together (typically in a live setting) either without having practiced the song at all or could also apply if the group hasn't played or practiced a song together for an extended period of time. I've also heard the term "cold read" used in place of sight reading in a practice setting.

What is the most successful Coldplay album? ›

At this game, A Rush Of Blood To The Head is ever closer to 20 million EAS. Home of iconic songs like The Scientist and Clocks, the LP is now at 19.86 million. The runner up spot is highly contested with stiff competition from 3 mega hit albums, Parachutes, X&Y and Viva La Viva Or Death And All His Friends.

What is Coldplay's greatest hits album called? ›

COLDPLAY - Greatest Hits (Original 2 CDs Set in Digipack)

What is Coldplay's most streamed song on Spotify? ›

Coldplay most streamed tracks (EAS)
  • Something Just Like This [Orphan] – 2,340,000. ...
  • Hymn For The Weekend [A Head Full Of Dreams] – 1,519,000. ...
  • The Scientist [A Rush Of Blood To The Head] – 1,251,000. ...
  • Viva La Vida [Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends] – 1,171,000. ...
  • Yellow [Parachutes] – 1,019,000.
Jun 7, 2021

Who is the biggest band in the history of the world? ›

The Beatles had a short run of only 10 years from 1960 to 1970, but they're still the best-selling artists of all time by far.

Are Coldplay popular in America? ›

Coldplay have topped the US single charts, the first British group to do so in 11 years. The band's 'Viva La Vida' is Number One on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. The album 'Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends' was released in America this week.

Who owns Coldplay? ›

Universal Music Publishing Group | US.

Why Coldplay is the best band ever? ›

Is Coldplay the best band ever? Well, Coldplay has been one of the pioneers of rock music since the '90s. The symphonic music and soulful lyrics are the prime reasons for the immense success of the band. It originated in the year 1996 as a British rock band.

Why is Coldplay's music so good? ›

Coldplay are so good as they sing for the masses and they have so many evergreen positive messages in their music. They rely very a lot on simplicity, great choruses and great riffs that it's hard to get out from your head. Also, the frontman of the band, Chris Martin seems to have got it all.

What is the 1 most listened to band of all time? ›

1. The Beatles — 183 million units.

What are the top 3 songs of all time? ›

Top 10 Best Songs of All Time
  • 1 Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen. ...
  • 2 Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin. ...
  • 3 Imagine - John Lennon. ...
  • 4 Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana. ...
  • 5 One - Metallica. ...
  • 6 Hotel California - Eagles. ...
  • 7 Hey Jude - The Beatles. ...
  • 8 Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd.

Who has the most top 10 songs of all time? ›

With 40 top 10 hits in the Hot 100 over her career, Swift surpassed Madonna as the woman with the most top 10s in the chart's history. (Madonna has 38 top 10 singles.) Swift is only surpassed by Drake, who counts 59 top 10 hits.

What is the most popular song in human history? ›

There's even a dispute over the exact title. Yet “It's a Small World,” also known as “It's a Small, Small World” and “It's a Small World (After All),” is very likely the most played song in music history — nearly 50 million times.

Who is the best singer in the world? ›

The greatest singing voices of all time
  • 1 of 35. Celine Dion. Kevin Winter/Getty Images. ...
  • 2 of 35. Barbra Streisand. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for BSB. ...
  • 3 of 35. Etta James. ...
  • 4 of 35. Nina Simone. ...
  • 5 of 35. Aretha Franklin. ...
  • 6 of 35. Whitney Houston. ...
  • 7 of 35. Smokey Robinson. ...
  • 8 of 35. Mariah Carey.
19 hours ago

Who has more #1 hits than the Beatles? ›

No artist has sold more albums than The Beatles, and no group or solo performer has posted more No. 1 hits than the Fab Four, either. Going just by the music the band made from 1963-70, The Beatles can claim 20 Billboard No.

Who was the first big hit? ›

Their first single as the Who, "I Can't Explain" (1965), reached the UK top ten, and was followed by a string of hit singles including "My Generation" (1965), "Substitute" (1966) and "Happy Jack" (1966).

What was the first No 1 hit? ›

The first number-one song of the Billboard Hot 100 was "Poor Little Fool" by Ricky Nelson, on August 4, 1958.

Is this Coldplay's last tour? ›

The Music of the Spheres World Tour is the ongoing eighth concert tour currently being undertaken by British rock band Coldplay.
...
Music of the Spheres World Tour.
Associated albumMusic of the Spheres
Start date18 March 2022
End date1 October 2023
Legs6
Coldplay concert chronology
8 more rows

How long do Coldplay concerts usually last? ›

It lasts anywhere between 90 mins and 115 mins... But.......that just seems so short. I swear, after they played Yellow as the encore, I was screaming, "It's over?!

Who is the richest Coldplay member? ›

As Coldplay releases more records, tour, and perform at the biggest music events, Martin and the rest of the band's wallets get fatter, too. Martin is worth $160 million, while the rest of the band's net worth barely even break a hundred million. So how did Martin boost his net worth higher than his bandmates?

How much do Coldplay make per concert? ›

With the average ticket revenue being $5.2 million USD for each concert, Coldplay will catch up with BTS's concert revenue after approximately 10 shows out of the 38 remaining ones on this tour.

What is Elton John's net worth? ›

Elton John, a British singer holds British nationality and according to news, Elton John's Net Worth as of 2023 is around $550 Million. This popular personality from England has earned a decent amount of money from his profession.

What is Coldplay famous for? ›

Coldplay is one of the most successful bands of the 21st century, selling over 90 million records worldwide. The band is also known for hit singles, including "Speed of Sound" and the 2 Grammy Award-winning songs, "Clocks" and their 2008 single "Viva la Vida" (Song of the Year for 2008).

How many number 1s has Coldplay had? ›

Founded at University College, London, by Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman and Will Champion, Coldplay hold the distinction of every single one of their nine studio albums reaching Number 1 on the Official Albums Chart.

Who are the biggest band in the world? ›

BEATLES

What is Coldplay's most successful album? ›

The best-selling album by COLDPLAY is PARACHUTES, which sold over 13,000,000 copies .

What song stayed number 1 the longest? ›

"Old Town Road" holds the record for the longest stretch at No. 1 with 19 weeks.

Who has the most #1 hits of all time any genre? ›

Though unclear for how long, the Beatles still reign supreme as the artist with the most No. 1 songs of all time.

What is the #1 most listened to song on Spotify? ›

"Blinding Lights" by The Weeknd is the most streamed song on Spotify with over 3.4 billion streams.

Who is the #1 singer on Spotify? ›

Ed Sheeran is the most-followed artist on Spotify, and Ariana Grande is the most-followed female artist. Currently, the Weeknd is the artist with the most monthly listeners on Spotify, while Miley Cyrus is the most monthly listeners for a female artist, and Coldplay has the most monthly listeners for a group.

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