This song is awesome.

Artist: Coldplay

Song: Cup of Water

Album: Prospekt’s March

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Why this song is awesome:

So I was in a band once, and we recorded an album together. It represented about 5 years of intense work, and the weeks of seeing it all come together were some of the best of my life.

It all happened up at Beach Road Studios in Goderich, Ontario, home of the legendary Siegfried Meier, producer/engineer extraordinaire. On the last night, when we had recorded the last note of the last song, we decided to get pizza for everyone. We shoot into town with the top down, staring up at a dark sky bursting with stars (me, not Sieg…he was driving and that would be dangerous). Gorgeous. 

Anyway, Sieg asks me: “Have you heard this Coldplay song? It kicks ass.” I don’t normally hear “Coldplay” and “kicks ass” in the same sentence, so Sieg blasts it.

Mind blown. That chorus slams you in the face like a cinderblock dropped from a high-rise. Every time I hear it, I remember the moment like I was there, and it’s the best feeling in the world. I still wonder what makes me love it most, the song or the memories of being at Beach Road Studios. 

Whatever the reason, you have to admit, this song does kick ass. At least for Coldplay ;)

Best lyrics:

The hollowest of halos / is no halo at all / Televisions selling plastic figures of leaders / saying nothing at all

I never thought of Coldplay as a political band. In fact, I always thought Chris Martin made a lot of effort never to say anything that offended anybody, anywhere. But that’s a pretty sharp, poetic political comment right there. Slow clap, Mr. Martin.

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p.s. The audio isn’t perfect, but this live performance captures the fun, epic vibe of the song really nicely. Bonus points for Chris Martin’s recovery from a coughing fit a few seconds in. 

p.p.s. While I’m at it, skip to 2:30 of this video to see ‘ol Siegfried in action with a poorly tuned accordion