needs fixing

Well, there are millions of reasons why I love Coldplay but mainly it's because they seem to speak to ME personally, as Fixed says. My husband was/is(??) cheating on me, and when I first heard What If? I had just found out. When I listened to the words, 'What if you should decide that you don't want me there by your side, that you don't want me there in your life?' somehow I felt as though Coldplay had written this gorgeous song just for me. My favourite band used to be Travis, but there is this indefinable something about Coldplay which I can't put into words. It doesn't matter how often I listen to them, I never get bored. Other reasons for loving Coldplay?:- Chris's exquisite piano playing Chris's exquisite voice Chris's exquisite looks Guy's beautiful face and shy, reserved personality Jonny and Wills' sense of humour The intelligence of all the guys The wonderful example the band set by giving 10% of their money to charity The fact that the guys are DECENT - ie they don't do drugs, don't overdrink, aren't covered in tattoes or body piercings Just because they are beautiful in every way. I am in love with them all!!

Arrggh - the last thing I would want is cheesy stuff! And I am a 'pessimist' myself - certainly a realist! Just that I'm not really into such despairing lyrics as a lot of Radiohead's are. But I admit they are a brilliant band, and certainly had a big influence on both Travis and Coldplay, though I don't really understand why Travis were always labelled the 'new Radiohead.' Very different IMO. Yes, I agree that a lot of their stuff is similar. I don't mind though - Fran Healy's gorgeous voice and acoustic guitar playing just puts me in a better mood! I think Travis and Coldplay are similar in that they reached a sort of 'watershed' after three albums. I don't think Travis really knew which way to go - I think Coldplay will do better, despite that scary comment Chris made at the Brits about us not seeing them again for a long time!

No, radioactive - didn't mean I don't like Radiohead, I was just sort of sticking up for the less 'radical' and pessimistic type of music. IMO Travis DID try to change with Twelve Memories, but didn't succeed. I was fortunate enough to attend one of their 'secret' gigs just before they launched the album, and all the fans just wanted to hear the songs they knew! That's how it often is, unfortunately. Even I occasionally get tired of Yellow and Why Does it Always Rain on Me, and I'm sure Coldplay and Travis do! I think bands have to find a happy medium between staying the same and changing and I think that Coldplay strike this balance. I totally agree with you that all their albums are different from each other. To be honest, though, I don't mind hearing similar melodies by bands I love. The tracks are never identical, just have the same 'feel' to them. I could listen to The Man Who and The Invisible Band and Parachutes over and over again without getting bored. But that's just me maybe. Not a revolutionary in any way!!

So what if Coldplay are 'mainstream'? So what if some people think they are boring or not 'progressive'? Not all of us want our music to be some kind of lesson in 'how to progress' or 'develop'. This same kind of crap was said and written about Travis - another band I adore - that they weren't 'going anywhere' because The Invisible Band was so similar to The Man Who. But maybe the fans of Travis and Coldplay don't WANT their beloved bands to change? I want my music real, melodic, melancholy, sincere and beautiful with lyrics which match the mood I am in - which is usually a low one, as I am chronically ill and for many other reasons. And, IMO, deep down, most people except braindead optimists from the Positive Thinking school often feel the same. But what they want is to be made to feel BETTER, not worse. You know why I think Coldplay appeal to so many people? Because they touch the soul - not with suicidal type lyrics and music which basically say, 'Life sucks, so go out and kill yourself', but 'Life sucks a lot of the time, yes, but don't give up because we're all in it together.' In other words, okay, we may be 'sinking like stones, all that we fought for, all those places we've gone, all of us are done for' BUT 'We live in a beautiful world' as well, so don't despair. That to me is the message of Coldplay. And if that's boring, so be it. I'd rather be bored and cheer myself up by listening to gorgeous songs like 'What If?' and 'Don't Panic' than make myself more miserable by listening to some of Radiohead's disturbing and despairing stuff. needs fixing 'Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know' (Ernest Hemingway)

Sorry, haven't had time to read all the posts, so if someone else has corrected Steph when she said that the Brits are held on the 14th and aired on the 15th my apologies. Actually, they are held TONIGHT (the 15th) and on ITV tomorrow! I too am concerned that Coldplay won't win anything. :cry:

What If?...and Shiver...and In My Place...and Don't Panic...and Fix You and...Oh sorry, you asked for one. How can it be possible to decide? Well, What If? then. Especially live when you can see Chris's gorgeous piano playing. I play the piano myself, but Chris seems to become part of it, like it's an extension of himself. Incredible, and beautifully sensuous. :blush:

IMO, Chris is going the same way as Fran Healy (Travis). In fact, I think the two are secretly brothers - similar music, similar styles, similar in that without them their bands couldn't exist, similar gorgeousness - and similar deterioration of hairstyles after three albums! :lol: When Travis were at their height (ie during The Man Who and Invisible Band) Fran had beautiful short hair - and this showed his delectable bone structure and features, just as Chris's short hair did. I was fortunate enough to attend a small Travis gig in Blackburn three years ago and though it was wonderful to hear Fran sounding just as good as he always does, I couldn't get over his horrible long locks and beard. :embarrased: Please guys - don't go thinking you have to follow the ageing rockers of the 70s and ignore what you look like. You are too beautiful for that! :blush: Leave that to the Bonos of this world!!

IMO (very personal) the best lyrics are on Shiver and What If? I think everybody naturally likes what is most relevant to their own situation, and these two songs definitely are for me. My husband is cheating on me, and this is wrecking our marriage and my life, so I naturally gravitate towards songs which sum up what I am feeling. If I had to decide on the very best lyric, it would be, What if I got it wrong And no poem or song Could put right what I got wrong Or make you feel I belong? What if you should decide That you don't want me there by your side? That you don't want me there in your life? Seems to have been written for me at this time. :cry:

In my case, I am a very new fan. My daughter, who knows how much I love Travis, told me that I would also like Coldplay. She played AROBTTH to me, and although I didn't like all the tracks (still don't) Clocks and In My Place made a big impression on me. I sent for Parachutes and X and Y from Amazon, and several of the songs seemed as though they were written just for me - mainly Shiver and What If? I have mentioned before in previous messages that my husband is cheating on me, and what words could be better for a betrayed wife than, 'What if you should decide that you don't want me there by your side, that you don't want me there in your life?' I fell madly in love with Coldplay (and particularly with Chris!) and their music has got me through many a terrible time. :cry:

Re whether the guys have 'done' drugs, I would bet my mortgage on it that they have tried them. What young person hasn't these days, sadly. But there is a difference between just experimenting once, and being an addict, which I am absolutely certain none of the Coldplay members have ever been.

an cat - no I am not trying to stereotype everybody from California, just replying to the remark another member made who said that Gwyneth was born in LA, 'enough said'. The fact is that an awful lot of strange and eccentric philosophies come from there, but I didn't mean to offend individuals. Just writing about the religious aspect, as other people had mentioned Gwyneth's 'oddities' and I was responding with my knowledge about the Charismatic church in California.

Hear hear, Xadajoda. These groups are fanatics, and are brainwashed by their leaders. They do FAR more harm to religion than an honest atheist does. Just hope Gwyneth isn't like that - but it is quite possible as she has fallen for this haunted house thing. :o

"Gwyneth born Los Angeles, California - speaks volumes right there." :lol: :D I am a freelance writer and one of the subjects I am fascinated in (and have done a lot of research on) is the Charismatic/Fundamentalist church - of which George Bush is a member. This church began in California and many of the most dangerous and weird televangelists are based there. A highly respected expert on the subject of the Fundamentalist church said that it could never have begun ANYWHERE but in California. This is one INSANE, dangerous State where almost anything and everything is deemed acceptable. Don't want to bore you guys with a religious essay - or offend anyone - but believe me, it is not Iraq we have to fear but places like California. And yes, I am quite sure Gwyneth is imbalanced as she comes from there. Wish Chris had had a bit more common sense in his choice of a wife. Don't know what her religious beliefs are, but the vast majority of Californians believe in the kind of insane things which are rife in that State, such as that God fills teeth with gold!!! :stunned: Hallelujah, praise the Lord, Jesus saves, Ayyymennn!!! :lol:

I don't think Travis do drugs either. I remember once reading an article where Fran Healy said that he wanted to show that a rock band CAN be drug free and not have tattoos or body piercings. There should be more bands like this and I'm sure that Coldplay are one of them! Certainly Chris is so health conscious, and such a family man now that I am certain he doesn't take anything. I think this is why Coldplay appeal to such a cross-section of people. :)

Re Coldplay's favourite football teams, Guy supports a struggling side in one of the lower divisions called Raith Rovers in Kirkcaldy, Scotland; Will supports Southampton FC and Jonny Tottenham Hotspur (Spurs), a north London team. Don't know what team Chris supports - perhaps he is more into Rugby coming from such a middle-class background! :lol:

BTW, Leire, there is an interesting article about Coldplay (and especially Chris) which was in the Guardian newspaper. Type in to Google, Guardian the importance of being earnest Coldplay and it should come up. Says a lot about Chris's shy, insecure personality, bless him! :blush:

The Coldplay members met at a London University (UCL) where they were all first year students, despite being different ages. Chris was studying ancient history, Will, anthropology, and Jonny maths and astronomy. Guy was studying engineering, but dropped out after his first year. All the others passed their degrees, Chris getting a first class Honours! Shows how bright he is, especially as he had to specialise in Greek and Latin! The band became firm friends and that is how it all began!! :)

Sorry, my apologies, the question WAS just asking who is your favourite. Okay, will forgive you Jonny fans!! :lol:

Sense of humour isn't really a factor - the question was who is the hottest! Though I admit that Guy's seriousness and shyness and profundity etc help to make him sexy, the main thing is his PHYSICAL attributes - utterly delectable. Perhaps I'll start another poll asking just, 'Who is the best looking, Guy or Jonny?' GUY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Yeah, I did know that - they are the nearest thing to perfection in human beings!! (I made up a word too on the Guy or Jonny poll thread, speaking of Guy's 'gorgeousness'. Well, Coldplay need special words just for them don't they?):lol:

Certainly do get you kate. Yes, Chris has the charisma without a doubt. And another reason why I think he is such a wonderful guy is that despite writing most of the songs, having most of the talent, doing almost all the singing etc, he still insists on all the members taking 25% of the earnings. Not many frontmen who do that! Also, have you noticed that unlike on many bands' CDs, the names of Coldplay are just listed alphabetically so that Chris appears last? Very humble chap Mr. Martin is!! :)

I quite agree that every one of the members of Coldplay is unique and that without any of them the band just wouldn't be them. I remember Fran Healy (Travis frontman) saying that Travis were not four guys but a single entity and that is exactly the same with Coldplay. However, even though Guy is my favourite member (for looks, temperament etc), I don't think ANY of the others could lead the band. I mean, Chris exudes this aura of genius and star quality - also, he has such a beautiful voice, and plays the piano so wonderfully, and is clearly the leader with the ideas. I have to say that though I would be utterly devastated if any of the others left, I think they COULD possibly be replaced - though the band would never be the same again - but without Chris, Coldplay are no more. JMHO

Argggh, Alpha, no I didn't see that. I seem to miss everything on TV, though I did see a brilliant live concert of theirs shown on Sky TV just before Christmas. AND there was a mini documentary called The Making of X and Y where Guy did nearly all the talking and showed how intelligent and articulate he is. That serious look he has just drives me crazy, and when he occasionally breaks into a smile... :blush:

Don't know if anyone's heard the quote, 'The more is less' - or is it, 'The less is more'?? Anyway, what it means is that the very best things cannot be churned out like manufactured T-Shirts on a conveyor belt. Yes, cheap writers can produce a novelette once a week full of cliches and sentimental drivel, but the great authors like Dickens and Jane Austen and Tolstoy wrote very few books. And the same with Coldplay (and BTW, my other favourite band, Travis). The fact that the Beatles had so many hits is evidence of what it seems I am the only person to think - that they were NOT a brilliant band at all, just a very mediocre one who happened to be there on the bandwagon at the right time. I mean, Yellow Submarine a great song? :confused: Or All You Need is Love? Or Hey Jude with its repetitive line repeated over and over and over and over and.. :snore: No, I dearly hope that Coldplay will produce a couple more albums, but IMO, that is the most we can hope for, at least, unless they change their style, which we wouldn't want, would we? And if we get no more, I would be happy with the three we have. Better to have just a small amount of smoked salmon and champagne than a massive amount of burgers and fizzy pop. Love you Coldplay! :) Nothing else compares!!!

Yeah, I adore it. Wish I understood it, but Chris's singing and the music - sublime :)