10 reasons Coldplay should be more respected than they are

 

 

Coldplay are releasing a new single, ‘Atlas’, on August 26th. The song sees the biggest band in the world team up with one of the biggest movie franchises, as the track will be used in the new Hunger Games film, ‘Catching Fire’. But it’s a strange state of affairs when the biggest band in the world are somewhat of a guilty pleasure.

 

As with U2 before them, Coldplay are one of the most ridiculed bands on the planet. Chris Martin and co are often labelled a band of insipid, pretentious idiots; a group not all that talented and certainly not all that worthy of their 50 million+ album sales. Type “I hate Coldplay” into Google and you could kit yourself out with t-shirts and badges to wear, while you sift through memes of Noel Fielding declaring, “I don’t hate Coldplay to be cool… I genuinely hate Coldplay.”

 

But what makes Coldplay so dislikeable? How did the most inoffensive brand of soft rock manage to secure a promotion deal with Chris Martin? Does their bassist eat cats or something?

 

I'm here to argue that they’re not that bad. I'm not saying that they’re worthy of your love, but they’re certainly worthy of a little respect. Here are ten reasons why.

 

10. They've never actually sold out

 

 

Music is a business that very few leave gracefully. There comes a time for most bands when “artistic” slowly falls down the checklist, replaced by “pay the bills”, and fans revolt at the chart music that their former idols begin to churn out. Muse split opinion on their last album because they sourced dubstep and U2 for inspiration. Biffy Clyro are becoming progressively more radio friendly. Even Eminem, formerly the most rock and roll man in rap, is now working with the likes of Rihanna and rapping about his recovery from drug addiction.

 

It’s a similar story for many artists, but not for Coldplay; they've never been able to sell out because they've always appealed to the masses. And whilst some people might have a problem with bands that deliberately write songs to please people, at least Coldplay have never turned their backs on a more alternative fanbase, just to try and attract a different kind of music fan.

 

It’s important to never forget your roots and the fans that make you the band you will later become, and Coldplay don’t take their fans for granted. To put it another way, they've always had the same level of integrity. Even if it’s not as much as other bands.

 

9. They’re not as miserable as some people think

 

 

Coldplay seem to hit the nail on the head with ballads, from ‘Trouble’, to ‘The Scientist’, to ‘Fix You’. Usually, it comes accompanied with a video of Chris walking somewhere and singing at the camera. And a lot of people label this kind of music “depressing”.

 

Give any Coldplay lyrics a read though: whilst I can’t promise that you’ll be impressed, I can confirm that the vast majority of Martin’s work is optimistic, upbeat and joyful of life. That goes for the ballads, and the other 80% of everything that they've released: people don’t flock to gigs by the arena-load to watch an hour and a half of music that will make them sad. That’s a much more niche kind of gig.

 

And anyway, isn’t mind-numbing, money-making R&B all the more depressing? It should be admired surely, that someone has turned their pain or sorrow into a piece of art that can be appreciated. Not that any band deserve to have their entire back-catalogue branded with one emotion.

 

8. They put in 100% live

 

 

If you've seen pictures of Coldplay live in the last couple of years, chances are you've seen a crowd flashing neon lighters at the band in unison. Those aren’t lighters: they’re Xylobands. They’re controlled by radio-waves, and operated by the tens of thousand by a man backstage. It’s rumoured that they barely break even on a night’s work: that might not be true, but they’ve not put ticket prices up since 2008.

 

It’s the scene-stealer of the show for sure, but it’s by no means the only thing there to see. Chris Martin is boundlessly energetic on-stage, ring-leading the boys, apologising profusely for poor weather, and trying to whip up as much of a frenzy as possible. The band even relocate mid-show to a smaller stage in the middle to perform acoustically, and to get closer to those fans who weren't lucky enough to get a place at the front.

 

That’s why they've headlined Glastonbury three times. Coldplay try and make every live show a spectacle, whether it’s your first gig or the last one you’ll ever attend. They’re often labelled bad musicians, but you certainly can’t fault them for their enthusiasm and effort for what they do.

 

7. They clearly care about the art of their music

 

 

People have a problem with pop bands, and it’s easy to see why. A lot of them aren’t musicians, they brands; they’re there to look good and sell a product that they didn’t design. They’re targeted at children, because parents will buy the merchandise, and most of them can’t actually play an instrument.

 

Coldplay do design the product though. They write all their own songs themselves, they play all the instruments, and they hire whichever producers they feel would suit the record (usually Brian Eno). They have a hand in the cover art, and they work closely with video directors. ‘A Rush of Blood to the Head’ was delayed by the record company at the band’s request, because they didn’t feel it was good enough to release yet, and drummer Will Champion has said before that they never actually complete a record, it just gets prized away from them by label bosses.

 

Coldplay clearly see music as art, which is how it should be seen. They want to connect to as many people as they possibly can, but they don’t want to compromise their own identity; or as they’ve said themselves, they don’t want to be the biggest band in the world anymore, they just want to be the best.

 

6. The charity work

 

 

Over the years, Coldplay have been involved in various charities, such as Oxfam and WaterAid; they've even written songs for Natalie Imbruglia.

 

And whilst it may become tiresome to see Bono or Thom Yorke all over the internet complaining to governments about the state of Africa or climate change, at least they’re doing something. Surely these are the celebrities worth looking up to? A lot of them are criticised for getting involved in politics, but there’s no motive with many of these charities other than to help the world. It’s certainly more than many millionaires do, and by backing causes, it helps raise awareness.

 

For a singer considered top of a Tory’s iPod playlist, Chris Martin seems remarkably liberal. And they've even gone some way to help those that can’t stand their music, by contributing a track to a charity album raising awareness of tinnitus.

 

5. If their songs were by someone else, you’d probably respect them a bit more

 

 

Why don’t Travis attract as much flack as Coldplay? Or the brilliant Elbow? What even happened to Travis (or Starsailor for that matter)? None of them are particularly rock and roll, but are Coldplay the biggest target, by a mile, simply because they’re the biggest band, by a mile?

 

There are tracks on ‘Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends’ that sound like something Arcade Fire would do. A lot of ‘A Rush of Blood to the Head’ sounds like ‘The Bends’. But if Win Butler or Thom Yorke had written the lyric “Those who are dead are not dead, they’re just living in my head“, it would probably be infinitely more celebrated than it is right now, as a Chris Martin lyric. In a way, Coldplay are at a critical disadvantage to the rest of the world before they even release an album, because even if it’s their best work, it still won’t be taken as seriously as “proper bands”.

 

Surely it’s about time music was judged on what’s there, and not who released it; it’s the same reason that Radiohead have been given three 7/10 album reviews by the NME, along with “We expected a little bit more” conclusions, and it’s probably why Blur keep stalling on a new album. Why should great songs be held back by the tags their artists have?

 

4. They have a sense of humour

 

 

Coldplay haters will tell you that Chris Martin is a humourless, narcissistic, pretentious man. And though I've never met the guy, I can deduce from a lot of evidence that that’s probably not true.

 

Martin is well aware of the reputation he has though, as his Episodes cameo suggests: not content with trying to plug his music and his Greatest Hits CD in a charity advert, he also asks the director if starving African children can hold his CD. He comes across as painfully awkward when complimented on his music, and when asked what it felt like to be in the biggest band in the world, he once replied, “I don’t know, why don’t you ask U2?” And no, being a nice guy doesn't make you a better musician, but it is slightly unfair that this man is lampooned for being overly-serious when he once performed to fans who broke into his garden to hear him sing.

 

He’s joked that he has a sponsorship deal with Apple (hence his daughter’s name), he’s poked fun at his middle class image (about how he left the country in so much of a hurry after the fox-hunting ban that he had to return for his gun) and he’s even taken the mick out of his own band. He obviously doesn't take himself that seriously, so why should we?

 

3. They’re ambitious

 

 

I mean not on the scale of These New Puritans, but in terms of stadium-rock bands, Coldplay strive to evolve and push themselves.

 

It’s the need to push themselves that has seen the band open with unheard songs twice in Glasto-headlining performances. It’s what made ‘A Rush of Blood…’ so more grown-up from ‘Parachutes’, and what made ‘Viva La Vida…’ so fresh from ‘X&Y’. It’s the fact that Mylo Xyloto featured three short interludes, a Sigur Ros sample and a sparse piano track that was written in a day.

 

You could say that ambition is as respected in music as actual quality; The Beatles or David Bowie probably wouldn't have earned half the plaudits they did without wanting to move forward, and it’s kind of a given these days that your next album has to be different from your last. Coldplay genuinely try to be innovative and fresh in a genre that’s so famously out of ideas, and whether their music hits the mark or not, surely that’s a good thing?

 

2. They treat pop music with as much respect as rock

 

 

Chris Martin has probably said a lot of things to anger hipsters, but none more so than stating ‘Karma Police’ to be on par with Katy Perry’s ‘California Girls’. Seriously Chris, I'm trying to help you here?

 

But the fact that the band show equal respect between rock and pop is admirable; they’re a rock band by nature of their set-up (I'm sorry, but they are) and yet they celebrate all that’s good with popular music that will reach people. That might not be your thing, but this is a band that are trying to give pop a better name than just “manufactured rubbish”. No one ever gets into alternative music without starting with pop, and Coldplay are a good band to start with; as I touched on earlier, they’re influenced by a lot of respected artists.

 

And if you’re one of those people who “hate” pop music, ask yourself what the first song you ever fell in love with was. I own four Radiohead vinyls, I think mine was by Kylie Minogue.

 

1. Chris Martin is actually quite good with a melody

 

 

I'm fairly sure this article will be about as popular as a murderer at a child’s tea party, but I've not actually said that Coldplay are a good band, so far. I’ve just asked you to compare them to other bands, and see if they deserve to be more respected.

 

For my last point though, I’ll look to Chris Martin’s way with melody. ‘Yellow’, ‘Clocks’, ‘Violet Hill’, ‘Viva La Vida’ and ‘Paradise’ wouldn't have been hits if they hadn't have had infectious riffs or melodies, and that’s thanks to the musicianship of the band. Yes, all music is subjective, but there’s a reason that some bands make it and some bands don’t: Coldplay have made it big time, and it’s because an awful lot of people like the melodies that they've written. Consistently, too; they’re five albums in, and they’re as popular as they always have been.

 

Coldplay are clearly good at what they do. That’s why they’re seven-time Grammy winners, eight-time Brit award winners and voted fourth-best band of the decade by Rolling Stone magazine. It’s okay not to like them, but they deserve a little bit of respect.

 

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But I know many feel that they aren't as good as they used to be and are middle of the road and pretty boring musically. You combine that with huge popularity and that's the problem.

 

I don't think you guys should care what non fans think. I don't think you should even care what other fans think. If you like them then good stuff.

I don't think you guys should care what non fans think. I don't think you should even care what other fans think. If you like them then good stuff.

That's the fun part about music, nobody cares about what you like, YAY! :awesome:

They only care about what they like, and why you don't feel the same way. It's all insecurity in their own tastes, essentially. Criticism of something they value.

 

 

The only conversations on music that are truly worthwhile, I find, are the ones about any form of social impact it may have, positively or negatively. Something that transcends whether something sounds good or doesn't. Or just someone says they like something, and you say 'oh, well you might also like this'.

They only care about what they like, and why you don't feel the same way. It's all insecurity in their own tastes, essentially. Criticism of something they value.

 

 

The only conversations on music that are truly worthwhile, I find, are the ones about any form of social impact it may have, positively or negatively. Something that transcends whether something sounds good or doesn't. Or just someone says they like something, and you say 'oh, well you might also like this'.

And I think it's cool when you know somebody that likes your kind of music so that somebody can recommend you other bands that you don't know yet but that you will probably like because you two share the same music taste .

They should have quite 10 years ago.

I wouldn't care that much about the hate they receive if the hate itself wasn't directed to the listeners.

 

"Oh, you like Coldplay. Gay"

"People who like coldplay have shit taste in music"

"Coldplay's music is for people with no brain"

 

That's why I care about what people say but i don't give importance to it, If someone insults your mother is it your istinct to protect her? Yes, do you give importance to the hate? No, because I know that no matter what they say my mind won't change.

 

I can accept critics, but I can't accept hate, you're insulting something that I'm fond of, and I have the right to protect it.

 

 

If you hate coldplay, I don't care, but at least you have to respect them as persons, so you have to respect their fans.

 

I'm not insicure of my taste in music, I'm proud that i can listen to Skrillex, Katy Perry and at the same time Opeth, Metallica and Marilyn Manson, and I have no problem to say that to people.

I wouldn't care that much about the hate they receive if the hate itself wasn't directed to the listeners.

 

"Oh, you like Coldplay. Gay"

"People who like coldplay have shit taste in music"

"Coldplay's music is for people with no brain"

 

That's why I care about what people say but i don't give importance to it, If someone insults your mother is it your istinct to protect her? Yes, do you give importance to the hate? No, because I know that no matter what they say my mind won't change.

 

I can accept critics, but I can't accept hate, you're insulting something that I'm fond of, and I have the right to protect it.

 

 

If you hate coldplay, I don't care, but at least you have to respect them as persons, so you have to respect their fans.

 

I'm not insicure of my taste in music, I'm proud that i can listen to Skrillex, Katy Perry and at the same time Opeth, Metallica and Marilyn Manson, and I have no problem to say that to people.

 

All true, but the internet is very different to real life.

And if someone said it to me in person, I'd just pity them and move on. I'd just remember it and judge their shallowness and consider that when deciding on whether to bother enter into conversation with them in the future.

I wouldn't care that much about the hate they receive if the hate itself wasn't directed to the listeners.

 

"Oh, you like Coldplay. Gay"

"People who like coldplay have shit taste in music"

"Coldplay's music is for people with no brain"

 

That's why I care about what people say but i don't give importance to it, If someone insults your mother is it your istinct to protect her? Yes, do you give importance to the hate? No, because I know that no matter what they say my mind won't change.

 

I can accept critics, but I can't accept hate, you're insulting something that I'm fond of, and I have the right to protect it.

 

 

If you hate coldplay, I don't care, but at least you have to respect them as persons, so you have to respect their fans.

 

I'm not insicure of my taste in music, I'm proud that i can listen to Skrillex, Katy Perry and at the same time Opeth, Metallica and Marilyn Manson, and I have no problem to say that to people.

 

Yes! I totally agree with this :nod: People that don't like Coldplays music, that's their opinion, but you can't think that their fans are stupid, that's just wrong.

I can't imagine too many times when these things come up with strangers, really. Not these days, for me, anyway.

Yes! I totally agree with this :nod: People that don't like Coldplays music, that's thier opinion, but you can't think that thier fans are stupid, that's just wrong.

 

I think being at the level of 'fan' for any band is a bit weird, but there's a whole different reasoning behind that than simply whether the band are good or not.

 

I see Radiohead as the best band of all time but I don't consider myself as a fan.

^ I can agree with that. I like Coldplay for their music, obviously, but i also like them because they are very nice people as far as I can see.

All true, but the internet is very different to real life.

And if someone said it to me in person, I'd just pity them and move on. I'd just remember it and judge their shallowness for deciding on whether to bother enter into conversation with them.

 

I have received hate in real life too. My group of friends is what people call "metalheads" but thank god they are the most open minded people I know, and they listen to everything, and accept everyone's taste in music.

 

One day some 21 years old guy was over-hearing a conversation about mainstream music, as he heard that Coldplay was my favourite band he said to me, without even knowing my name "You should leave the place, you don't deserve to be here with your shit music taste"

 

My friends stood up and we left. He never talked to me again and I'm still in that place with my friends and Coldplay in my heart :hug:

And for people who say, I'm always calling Coldplay shit, it's only because it's the internet. I don't think I've ever said it in real life. I've said 'I liked their early stuff but don't like their new stuff', but that's been it. And where's the crime in that?

 

I think the internet brings things to the forefront and makes people think about it in too much detail. Like the amount of thought I'm putting into overanalysing this thread. It's what the internet makes you do haha.

To be honest I don't ask people in RL what kind of music they like because I just don't give a crap HAHA

To be honest I don't ask people in RL what kind of music they like because I just don't give a crap HAHA

 

:laugh3:

I have received hate in real life too. My group of friends is what people call "metalheads" but thank god they are the most open minded people I know, and they listen to everything, and accept everyone's taste in music.

 

One day some 21 years old guy was over-hearing a conversation about mainstream music, as he heard that Coldplay was my favourite band he said to me, without even knowing my name "You should leave the place, you don't deserve to be here with your shit music taste"

 

My friends stood up and we left. He never talked to me again and I'm still in that place with my friends and Coldplay in my heart :hug:

 

I think that's got less to do with Coldplay and more to do with that guy being an absolute penis face though.

What...Guy doesn't eat cats???:rolleyes:

 

I've posted about this Before. It's funny how most of the good musicians I know appreciate Coldplay even if they don't like their music per se (though most of them do.), but my 'wanbabe' musician friends slag them off.;)

6. The charity work

 

 

Over the years, Coldplay have been involved in various charities, such as Oxfam and WaterAid; they've even written songs for Natalie Imbruglia.

 

link

 

Did they just say writing a song for Natalie Imbruglia was charity work? :thinking:

Did they just say writing a song for Natalie Imbruglia was charity work? :thinking:

 

Yes. I thought that was funny!

This article asks and then fails to answer one very important question. Does Guy Berryman eat cats!?!

^ Maybe we should ask The Oracle :lol:

^ Okay I'm gonna do that :p

didn't he own an hamster or something like that? :thinking:

didn't he own an hamster or something like that? :thinking:

 

does that mean he eats cats? :huh: