September 10, 2010 - submitted by Peter, United States of America

 

Q. Greetings Oracle...

The burning question I have for you today is has Coldplay ever considered releasing demo recordings of their songs on their albums? After hearing an early version of Talk, I'm curious as to what other songs sounded this wonderful during the recording process...

Hope you come back for another tour soon!!

 

The Oracle replies:

 

The leaked versions of Talk were up to the same standard that the rest of the album was. I often associate demos as being rough versions of songs before the studio sessions get under way; pre-production if you like.

There's no point in releasing demo versions of any songs.

The only time the band ever released demos was on The Blue Room EP and to be honest, they were all great quality recordings too.

September 10, 2010 - submitted by Lisa, United States of America

 

Q. Will I get in trouble if I create hand puppets of a famous band and then sell them for money?

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Yes of course you will; that's an infringement of copyright.

September 10, 2010 - submitted by Nori, Hungary

 

Q. Was A Rush of Blood to the Head written particularly for the series Six Feet Under?

 

The Oracle replies:

 

No it wasn't; the band haven't written any songs specifically for a TV series.

September 10, 2010 - submitted by Kaley, Ireland

 

Q. Q.Yet another question for you Oracle.

I was watching the Hardest Part music video. Was that an actual gig that Coldplay went to or was it set up for the music video?

Much love!

 

The Oracle replies:

 

The Hardest Part video's live performance was set up purely for the video; technically some audience members are extras.

September 10, 2010 - submitted by Lisa, United States of America

 

Q. Will I get in trouble if I create hand puppets of a famous band and then sell them for money?

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Yes of course you will; that's an infringement of copyright.

 

I could copyright my face?

 

September 10, 2010 - submitted by Nori, Hungary

 

Q. Was A Rush of Blood to the Head written particularly for the series Six Feet Under?

 

The Oracle replies:

 

No it wasn't; the band haven't written any songs specifically for a TV series.

 

:facepalm:

September 13, 2010 - submitted by Carrie, United States of America

 

Q. Hello Oracle!

 

I went to the Viva concert last year in Portland, Oregon and LOVED it! Getting out of the parking lot took a while and about 45 minutes after the concert ended a number of VIP vehicles left the venue. If I remember correctly there were a number of large trucks but there was also one bus. How long does/did it usually take to get everything taken down and put away after the concert? When did the band leave? Were they on that bus I saw?

 

Thank You!!!

 

Carrie

Houston, TX

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

It takes hours for the stage and set to be dismantled; the crew work until the very early hours to do that. It's no easy feat but their precision is routine and they are experts at it.

The band will not have been on that bus. Despite the traffic being a nightmare that's not their mode of transport to and from a show. Maybe it was the support act, Amadou & Mariam? It may even have been the caterers' bus but to be honest they are usually very late in leaving too.

September 13, 2010 - submitted by Trevor, United States of America

 

Q. Do you know if [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KjfEvzBJ_s&feature=related]this[/ame] is real?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

Yes it is. This is the first version of Spies from the abandoned Chris Allison recording sessions. FYI: Only one track from that session made it onto Parachutes - that was High Speed.

September 13, 2010 - submitted by Carrie, United States of America[/color]

.

.

 

Carrie

Houston, TX

I got excited for a second there, I thought it was me. Alas, 'twas not. :cry:

September 14, 2010 - submitted by Martin, United Kingdom

 

Q. Hello Oracle,

 

My question is this:

How do the crew manage to dismantle a full stage from one venue in one city and take it all the way to another many miles away on the days of consecutive concerts?

 

After reading that it takes until the early hours of the following morning just to dismantle a stage I cannot see how it can then be transported to another venue and set up, and then have the band sound check before the actual concert.

 

It seems impossible so could you please clear this up for me :)

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

There's no pulling the wool over your eyes is there Martin?

There are in fact two crews and two stages; as one stage is being dismantled the other is being built. They obviously alternate with the "advance team" starting ahead.

September 14, 2010 - submitted by Shayan, Canada

 

Q. Hello Oracle, I recently read that you said Will had tickets to a Mumford and Sons concert (I really like them) I was just wondering how, like Will Champion would attend a concert without being bombarded by hundreds of people? I've been very curious for a while actually.

 

The Oracle replies:

 

As with most bands it's usually the singer who gets most attention so Will, Guy & Jonny can usually attend gigs without much fuss. Generally people who do recognise them are very respectful of their free time and personal space so they don't get bombarded.

September 14, 2010 - submitted by Leonhard, Austria

 

Q. Hello,

You said that they have not played Trouble live for a long time, but they played it last year at Wembley (Acoustic Version) absolute fantastic.

I wanted to ask you which are Chris Martin's favourite Coldplay songs?

Thanks

Leonhard

P.S. Mine are Politik, What If, Gravity and Ladder to the Sun (Why has that never been released?)

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Pay attention Leonhard or I will issue you with a detention! The question was not about Trouble...

I have personally heard Chris talk about Politik more than any other track and it's definitely up there in his favourites. It's hard to know the rest as they change from time to time but what they're working on right now I'd say.

p.s. They can't release everything!

September 15, 2010 - submitted by Gabby, United States of America

 

Q. Dear Oracle,

My brother got me a free t-shirt for Christmas. Should I be offended? If so, what should I do to get back at him?

 

The Oracle replies:

 

I know it's not even October yet but I guess you could get ready to reciprocate this coming Christmas by giving him the same t-shirt back as a gift?

Actually I jest... I don't think there's anything wrong with gifting items that didn't cost anything. Last year I purged myself of almost everything I owned. I sold my furniture and most of my home's contents but every so often I would come across a book or a film or an item that I knew would find a good home with a friend, sibling, parent or children. I can't see why some people would be offended. It can sometimes mean more than a bought present. It really is the thought that counts; if he genuinely thought you'd like it there's nothing wrong with it. I think there's joy in giving presents; the receiving is a bonus.

September 15, 2010 - submitted by Ian, United States of America

 

Q. All-Seeing Oracle,

I was searching for sheet music, when I came across a song named Ladder to the Sun. I could not find any audio recordings and I was wondering if you could point me in the right direction?

 

~The BIGGEST Coldplay fan ever, Ian~

 

The Oracle replies:

 

This is another unreleased track that was played [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4XonwIyQmk&feature=related]live[/ame]; that means there is no studio version available.

 

 

 

 

how ironic. :P

September 15, 2010 - submitted by Kathryn, United States of America

 

Q. Did the band win the award for the Strawberry Swing music video? I missed the TV program and I really want to know! Thanks :)

 

The Oracle replies:

 

MTV's Video Music Awards were held on September 12. Coldplay's Strawberry Swing was shortlisted for Breakthrough Video but the award went to The Black Keys for Tighten Up.

how ironic. :P

 

Maybe he meant literally lol

September 16, 2010 - submitted by Tyler, United States of America

 

Q. Is this legit? Will there be a longer wait time in between albums than expected?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Not unless we're all bad at Math(s)? I know it can sometimes feel like ages but I honestly don't see what the fuss is about. Let's look at history and do some sums:

Parachutes released July 2000

A Rush of Blood to the Head released August 2002

X&Y released June 2005

Viva la Vida released June 2008

5th album release tbc 2011

 

The shortest gap was between the first and second album and as far as I can tell there'll be around the same time in between the rest.

 

Also be aware of article's wording:

"Although no specific dates were mentioned, there is a possibility Coldplay won't hit the road until 2012". I mean c'mon, what is that actually saying? "No specific dates were mentioned" and "possibility" is saying nothing!

September 16, 2010 - submitted by Sara, United States of America

 

Q. Dear Oracle!

I came across [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQZPgQXqrj4&feature=related]this[/ame] .

My question is, when and where was this performed? I would absolutely love to know! Thank you so much, Sara.

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Ah yes, I was there and I remember what a great sunny day that was. Coldplay headlined this, the Isle of Wight Festival on Sunday 11th June 2006. The reason they decided to cover Lou Reed's Perfect Day was because Lou had performed on the main stage earlier (before Richard Ashcroft who preceded Coldplay) and to the disappointment of the crowd had omitted one of his biggest hits from the set so the band quickly decided to play a version.

September 17, 2010 - submitted by Tyler, United States of America

 

Q. Oracle:

 

My question is in light of your answer today to Tyler from The United States (who is not me).

 

Last semester, I read "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time," a novel about a British boy written by British author Mark Haddon. In it, the boy, Christopher, kept saying "Maths". Now, I read you also saying "Maths".

 

As a Math Education major, I am interested: Is "Maths" the standard in Britain?

 

Thank you.

 

The other Tyler from USA

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Yes it is that is why I put the s in brackets as Tyler (not you) is from the States and as you know it's Math there but Maths here.

September 17, 2010 - submitted by Alison, United States of America

 

Q. Oracle, what's the best advice someone has ever given you? And what's the best advice you think you have ever given to someone? -Ali

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

The best advice I got is the same as the best advice I give; passing it on seems like a good idea. "Keep your feet on the ground and your head out of the clouds" is one of my favourites that I received that I do share. My own nugget that I think you'll recognize from this very page is "Regret what you do, not what you don't do" - of course that's within reason!

By the way, before anyone asks, given the number of times feet on the ground is mentioned in Coldplay songs you'd be forgiven for assuming it was they that gave me that advice. It wasn't; that phrase is pretty popular over here.

September 17, 2010 - submitted by Eddy, Italy

 

Q. Hello Oracle,

I was just wandering if the song Sweet Marienne is from Coldplay or is just a fake... this is the [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLBjv-Sm-Xs&feature=related]video[/ame].

 

Thank you!

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

It's Sweet Marianne actually Eddy and is very real. That clip is not "the" video as no such thing exists. Someone has made that around a live recording of the track; the only versions of the track are live as once again it's an unreleased song with no studio recording available.

September 15, 2010 - submitted by Ian, United States of America

 

Q. All-Seeing Oracle,

I was searching for sheet music, when I came across a song named Ladder to the Sun. I could not find any audio recordings and I was wondering if you could point me in the right direction?

 

~The BIGGEST Coldplay fan ever, Ian~

 

The Oracle replies:

 

This is another unreleased track that was played

; that means there is no studio version available.

 

:inquisitive:

Haha, there are people here who could tell you the dates they have been playing Ladder! :lol:

September 20, 2010 - submitted by Faith, Australia

 

Q. Dear Oracle,

 

I need some advice. Is it a bad thing to include in a song the name of the person it's about? My brother thinks it is but I'm not so sure.

Thank you!!

xx

 

The Oracle replies:

 

If someone wrote a song about me and it was showing me in a good light I'd want everyone to know. In fact if I was told it was about me and the name had been changed I'd be offended!

The flip side of that is that if the lyrics suggested I was not a nice person; I'd disassociate myself from it sharpish! I don't think real full names are wise as there's generally more than one person sharing that name...

FYI The Beatles' Eleanor Rigby wasn't a real woman.

September 20, 2010 - submitted by Gabriela, Paraguay

 

Q. Hi Oracle! Today I saw a video of Yellow at the Glastonbury festival! It was beyond awesome! So I was wondering, were you there?

 

The Oracle replies:

 

I'll let you into a little secret. I've only ever been to Glastonbury festival 4 times and each time was with Coldplay therefore yes I was there at each of the 4 times I have seen them perform it there.

I don't know which time you're referring to but I bet it isn't the same as my favourite time they sang [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCtaD4-oMOg]Yellow[/ame] which was their second appearance on the "other stage" on the Saturday afternoon, 2000.

September 20, 2010 - submitted by Valentina, Denmark

 

Q. Dear Oracle, this is not a question but a comment on your best advice. If everybody kept their head out of the clouds, well frankly nothing wonderful, original and extraordinary would exist. I dare say Coldplay would not be here had they not aimed for the stars, so to speak. Look for the clouds for inspiration and dreams and then fly down on earth in order to make those dreams come true :)

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Don't get me wrong; I wasn't saying don't have dreams and aspirations. Trust me I have them and my life has been richer for them up to now - including wonderful, original and extraordinary. Keeping your head out of the clouds is my way of saying not to spend your time out of touch with reality. You still have to go and make things happen rather than dreaming time away.