Coldplay: 10 Best Songs For Your iPod

Coldplay is an English band which really did nothing for me when I saw them on television a year ago. In fact, I found them a bit annoying, if not totally depressing in terms of their musical style. I can’t really tell you how that all changed, all I can tell you is it did – and that the most frequently played songs in my iTunes library are from Coldplay. Whether you’re a fan or not, you’ve likely heard their grammy winner “Clocks” – it’s been played so many times, I’ve no doubt you’re familiar with it, even if you don’t realize it’s them. Speaking of “them”, you may or may not realize singer Chris Martin is married to Gwyneth Paltrow. They have two kids – Apple and Moses.

Well, hey, they can always change their names when they grow up.

So back the music. This band is described as rock, but I have to frown at that categorization. I’d say they’re more alternative or adult something or other. This music doesn’t make me think sex, drugs or rock and roll, therefore I take issue with that labeling. I do, however, this is great music. The lyrics are sometimes strange, but always interesting. There’s nothing predictable in the patterns, it’s all very original. Chris Martin’s voice isn't particularly amazing, but he does have that something special quality – I can’t name it, I don’t think there’s a word for it.

But the boy can emote. You can feel the pain he must have been feeling when he wrote the songs, and that is what moves people to buy records like this. Feeling depressed? Whip these songs out and you’ll either feel better, or even more depressed before it’s done, because his stuff can be pretty moving. Still worth having on the iPod though, and you needn’t be miserable to appreciate it. It’s very calming and relaxing, so if you’re slightly neurotic like me and need background noise when you’re writing or working on the computer, these are wonderfully unobtrusive songs that can still make you feel good, somehow.

• Fix You

From the X & Y album, this is one of those songs for people who are “stuck in reverse” in any number of ways. It’s a sweet melody, nothing harsh, delicate piano scattered about and thoughtful lyrics expressing the empathy anyone in a depressed state would appreciate.

• The Scientist

This one is from the album A Rush of Blood to the Head. One of my favorites, I love the lyrics here. Sounds to me like the story of a man who’s screwed up with a woman and has now realized his mistake and is ready to fix it. Lots of angst here, gotta love it.

• In My Place

Also from A Rush of Blood to the Head. I love, love, love the opening guitar melody here. It’s so damned catchy it’s amazing. Another depressing love song, lots of angst, more about how he’s screwed up - though I don’t hear him trying to fix much in this one.

• Yellow

From the album Parachutes. I admit, I thought this was a fairly stupid song when I first heard it. It wasn’t until I saw the video that I changed my mind. Don’t ask me why, that’s just how it was. Now I love this little ditty. Still not sure why everything’s yellow, but hey, I don’t need to get it in order to like the song.

• Clocks

This is from the Rush of Blood to the Head album. This is also the big grammy winner. And it was worth it, very catchy. Great melody, great riff, great lyrics, great phrasing. Just a great song, even if it is slightly over played.

• Speed of Sound

From X & Y. Very good song asking how long it will take to get what you’re after. Well, that’s what it seems like to me. And it seems like he’s talking about getting a specific woman for the most part. Hard to tell with these pop types, you know. It’s a nice song, whatever it means.

• Till Kingdom Come

I love this one. Also from X & Y. It’s very different from the other songs and has a darker melody. It seems to be a declaration of love, but somehow moody. It’s not cheery, yet it definitely seems to be about having fallen in love.

• Twisted Logic

The melody here is very cool. Again, from the X & Y album. I can’t help feeling in a trance when this one is on. Just don’t pay too close attention to the lyrics, they get a little strange. Computers looking for life on earth.. gotta wonder what kind of brownies he was eating. Still, very good song.

• Sparks

From Parachutes. Fantastically mellowing melody. Makes me feel very relaxed, even though the lyrics seem to be depressing as anything. Then again, he also seems to be saying he’s always going to take care of whomever he’s singing about. I love the bridge very nice falsetto work.

• Daylight

Great song from A Rush of Blood to the Head album. The riff is excellent and will stay with you all day. I love the melody, love the way it sounds slightly middle eastern somehow too. That could just be my imagination, though. Lyrics don’t really make a lot of sense to me.. but hey.. who cares? It sounds good. With all these depressing love songs, etc, you have to wonder who inspired them. Was Gwyneth the woman behind all of these?

xx Isabella