May 1, 2009 - submitted by Bon, Mexico[/color]

 

Q. Hi Oracle! I would want to know which Coldplay song is the most controversial? And why?

 

The Oracle replies:

 

I guess I'd have to say Spies purely for the reason that the song was banned in China due to political sensitivity! That is totally true.

 

I LOVE Spies :heart: had no idea it was banned in china tho! :P

^^me neither. i thought it was hilarious when i first saw that. :lol:

AHAHAHAHA Chinese government fail.

 

Not surprised she avoided Viva La Vida entirely -- Coldplay sure is trying to ignore the Satriani mess, huh?

Didn't think The Oracle would be working on a Bank Holiday Monday, but here are some fresh posts...

 

May 4, 2009 - submitted by Meli, Argentina

 

 

Q. Who's the girl in the scientist video? Is she famous in England or something like that?

I'll appreciate an answer :)

 

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

 

I have mentioned her before but she's quite a well known actress called Elaine Cassidy.

May 4, 2009 - submitted by Megan, United States of America

 

 

Q. Oracle,

I need to know your opinion on something. My friends are being really weird about a surprise they're getting me for my birthday. I'm trying to figure out what it is.

The clues are:

1) goes by the name of PCP

2) since none of us can drive we need rides to it.

 

What do you think?

 

Megan

ps. i NEED to know what it is!!

 

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

 

Well it seems pretty obvious to me but I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise now would I?

 

Hope someone on here can work it out 'cos now I'm really curious - p.s. anyone else think the Oracle is bluffing?

May 4, 2009 - submitted by Lucas, Spain

 

 

Q. Hi, Oracle!

 

Just wondering, does Coldplay use PCs or Macs?

 

Thanx! =D

 

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

 

They use Macs.

Hope someone on here can work it out 'cos now I'm really curious - p.s. anyone else think the Oracle is bluffing?

 

I do ;) :D

I can see a PGP but not a PCP

 

30 May 2009: Post Gazette Pavilion, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

I LOVE Spies :heart: had no idea it was banned in china tho! :P

AHAHAHAHA Chinese government fail.

The Chinese pressing of Parachutes leaves Spies out of the tracklist. Apparently the government thinks that the song was written about Chinese spies.

 

The same government also banned GnR's Chinese Democracy :thinking:

May 5, 2009 - submitted by Dot, United Kingdom

 

Q. Dear Oracle,

 

In Roadie 42's latest blog, he said that before X&Y, only Will did backup vocals, but in the Live 2003 DVD I thought I saw Jonny on backup as well. Am I remembering things incorrectly?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

You're right, Jonny was singing backing vocals from a very early stage. Followed by Will, Guy was the last to brave the idea.

May 5, 2009 - submitted by Martin, United Kingdom

 

Q. Hello Oracle

Just a quick question to test your awesome power of knowledge...is the coldplay song "Poor Me" found as a b-side Fix You....spelt Poor Me or Pour Me? As Itunes and Wikipedia disagree with each other...What be a great help if you could tell me

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

As the song had been heard live long before there was a recorded version, people had assumed it was Poor Me. It wasn't until it appeared as a b-side on Fix You that everyone could see the title was in fact Pour Me.

May 5, 2009 - submitted by Dot, United Kingdom

 

Q. Dear Oracle,

 

In Roadie 42's latest blog, he said that before X&Y, only Will did backup vocals, but in the Live 2003 DVD I thought I saw Jonny on backup as well. Am I remembering things incorrectly?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

You're right, Jonny was singing backing vocals from a very early stage. Followed by Will, Guy was the last to brave the idea.

 

Let Guy sing more! :dance:

Yay Jonny on back-up vocals :wacky: :bomb: :nice:

May 6, 2009 - submitted by Kimberley, Canada

 

Q. Dearest Oracle

 

Help me please...my 4 year old daughter is a huge fan of Coldplay, ( so am I, as it was my frequent listening to them at home that got her into them) and she has requested a t-shirt when I go see Coldplay in concert. They don't seem to have kiddo clothes...or do they? I don't want to disappoint my daughter...and by the way her favorite song and video is The Scientist. Thanks for your help!

 

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

 

There was a time when the online shop had a few children's sized t-shirts but you won't find any at the merch stands at shows. They usually cost much more than adult shirts, so it didn't seem to be a very viable option.

 

 

May 6, 2009 - submitted by Matt, United States of America

 

 

Q. Did Coldplay really have to learn to play "The Scientist" backward for the music video?

 

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

 

The band didn't have to play any music backwards for the video. However, the reverse video did require Chris to lip synch backwards. It took him around a month to learn it and on the day of the shoot there were boards with the lyrics written on, just in case.

 

 

May 6, 2009 - submitted by Lulu, United States of America

 

 

Q. Dear Oracle,

Can you fall in love, then fall out of love but still want to be with this person? Is it okay to still be together if one person feels stronger about the other than this other does for them, even though this other does still love the other?

 

I love this guy, but I don't know if I'm still "in love." I think that I was, but now I'm not so sure. He still loves me like he did when we started dating, but now he's more my best friend than a boyfriend, though we are still going out. It worries me. And I still do love him, too.

 

So can you fall out of love, yet still love?

 

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

 

I believe you absolutely can. Sometimes people use the term 'in love' and perhaps don't realize that actually the intoxicating feeling is the first throes of a new relationship. This feeling can pass, usually within the first 2 years and when it goes, people assume that they don't love the person as much. It might have been replaced with a deeper, truer love. It's hard to guess as love can feel like a rollercoaster ride. You can feel in love one day and the intense feelings can pass another. But they can come and go, so you may feel them again.

 

If you do find that you just want to be friends and that's the only feeling you have, it'd be kinder in the long run to walk away, but take care to explore your feelings.

I've always found it pretty awesome that people actually place their trust in the Oracle for relationships advice. :lol:

Because the Oracle knows everything :D

Yup :D

And that was some pretty good advise :nice:

May 7, 2009 - submitted by Irine, Nigeria

 

Q. Hi Oracle, I'm very depressed can you please fix me.

The Oracle replies:

 

I'm afraid not Irine. Are you sure you're depressed? Sometimes we can use that tag easily when actually we're just feeling low or unhappy. Maybe try and do things that make you happy and smile. Watch something funny, spend time doing things you enjoy when you can and if you think it really is something clinical, perhaps try a herbal remedy or see a doctor? Sometimes the change in season makes us feel down but I'm not sure Nigeria has had similar seasonal adjustments that we are experiencing in the U.K.

And two more:

May 7, 2009 - submitted by An, United Arab Emirates

 

Q. Hello, All Knowing Oracle. I actually have a few questions I'd really like you to answer.

1. I saw earlier that you said Chris had a SpongeBob shirt. Is it by any chance blue or pink? Because those are the colours of mine.

2. You don't have to answer this, but I'd like the answer. does Coldplay or Chris have an email address? What is it?

3. What's the instrument at the beginning of Strawberry Swing? Just out of curiosity.

By the way, thanks so Chris, Will, Jonny and Guy for the awesome Abu Dhabi concert :) An, Coldplay's no. 1 fan :)

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

1. It seems I may have dreamt that! I am sure it is a SpongeBob tee and it's white, however Vicki (their P.A) doesn't think he has one so I will ask him and let you know.

2. Chris hasn't had an email address for a while. It's not something I could give out anyway to be honest hence the [email protected] address. The rest of the band do have email but again, for their own private use.

3. It's a guitar. They can be such versatile instruments either by the make/model, the number of strings and the effects used on it or the accessories you can get for them.

May 7, 2009 - submitted by Manou, France

 

Q. Hi dearest Oracle

I broke up yesterday with my boyfriend after 3 years of relationship. It's hard, I feel a creepy emptiness inside of me. Can't stop to listen to The Scientist since It happened. Is there any "recipe" to make this less hard?

Thank you for your help

 

The Oracle replies:

 

The process you go through after a relationship breaks down is that of grieving. It is a loss after all. I suggest you give yourself time to cry and be sad but don't let it take hold of you. Allow some time but not all the time. Listen to The Scientist by all means, but not repeatedly, as it will hold you in your sorrow. It will take time and you could go through denial, anger and sadness many times before you come to accept it. It does get easier after time but give yourself lots of it. It's still early so don't expect too much right away.

 

 

 

 

Portishead is great for that time as well...

Since she broke up it's not suitable in her situation but "Every day I love you less and less" is good for the phase AFTER being sad and being angry instead :)

REM - Everybody Hurts is very good for the sad bit

May 7, 2009 - submitted by Amanda, Brazil

 

 

Q. Hi Oracle! I'm getting married on May 17th and I'd like your sugestions for a Coldplay song while I walk in to meet my husband to be...Tks

 

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

 

I feel that Postcards From Far Away (from Prospekt's March) would be perfect; it wouldn't need editing as it's under a minute long. As there are no lyrics it's not going to be a distraction. It's a slow song too so you won't be walking too fast!

Awww cute!! :blush:

I want to ask the Oracle if he thinks that Chris and I will be together forever.....................

May 8, 2009 - submitted by Angela, United States of America

Q. Hi Oracle,

Why does Phil Harvey play in the back and not on stage?

Thanks,

Angela

 

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

 

Phil doesn't actually play in the band on or off the stage. He's referred to as the 5th member but not in terms of being a musician. Matt McGinn is the only person outside of the band to have done that during live shows. For example he played guitar offstage on Yellow during the Twisted Logic tour.

 

 

May 8, 2009 - submitted by Laurie, Canada

 

 

Q. Hey Oracle, wanted to get your thought on what to send to a friend who will be in isolation for radiation treatment.. I have thought of some things but what ideas do you have.. I appreciate your help, whatever goes in will have to be disposed of and no visitors are allowed so it will have to go in at the start of treatment, thanks in advance any ideas are appreciated, Laurie

 

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

 

Maybe a book of poetry or short stories as your friend may feel tired so something they can dip in and out of may be appropriate. Or you could make a compilation cd/tape of their favourite songs, or yours, so they can feel connected to you while in isolation. Other than that a photograph of a really happy positive memory may cheer her up. Hope that helps.

 

 

May 8, 2009 - submitted by Steve, United States of America

 

 

Q. Only a true Oracle can answer this question:

 

When Parachutes was originally released, track 7 (titled Parachutes) was an epic song (at least 5 minutes) and my favorite on the album. The other day I was listening to my friends version of the CD, and his track 7 (also titled Parachutes) which surprisingly was a completely different song- it was a 46 second long and very slow. Where has my favorite Coldplay song gone?

 

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

 

I think you're dreaming Steve. Parachutes has always been a very short song in fact, not only is there not a longer version recorded, there isn't a longer version in existence.