Oh, if only that deer-in-the-headlights look was being caused by some actual oncoming headlights. Here I go, thinking you’ve recorded one of the best singles of the year, one that finds a moving middle ground between the music of U2 and the Arcade Fire, and you have to ruin it by indulging in Bono’s not-really-so-humble self-mocking messiah shtick and the Arcade Fire’s penchant for raiding the wardrobe of a high school thespian club. Thom Yorke still wants to know how many trees had to die so you could do your idiot hop under streams of confetti at the MTV Movie Awards.
One of our big conversations that we always have in this band is, we don’t see rock & roll as being about coke-taking, leather-trouser-wearing rebellion, because that to us is not rebellion anymore. The spirit of rock & roll is freedom. It’s about following what you believe in and not caring what anyone else says. And if that means writing something on your hand, then you’ve got to write something on your hand. It doesn’t matter if you don’t look as cool as the Ramones — you’re never going to, anyway. So I know that we’ll be ridiculed for this and look stupid for that. But as long as we believe in what we’re doing, we can’t apologize for it.
You believe in looking like extras from a crappy production of Les Miserables, and stealing Bono’s dance moves. Great. Can’t I just enjoy your cheesy song about term limits in peace? Can’t you stay behind the keyboard?
Coldplay Viva la Vida Live MTV Movie Awards 2008 [YouTube]
The Jesus Of Uncool [Rolling Stone]
I can’t wait to buy this t-shirt.
So, how long til he goes onstage wearing a kaffiyeh?
On the whole that interview makes him way more likeable in my view, especially the stuff about Eno and the way he really openly concedes a lot of the common criticisms of the band. Of course, it helps to read it without looking at the photo or the live footage.
“You believe in looking like extras from a crappy production of Les Miserables, and stealing Bono’s dance moves. Great. Can’t I just enjoy your cheesy song about term limits in peace? Can’t you stay behind the keyboard?“
While I agree that this song is a mix of lame musical theatre (is there any other kind?) and Arcade Fire-grade cheese, coupled with the deplorable “Sychronicity” video clip wardrobe, the above quote is exactly what Martin is referring to when he talks about “following what you believe in and not caring what anyone else says“. Coldplay are not irony merchants, and if there’s something the hipsterati deplores it’s earnestness. But why should Martin–or any of us, for that matter–give any validity to the ramblings of the same people who wore the kneepads for the likes of Crap Your Pants, um, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and Tapes n Tapes, only to turn on them soon enough. Not when it was made clear that these bands were not just experiencing a sophomore slump but that they always sucked. No. It was when–for whatever arbitrary reason–it became safe to no longer like them. Watch out, Vampire Weekend. You’re next.
“over half of Americans are the coolest people on the planet ..”
Gee, thanks Chris. Good to know that for Coldplay, you’re either with us or against us.
“The spirit of rock & roll is freedom. It’s about following what you believe in and not caring what anyone else says. And if that means writing something on your hand, then you’ve got to write something on your hand.”
Idolator rules. You guys always pick the best quotes - the ones that hang the speaker with their own words. I laughed out loud when I read the above. Freedom! Writing on your hand! I can see it in the next Chevy ad now.
Oh my God. Bigs ups to Leona Lewis for scoring the cover of both Blender AND Rolling Stone. I don’t listen to her music much, but kudo-wait, what? Uh-huh…Oooh. My bad. What it do Chris Martin?
@KikoJones:
Don’t forget about the Black Kids. [the band, not me and my peers] Those who loved the EP are just itching to hate on that full length, no matter how “cute” that album cover may be.
More wounded psyches and stolen Facebooks please.
@KikoJones: i thought vampire weekend had already had its backlash? it’s hard to keep up.
Don’t hate him because he’s beautiful. Because he’s not. Hate him because he has the fashion sense of a trout.
That cover is really Chris Martin’s “Don’t Speak” moment, isn’t it? Or maybe having four guys on the cover in those ridiculous outfits would’ve been a bit too much of an eyesore…
I’ll take a cover of Rolling Stone that features a musician, from a current band, and not an aging Boomer act or a collection of barely-clad TV or movie starlets.
Just saying: Count blessings, people.
My BFF Eddie Vedder would never have gone for this. In fact …
@Chris Molanphy: I personally would much rather see a collection of barely-clad TV or movie starlets, provided that Kid Rock is standing in the middle of them.
“I’ll take a cover of Rolling Stone that features a musician, from a current band, and not an aging Boomer act or a collection of barely-clad TV or movie starlets.“
Amen.
The “aging Boomer act” (The Eagles) didn’t need to be on the cover. And that “collection of barely-clad TV…starlets” (The Hills) had no place anywhere near it.
I’m with ya on the counting of blessings: at least it’s not Blender…or Spin. Yikes!
@Maura Johnston: The Vampire Weekend backlash doesn’t start until the second album is in the works.
as long as they don’t churn out second-rate Travis songs anymore, I’m cool with their new sound.
@KikoJones: I think it’s already happened on Stereogum. However, the reasoned essays about how indie no longer has “substance” won’t happen until at least the second half of Q3. It’ll be like a less uncomfortable version of all those pieces a few months back about how indie wasn’t “black” enough!
“you know ho i know you gay…”
Wow, can I get that cover printed on a t-shirt?
There’s a track on the new album called “42.”
They probably sat around saying “We can do a track that’s two BETTER than ‘40′!”
@KikoJones: I like that Vampire Weekend album. It’s not a bad lil’ indiepop record.
(ducks and runs)