Speed of Sound (song)
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| "Speed of Sound" | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Single by Coldplay | ||
| from the album X&Y | ||
| B-side(s) | "Things I Don't Understand", "Proof" | |
| Released | 23 May 2005 | |
| Format | 7", CD, 10", 12" | |
| Genre | Alternative Rock | |
| Length | 4:49 | |
| Label | Parlophone | |
| Writer(s) | Berryman, Buckland, Champion, Martin | |
| Producer(s) | Coldplay, Ken Nelson, Danton Supple | |
| Chart positions | ||
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| Coldplay singles chronology | ||
| "God Put A Smile Upon Your Face" (2003) | "Speed of Sound" (2005) | "Fix You" (2005) |
| X&Y track listing | ||
| "X&Y" (6) | "Speed of Sound" (7) | "A Message" (8) |
"Speed of Sound" is the lead single from Coldplay's 2005 album, X&Y. It made its radio premiere on BBC Radio 1 with Steve Lamacq on the evening of Monday, 18 April 2005; the track is currently available for download on the band's official site and on the iTunes Music Store. A 30 second clip of the song was also available as a downloadable ringtone.
Beginning with a piano riff reminiscent of Coldplay's "Clocks", the song builds into a huge, synth-heavy chorus: "Birds go flying at the speed of sound, to show you how it all began / Birds came flying from the underground, if you could see it then you'd understand." The song was created as the band attempted to work through a cover version of Kate Bush's song, "Running Up That Hill." If you listen closely, you can hear the resemblance of the main riff to that in Bush's song. Also, the vocal performance in this song sounds highly reminiscent of Pete Townshend.
"Speed of Sound" was controversially beaten to the number one spot on the UK Singles Chart by the novelty song "Axel F" by the Crazy Frog. However, it became Coldplay's first UK Download #1. It also became Coldplay's biggest single in the US, peaking at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100.
This album has been released with the Copy Control protection system in some regions.
Contents |
[edit] Track listings
[edit] In Japan
- CD TOCP-40179 released 11 May 2005 by Toshiba-EMI
- "Speed of Sound" - 4:49
- "Things I Don't Understand" - 4:55
- "Proof" - 4:10
[edit] In the UK
- CD CDR6664, 7" R6664, 12" 12R6664, 10" 10R6664
- "Speed of Sound" - 4:49
- "Things I Don't Understand" - 4:55
- "Proof" - 4:10 (CD and 10" only)
[edit] In Australia
- CD 872 9862 released 23 May 2005 by Capitol Records
- "Speed of Sound" - 4:49
- "Things I Don't Understand" - 4:55
- "Proof" - 4:10
[edit] Music video
[edit] Lyrics
How long before I get in? Before it starts, before I begin? How long before you decide? Before I know what it feels like? Where To, where do I go? If you never try, then you'll never know. How long do I have to climb, Up on the side of this mountain of mine?
Look up, I look up at night, Planets are moving at the speed of light. Climb up, up in the trees, every chance that you get, is a chance you seize. How long am I gonna stand, with my head stuck under the sand? I'll start before I can stop, before I see things the right way up.
All that noise, and all that sound, All those places I got found. And birds go flying at the speed of sound, to show you how it all began. Birds came flying from the underground, if you could see it then you'd understand?
Ideas that you'll never find, All the inventors could never design. The buildings that you put up, Japan and China all lit up. The sign that I couldn't read, or a light that I couldn't see, some things you have to believe, but others are puzzles, puzzling me.
All that noise, and all that sound, All those places I got found. And birds go flying at the speed of sound, to show you how it all began. Birds came flying from the underground, if you could see it then you'd understand, ah when you see it then you'll understand?
All those signs, I knew what they meant. Some things you can invent. Some get made, and some get sent, Ooh? Birds go flying at the speed of sound, to show you how it all began. Birds came flying from the underground, if you could see it then you'd understand, ah, when you see it then you'll understand?
[edit] Awards and nominations
[edit] Awards
- 2005 MTV Europe Music Awards - Best Song
- 2006 Brit Awards - Best British Single
- 2006 ASCAP Awards - Song of the Year
[edit] Nominations
- 2005 MTV Video Music Awards - Video of the Year
- 2005 MTV Video Music Awards - Best Special Effects
- 2005 MTV Video Music Awards - Best Editing
- 2005 MTV Video Music Awards - Best Cinematography
- 2006 Grammy Awards - Best Rock Song
- 2006 Grammy Awards - Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
[edit] Trivia
- Coldplay were the first British band to enter directly in the top ten of Billboards Hot 100 chart since "Hey Jude" by The Beatles.
- Coldplay premiered "Speed of Sound" at a small warm-up gig in London in March 2005.
- During their performance of "Speed of Sound" at the 2005 Glastonbury Festival, Chris asked "Crazy Frog, where are you now?". This was a reference to the fact "Speed of Sound" was beaten to the UK number 1 spot by "Crazy Frog".
- "Speed of Sound" was the 1,000,000,000th song downloaded from the iTunes Music Store, by Alex Ostrovsky. [2]
- There is another song by this title, written by Chris Bell.
- "Speed of Sound" appears on the videogame Singstar rocks.
- The song is a part of the comedian "Weird Al" Yankovic's polka medley Polkarama in his October 2006 hit album, Straight Outta Lynwood.
[edit] External links
| Coldplay |
| Chris Martin | Jonny Buckland | Guy Berryman | Will Champion |
| Ken Nelson |
| Discography |
|---|
| Studio Albums: Parachutes | A Rush of Blood to the Head | X&Y |
| Lives and EPS: Safety EP | Brothers & Sisters EP | The Blue Room EP | Trouble Live EP | Live 2003 |
| Singles: "Ode to Deodorant" | "Brothers & Sisters" | "Shiver" | "Yellow" | "Trouble" | "Don't Panic" | "In My Place" | "The Scientist" | "Clocks" | "God Put a Smile upon Your Face" | "Speed of Sound" | "Fix You" | "Talk" | "The Hardest Part | "What If" | "White Shadows" |
| Tours |
| A Rush of Blood to the Head Tour | Twisted Logic Tour |
