Coldplay
Lyrics
Coldplay's lyrics have never been the reason for
their overwhelming success. Coldplay's hot sound, stage performances
and general likeability have frosted over the rice cake lyrics underneath.
Followers call the lack of depth and complexity in the Coldplay
lyrics, "simplicity".
Many of the Coldplay lyrics feature sentimentality and encouragement
especially on a song such as "Fix You". Others are love
ballads or feature a view from outer space. Occasionally there are
a few Coldplay lyrics that make one take pause, though.
For instance, in the song "The Scientist" from A Rush
of Blood (2002), there are two similar verses at the beginning
and end of the song that give the lyrics added depth and meaning.
The verse at the beginning of the song states, "Running in
circles / Coming up tails / Heads on a silence apart."
However, near the end of the song, the verse reads, "Running
in circles / Chasing our tails / Coming back as we are". In
the first verse, the imagery of a coin is apparent implying chance.
In the second verse there is a certain futility connoted by the
lyrics.
From the X&Y album (2005), the song "White Shadows"
shows intriguing imagery in this set of Coldplay lyrics starting
with the title. The words "white shadows" are juxtaposed
with "sparkle and glisten" giving a feeling of something
beyond concrete reality.
In the song "Til Kingdom Comes" is also another interesting
juxtaposition or rather transposition in the lines, "In your
tears and in your blood, / In your fire and in your flood",
which is a repetition of the first line to the second. But, the
second line contains stronger imagery and the sequence of images
is transposed to give these Coldplay lyrics a stronger emotional
dynamic.
While other Coldplay lyrics may be seen as simply sappy and inane
in content, the few lyrical gems that do appear on their albums
help support the rationale for the overwhelming popularity of this
band. Another album is expected out at the end of 2007.
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