There are dozens of ex-music bosses around the country drowning their sorrows in the boozer over how they “almost” signed a huge band. Pop history is littered with examples - The Beatles were initially ignored, David Bowie struggled for years to get a deal and Simon Cowell even turned down Take That. Now Alex James from Blur has revealed he is in the bungling music bigwig’s club for failing to sign Coldplay when he had a record label for a short time in the late Nineties.

“I went to see Coldplay with Damien Hurts and Joe Strummer — my fellow record company executives — and we all thought they were ordinary and passed on them. I think everyone did, except Parlophone, just like happened with The Beatles — and Blur. Then again, I still think Coldplay are a fairly ordinary band, although the singer is good. It’s quite hard to make a succinct three-and-a-half-minute pop song. The trick, almost no one in town can do, is to write really good words to simple melodies.”

Read the full story and discussion at the Coldplay forum here

Since Tuesday's exclusive release of Coldplay's new video for 'Life In Technicolor ii', even more blogs and media sources have today watched and inwardly digested the puppet video and posted online reviews. Here are a few picks from today:

Coldplay have unveiled their new video for the Prospekt’s March EP track, “Life In Technicolor ii,” the sequel to Viva La Vida’s instrumental opener. The Dougal Wilson-directed clip begins with a Punch & Judy-esque show being performed for nursery schoolers, but soon a puppet version of Chris Martin and the rest of Coldplay take the stage. What follows is pyrotechnics, crowd-surfing and awesome stop-motion puppeteering. To complete the authenticity of what a Coldplay show would look like if the members were under a foot tall and made out of wood, there’s even puppet roadies. What’s up with the sudden renaissance of puppetry in music videos lately? (Insert “artists are puppets of the industry” joke here.) First Kanye West explored this lost art with his “Champion” video and planned comedy sketch show. It’s like the entire music industry sat down for a mandatory viewing of Being John Malkovich. Or Bride of Chucky. [goodclef.com]

Coldplay has just released a new video for their single “Life In Technicolor II”. The video shows the band in puppet form, as they perform at a child’s birthday party. It is rather charming, as it shows the bands over the top bombastics in puppet form (including a full on light show with fog and fireworks). How can one not be amused at the idea of Coldplay breaking through someones window in a helicopter? The song itself really should have been on Viva La Vida, as it is superior to it’s instrumental counterpart. Unfortunately, they decided to put LIT II it on their EP Prospekt’s March which came out last year. [onethirtybpm.com]

Now, despite someone inevitably proclaiming that i’m a music snob, I just want to say that though Coldplay are far from my favourite band, I’m nowhere near hating on them. They’re a good band, and definitely have their formula nailed. Besides, they’re supposed to write good music, no? And they do that in droves. Anyway, one of the major criticisms most people chuck towards them is that they take themselves too seriously (e.g Viva La Vida is a stadium album that purports to be more). I don’t know if they do - their musical aspirations do tend to point towards that to be fair - but this video shows that they’re more than willing to laugh at themselves. [asfand.wordpress.com]

More questions answered by The Oracle... (submit yours now!)

January 22, 2009 - submitted by Jessamacar, Australia

Q. Dear Oracle, Can Chris do flips like in the LITii Video clip or is that why they used puppets??? from jess

The Oracle replies:

Supple as Chris is, he doesn't do flips or the splits but that's not why puppets were used. On the subject of the video, there have been a few more questions... Crew members in the video aren't modelled on the real crew so no, you can't spot Roadie #42. I can't believe I'm about to talk butts but someone DID ask, this also means that no-one had to show their plumber's crack (we call it a builder's crack here)!

January 22, 2009 - submitted by Billy, United States of America

Q. Oracle! whats happened! did Coldplay get a new member? please tell me about him if you will. thanks a bundle - Billybob XD

The Oracle replies:

The Guy puppet looks nothing like Guy right?

January 22, 2009 - submitted by David, United Kingdom

Q. Ola Oh Oracle! Wondering if you could help with a dilemma. As over a million of other people did, I watched the inauguration of Obama. And I fell in love with the piece played by the quartet with Yo Yo Ma. Is there anyway whats so ever I could get it, or at least something like it? Thanks. Viva La COLDPLAY!

The Oracle replies:

Yo-Yo Ma along with Itzhak Perlman on violin, Gabriela Montero on piano and Anthony McGill on clarinet performed the new work composed by John Williams, Air and Simple Gifts. As you love it so, I sourced this clip for you. Enjoy!

January 22, 2009 - submitted by Luri T, Brazil

Q. Lovely Oracle, I've saw here a question about a sketch at the 2005 EMA, featuring Chris and Borat... Where do I can watch this?? Hugs

The Oracle replies:

Here you go, Chris Martin in a brief clip. I made a joke there but not sure it will translate very well...

Coldplay's Chris Martin will be playing an intimate zoo session for Absolute Radio on Friday 30th January... and you could be there. Visit their website to enter to win a pair of tickets by answering a simple multiple choice question. This competition closes on Wednesday 28 January 2009 23:59 (GMT). Here are the competition details from them:

Chris Martin, frontman of Coldplay, will be visiting One Golden Square and playing an intimate Zoo Session for the station. We can't wait! Now, we're not gloating, we're telling you because we want you to be there. Of course, this isn't a competition for someone who only likes Coldplay a little bit, so we've made the question quite hard to find a true fan. We have just 2 pairs of tickets to give away online, so it'll be a majorly exclusive prize.

Before you enter, make sure you'll be free on the afternoon of Friday 30 January from around 1pm. Then just answer the question here - Good luck!

Coldplay have opened up another competition following the release of the new Messenger edition, No.10 Vol.1. Here are the details:

Following our ridiculously popular Christmas competition (congrats to Lorenzo in Alessandria, Italy, who bagged the rare signed promo album), we've got another giveaway for you. We're going to get the band to sign a copy of the Life In Technicolor ii 7-inch. If you'd like to win it, then simply email your details to competitions@coldplay.com before January 27th. Just one entry per person, please.

They go on to say that in other LITii news, the video for the single will premiere on the 4Music channel in the UK at 7pm on Tuesday 20th January. Later that night, at 12.10am, the video will be shown on Channel 4. For those of you in the rest of the world, the video will pop up on Coldplay.com very shortly after its TV premiere. If you'd like a sneak preview of what looks like being one of Coldplay's best videos yet, then click here to see some stills at Coldplay.com. (Yes, puppets!)

If you missed the Messenger email and you would like to read the full edition online, head to the messageboard here [thanks mimixxx]

Since yesterday's exclusive release of Coldplay's new video for 'Life In Technicolor ii', blogs and media sources have watched and inwardly digested the puppet video and posted online reviews. Here are a few picks:

Love 'em or hate 'em, there's no denying that the new Coldplay video for Life In Technicolor II is pretty great. The video makes for the coolest puppet show ever. We love the sound guy (er, puppet) manning the boards over at the snack table. The puppet show performance is complete with rock star indulgence (a toy helicopter picking up the band) and a "throw out" of the drumsticks to the room's biggest fan - the little girl in class with the "Playin' It Cool" Coldplay book. [mog.com]

As previewed, Coldplay have made a video for "Life In Technicolor II" that takes place in an elementary school classroom and stars puppets where the Coldplay would be, and also where the hammer dulcimer and tabla playing intro musicians would be. Sadly no puppet Eno, but no matter; the real stars are the school kids reacting confused and passing around the crowd surfing Martin doll. Aww! Bona fide bulletproof, check your sniping at the door, kids are cute and super snark shields. Class dismissed. [blogdig.net]

Directed by Dougal Wilson, the video for the English outfit’s latest single, “Life in Technicolor II”, is for a lack of better words, a puppet show. Set in a school in front of young children - after all, where else would you see a puppet show these days? - the video sees said children being entertained by some lame ass, run-of-the mill story about kings and dragons. Fortunately, for reasons still unknown, Jonny Buckland soon enters in puppet form, with two, yes two, accompanying Indian bongo players - again, why this is the case is the million dollar question. Within seconds, the rest of “puppetized” Coldplay takes the stage and then, well the fun really starts. The stage expands, Chris Martin starts doing back flips, and the audience - of real people - though shell shocked, still manages to find time to eat cupcakes and videotape. Oh yeah, and to end the performance, the stage explodes and the band boards a puppet sized helicopter. Seriously folks, you can’t make this stuff up! I’m not sure whether to be frighted or rolling on the floor laughter. Whatever the case, this video is a must see… [consequenceofsound.net]

Coldplay's video for Life In Technicolor ii is now on YouTube! Watch the exclusive video that aired yesterday on UK's 4Music here and you can find download links here [thanks Lore & sebile]

More questions answered by The Oracle... (submit yours now!)

January 21, 2009 - submitted by Simon, Netherlands

Q. Hi Oracle, is it true that Coldplay's fifth member made an appearance in the new Life in Technicolor ii video?

The Oracle replies:

Indeed it is. One of the chaps holding a video camera is wearing a cream sweater, similar to Aran style and that is Phil Harvey.

January 21, 2009 - submitted by Taylor, United States of America

Q. Dearest Oracle, In the new video for Life in Technicolor ii, one of the little girls has an unofficial Coldplay biography. Has this book already been published, will it be published in the future, or was it just a book cover made for the video?

The Oracle replies:

It was just a video prop. From the terrible photo on the cover to the appalling name (Playing it Cool) I'd hope no such book ever exists! I wonder if she bought it at the jumble sale for 10p? For our overseas fans a jumble sale also known as a rummage sale is a bit like a yard sale or car boot sale without the yard or car and usually takes place in a church/village hall. People sell home baked cakes, various donated second-hand bric-a-brac, books etc. They also tend to have a Tombola, which is basically a raffle to win prizes. In the video it's part of a village fete. All the proceeds raised are for fundraising purposes, whether that is to donate to charity or a local cause such as a new church roof. NB: This video is fictional so didn't really happen...

January 21, 2009 - submitted by Stephanie, France

Q. Dear Oracle, I am willing to go Coldplay' gig at Wembley on 18/09 with Girls Aloud but I am surprised to see that the concert is announced to start so early, at 4pm!! Will there be other groups supporting before Girls Aloud and Coldplay, or only these 2 groups and then the concert finish very early? Many thanks in advance for your reply.

The Oracle replies:

Wembley Stadium holds over 90,000 people, the gates open at 4pm to allow that many people a comfortable amount of time to get in! The show does not start at 4; it'll be usual show times. I know that means a long wait but going to a gig at Wembley is an amazing experience so it's good to get there early and soak up the atmosphere.

January 21, 2009 - submitted by Ariane, Australia

Q. Hey Oracle, It's brilliant that Coldplay got that award at the NRJs but I'd really like to know what Chris said in that acceptance speech. I'd be very grateful for a translation as I'm sure the other non-French-speaking fans would!

The Oracle replies:

Before I tell you what he said, I plead with French speakers not to bombard me over the nitty gritty as I watched it once and scribbled the meaning so am not doing an absolute word for word translation... right, now that's out of the way, here's the gist of what he said: Firstly he thanks the two hosts and the ladies and gentlemen... "I know how to speak French. Thank you. I'm sorry because my French is like a broken car. It's very long and very difficult to understand. But I'd like to say to you a big thankyou with all my heart. It's fantastic to play in France. I'm sorry that I am all alone... my friends are on the beach. They're eating ice-cream" In English he then says: "That's it. I'm finished, thank you so much for having us" and with a final French farewell: "See you soon" that's it. You may notice Chris used the French word "donc" a number of times during the speech. It's his favourite French word so he likes using it (you'll hear it at French shows too). It's a good pausing word and is used in a similar way to so in English.

Want to be in a crowd of 30 watching Coldplay's Chris Martin play an exclusive acoustic set at XFM? Clear January 29th in your diaries folks…

Want to see the frontman of the world’s biggest band play one of the world’s smallest gigs? Chris Martin heads over to XFM Towers on January 29 to play an exclusive acoustic set to 30 competition winners.

To be in with a shot of being one of the lucky few, keep checking back over the next couple of days. Competition details will be revealed very, very shortly via XFM. Chris’s set will be broadcast live on Ian Camfield’s afternoon show. The Coldplay frontman will also be in conversation with Camfield. Possibly while he’s tuning up.

More on this acoustic schedule and competition at the Coldplay forum here [thanks melanieau]

MAX and Channel [V] are thrilled to present Coldplay's Viva La Vida Australian tour in 2009. On their last concert tour of Australia in June 2006, Coldplay sold out a total of ten arena shows, playing to more than 100,000 people, garnering rave reviews and leaving rapturous fans in their wake.

To celebrate Coldplay's return to Australia they're giving you the chance to catch them at one of their Aussie shows. All you've got to do is simply register to enter and tell them: In 25 words or less, Why you are Coldplay’s biggest Australian fan?

Full details on prizes, deadline date and how to enter at the Coldplay forum here [thanks anniea89]

Concerts where this prize will be facilitated are:

Fri 27 Feb Burswood Dome, Perth

Tue 3 Mar Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne

Sun 8 Mar Entertainment Centre, Brisbane

Wed 11 Mar Acer Arena, Sydney

Coldplay recently brought the number of Australian shows to their itinery for 2009 to eleven, with the addition of a fourth Sydney show. The full list is:

Friday 27th February - Perth, Burswood Dome [discussion]

Saturday 28th February - Perth, Burswood Dome [discussion]

Tuesday 3rd March - Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena [discussion]

Wednesday 4th March - Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena [discussion]

Thursday 5th March – Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena [discussion]

Sunday 8th March - Brisbane, Entertainment Centre [discussion]

Monday 9th March - Brisbane, Entertainment Centre [discussion]

Wednesday 11th March - Sydney, Acer Arena [discussion]

Thursday 12th March - Sydney, Acer Arena [discussion]

Saturday 14th March - Sydney, Acer Arena [discussion]

Sunday 15th March – Sydney, Acer Arena [discussion]

New Zealand:

Wednesday 18th March - Auckland, Vector Arena [discussion]

Thursday 19th March - Auckland, Vector Arena [discussion]

Coldplay have been added to the list of performers at the 2009 BRIT Awards, joining the likes of U2 and Kings Of Leon who will also play on the night.

Coldplay are also poised to cap their record-breaking comeback at this year's Brit Awards after being nominated for a leading four awards. They were nominated for Best Album, Best Group, Best British Single and Best Live act after this year's nominations were announced at Camden's Round House in London, Tuesday. This year's nominees were voted by over 1,000 members from The Brits Voting Academy including members from the UK music industry, music critics and music writers among others. The winners will be declared on Wednesday February 18 at London's Earls Court.

More on this performance news at the Coldplay forum here

Note: Coldplay's video for Life In Technicolor ii is now on YouTube! Watch the exclusive video that aired tonight on UK's 4Music here and you can find download links here [thanks Lore & sebile]

Coldplay's video for Life In Technicolor ii is now on YouTube! The video aired on UK's 4Music earlier tonight and it is now available via Parlophone's official YouTube channel and also Coldplay's website. You can see it in the first post of the LiTii thread here and you can find download links here, and also screenshots in the Coldplaying Gallery here [thanks Lore & sebile]

Did you notice a cameo appearance from Phil Harvey? [thanks melanieau]

Coldplay and Welsh newcomer Duffy are set to dominate this year's BRITs, following the announcement that both acts are tipped for four awards each. But the critics' darlings of last year Elbow and the US west coast folk band Fleet Foxes have made the final step into mainstream acceptance as they were listed among the nominees revealed at the awards launch party at London's Roundhouse.

The prevalence of Coldplay at this year's event, which takes place on 18 February, mirrors their remarkable domination of the Grammy 2009 nominations list, in which they were named in seven different categories. With the Grammys also taking place in February, Coldplay could walk away with 11 awards for their album Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends before the month is out.

More on this breaking news at the Coldplay forum here [thanks mayurshikotra]

Coldplay will be appearing on German TV show Wetten Dass..? this coming Saturday night (24th Jan) on TV channels ZDF, ORF2 and SF1. The show begins at 8.15pm (local time) and the band will be performing Viva La Vida at about 8.45pm. For more info, click here.

Wetten, dass..? (German for "Wanna Bet..?") is a German language game and entertainment TV show. It is the most successful television show in Europe. The shows are broadcast live six to seven times a year from different cities in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland and can easily attract 50% and more of all German speaking viewers on that evening.

More details and full discussion on Coldplay @ Wetten, dass? at the Coldplay forum here and also at the German Fans thread in the International forum here [thanks Larry]

A reminder that Coldplay's new video for Life in Technicolor ii will premiere tonight on 4Music and Channel 4 (UK). Coldplay earlier announced that the track would be Coldplay's next UK single.

The track will be released on 7-inch vinyl and digital bundle on Monday February 2nd. The B-side of the 7-inch will be The Goldrush, a song which is previously unheard, unreleased and unperformed. As well as that track, the digital bundle will contain Life In Technicolor ii (Live @ The O2, London). Here are the two station guides for the video showing:

Video Exclusive (Music)

Time - 19:00 - 19:05 (5 minutes long)

When - Tuesday 20th January on 4Music

Coldplay.

Exclusive first play of Coldplay's brand new video Life In Technicolour II.

4 Music: Coldplay: Video Exclusive - Wednesday 21 January

12:10am - 12:15am

Channel 4

Exclusive first UK play of the new Coldplay video Life in Technicolor II.

VIDEO Plus+: 3090686

Full discussion on tonight's airing of the new video at the Coldplay forum here [thanks DefDazz & RedGirl76]

Coldplay's new video for Life In Technicolor ii airs for the first time later today and the Sun have revealed more about its inceptions. Here's the article:

Chris Martin shows who pulls all the strings in Coldplay – by using puppets in the band’s latest video. The frontman revealed his artistic side by suggesting model lookalikes of the band for the promo for Life In Technicolor II. A source said: “The puppets were Chris’s idea. The band wanted to do something funny and light-hearted. The videos so far have been quite serious and performance-based. This time they wanted to do something that had a lot of humour in it and that slightly sent up the band too.”

It’s not a patch on The Amazing Adventures Of Morph, but the Punch & Judy influenced Coldplay works well...

More on tonight's airing of the new video at the Coldplay forum here [thanks DefDazz & RedGirl76]

More questions answered by The Oracle... (submit yours now!)

January 19, 2009 - submitted by Anita, Switzerland

Q. Dear Oracle, just read that Coldplay hasn't win any NRJ award expect from a special price. Do you know what price this was? And do you know who was voting for get these awards? Only people on the NRJ website or was there also a jury? I anyway think they are the best band in the world ;-) Anita

The Oracle replies:

They won the Music Award d'honneur - an special honorary outstanding contribution prize. The public didn't vote for this award.

Chris performed a solo piano version of Life in Technicolor ii.

January 19, 2009 - submitted by Yochai, Israel

Q. Hi, so I have 2 questions. 1. Why the song 1.36 has that name? 2. Who is the person who in charge of Coldplay's tour? thank you :)

The Oracle replies:

1.36 gets its name from the original length of the song.

Coldplay have a tour manager, Fransky, who is in charge of the tour but I suspect you mean the booking of? They have booking agents who alongside management organize the schedule and that includes where they will play. Franksy then has to plan the whole travel itinerary.

Coldplay's Chris Martin will be playing an intimate zoo session for Absolute Radio on Friday 30th January... and you could be there. Visit their website to enter to win a pair of tickets by answering a simple multiple choice question. This competition closes on Wednesday 28 January 2009 23:59 (GMT). Here are the competition details from them:

Chris Martin, frontman of Coldplay, will be visiting One Golden Square and playing an intimate Zoo Session for the station. We can't wait! Now, we're not gloating, we're telling you because we want you to be there. Of course, this isn't a competition for someone who only likes Coldplay a little bit, so we've made the question quite hard to find a true fan. We have just 2 pairs of tickets to give away online, so it'll be a majorly exclusive prize. Before you enter, make sure you'll be free on the afternoon of Friday 30 January from around 1pm. Then just answer the question here - Good luck!

Full discussion on this competition and the zoo session with Chris Martin at the Coldplay forum here

Want to be in a crowd of 30 watching Coldplay's Chris Martin play an exclusive acoustic set at XFM? Clear January 29th in your diaries folks…

Want to see the frontman of the world’s biggest band play one of the world’s smallest gigs? Chris Martin heads over to XFM Towers on January 29 to play an exclusive acoustic set to 30 competition winners.

To be in with a shot of being one of the lucky few, keep checking back over the next couple of days. Competition details will be revealed very, very shortly via XFM. Chris’s set will be broadcast live on Ian Camfield’s afternoon show. The Coldplay frontman will also be in conversation with Camfield. Possibly while he’s tuning up.

More on this acoustic schedule and competition at the Coldplay forum here [thanks melanieau]

It is the classic dilemma for English-speaking rock stars at foreign award ceremonies - try your acceptance speech in the local language and risk looking foolish, or stick to English and look arrogant.

Chris Martin stopped worrying about looking foolish long ago, so did not hesitate to attempt to show off his language skills at the NRJ Awards in Cannes - the French answer to the Brits or the Grammys. He began by saying something along the lines of: "Ma Francais comme voiture cassee" - a shaky phrasing to start off but which could be taken to mean: "My French is like a broken car".

Luckily for him, the French aren't averse to a good abstract metaphor, and they lapped it up. "Je voudrais dire a vous un grand merci (I want to say to you a big thanks)," he continued. "C'est fantastique."

Read the full NRJ Awards review on Chris Martin at the Coldplay forum here [thanks mimixxx]

Coldplay failed to pick up any awards they were nominated for at tonight's NRJ Awards in Cannes, France, but Chris Martin did pick up the NRJ Music Honors Award on behalf of the whole band. He also played a solo piano version of the new single 'Life In Technicolor ii' towards the end of the ceremony. Below is the first available image of Chris's performance. Speaking in French afterwards, he said, "Mon français est comme une voiture cassé...c'est long (my french is like a rusty car, it's take time to go on...). He also added that he was sorry for being alone and that the other ones were on the beach eating ice creams.

More on Chris Martin at the NRJ Awards in the Coldplay forum here. High quality audio/video of the performance also now available here [thanks a-chan, Lore, loudefix, coldplay12 & ZamaGelu]

Thanks to the official site you can now see what each member picked as their inspirations ahead of next months Grammy awards. Here's Anchorman:

The Grammy Awards 2009 have produced a special image of Coldplay, which is made up from the titles of songs that have inspired the band. We thought you might like to see a hi-res version of image, as well as the songs each member picked.

Click here (right click, save as) to download the hi-res version of the image (~2Mb) and click here to read and discuss each of the band member's choices and commentary at the Coldplay forum [thanks RedGirl76]

Chris:

1. What’s your all-time favourite song?

Fairytale of New York - Kirsty MacColl & The Pogues

2. If your life had a soundtrack, what five songs would have to be on it?

Cigarettes and Alcohol - Oasis

Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd

Teardrop - Massive Attack

If I Aint Got You - Alicia Keys

Angel Interceptor - Ash

3. What songs have helped get you through the tough times in your life?

Stories From the City, Stories from The Sea - PJ Harvey (The whole album)

4. What songs come to mind when you think of the best times in your life?

Rock & Roll Star - Oasis

5. What are the songs on your favourite playlist or mix?

I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me) - Jay-Z

6. What is the first song you remember loving as a child?

Hunting High & Low - A-ha

7. What was the first album you ever bought?

Bad - Michael Jackson

8. Who are your favourite artists/bands?

Bob Dylan, Robert Zimmerman

9. Are there any songs that have inspired you to do great things?

All songs have something great in them

10. Are there any songs that still give you chills when you hear them?

Any of the greatest hits of Leonard Cohen

Will:

1. What’s your all-time favourite song?

Fairytale of New York - Kirsty MacColl & The Pogues

2. What songs have helped get you through the tough times in your life?

Ride On - Christy Moore

3. What songs come to mind when you think of the best times in your life?

Bittersweet Symphony -The Verve

4. What is the first song you remember loving as a child?

She’s Not There - The Zombies

5. What was the first album you ever bought?

Batman - Prince

6. Are there any songs that still give you chills when you hear them?

Intervention - Arcade Fire

Killing in The Name Of - Rage Against The Machine

Jonny:

1. What’s your all-time favourite song?

River Song - Dennis Wilson

2. What is the first song you remember loving as a child?

War - Edwin Starr

3. What was the first album you ever bought?

Seven and The Ragged Tiger - Duran Duran

4. Are there any songs that still give you chills when you hear them?

Tangled Up in Blue - Bob Dylan

Gimme Shelter - Rolling Stones

Velouria - Pixies

Guy:

1. If your life had a soundtrack, what songs would have to be on it?

Midnight Cowboy - John Barry

2. What songs come to mind when you think of the best times in your life?

Pass the Peas - the JB’s

Strawberry Fields Forever - The Beatles

3. What is the first song you remember loving as a child?

My Cherie Amour - Stevie Wonder

4. What was the first album you ever bought?

Regatta de Blanc - The Police

5. Who are your three favourite artists/bands?

The Beatles, Kraftwerk, Gram Parsons

6. Are there any songs that still give you chills when you hear them?

“Hallelujah” - Jeff Buckley

More questions answered by The Oracle... (submit yours now!)

January 16, 2009 - submitted by NED, United States of America

Q. I want to know how to get songs that are only on exclusive singles... I cant find any way to get ahold of songs like "a spell a rebel yell" since that came only w/ a magazine subscription. PLEASE ANSWER! ned

The Oracle replies:

Sadly the only way you could get that song was on the Violet Hill single that was given away with the NME paper (but it wasn't subscription only). It was a vinyl record too so some people got it but still haven't heard it! Anyway, you can hear it

January 16, 2009 - submitted by Alexia, United States of America

Q. Hello Oracle! I was just listening to Yellow by Coldplay and was wondering where they got the idea for that awsome song? Thanx:)

The Oracle replies:

It was actually inspired by a meteor shower that took place during the recording of the album Parachutes. They were at Rockfield Studios (Wales). Take a look at the guest book...

January 16, 2009 - submitted by Omar, United States of America

Q. Hello all-knowing Oracle, I have a little riddle for you, well its a bit long, but please read on... "Three guys go to a hotel that charges $30 a night. In order to divide the price evenly, they each pay $10. After they have paid and left the office, the employee realizes that he overcharged them by $5, so he was only supposed to charge them $25. He is told to return the money to them, but in order to make the division simpler, he keeps $2 and returns $1 to each of the guys." So it is as if each paid $9... right? ok so then the $9 that each paid x 3 = $27 + the $2 that he kept = $29. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE OTHER DOLLAR? I'm sure with you being the Oracle and all, you will be able to solve this in a jiffy!

The Oracle replies:

Nothing! If the men paid $27 and then got a dollar back each, that's $3 so the total of $30 is accounted for. The mistake people make is thinking the $2 the employee keeps is relevant to the sum. A great riddle nonetheless.

More evidence that Twitter is hitting the mainstream - Coldplay have joined.

Twitter has been getting a lot of news coverage in 2009. Hans Kullin has written a great review of how journalists used Twitter after the Hudson River plane crash yesterday (including how a Twitpic (Twitter picture) led news reports.) Coldplay joining (and promoting their presence) could see Twitter usage increase yet further. Announcing the Coldplay Twitter profile in their latest Coldplay Messenger email, they say:

"STOP, TWITTER TIME - If it's good enough for Barack Obama, Stephen Fry and MC Hammer , then it's good enough for us. Yes, we've joined the twitter revolution by setting up the official Coldplay twitter feed at twitter.com/coldplay. Pop over there to read little Coldplay updates at regular intervals (which, for those unfamiliar with it, is essentially what twitter is for)."

However, whilst Coldplay have been one of the most forward thinking users of digital in the music industry, they may be missing the point a bit with their Twitter usage. The attraction of MC Hammer and Stephen Fry is that it is actually them using Twitter to record their thoughts and actions.

The Coldplay Twitter is not being used by Chris Martin et al, it is being used by a PR person to give updates on the band and latest news. Coldplay Twitter use may evolve into something more interesting, but at least they are there and being so will further drive Twitter uptake across the board.

Read the latest edition of the messenger in which Twitter was mentioned here [thanks mimixxx]

Chris Martin will perform solo at the forthcoming French NRJ Awards in Cannes this weekend. Here's Anchorman with more details:

Good morning. This coming Saturday night (17th Jan), Chris will be performing Lost? at the 2009 NRJ Awards in Cannes, France, where Coldplay are up for two awards (Best International Album and Best International Group). As he's playing the acoustic version of the track, it'll just be Chris and his trusty piano.

As previously announced, the awards celebrate the top music releases in France. Coldplay had been nominated in the categories International Album of the Year, International Song of the Year and International Band of the Year, following on from the success of their last album Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends (which has sold over 500,000 copies in France and has been a top 5 best seller in 2008).

Full discussion on this at the Coldplay forum here [thanks a-chan, LoverInJapan74 & emilien]

The Boxer Rebellion's new album is currently outselling the likes of Kings Of Leon, MGMT and Coldplay on the US version of iTunes, even though it is a self-release.

Despite the success, 'Union' has been barred from entering the Official UK Charts this Sunday (January 18) - because the band have only released the album digitally. The band, who were signed to Alan McGee's Poptones label but currently have no record deal, self-released 'Union' on January 11. Unexpectedly, the album, and its lead single 'Evacuate' have both become download successes.

is currently at Number One in the iTunes US Alternative Chart. Despite the success, unsigned band is 'ineligible' for the Official UK Charts.