[Disclaimer: I am not a musician. I can sing. I remember most of the recital piece I played on the piano when I was 6. But I’m not a musician. I know what I like and what I don’t like and what will likely be the soundtrack when I arrive in hell. And I know I’m opinionated as fuck. Especially about music.]

• • •

c | coldplay

I know this is what’s expected of me but that’s not why I’m writing it. I’m writing it because I love this band. And because I want to share these three songs. [And shrinking it down to three wasn’t easy. I ended up going with one deeply meaningful to me… one fun… and one new. But damn, there are so many others…]

I was first introduced to Coldplay when Yellow was released in 2000. It was their second single… I have no idea how I missed Shiver. Maybe because kickass deejay Nik didn’t introduce me to Coldplay until Yellow. I want to thank him, though. I credit him with exposing me to loads of great music back then. Of course, the chances he’s reading this are infinitesimal.

Back in my does-it-come-in-black-? period (wait… I never quite came out of that…), I used to have friends who refused to listen to music that was considered ‘mainstream.’ Pretentious as fuck. [See bitchfest p – pretentiousness, coming soon.] Granted, tons of mainstream music is garbage (in my opinion, obviously, no offense). But if I like something enough to want to listen to it, I’m going to listen to it. [Mind you, I may listen to some of it in private… in secret… but I don’t deny myself the pleasure. See g – guilty pleasures, coming soon.] Those old friends would probably be appalled that I love Coldplay. Fuck them.

I’m going to shut up a little now. And by ‘shut up a little,’ I mean stop the general babble and get to the three songs I want to share. So I guess I don’t mean shut up at all. Please do jump beyond the fold with me…

the songs.

‘til kingdom come
This was a hidden track on their third album. It was supposed to be a collaboration with Johnny Cash, but he died before his part could be recorded. Please don’t hurt me, but I’m glad Chris is the only voice on this song. [I am not glad Johnny Cash died. I’m not a monster.] I wouldn’t love the song nearly as much if anyone else sang on it. And honestly, I’m not a Johnny Cash fan. I know, I’m supposed to see him as some amazing music icon… but I’m just not a fan. I mean… country? *shudder* Like I said, please don’t hurt me. And speaking of Hurt – I don’t care about Johnny Cash’s version of that either. It’s all about Nine Inch Nails for me.

One other thing… I wrote (am still writing??) a long, unending romance novel partially inspired by this song. In fact, if I ever publish it (yeah, right… I’m hilarious), I’m going to need permission from the band.

Still my heart and hold my tongue
I feel my time, my time has come
Let me in, unlock the door
I never felt this way before

And the wheels just keep on turning
The drummer begins to drum
I don’t know which way I’m going
I don’t know which way I’ve come

Hold my head inside your hands
I need someone who understands
I need someone, someone who hears
For you I’ve waited all these years

For you I’d wait ’til kingdom come
Until my day my day is done
And say you’ll come and set me free
Just say you’ll wait you’ll wait for me

In your tears and in your blood
In your fire and in your flood
I hear you laugh I heard you sing
I wouldn’t change a single thing

The wheels just keep on turning
The drummers begin to drum
I don’t know which way I’m going
I don’t know what I’ve become

For you I’d wait ’til kingdom come
Until my days my days are done
Say you’ll come and set me free
Just say you’ll wait, you’ll wait for me

This video was created by ‘tinydoodlez’. It’s adorable. A couple of tiny lyric issues… but so cute!

hymn for the weekend
It’s just a fun song about… well, drinking and the ultimate drug – love. Here’s the thing… this song features Beyoncé. But I like it anyway. It’s not that there’s anything wrong with Beyoncé… and she sounds amazing on this song. I don’t seek out her music, but she’s fine. What I don’t understand is the Beyoncé worship. Now, if you want to build an altar to Coldplay, I’ll be right over to assist.

Oh, angel sent from up above
You know you make my world light up
When I was down, when I was hurt
You came to lift me up
Life is a drink and love’s a drug
Oh now I think I must be miles up
When I was a river dried up
You came to rain a flood

And said drink from me, drink from me
When I was so thirsty
Pour on a symphony
Now I just can’t get enough
Put your wings on me, wings on me
When I was so heavy
Soaring on symphony
When I’m low, low, low, low

I-Oh-I-Oh
Got me feeling drunk and high
So high, so high
Oh-I-Oh-I-Oh
Now I’m feeling drunk and high
So high, so high
(Woo)
(Woo-ooo-ooo-woo)

something just like this
This is a collaboration… Coldplay and The Chainsmokers. I really do not like that band name – The Chainsmokers. Ugh… my kids listen to this stuff! Yeah, I know… such a ‘mom’ thing to jump on. Anyway… terrible name aside, I love this song. It’s new – just released in February. And I cannot stop listening to it. I have it on repeat right now. Every word Chris sings… I just love all of it – what it says and how it sounds. And it’s so upbeat! What the hell is happening to me?!? If you listen to nothing else, at least listen to this one.

I’ve been reading books of old
The legends and the myths
Achilles and his gold
Hercules and his gifts
Spiderman’s control
And Batman with his fists
And clearly I don’t see myself up on that list

But she said, where’d you wanna go?
How much you wanna risk?
I’m not looking for somebody
With some superhuman gifts
Some superhero
Some fairytale bliss
Just something I can turn to
Somebody I can kiss

I want something just like this

[…]

I’ve been reading books of old
The legends and the myths
The testaments they told
The moon and its eclipse
And Superman unrolls
A suit before he lifts
But I’m not the kind of person that it fits

I want something just like this

honorable mention. just one today… 

Cure, The — No explanation needed. One of my [many] favorites: In Between Days.

#atozchallenge | music
© 2017 what sandra thinks
[I am not the owner of any rights to the music (song, lyrics, video) featured in this post…]