I feel like the world unanimously groaned when it was announced that Coldplay would be performing at the Super Bowl 50 halftime this year. And I groaned with them.Coldplay? Really? I thought to myself.
Football is already boring enough to me, and I usually look forward to the halftime show (and the commercials) to keep me entertained. It was even better when it was a band I loved.
But then I remembered — Wait. I used to LOVE Coldplay.
Back in the day, the piano chords in "Clocks" took me to another world and made me want to learn to play an instrument. "The Scientist" would bring me to tears in my bedroom after listening on repeat. And, I even wrote a college application essay on the impact the song "Don't Panic" had on my formative years of life after seeing Garden State. (And yes, I got in. Thanks, Coldplay and Zach Braff!)
So what happened? When did Coldplay become the scapegoat of popular music? When did I fall out of love with the band I once worshipped? Did it start with the classic, "You know how I know you're gay?" scene in 40-Year-Old Virgin? Or was it that, right around the same time, everyone poked fun at lead singer Chris Martin's choice of names for his children? The band started seeming gimmicky, and even a bit basic.
Or more recently, it could have been the less than stellar Ghost Stories album of 2014, that began to eclipse all of the light from their earlier music. Pitchfork called it their "break-up" album in correlation with Martin's own (almost) divorce with Gwyneth Paltrow, but it seemed like it was a break-up between me and them, too.
Whatever the reason, it's time to clear the air. Coldplay is awesome. Just in time for Super Bowl Sunday, I'm ready for us to get back together again.
I am happy to be shaken from my anti-Coldplay spell. It wasn't you, Coldplay. It was me! And I'm sorry. You were there for me so much, and I let convoluted popular opinion defer me from my "Yellow" roots. Oh, and did I mention Beyoncé is performing with them at the halftime show now? This seventh album, A Head Full of Dreams,is very likely their last, so let's allow Coldplay to end with a bang. It's time to "Viva La Vida," y'all.
Here are 17 solid gold pieces of pure Coldplay magic to show you why it's time to let Coldplay back into your heart, and back onto your playlists.
Chris Martin On James Corden's Carpool Karaoke, 2016
This is the perfect reminder of how energetic and talented Chris Martin is. Not to mention how big of a Coldplay fan James Corden is, despite not knowing the correct lyrics to "Viva La Vida."
"Hymn for the Weekend," Official Music Video, 2016
A little ColdBey to get you ready for Sunday.
"Fix You," Live in Paris, 2012
God, I wish I was at this show. Just look at the those fans, basically in tears singing along. I would've been right there with them.
"Princess of China" performed with Rihanna at the Closing Ceremony of the Paralympics in London, 2012
Yeah, that's right. Coldplay may be playing with Beyoncé at the Super Bowl, but he's already played an epic onstage performance with Rihanna. This is a pretty good preview of what we are going to see on Sunday.
"Yellow," sung by Beyoncé& Jay Z in "Life Is But A Dream," 2013
Even Jay approves. "Jay Jay I love you so." Future wedding song material, right here.
"Don't Panic," in Garden State, 2004
Despite the fact that Broad City made Natalie Portman insecure about her role in this movie, the soundtrack remains one of the most beautiful parts of the film. This song especially.
"Clocks," Official Promo Music Video, 2005
Warning: You might start immediately singing along.
"Adventure Of A Lifetime," Official Music Video, 2015
This music video features an impressive crew of CGI chimpanzees, dancing around and playing instruments.
"Paradise," Live in Paris, 2012
Just try not to sing-a-long at the chorus. Just embrace the technicolor lights and the lyrics.
"The Scientist," special performance for a couple's wedding, 2015
Chris Martin's such a good sport about it all. Best wedding gift, ever?
"Game of Thrones: The Musical," 2015
The band made a spoof Game of Thrones musical worthy of SNL. Featuring a special Rastafarian-Targaryen remix. Oh, and there's a guest appearance by Jon Snow.
Coldplay singing "three very boring songs" for BBC, 2015
Turns out, they can make beautiful music out of anything. Anything.
"In My Place," Live in Paris, 2012
This looks like a concert scene from a dream. But it was real.
"Wedding Bells," for Steve Jobs, 2012
In the clip, Steve Jobs yelled "Keep going!"at Chris Martin when he gets up to leave the stage. The guy who made your iPhone, Macbook, and Apple Watch? Big Coldplay fan.
"Fix You," on Season 2 of The O.C.
Your favorite teen show even recognized how relatable this song was. If Marissa and Ryan get the feels to Coldplay, then I know you do, too.
"The Scientist" on Season 4 of Glee
The Glee team's powerful pipes definitely do justice to the powerful song. The episode also featured a cover of "Fix You."
"Talk," Live (for the first time in 6 years), 2011
Only Chris Martin can candidly play a song after SIX years and still sound like this. On the first try.
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