Who's behind the notes? Discover Coldplay: The Complete Biography of the British Rock Band
"Clocks" is a popular song by the British rock band Coldplay. Here are some interesting facts about the song:
Release Date: "Clocks" was released as the third single from Coldplay's second album, "A Rush of Blood to the Head," on March 24, 2003.
Chart Success: The song became one of Coldplay's most successful singles, reaching the top 10 in various charts worldwide. It won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 2004.
Piano Riff: The distinctive piano riff in "Clocks" is one of the most recognizable elements of the song. It was composed by Coldplay's lead vocalist Chris Martin. The band initially had reservations about the riff, but it became a defining feature of the track.
Influence of Minimalism: The repetitive piano pattern in "Clocks" is reminiscent of minimalist music, a genre characterized by the extensive use of repetition and iteration. This influence is notable in the song's structure.
Lyric Inspiration: The lyrics of "Clocks" were inspired by Martin's fear of not being able to accomplish things in time. The metaphor of time, clocks, and urgency is prevalent throughout the song.
Music Video: The music video for "Clocks" features surreal and abstract imagery, with scenes of floating people and falling objects. It was directed by Dominic Leung.
Sampling Controversy: In 2017, a plagiarism lawsuit was filed against Coldplay by guitarist Joe Satriani, who claimed that "Clocks" copied parts of his 2004 instrumental track "If I Could Fly." The case was settled out of court.
"Clocks" remains one of Coldplay's most iconic and enduring songs, and its distinctive sound continues to resonate with fans around the world.