23 Best Coldplay Songs

“Hymn for the Weekend” by Coldplay

Song year: 2016

Eight years after collaborating with rap legend Jay-Z, Coldplay linked up with HOVA’s superstar wife Beyonce on “Hymn for the Weekend,” a song from the album “A Head Full of Dreams.”

The band took an indie/rhythm & blues detour on the song, which is about feeling euphoric – like being drunk and high – when with a lover. With an assist from Queen Bey, Martin sings that his lover is like an angel from above who saved him during difficult times.

“Fix You” by Coldplay

Song year: 2005

Lead singer Chris Martin’s high-profile marriage to Hollywood star Gwyneth Paltrow is famously part of his inspiration for several songs. The 2005 song “Fix You” might be the best of the Paltrow-inspired songs.

In the sad-but-uplifting anthem, Martin promises Paltrow that he will try to help her get through the difficult times in her life – specifically the loss of a loved one. As she cries, he comforts her that he will try to fix her.

“Christmas Lights” by Coldplay

Song year: 2010

Leave it to Chris Martin to turn the Christmas season into a melancholy song about heartbreak.

In the 2010 track “Christmas Lights,” Martin sings about the moments after another Christmas fight with his lover. She’s gone now, and he’s heartbroken, walking through the streets and staring at the Christmas lights.

“Christmas Lights” reached number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains a popular song around the holidays for those who aren’t feeling the Christmas spirit.

“The Scientist” by Coldplay

Song year: 2002

“The Scientist” is one of Coldplay’s most iconic songs. The 2002 piano ballad from the album “A Rush of Blood to the Head” is one of the band’s earliest hits, helping introduce the group to an audience that was just starting to learn the signature Coldplay style.

Like so many of the band’s songs over the years, it explores love, loss, and heartbreak. Martin laments that even though no one told him love would be easy, his heart still aches as goes through challenging times in a relationship.

“Higher Power” by Coldplay

Song year: 2021

“Higher Power” is the lead single from Coldplay’s album “Music of the Spheres.” While the song has a futuristic sound that is a departure from the signature Coldplay piano and guitar riffs, the lyrics touch on familiar themes from throughout the band’s history.

Martin sings about the euphoria of life, living, and relationships. He describes his joy as electric and is grateful to be alive. Someone special in his life has a higher power that lifts him up.

“Higher Power’ earned the group yet another Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group performance.

“Prince of China” by Coldplay featuring Rihanna

Song year: 2012

With Coldplay and Rihanna on the same song, there was no way this wouldn’t be a hit. “Prince of China,” the 2012 collaborative effort from the album “Mylo Xyloto,” is an electropop/R&B song with an epic synth beat and melodious howling from RiRi on the chorus.

The accompanying music video features a mystical action sequence inspired by Asian fantasy movies, including a swordfight battle between Martin and Rihanna.

“Prince of China” was an international hit and hit number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.

“Violet Hill” by Coldplay

Song year: 2008

Coldplay takes listeners into a cold, dark, somewhat dystopian December in the 2008 song “Violet Hill,” from the band’s album “Viva La Vida.”

The song is a protestation of war, with lyrics about a soldier who’s leaving to fight. He asks his wife to tell him that she loves him before he leaves, and wonders why she lets him leave at all if she truly loves him. Martin unleashes gripping imagery about being buried in armor and stowed in the bowels of a sinking ship.

“Talk” by Coldplay

Song year: 2005

Existential angst and fear of the future fuel the song “Talk,” from Coldplay’s 2005 album “X&Y.” Like many of the band’s songs, the lyrics are somewhat abstruse in the sense that they are open to interpretation. What is apparent, however, is that Martin wants to convey a sense of distress.

In the song, Martin sings to a friend who he addresses as a brother, pleading that he needs to talk to him. He is fearful of the future and doesn’t know what to do, so he hopes a good conversation with a trusted friend will bring relief.

“Midnight” by Coldplay

Song year: 2014

“Midnight” was a change in direction for Coldplay, who spent the previous decade wowing us with piano-laced, uplifting anthems. This song, from the album “Ghost Stories,” took on a chilling, eerie sound that would make great background music for a thriller movie.

The lyrics of “Midnight” are about the darkness of night, with Martin pleading with someone to leave a light on for him. The meaning is likely his description of enduring a challenging time in his life and hoping that someone can help him through it.

“Hurts Like Heaven” By Coldplay

Song year: 2012

Coldplay has made a career out of dabbling in different musical styles. In the upbeat song “Hurts Like Heaven,” from the “Mylo Xyloto” album, the band takes on a newly-frenetic pace with a guitar-centric backing and rapid-fire lyrical delivery.

Martin playfully chastises a romantic partner for using her heart as a weapon, while lamenting that his life isn’t his. With his signature melancholy mood, he describes feeling cold, nervous, and unable to relax.

“In My Place” by Coldplay

Song year: 2002

Chris Martin has found endless inspiration in his failed romances and conflict with previous romantic partners. The 2002 song “In My Place” was one of the earliest glimpses he gave us into his emotional torment.

The lyrics of the song are about the pain he feels following a fight with a partner. He regrets crossing a line in their disagreement and blames feeling lost and scared.

“In My Place” earned the band one of its earliest Grammy Award nominations in the Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group category.

Top Coldplay Songs, Final Thoughts

Coldplay has been one of the most successful and prolific rock bands of the past couple of decades. The band’s ability to explore different music genres and collaborate with dissimilar artists, while continually cranking out critically-acclaimed radio hits, makes them one of the most unique acts of all time.

Coldplay continues to release new music and tour at a torrid pace with no signs of slowing down. While these are some of the best Coldplay songs, the library of their great music will continue to grow.