The millennium brought us British alternative rock band, Coldplay.
They descended gently via "Parachutes," then rocked our world.
"Yellow," now more than a color, is love's bright night, sunlit day.
Fragile, forceful, and epic songs graced us as their career unfurled.
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The Coldplay musicians/composers are four friends who met at
University College London: pianist and lead vocalist, Chris Martin;
Lead guitarist, Jonny Buckland; Bassist, Guy Berryman;
And drummer, Will Champion.
The artists were surprised by their instant, award-winning success.
It was no surprise to their listeners who were enamored
By the clear tenor vocals of Martin, melodic guitars of
Buckland and Berryman, and thoughtful drumbeats of Champion.
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Coldplay's lyrics are original poetic writings that combine
Melancholy with optimism, and joy with remorse, tugging at
Our heartstrings with their realism. The words lend themselves
To analysis and interpretation, with as many meanings as listeners.
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Coldplay's "X&Y," flowing, melodious, and dramatic, gives us "Fix You:"
Tears stream down your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down your face
And I
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
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And "X&Y's" dramatic grand finale, "Twisted Logic," speaks to a global theme:
Created, then drilled and invaded
If somebody made it
Someone will mess it up
And you are not wrong to
Ask who does this belong to?
It belongs to all of us
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Coldplay sent "A Rush of Blood to the Head" with the award-winning "Clocks."
The lights go out and I can't be saved
Tides that I tried to swim against
Have brought me down upon my knees
Oh I beg, I beg and plead, singing
.
Come out upon my seas
Cursed missed opportunities, am I
A part of the cure
Or am I part of the disease, singing
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The Spanish title of Coldplay's album "Viva la Vida" means "Long Live Life"
In English, and is taken from a painting by 20th C. Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.
It is the most poetic and most extensively analyzed of all their work. Some highlights:
One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed in on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
On pillars of salt and pillars of sand
.
Revolutionaries wait
For my head upon a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be king?
.
For some reason I can't explain
I know St. Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
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I have enjoyed listening to the music, and studying the words of
These talented and intriguing rock poets of the millennium.
Please take a moment to view the video I've selected:
From "A Rush of Blood to the Head," "The Scientist."
