...to the point that the recorded version sounds almost incongruous or just inferior?

 

Its a difficult question to phrase in a way.

 

And I kind of feel that this is a bit of a loaded question as a band that is as good as Coldplay is live will always be able to inject a certain passion and energy through the crowd that, ipso facto, isn't there with studio recordings.

 

I'll shoot first: Paradise (the transition from the piano to the guitar and other electrical accompaniments live physically makes the hairs on my arms stand); Hurts Like Heaven (studio version sounds too electronicy for my liking, like something from the 80s).

this one

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyOzZL0tflM][HQ] Coldplay - Strawberry Swing (Live Roskilde Festival 2009) - YouTube[/ame]

This one:

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJCPZPyFR-c]Coldplay The Scientist DVD Live 2012 - YouTube[/ame]

God Put a Smile Upon Your Face.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plf2Z7AI8_Y]Coldplay God Put a Smile Upon Your Face Weenie Roast May 5 - YouTube[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PavXZzYFcug]Coldplay - Strawberry Swing [Live at Olympic Stadium, Paralympics Closing Ceremony] - YouTube[/ame]

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwf5iRBbilM]Coldplay - Amsterdam (Live 2003) - YouTube[/ame]

^^ Definitely GPASUYF! The energy of that song live can't be compared to the album version!

 

Fix You is one of the easy ones, probably because of the impact the massive singalong always has. Makes it so special!

I love Yellow live as well.. the album version is absolutely beautiful, but live it always sends shivers down my spine :)

THIS! This is my favourite performance ever.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO0M_zooT4U]Politik[/ame]

God Put a Smile Upon My Face!

 

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And Charlie Brown.

 

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God Put Your Smile Upon Your Face!

 

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And Charlie Brown!

 

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Strawberry Swing Paralympics.

 

GPASOYF techno/Viva tour. Fantastic.

God Put a Smile Upon Your Face MX Tour :wacky:

AROBTTH

 

This one, the solo is just... wow

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9IRVVwFxOk]coldplay performing a rush of blood to the head live - YouTube[/ame]

Definitely GPASUYF.

 

The live version so energetic and more fast paced. It's actually quite a contrast to the studio version. Definitely prefer live over the recorded one on this song :)

All of them... Not that I don't like their recorded versions, but I just love the live versions.

 

Personal favourite:

 

Clocks in Toronto 2006

 

 

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-19WPLELBw]Coldplay - Clocks (Toronto 2006) HD - YouTube[/ame]

Hmm, trick question! It changes all the time for me, sometimes I'll prefer the live version and then I'll fall back in love with the studio recording...GPASUYF however is clearly one of their most amazing songs live, I think, like several said. :nod:

 

I've also always loved the Madrid Unstaged 2011 performance of Til Kingdom Come. :wacky:

 

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such beauty :wacky: (especially from around 2:40)

OOOH GUYS! WE ARE FORGETTING THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE!!! [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwwHWPob5ZE]Coldplay - " Death Will Never Conquer " Live & Acoustic on I Heart Radio - YouTube[/ame]

And Us against the world!!!! I loved it when they would go acapella :wacky:

All of them... Not that I don't like their recorded versions, but I just love the live versions.

 

Personal favourite:

 

Clocks in Toronto 2006

 

 

 

Coldplay - Clocks (Toronto 2006) HD - YouTube

 

oh my :wink3:

 

I think this has to be my alltime favorite though.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMtKOYfWJcM&list=FL0SFyn-stmnvuuJ6UHuDbPQ&index=11]Coldplay (HD) - Politik (Glastonbury 2011) - YouTube[/ame]

Politik, AROBTTH

 

I really can't listen to the original recorded versions anymore. I have the live 2003 CD in my car.

this was brilliant too

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQ0-bSWfHiM]Coldplay - God put a smile upon your face/Talk (Live @ Sidney 2009 - Viva La Vida Tour) - YouTube[/ame]

^^ That's another of my favourites!

Strawberry Swing at the Paralympics was epic. I hadn't really liked the song much before that and it was my favourite of the performance . Yellow on the new concert album is better than the recorded too

Yellow at Glastonbury 2011, as long as we're discussing Yellows.

Clocks, everywhere and anywhere it's played :awesome: and last tour, Hurts Like Heaven.

In my opinion literally every track on MX that was played live was better live than the album version.