September 9, 2013 - submitted by Sophia, Brazil

 

Q. Asked via twitter:

@sofiaiwaszewicz

Can they recognize a Coldplay fan by distance without them even showing it?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

I noticed you tweeted that you flooded Coldplay with questions and said you knew you had no hope of an answer.

 

SURPRISE!

 

You can't tell who is a Coldplay fan just by looking unless they are wearing a band t-shirt or customized clothes. Obviously if they are at a gig they're easier to spot.

That said, there are fans that the band recognize by sight. Myself, staff and crew also spot people who we have seen before at various gigs, TV show tapings etc. Some we know by name.

September 9, 2013 - submitted by Salete, Brazil

 

Q. Dear Oracle: The new song Atlas (beautiful and perfect) is based on Greek mythology? Coldplay is using Greek mythology as inspiration for the next album? PS: I love this idea.

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Atlas is a standalone track written for The Hunger Games' 2nd cinematic installment soundtrack and its lyrics relate to that.

Without giving too much away, the title Atlas relates to the weight of the world the main character carries - that's the only Greek mythology link.

The song was inspired by the book/film and written specifically for Catching Fire. Being a one off, it's not an indication of album 6 - not that I'd discuss that yet of course...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p>Who'd like to join <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TeamOracle&src=hash">#TeamOracle</a>? Anon, USA needs help with feeling part of her family. Click <a href="http://t.co/wwHQxovZEX">http://t.co/wwHQxovZEX</a> … … to reply.</p>— The Oracle (@ColdplayOracle) <a href="https://twitter.com/ColdplayOracle/statuses/377179678072512512">September 9, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p>Got a question? <a href="https://twitter.com/_lynnaya">@_lynnaya</a> asked if the band like all their songs. Check the answer here: <a href="http://t.co/KNAAcMO1aK">http://t.co/KNAAcMO1aK</a></p>— The Oracle (@ColdplayOracle) <a href="https://twitter.com/ColdplayOracle/statuses/377369829331582977">September 10, 2013</a></blockquote>

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September 10, 2013 - submitted by Lynnaya , Bulgaria

 

Q. Via twitter:

Do Coldplay like all their songs?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

There are some songs that the band no longer like but did at the time of writing or recording.

To give you an example, Chris thinks Ode to Deodorant is "shit" and half of the band don't like to perform Speed of Sound. As a whole, they're not entirely happy with X&Y in retrospect but I'm sure we all go phases of like/dislike.

September 10, 2013 - submitted by Patrick, United States of America

 

Q. Dear Oracle,

 

I have a question about two of Coldplay's album covers. For A Rush of Blood, I either see the cover with the band and title written sideways or I see it without any writing at all. For Mylo Xyloto, sometimes it is shown with MX on a plain gray background or I see the one with the colorful background with Mylo Xyloto written out. Wouldn't it be better marketing to have one, universal cover for an album, such as with Parachutes or X&Y?

 

Thanks for your time!

Patrick

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

As far as I know, there is only 1 official sleeve per album. Sometimes there may be a slight difference for limited editions, tour editions etc.

The Mylo album did have a choice of 2 covers from the 1 booklet. You could pick which image you wanted on show by reversing it.

September 10, 2013 - submitted by Forrest , United States of America

 

Q. When Chris plays older songs (Shiver/Scientist/See You Soon/etc.) does he try to emotionally put himself where he was when he wrote the song? And if not, how does he sing with so much passion and sincerity during every performance? Thank you Oracle!

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Funnily enough, the songs you mention aren't actually that personal - emotionally speaking - to Chris these days. The Scientist certainly isn't autobiographical in the first place.

I'm quite sure that Fix You will always be a song that's easy to evoke the emotion rather than be in the original one. I'd wager that certain melodies and lyrics would be hard to sing any other way.

There are many people who have the same raw emotion and find it difficult to sing certain songs- Amy Winehouse was visibly affected by some of her tracks from Back to Black.

I remember Guy saying that he doesn't like the bassline in Shiver anymore

Sometimes it feels like Guy doesn't like most Coldplay songs :disappointed:

When asked why they don't play a certain song anymore, Chris often says: "Guy doesn't like it" :lol:

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When playing A Whisper live Chris and Guy almost got into a fight :lol:

^Really ?!

Ooooh did you read that in Roadie ? It's *the* fight that's in the book, right ?

I always find that moment hilarious.

I don't know?!?! Chris said that in a interview, like a track by track for A Rush, the interviewer asked why they never played A Whisper live and Chris said that the last time they tried it him ad Guy got in a fight ahahha

 

What fight are you talking about?

I don't know?!?! Chris said that in a interview, like a track by track for A Rush, the interviewer asked why they never played A Whisper live and Chris said that the last time they tried it him ad Guy got in a fight ahahha

 

What fight are you talking about?

 

I remember hearing this too. I think they mentioned hitting each other with handbags or something :lol:

Yes, there is a story in one of the books (pretty sure it was 'Roadie') that recounts them deciding to practice 'A Whisper' and Chris stopped mid song, saying 'nevermind' it was shit. Guy jumped on him saying something like, 'Of course it's shit, we haven't played it since we recorded it.' It escalated into Guy saying he was going to hit Chris, Chris saying repeatedly 'go ahead, hit me!' Will jumped in, Jonny stayed out of it. LOL. In the end, they all hugged and Jonny said, 'Are we going to practice ______ now you ******s' or something like that. I really should get the book and tell it accurately, but it's close enough. :D

Really? ahahahahhahaha Oh god

Yes, there is a story in one of the books (pretty sure it was 'Roadie') that recounts them deciding to practice 'A Whisper' and Chris stopped mid song, saying 'nevermind' it was shit. Guy jumped on him saying something like, 'Of course it's shit, we haven't played it since we recorded it.' It escalated into Guy saying he was going to hit Chris, Chris saying repeatedly 'go ahead, hit me!' Will jumped in, Jonny stayed out of it. LOL. In the end, they all hugged and Jonny said, 'Are we going to practice ______ now you ******s' or something like that. I really should get the book and tell it accurately, but it's close enough. :D

 

Yes it is in "Roadie" and That's pretty much the story. Jonny said "are we going to practice Politik now, ya W**kers?". :lol:

I should buy that book

I should buy that book

:nod:

There are pretty nice stories in that book!

:nod:

There are pretty nice stories in that book!

 

Is Matt's book right?

Is Matt's book right?

Yep. Matt McGinn. Really kewl insights and, if you're into it, tons of technical info as well about equipment and instruments et all.

I know there is a page or two dedicated just to Jonny guitars names, I know they all and with a "y" Sunny, Bluey, Blacky and the list goes on ahaha

:nod:

There are pretty nice stories in that book!

 

It's a wonderful book...one of my prize posessions!

 

^Don't forget Brownie, his favorite. Good thing he was more original naming the kuds!:lol:

 

There's Also quite a lot about his tech/pedals etc. And yes, lots of great stories about touring, gigs, award shows and various celebrities they met along the way.:nice:

 

I lent it to a non-Coldplay fan who Still enjoyed it!

Which one is brownie? :confused:

Jonny's brown (go Figure, lol) '72 Thinline Tele. I think Blacky is a '72 as well.