Chris Martin On The Simplicity Of Coldplay Songs | Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend

[@leogothisoscar271]

I love the fact that Chris is just as engaged in the interview and even eagerly asks Conan questions. Plus Coldplay songs are certainly not simple, at least not their first 4 albums and Everyday Life.

[@condemned1982]

That is definitely the best way to endear oneself to Conan - flip the questions back so he can talk about himself.

[@JesseLeeHumphry]

Anyone who has tried to play Paradise on piano knows it's not simple lmfao

[@bkj43]

Parachutes and A Rush of Blood to the Head are absolute classics.

[@marcgw496]

Although the song Viva La Vida is a little overplayed, I think that album is amazing as well.

[@cpcathy]

Also Ghost Stories and Everyday Life

[@thisisit2082]

The follow up from Rush, X&Y should be added. Perfection.

[@cpcathy]

@@thisisit2082 I know that they dislike it so that keeps me from revisiting it.

[@luchta4]

@@cpcathy Ghost Stories is incredibly underrated, love to see it getting recognition

[@MelissaNgai]

Coldplay really captures wonderful feelings in their music. Chris is a wonderful artist and seems like such a kind compassionate person.

[@kenbagwell8551]

Great songs are just feelings put to music.

[@Eeyta]

So true...being compasdionate makes him a super super star🥺

[@skaaya1]

"Clocks" is quite simply one of my favourite all time songs, in any genre!👌

[@danielfritz954]

I love Chris, he is so humble and to me his voice is angelic.

[@Coldplaykb]

So glad Conan brought up the tuning / way he plays. That and the chords are the most unique thing about their songs, and it's one of the reasons I love them so much. It's not straight forward, and that's what gives it that extra spark. Great interview!

[@ju9219]

So true. And this is why, with Coldplay, it's either you get them or you don't!! And as Chris rightly said, "they are not the best, but they are uniquely them" I just love his humility and I love Coldplay. My favourite band of all time. As their number 1 fan I absolutely get them ❤💯💃

[@SaradaBani]

I love your work @Coldplaykb

[@Coldplaykb]

@@SaradaBani hey thank you so much, I appreciate that!

[@leif1075]

If they are not straightforward, then why does he talk about the simplicity of their songs? Not in that respect?

[@Coldplaykb]

@@leif1075 I would say the songs themselves can be straightforward but when you dive into the music itself (chord structure, tuning, etc.) it's not so straightforward. They are more complex then they appear.

[@XoXo475]

Such a beautiful humble guy . I love Chris too

[@5sieben2.15]

Their first two albums I will listen for the rest of my life. It's like a special safe place I can return to

[@radkid06]

Absolutely, I like their other albums but the first two, not sure how to say this right, but I think those two really capture their essence.

[@MatterShim]

Don't limit yourself. The rest of their albums are solid too.

[@5sieben2.15]

@@MatterShim because of my strong admiration for the first two I went through every subsequent at least once, never got hooked. Solid is a good word for them, maybe also formulaic. Guess I'm not a real fan of them, more of the solace they gave me through my teenage years, strong memories attached to the first two. Something I cannot really recreate as an adult, am thankful for the nostalgia

[@sinuskurvepitch1247]

their first 4 were superb, with AROBTTH being their best. Since MX they turned more into a pop band, but they still got some gems on their albums, like ie us against the world

[@lubondochilekwa]

Me too

[@firststatetate]

Chris is extremely dynamic. He has a wide collection of musical talents.

[@ericdavidwallace]

Yes

[@kendanzan9722]

"your limitations become strengths".. never heard anyone say that before. that is beautiful

[@alanduncan1980]

Sounds like a load of bs to me. I'm pretty sure limitations and limitations. I think you just think everything he says is beautiful. If he said a chicken is a horse, you'd just nod in agreement.

[@steveyj75]

The fact that there are Coldplay haters blows my mind. Sure, you might not enjoy their music as much as I do, but how can you dislike this person?

[@MrGhostTheBigRoast]

its easy

[@natschaefer1044]

A lot of the hate is because they were pretty much inescapable here in the UK for a while - you couldn't turn on the radio without hearing Viva La Vida, Fix You or one of their other hits. People dunk on Ed Sheeran quite a bit for the same reason

[@RealAmarSheth]

+1 on this

[@seanblair9686]

@@natschaefer1044 yeah but you shouldnt hate on the artist for that

[@birdiedog5]

Chris definitely succeeds grohl as the nicest guy in rock. Grohl has more ego and likes to hear himself talk. It became more apparent in interviews after Taylor's death that he never let taylor speak much unless he was in control. Chris Martin is a sweetheart of a human.

[@LycanLink]

Dang, whether you love Coldplay or hate 'em, this is some uplifting stuff right here. You don't have to strive to be your heroes. Just find your own sound, your own niche that makes you you.

[@hithere_1967]

I can write Coldplay lyrics too... Here goes one for ya. 😆 I opened the door it was white I looked at the clouds they were white White White The door was white I mean, when I hear their lyrics, I feel like a ten-year old wrote them.

[@RYAN-zm8kr]

@@hithere_1967 that's why it's so pure and honest

[@markusmath3421]

@@hithere_1967 I don't see the problem here lmao

[@ParadNorthProd]

"Maybe not the best, but the most US." I try to remember that whenever I'm writing songs.

[@snails9505]

It was a great end line

[@ericdavidwallace]

Yes me too

[@alejandroacevedo9409]

I love how chris makes it sound simple, but the real reason they are so good is beacuse he is a genius and has a magical ear for melody and chords. Its not teachable❤

[@christopherrubio8047]

Love Chris. He’s an amazing human, no doubt.

[@nonlivingworld]

so humble this guy omg! I can't I am gonna cry, can listen to him talk for years

[@JedF2010]

I feel Chris Martin is the most down to earth guy ever. What an amazing talent and yet so humble and realistic.

[@Infntpaccout1100.3x]

I didn’t really like Coldplay when I was a kid cuz I heard viva La vida over and over. But recently I figured out how incredible they are. The song yellow is what made me realize. And Chris Martin seems like a cool dude

[@willrocks111]

I recently revisited Viva La Vida because I kinda glossed over it as a child. Hearing it over and over again just like you haha. It's actually amazing :D Ahead of its time

[@aranklogu]

One of my fav music acts.

[@deiciellemakeup6514]

Oooo my God, how motivated I feel by this part of the interview. I'm looking for knowledge in singing, today I auditioned to try to get into singing class and do what I love, write this down the next time Coldplay comes to Brazil, I'll sing with them. Record it! motivated me even more

[@chrismartinofficial_]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🎤🎤💖

[@mandalorian48]

That was really wonderful. Chris & Conan are both really cool guys.

[@barbryll8596]

Simple is key! I love the simplicity and the harmony. This brings me back every time

[@Mikegeb4545]

I enjoy jazz and sophisticated music, but there is something in Coldplay’s music that I find authentic and amazing, even though I can’t pinpoint what it is. Chris gives an amazing response in this video that addresses that. Very few musicians in mainstream pop/rock music follow the principle of breaking the rules and experimenting until they get a sound that reflects their identity. Usually, producers in mainstream music rely on a cookie-cutter formula to chase after what sells best. This drains the life out of most popular songs/artists. That’s why I have a great deal of respect for Coldplay!

[@Knickerboxer]

The little changes he makes in the guitar tuning in the first 2 albums is what i love about them. You can come up with beautiful sounding chords that way.

[@beawriting]

My favorite band ever. My college years was peak Coldplay.

[@dave2863]

chris has a very soothing voice

[@kani3284]

Coldplay will always have a special place in my heart ❤️

[@MrDamburger]

why is he such a friggen class dude, he must meditate an hour a day he's insanely chill and down to earth and just happy

[@AnnyReactsYT]

Each of Coldplay’s albums are indeed different & unique. Albums 1-4 are my favorites. Their B-sides tracks are pure gold though.

[@chrismartinofficial_]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🎤🎤💖

[@chrismartinofficial_]

@Anny all love, and how are you doing today?

[@wawooosh]

What a great conversation!

[@kettyspikes]

Coldplay is my GOAT in terms rock-pop bands

[@geoffreygill5849]

i totally agree w how you write, you don’t sit down and draft out music, you play what sounds right and good, and then sometimes yea, it ends up being simpler than you would’ve initially liked, but trying to make something unnecessarily complicated usually makes it bad. you have to have a purpose

[@simondunne5362]

Let me tell you Chris, imo it definitely is the best. I've used your music 🎶 and the feeling I am so grateful to receive to go from 28 stone and deaths door 🚪 to the fittest happiest 50 year old in the world. Next step is to use your music to become the best sports performance coach in the world 🌏 on the very day I reached my first goal , I found out we share the same birthday. Keep doing what you're doing you are changing lives. August 22nd in Glasgow and the feeling I received carried me on like a magic carpet of development which then led to a huge win that afforded me black market tickets 2 at 350 a pop😮 and I'll see you at the Etihad 0n 3rd June for what I know will be just the most amazing day of my life. ❤😊

[@ju9219]

I am going on 3rd June too!! Will be my 4th Coldplay live concert and counting... Viva Coldplay, best band and best live act in my humble opinion

[@franktielemans6624]

" That's what I feel so encouraged about. The whole world right now is seeing people become themselves even if it's a bit differentbecause that's how I feel about our music and I don't claim it's the best but it's definitely the most us"

[@sehyde26]

Even if you're not into the music, I don't see how anyone could dislike Chris. He's just such an intelligent, interesting, and real-seeming person. I always love listening to him chat about his music and art, and no one gives a better interview than Conan. So good!

[@SaintTanna69]

Song “ A Rush of Blood to the head” is such a great one… that Biiiiig chorus and Chris’ melancholic delivery is such a beautiful sound. Album as a whole is 10/10 for me

[@genghiscan2918]

Well, you can't really get more simple than "you, you are, my universe. And I, just want, to put you first."

[@jamiebigpapa]

Coldplay are in the top tier of live music. They are awesome live

[@chrismartinofficial_]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🎤🎤💖

[@meg_hutson]

Just saw them last weekend. In the top two of best live performances I’ve ever seen. SO amazing

[@daniellegeorge4526]

@@meg_hutsonme tooooo

[@stoicsigma-o9d]

4:56 ❤🎯 "Your LIFE PURPOSE is to BE YOU!" 🥰

[@johnbatac6466]

I like this kind of vulnerable Conan where he can share his thoughts without always bantering AHSDHA

[@rangers11ization]

Such a great episode👍 Every clip is interesting

[@radkid06]

I actually loved this interview, Chris is amazing, thought this was an interesting clip.

[@jaywalker.]

"Maybe I can make things weirdly me." 👈🏾 That's it. I'm keeping that.

[@zonesquestiloveunderworld]

Chris is actually much more eloquent and insightful than I've given him credit for. This isn't an interview, it's a conversation.

[@jonnenne]

Chris Martin seems so authentic that Conan has challenges with that at time

[@chrismartinofficial_]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🎤🎤💖

[@ST-xg3gy]

Huh?

[@alanduncan1980]

What are you talking about? Conan brings out the best in everyone he interviews.

[@ghostofamoment]

Parachutes is a perfect album, it could honestly be a 'best of'.

[@iamrjdennis]

Chris Martin is one of my biggest inspirations as an artist. Thank you so much for this interview! 💛

[@rwg2626]

No other band has achieved so much, all the so called big bands like the stones, U2 etc, just can’t do current, they just rely on their old fans, never attracting new fans, coldplay just keep evolving and delivering hits like no other band has ever done, unique and classy

[@steveyj75]

To be fair, mate, U2 had been doing that very same thing for twenty years before we had ever heard of Coldplay. You should check out the back catalog!

[@rwg2626]

@@steveyj75 yep they were my first band, saw them live, but as I said, their music has not evolved, nothing new they do is actually new

[@Mac2095]

Uhh Coldplay has had one #1 hit of their own, in 2008. Their collab with BTS also hit #1 2 years ago, for obvious reasons (hint: it’s not because of Coldplay). The Rolling Stones had eight #1 hits over the span of 15 years. Kind of a ridiculous comparison. I’m glad you’re a fan of their music and happy for you that they’ve meant a lot to you, but come on now, let’s have a little bit of perspective that’s actually grounded in reality. Rolling Stones songs still chart again to this day whenever they’re used in a new movie, commercial, or a new artist does a cover of them. No one has thought about Coldplay since 2010, and when they were thought about they were basically the poster child for being melodramatic pop music with no substance that was popular amongst women aged 13-40. They were basically the opposite of a critical darling, no musician or music critic actually took them seriously, they were just very popular. Or, here’s another one that just came to mind: the opposite of a cult favorite- they had a billion casual fans among people who don’t really care about music, but they were nobody’s favorite band (except, now I’m learning, yours).

[@rwg2626]

@@Mac2095 somebody doesn’t believe in facts, just go and have a look at subscribers for both Coldplay and Rolling stones official channels, and whatever you do don’t look at the amount of plays they get….1.8 billion on just one song, please don’t look at the stones views, every Coldplay album has had at least hit singles, the stones, no idea, nobody hears them anymore. Are the even played on the radio anymore, can’t remember the last time I did hear them on the radio

[@ju9219]

Well said. And that's why they are still relevant to this day - evolving!! Their fans transcend across different ages and ethnicity.

[@MarcBosserman]

What a genius!! : )

[@baconlover22]

I love Coldplay and Chris

[@stefoneill1015]

Complete heaven

[@coldplayer9403]

so true, every time i tried to play a coldplay song i like it's never straightforward in chords/tuning lol i.e. see you soon

[@davidofergals6947]

Simplicity is an understatement.

[@williamgregory1848]

Conan really needs to become a music writer or a music journalist because his knowledge and love of music is evident.

[@theplourde]

As a guitar player and wanton pianist and keyboardist, Coldplay songs aren’t simple.

[@maximillianford9301]

I just play piano and yeah they're really not. Amsterdam drives me nuts with frustration

[@theplourde]

@@maximillianford9301Amsterdam is the one Coldplay song I’d love to learn on piano, there isn’t a video tutorial that gets it right.

[@bellafawzi4694]

❤❤❤❤

[@chrismartinofficial_]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🎤🎤💖

[@mon5845]

Amsterdam is underrated ❤❤❤

[@JuliannaMeadowyck]

I love Chris Martin. Please come to Charlotte NC or Roanoke VA. We just relocated and we need COLDPLAY here. #weloveyou #yourethetits #confettibomb

[@shakar.bajalan]

Very inspiring

[@john-junior3501]

"Oh morning come bursting the clouds amen"

[@JetOchoa]

"limitations are your strength" wow

[@flightvolume]

great conversation about island hopping and confidence / momentum

[@cyberqueen777]

He's such a beautiful boy!

[@AJohnBotha]

I enjoyed it when he called him Conor😂 3:13

[@callum6224]

He just said it English-ly, ‘con-en’

[@edwinthank7443]

Probably their easiest chord progression song is A Message from x&y. Everything else is on weird chord shapes and tuning. But I absolutely adore almost all of their songs.

[@robertnorrell9073]

the "E" string comment by Conan refers to the string being tuned down to "E flat " , and played open while playing a "B" chord on 7th fret. on " Vida la Vida" I believe.Other tunes also. "Yellow" maybe more. Chris very clever, imo :-)

[@manciti4709]

the beauty of simplicity= COLDPLAY

[@harrypotter1155]

"I don't claim it's the best but it's definitely the most us."

[@Astronomynatureandmusic]

Humble to say 'I don't claim it's the best, but it's definitely the most us'

[@jeremiangyadi3202]

Conan can do anything

[@thiskrt]

This is the post you will write your 3 favorite Coldplay songs Mine are 1-Life in Technicolor II 2-Strawberry Swing 3-Charlie Brown

[@grace-yz2sr]

Way too difficult to pick only three.

[@aerialnight6907]

It's hard but I'll give it a shot 1- Clocks 2. Speed of sound 3. Paradise Note: I really got into them around 2011 when mylo xyloto came out so those songs are special to me but I love their older ones as well! ❤❤❤

[@ran5068]

1. Coloratura 2. Fix You 3. Lovers in Japan

[@alexandrahau4673]

1. Clocks 2. Death and all of his friends 3. Green eyes

[@ju9219]

1. Swallowed in the Sea 2. Charlie Brown 3. Hardest Part

[@victoriadevlin6925]

I love hisvexpression “weirdly me”

[@chrismartinofficial_]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🎤🎤💖

[@justjames1111]

Luck plays such a huge and very significant part in many/most/all successful people's careers, but it's not often talked about.

[@whattheheckwelch]

I wish Chris would read a Thich Nhat Hanh book on audible.

[@parodyofhonor]

for me the best coldplay album are the first three, from viva la vida to the other are all commercial

[@corbandallas1905]

When is Chris going to start reading sleepy time books? My toddler son woke me up after only a couple hours of sleep and his voice is lulling me back to that wonderful disastrous dreamworld. I’d call him like being young with my gf where she would call me and just have me talk while she fell asleep 😴

[@frkzd]

somebody needs to reunite the school counsellor with Conan!

[@timt9625]

Coldplay are great, I enjoy a fair amount of their later work but yeah the first 4 albums are classics

[@sorayathephoenix7777]

This is the best thing I could see ever

[@priapushk996]

3:13 In 2009, kid now adult, sees Martin on TV and whispers, "Wtf?" and retakes up the cause.

[@bobm8637]

I thought the video was flipped until I saw the guitar behind 🤣

[@Indianfirst-v3f]

was at a coldplay concert last weekend in Abu Dhabi and it was more of a pyro and light show for 2 hours with very few old numbers - hate the way the new generation seeks to be impressed - i blame the band partially however I also understand why the comprimise on genre and extravagant concert effects - coldplay's compositions was known for it's simplicity - heres a list of songs that were NOT performed in my place shiver trouble hardest part dont panic talk there are more songs i can think of but the above are a must-do guys-cmon i'd rather have these songs played to the younger generation than impress them with lights and fireworks! much love to all 4 of you either way - always been a big fan of Guy's bass lines

[@leif1075]

Maybe he can be a great singer and guitarist too if he keeps practicing!

[@jamesthenabignumber]

I'm not into Chris Martin's music - I on an entirely different path based on bebop jazz. But I like Chris whenever I hear him in interview. He sounds grounded and very wise.

[@chebkhaled1985]

take "birds" for example. I never heard anything like it , for some reason it takes my back to a period of my life years back while I only heard it only very recently. I'm a scientist by profession but I blv coldplay songs comes from somewhere else , the group is just a medium

[@mnchls]

the most vanilla band ever to exist. and yet whenever that piano melody from "Clocks" is anywhere within earshot of me, i lose my goddamn mind.

[@skaaya1]

Quite simply one of my favourite all time songs, in any genre!👌

[@ahsn8010]

Conan should had a pin on his jacket like chris.

[@ryanlingo1411]

DANIEL NORGREN! DANIEL NORGREN! DANIEL NORGREN!!!! You must interview this magician!!!

[@TONY_FEZ]

A friend of mine, a young girl at the time, was looking at a drum kit in a music store in Sydney around 10 years ago...Chris just happened to be walking past the store and noticed this....he walked into the store, paid for the drum kit and then continued on with is walk. True story.

[@topacio9326]

OMG!!! That was me! I was that little girl!

[@s.s.4820]

I was the drum set!

[@LiverPools-ib5fv]

I was in the ether to verify all these comments are false

[@amizunosky7]

my ex-boss, just look like your face Chris, first I met him in office I amaze and feel like, is he the twins of Chris/Coldplay? his voice deep like yours, and he also tall as yours too. OMG... I met him everyday just feels like I met Chris everyday... I was happy then.... hehehhe

[@flounderflounder6833]

This guy sounds like he does asmr sleep videos. He should sing in a band

[@project.chanel]

of course he's crisscross applesauce. love him

[@dreadlockbanana]

Nobody can do YOU like you do you.

[@topacio9326]

why is chris' shirt's letters backwards and conans isnt? is that the camera? its really confusing me! haha

[@4lex_rose]

Yellow is just a masterpiece

[@sylvier333]

❤️🌻

[@adriantxu]

I'm surprised nobody asked Chris to place the mic close to his mouth

[@daxrico266]

His feet are freaking me out

[@joaosas]

Chris: What’s his name? Conan: I don’t know, I’m lying!!

[@peterbernhard7415]

Laughin' big from O'Brien on Martin: "he might still be booing but there is more people around him" (this is a remarkable one sentence self-explanatory), then O'Brien elaborates on that what I guess many wouldn't consider that funny. As it occurs to me: those people may be the security, "ring of fire" etc. From such way of understanding Martin it's some different "elaborating" O'Brien does: "its" or "that's the guy who is the one". That's what brought up what I litterally saw, in photo, in the newspaper the day before yester, some chiseled saying from the Chinese: "It takes no more than two people to bring change about". Ultimately, it is a possibility that Martin's experience with smaller crowds was that what those Chinese say is true but with very small crowds one single person is more able to bring change about than one person in a stadion. I guess that's somehow what he's actually meant, somehow, and somehow O'Brien understood, and laughing hard transmits that this is no easy subject; it's of great use to treat that in the maths. Is that Sheeran today or last year's touring? (Another etymological I'd like to be allowed to write down at this space: Is th-ed Sheeran, never mind!) Who want to "read more"... (from my diary): Today I thought is the day KZbin introduced effective downvoting of comments (and replys). Actually, with some of the comments any thumb down would turn the down to the black, with other comments it seems any down will put a discount on the ups. That coincides, to my mind, with what Martin said about "more people". Security guards might "diminish" that one booer (jokingly, laughing big), and that one down as that one person - O'Brien elaborating - would "not show" - very different from a circle of 5 that shows up as 5 black crows that look upscale and attractive and can do this to each other, as it sound good only if listened to, and there is a learn after me and some show me how to. Is booing saying: it's not what he think's he's up to but he's missing out for other reason like blue sued shoes not blued enough - boo, not blued enough. Don't cancel me out.