March 24, 2009 - submitted by Benjamin, United States of America

 

Q. Dear Oracle, when did Coldplay write the b-side Animals?

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Animals was written after Parachutes but before the recording sessions for A Rush of Blood to the Head. It was performed live at the end of the tour and they did record a demo version for potential inclusion on the second album but as you see, it didn't make it and turned up later as the b-side to Clocks.

 

***

 

March 24, 2009 - submitted by Zeashanashraf, United Arab Emirates

Q. There's a petition in facebook asking Coldplay to let a local band to open for them (and Mercury Rev). apprarently, they've got LOTS of support - including media. what do Coldplay, and you, think of this?

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Some weeks ago when the UAE date was announced a band did get on touch asking for the opportunity but the local promoters had already selected an opening band for the show so there was nothing that could be done for that band or any other.

 

***

 

March 24, 2009 - submitted by Noelia, Argentina

 

Q. My father died 3 days ago and I dont wanna live any more. Please tell me what can I do.

 

The Oracle replies:

 

I am so sorry to hear about your father. Losing someone close to you is always difficult but as humans we are made to get through these horrendous times. It does take time though and each person is different so it's impossible to put an end date to your grief.

As it's just happened you are bound to feel extremely sad, desperate and possibly angry. All these are 'normal' reactions and you must allow yourself to feel whatever it is you are feeling. The key is to be strong and remember that your father would want you to continue living your life and be happy. The grief process can be very long and of course difficult but you will feel better over time. Reach out to family and friends for support and be kind to yourself.

There's no truer fact of life than the end of it but think how tragic it would be if your life stopped too. You may decide to talk to a grief counsellor but right now you are in mourning and your reaction is perfectly natural.

All I can say to you is that you will move on and if you keep in mind that you will probably have many ups and downs, good days and bad days and feel like your world has collapsed but you will come through it and smile again.

Much love from the Coldplay camp, we're sending you a virtual hug.

 

***

 

March 24, 2009 - submitted by Rie, Japan

 

Q. Dear Oracle,

Could you please give me some advice on making a speech in front of approximately 200 people without getting too nervous? Do Coldplay members have any secrets of staying cool before a huge crowd?

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Nerves aren't always a bad thing as the adrenalin rush that kicks in can be a boost in scary situations. What I suggest is that you prepare yourself well so that you are as familiar as possible with your speech. The better prepared you are the more confident you will feel. Don't just read it to yourself, read aloud and get your voice clear and strong. To tackle the nerves once you are practiced, you could try some simple breathing techniques. Just breathing in and exhaling slowly can help calm you. Another good tip is to visualize a friend in the audience and direct your speech to them. I know this may sound bizarre, but sometime if you look at a spectacle wearer, a light may be reflected in their lenses so you can't see their eyes from a distance, this can help you to focus on someone but not feel too connected that you lose your confidence.

The band thrive on those before stage jitters but it's mostly excitement these days as they are well rehearsed and have been doing it for years. This confirms practice makes perfect so go for it!

Isn't there a Noelia who posts on here?

 

Such a sad situation but a lovely response from the Oracle and really good advice - I hope it helps her

There is but she lives in America.

I asked who drew the covers of the VLVODAAHF-singles...

It really interrests me, does anyone know it?

Did they drew them theirselves?

Isn't there a Noelia who posts on here?

 

Such a sad situation but a lovely response from the Oracle and really good advice - I hope it helps her

 

There is but she lives in America.

She's from Argentina. Hope it's not her. :( Cookie, you OK?

She's from Argentina. Hope it's not her. :( Cookie, you OK?

 

awww no, me too :(

She's from Argentina. Hope it's not her. :( Cookie, you OK?

 

Really? Oh I didn't know. :(

Guys, I just saw her posting on Will's thread yesterday, I don't think someone who "doesn't wanna live any more" would post anything on a message board! :thinking:

But my heart goes out to that girl, The Oracle's answer was really great! :\

March 26, 2009 - submitted by Paul, Korea South

 

 

Q. Dear Oracle,

I've been trying to find an answer to this question everywhere, but I finally decided to ask you, which seems to be the best solution. The question is; was Brothers & Sisters released as a single or as EP? Some sources say it's EP (e.g. iTunes) but the official Coldplay website here, doesn't refer to it as EP, while other websites call it a single. What's the truth? Thanks, Oracle.

 

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

 

It's widely referred to as a single. I recall the term EP being banded about and the term does indeed fit. Basically a single would usually consist of an A side (the lead single) and a B side (another track). Brothers & Sisters was released with 3 tracks in total so technically it is an EP (extended play). An EP usually consists of 3-5 songs.

 

 

March 26, 2009 - submitted by Roffe, Sweden

 

 

Q. Does Guy have a twin brother who lives in Sweden?

 

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

 

It just so happens that Guy does have a brother who looks like him and guess where he currently is? Sweden!

 

 

March 25, 2009 - submitted by Christi, United States of America

 

 

Q. Dear Oracle,

Forgive me if this is common knowledge but I'm a fairly new Coldplay fan. What are the paintings on the cover art of the Viva la Vida and Prospekt's March?

 

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

 

Both feature original paintings by Eug�ne Delacroix. The first being Liberty Leading the People, the latter is called the Battle of Poitiers.

 

 

March 25, 2009 - submitted by Katie, United States of America

 

 

Q. I am getting married in September, and I really want to walk down the aisle to Reign of Love just the piano version, do you know where I can buy that? And if I could get also Lovers in Japan just the piano version?

 

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

 

I'm afraid there are no instrumental versions of those songs. Another option would be to get someone to play the music live on the day or pre-record it. As there's also no official songbook for the latest album that might be easier said than done. Unless you rely on the Internet for unofficial music scores, there's nothing else I can suggest. God luck for the big day!

March 26, 2009 - submitted by Roffe, Sweden

 

 

Q. Does Guy have a twin brother who lives in Sweden?

 

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

 

It just so happens that Guy does have a brother who looks like him and guess where he currently is? Sweden!

Lucky!

I wanna spot Mark too & scare him a little! :tongue:

is that true?! it must be joke! i cant believe it ;d

 

are you kidding me? :D

It's true, Mark, Guy's brother married a Swedish girl and they moved over there just before Christmas and they have just had their first child.

^ He's a chef, yeah?

i must see this brother! :wideeyed:

 

for some reason i thought guy was an only child. i wonder how that person knew to ask!

^ He's a chef, yeah?

 

He may have been but he's not anymore.

What's his job now?!

What's his job now?!

 

Don't know. Not even sure that he does work.

Peardoor - how do you know so much detail about them? Do you know the band or their families?

March 24, 2009 - submitted by Noelia, Argentina

 

Q. My father died 3 days ago and I dont wanna live any more. Please tell me what can I do.

 

The Oracle replies:

 

I am so sorry to hear about your father. Losing someone close to you is always difficult but as humans we are made to get through these horrendous times. It does take time though and each person is different so it's impossible to put an end date to your grief.

As it's just happened you are bound to feel extremely sad, desperate and possibly angry. All these are 'normal' reactions and you must allow yourself to feel whatever it is you are feeling. The key is to be strong and remember that your father would want you to continue living your life and be happy. The grief process can be very long and of course difficult but you will feel better over time. Reach out to family and friends for support and be kind to yourself.

There's no truer fact of life than the end of it but think how tragic it would be if your life stopped too. You may decide to talk to a grief counsellor but right now you are in mourning and your reaction is perfectly natural.

All I can say to you is that you will move on and if you keep in mind that you will probably have many ups and downs, good days and bad days and feel like your world has collapsed but you will come through it and smile again.

Much love from the Coldplay camp, we're sending you a virtual hug.

 

[

 

That just broke my heart :cry::(

March 27, 2009 - submitted by ibra, Saudi Arabia

 

Q. There is a song for Coldplay that always in my head, actually, its just two words that keep playing in my head:

it is If I fall if I fall,

or something like that

and goes like If I fall if I faaall,

oh gosh this is ridiculous lol !

 

Please help me to know which song ?!

 

The Oracle replies:

 

The first thing that popped into my head is Animals, which is available on the Clocks single. Though that lyric is: crumble and fall like an animal.

I think because it is now stuck firmly in my head I can't even think of another option!

Hmmm, the rhythm of what you wrote sounds like In My Place but that's not "If I fall" either.

Check back as I may very well edit this later when my brain clears...

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 27, 2009 - submitted by Irene, Netherlands

 

Q. Dear Oracle,

A lot of us Coldplayers have been wondering about the lyrics to The World Turned Upside Down off the Fix You single for a long time now. There's one line in the third verse that was quite difficult to make out, so when your spanking new discography came online we rejoiced in the hope of finally seeing the actual words. But the line has been left out of the lyrics on the site! What, oh, what did Chris (intend to?) sing here?

The offending passage is:

 

X is Y

The land, sea, rivers, trees, the stars, the sky

365 degrees

All of the surface and the underneath

[....]

ah

And everything under the sun

And everything under the sun

 

Yours truly,

Irene

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Ha ha ha this made me laugh because of course we knew people would notice but would you believe that we do not know what the missing lyric is? This has happened before where Chris will change lyrics or make them up spontaneously so sometimes the recordings have very random words thrown in there that even Chris can't recall. As you can hear with TWTUD, that line is impossible to understand!

 

 

 

 

 

March 27, 2009 - submitted by safa, France

 

Q. Hey Oracle,

I've heard a song playing by Coldplay called Hunting High and Low but I am not sure it's by the band so can you please tell me who did the song? THANKS A LOT

 

The Oracle replies:

 

You're right to be unsure as the original song is by A-ha. Coldplay are fans and friends of the band and have been known to sing a little of Hunting High & Low at some previous shows.

Originally Posted by Mimixxx;2907408

March 24, 2009 - submitted by Noelia, Argentina

 

Q. My father died 3 days ago and I dont wanna live any more. Please tell me what can I do.

 

The Oracle replies:

 

I am so sorry to hear about your father. Losing someone close to you is always difficult but as humans we are made to get through these horrendous times. It does take time though and each person is different so it's impossible to put an end date to your grief.

As it's just happened you are bound to feel extremely sad, desperate and possibly angry. All these are 'normal' reactions and you must allow yourself to feel whatever it is you are feeling. The key is to be strong and remember that your father would want you to continue living your life and be happy. The grief process can be very long and of course difficult but you will feel better over time. Reach out to family and friends for support and be kind to yourself.

There's no truer fact of life than the end of it but think how tragic it would be if your life stopped too. You may decide to talk to a grief counsellor but right now you are in mourning and your reaction is perfectly natural.

All I can say to you is that you will move on and if you keep in mind that you will probably have many ups and downs, good days and bad days and feel like your world has collapsed but you will come through it and smile again.

Much love from the Coldplay camp, we're sending you a virtual hug.

 

 

 

 

 

That just broke my heart :cry::(

 

 

oh my I'm crying here and just cant stop.......my heart goes out to Noelia and her family at this time............ I wish I could give you more than a virtual hug but have faith in God........ he's always there to help you through

March 27, 2009 - submitted by ibra, Saudi Arabia

 

Q. There is a song for Coldplay that always in my head, actually, its just two words that keep playing in my head:

it is If I fall if I fall,

or something like that

and goes like If I fall if I faaall,

oh gosh this is ridiculous lol !

 

Please help me to know which song ?!

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

The first thing that popped into my head is Animals, which is available on the Clocks single. Though that lyric is: crumble and fall like an animal.

I think because it is now stuck firmly in my head I can't even think of another option!

Hmmm, the rhythm of what you wrote sounds like In My Place but that's not "If I fall" either.

Check back as I may very well edit this later when my brain clears...

 

I'm pretty sure that's In the sun and he/she just misheard the lyrics.

I'm pretty sure that's In the sun and he/she just misheard the lyrics.

 

I thought exactly the same!

It could be In My place as well..

I dunno..:P

March 30, 2009 - submitted by m pablo, Mexico

 

Q. Dear Oracle, the first to names of the band were Pectoralz and Starfish right?

I don't want to ofend Chris or the other members but those are funny and bad names. I wondered why did Chris, or Jon chose those really bad names. I'm glad Tim Crompton adviced them the name of Coldplay.

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Pectoralz wasn't strictly ever the band's name, it was a side project that they had some fun with but nothing serious and they didn't write or play the same songs as Starfish. As dreadful a name as it is, it isn't easy picking a name for your group. Tim didn't advise them to use it; he'd discarded the name of his own band so they took it for themselves - with permission of course!

 

March 30, 2009 - submitted by Lemonmint, Hong Kong

 

Q. Hi Oracle!

What I wanna ask is :

what's that tattoo on Will Champion's left arm?

And please tell him I love him so much!:D

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

It's a tattoo of the handprint of his first born daughter.

March 30, 2009 - submitted by Nanna, Denmark

 

Q. Dear Oracle.

On your homepage I see that the band like to play chess, though they still havent make a move.

I grow up in a little town in Denmark (east for Paradise) with people who have other interests than that game, so I never learn to play. But I have head that it is a funny game and want to lean the rules ( and I want to win).

I only now that there is someting with farmers, runners, towers, horses and so on. But as I never have learn the different values of the chessmen, I absolutly dont now how to start a game.

Is there a written handbook for "dummies". Because I really want to play that game.

with love from Nanna

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Chess is a great once you get a handle on the rules. There is a Chess for Dummies book, that I am sure you can find online.

The pieces are king, queen, rooks (castles), bishops, knights (horses) and pawns. You win when you have your opponent in checkmate, which basically means their king is unable to move out of that position.