October 1, 2010 - submitted by Tom, Netherlands[/color]

 

Q. Hi ever so brilliant and all knowing Oracle !

I was wondering , if one of the Coldplay rules is to never use a sentence/lyric again? I have been trying to find one that's been used in 2 songs but guess what .. I couldn't find one :) Does the band use some kind of system for this ?

 

All the best, Tom

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

I predict there will be gasps of surprise all around the globe at your findings and possible cries of "What?!?" at computer screens.

There are quite a few repeated themes throughout their catalogue of tracks:

Keeping or not keeping feet on the ground, spider webs, bubbles, fixing... yes there are plenty of ideas that pop up more than once Tom.

 

 

I am surprised that she didn't mention: "If you never try, you'll never know" as that one was the first one that came to mind (it is both used in "Fix You" and "Speed of Sound").

I am surprised that she didn't mention: "If you never try, you'll never know" as that one was the first one that came to mind (it is both used in "Fix You" and "Speed of Sound").

 

and "Let me go, boys, let me go"

i wonder how many Coldplay songs that guy has actually heard if he couldn't find any repeating lines :P

October 4, 2010 - submitted by Lili, Belgium

 

Q. Hi Oracle!

 

I was looking at the official Coldplay YouTube channel and saw a lot of videos with the name Lost? competition. Can you tell me what kind of competition it was and what the prizes were?

Thanks a lot!

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Ooh another Lost? Q.

 

Anyway, the band ran a competition a few years ago where we invited people to submit an original video for the acoustic version of Lost (Lost?). The entries were available to view on the official YouTube channel but we also needed another to cope with the volume of entries.

A winner (and runner-up) was chosen and they were invited to see the band in London and their video was shown on the big screens before the show started.

 

 

October 4, 2010 - submitted by Ame, United Kingdom

 

Q. Dear Oracle, is your life average?

 

The Oracle replies:

 

No Ame, it's anything but average. From an early age I always strive to make my life interesting. I live life to the full and grab opportunities as well as make them. I have met many people who have a negative outlook, constantly complaining "poor me" and expecting good things to drop into their world with little or no effort. Although I am a realist and sometimes can be quite cynical I try to stay positive. Sometimes things can happen that are out of my control so those things I accept, adapt and live with. Everything else I change if I wish to and go about my business happy in the knowledge that to try and fail is better than to be looking back wondering if things could have been better.

 

 

October 4, 2010 - submitted by Adam, United States of America

 

Q. Ok, this may seem like a really weird question, but whatever.

 

In the acoustic Lost?, during the guitar solo section, (2:45 - 2:53), I swear I hear some distant shouting with the piano. It sounds like a little kid going crazy...am I the one going crazy, or is it really there?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

The Oracle replies:

 

It only seems like a weird question Adam because to my ears it's very obviously Chris. Basically in Lost? he recreated the guitar line of the original with his voice.

Chris = a kid going crazy. Sounds about right

 

Q. Ok, this may seem like a really weird question, but whatever.

 

In the acoustic Lost?, during the guitar solo section, (2:45 - 2:53), I swear I hear some distant shouting with the piano. It sounds like a little kid going crazy...am I the one going crazy, or is it really there?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

The Oracle replies:

 

It only seems like a weird question Adam because to my ears it's very obviously Chris. Basically in Lost? he recreated the guitar line of the original with his voice.

 

i never notice that and i love the question and love the answer more:laugh4:

Chris = a kid going crazy. Sounds about right

THIS

whenever i listen to that song and that part comes up, i always imagine the notes being sung by a bunch of kittens. i don't know why. :P

^ :lol:

October 5, 2010 - submitted by Sara, United States of America

 

Q. What's with Chris and jumping into the audience? Apparently he did that according to another Sara and at the Sound Relief during Fix You. Any other occurrences of this that we don't know about? Thanx!

Signing off, Sara

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Here we are again with another linking Q - today we have the link of Noel Gallagher.

Chris jumping and running into the crowd is usually a spontaneous decision and so is harder to direct you to the times that the moment has grabbed Chris to leap.

As you referenced Coachella and Sound Relief, being the most memorable, I point you once again to the scariest that I have also mentioned before.

October 5, 2010 - submitted by Gustavo, Mexico

 

Q. Hello friends, is there any possibility that Noel Gallagher collaborate with you on any disc or song? I would like to know. Greetings

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Chris & Jonny did a live performance with Noel back in 2002. Other than Noel and Coldplay's band members being in the audience at their respective shows, there's been no real collaboration to speak of including the Band Aid 20 record. Oasis were recording at the time and Noel reportedly said that the record featured "lots of people (in there) that we have a problem with". He did add that "I like Chris Martin. He's a friend of mine" so it's not a personal issue.

whenever i listen to that song and that part comes up, i always imagine the notes being sung by a bunch of kittens. i don't know why. :P

WE NEED A KITTEN SMILIE

October 6, 2010 - submitted by Alison, United States of America

 

Q. Oracle, why does Roadie 42 want to be referred to as 'NotherCuppa?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

He's just joking around; we have lots of names for a cup of tea, cuppa being one of them - hence another cuppa. Knowing #42 as I do I suspect the scamp suggested the name 'NotherCuppa for its similarity to a not so nice term that it almost rhymes with too... Clue? Prince sang about a sexy one (MF that is).

For what it's worth my reply to his rhetorical question is no, I don't think it will catch on!

October 6, 2010 - submitted by Mareayne, United States of America

 

Q. If the whole band of Coldplay put their noses in a box and asked you to pick Chris Martin's nose, could you, and why.

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

You're just trying to get me to say that I could and would pick Chris Martin's nose aren't you, you tinker? I don't even pick my own nose...

However, I do firmly believe that I could spot their noses in a line-up without the rest of their face giving it away of course!

October 6, 2010 - submitted by Gabriela, Paraguay

 

Q. Did Coldplay ever play Bittersweet Symphony at a concert?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

On 2 July 2005 Coldplay invited The Verve's Richard Ashcroft to perform the song with them at the Live 8 concert. They only managed one rehearsal beforehand. Chris introduced Richard as "the best singer in the world" and he described the song as "probably the greatest song ever written".

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPGTdDohGl4]YouTube - Richard Ashcroft & Coldplay - Bittersweet Symphony[/ame]

The Oracle replies:

 

You're just trying to get me to say that I could and would pick Chris Martin's nose aren't you, you tinker? I don't even pick my own nose...

LIES!

 

 

everybody picks their nose

 

October 6, 2010 - submitted by Mareayne, United States of America

 

Q. If the whole band of Coldplay put their noses in a box and asked you to pick Chris Martin's nose, could you, and why.

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

You're just trying to get me to say that I could and would pick Chris Martin's nose aren't you, you tinker? I don't even pick my own nose...

However, I do firmly believe that I could spot their noses in a line-up without the rest of their face giving it away of course!

 

:lol: What a question!

LIES![/size][/color][/b]

 

 

everybody picks their nose

 

 

:laugh3::laugh3::laugh3:

I bet the Oracle doesn't go to the bathroom either...:lol:

Myoooooooooze! :awesome:

 

October 7, 2010 - submitted by Vanessa, United States of America

 

Q. Greetings Oracle!

I was just wondering since Chris and all the members of Muse were all raised in Devon, if by any chance they met before being famous? And also if they have ever worked together? I think that would be amazing since they are both my favorite bands!

Thanks Vane!

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Devon is quite a large county so they hadn't met previously. Chris wasn't part of a Devon music scene at the time that Muse were gigging (as another band) the circuit.

Both bands performed at the In The City music convention in 1998 and as you are probably aware, Coldplay supported Muse in 2000.

October 7, 2010 - submitted by Elise, Argentina

 

Q. Dear Oracle, I was staying at the band's hotel in Buenos Aires and there were a lot of screaming fans outside the pool area trying to get a look at the boys, what is one of the more extreme things fans have done to try and meet the band?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Some fans call the hotel and try to get put through to their rooms which I would hate, oh hang on, that DID happen to me but luckily I was out!!

There have been times where fans check into the same hotel as the band but other than wait outside various locations around the world (venues, studios, tv/radio stations and hotels) the fans are respectful so don't do anything extreme.

October 8, 2010 - submitted by Ian, United States of America

 

Q. Dear Oracle,

Read, listened to, or seen anything good lately?

Hope your autumn is going splendidly!

Best Regards

Ian

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Super autumnal sun today Ian. So, my tips right now...

 

I was a bit sceptical reading Eat Pray Love because it's seen as a woman's book. However GQ (men's magazine - Gentlemans Quarterly in fact) said "it's not just for the ladies" and I have an interest in both subject matter and travel in general so I'd recommend it.

 

Current music playlist includes John Grant's Queen of Denmark, Hurts' Happiness, Villagers' Becoming A Jackal and The National's High Violet.

 

I had the pleasure of watching a Badly Drawn Boy in-store performance this week at Rough Trade East to promote his great new album.

 

Toy Story 3 was another Pixar hit at the cinema, loved it! Watched Julie & Julia on DVD last night and had many dreams of Paris & cooking; again interesting subject matter to me - Bon appetit!

October 8, 2010 - submitted by Susie, United Kingdom

 

Q. I heard that Shiver was recorded in one take, was it?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Shiver was recorded more than once during the album's studio process, however the version on the album is, in fact, the first take. Ken Nelson who worked with Coldplay on Parachutes gives some great insight.

October 11, 2010 - submitted by Charlotte, United States of America

 

Q. Hi Oracle,

I notice that what you are listening to right now - in response to Ian - has a lot of apostrophes. I notice this because I am reading a grammar stickler's take on punctuation and how awful it's becoming in society. (i.e. A certain car dealer on a street near here - "Car's Truck's Van's") What's your take on...well, punctuation in general?

(The book is "Eats, Shoots and Leaves" - very amusing)

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

I wholeheartedly agree with you; it's a great book. My major gripe is very similar - grocer shops who offer potato's! Madness!

That said I do have one difficulty with the punctuation in my answer to Ian... I know some people would prefer the use of an extra s after Hurts' and Villagers' for example but I can't abide the thought.

October 11, 2010 - submitted by Saulo, Mexico

 

Q. Two questions dear Oracle:

Why Coldplay supported Muse in 2000 and not Muse supported Coldplay? (I love Muse as well tbh :D) And is there a Rodie #41 or a #43? if so, why exactly the #42 is the one who became famous?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Back in 2000 both bands were relatively new but Muse had released their debut album already and Coldplay hadn't. Therefore Muse's profile was higher and as the bigger band they headlined their own show with Coldplay supporting.

There isn't a Roadie #41 or #43; the number was assigned to the roadie but one could say it was his destiny...

October 11, 2010 - submitted by Selma, Sweden

 

Q. I have a riddle for you. What song from the Viva album can be associated with today's date, i.e. October 10, 2010?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Of course I didn't answer yesterday as it was Sunday and if you're interested I was in Paris.

The answer to your riddle is the same as the answer to this: guess what number my hotel room was?

Yup, 42!

The tenth day of the tenth month in 2010 is 10.10.10 and when that is converted in to binary it produces the number 42.

There isn't a Roadie... #43;

 

LIES!