After independently releasing an extended play, Safety (1998), Coldplay signed with Parlophone in 1999. The band's debut album, Parachutes (2000), included their breakthrough single "Yellow" and received a Brit Award for British Album of the Year, a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album and a Mercury Prize nomination. Their second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002), won the same accolades and included "Clocks", which earned a Grammy Award for Record of the Year. In 2005, they released X&Y; the album was marked by a troubled production and various delays, completing what the band considered a trilogy as well. Coldplay's fourth effort, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008), received a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album and their first Album of the Year nomination, while its title track was the first British group song to reach number-one in the United Kingdom and United States simultaneously in the 21st century. Both X&Y and Viva la Vida were the best-selling albums of their respective years, topping the charts in more than 30 countries each.
Since then, Coldplay further diversified their sound with the subsequent releases Mylo Xyloto (2011), Ghost Stories (2014), A Head Full of Dreams (2015), Everyday Life (2019) and Music of the Spheres (2021). Each album presented a unique theme and added new musical styles to the band's original repertoire, including electronica, ambient, pop, R&B, funk, classical, jazz fusion, and progressive rock. They are also known for "euphoric" live performances, which NME said are when the band "come alive and make the most sense". To celebrate their 20th anniversary in 2018, a career-spanning documentary directed by Mat Whitecross was premiered at selected cinemas, featuring previously unseen behind-the-scenes footage.
With 100 million albums sold worldwide, Coldplay are the most successful band of the 21st century and one of the best-selling music acts of all time. According to Fuse, they are also the sixth-most awarded group in history. Other notable achievements include the seventh-highest-grossing tour of all time, three of the 50 highest-selling albums ever in the United Kingdom, the most number-one records in the country without ever missing the top, most nominations and wins for a band in Brit Awards history, and becoming the first British group to debut at number-one on the Billboard Hot 100. Coldplay are considered one of the most influential bands of the 21st century as well, with Forbes describing them as the standard for the current alternative scene. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame included A Rush of Blood to the Head on their "200 Definitive Albums" list and the single "Yellow" is part of their "Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll" exhibition for being one of the most successful and important recordings in the industry. In spite of their popularity and impact, Coldplay have earned a reputation as polarizing music icons.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coldplay
Studio albums
Parachutes (2000)
A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002)
X&Y (2005)
Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008)
Mylo Xyloto (2011)
Ghost Stories (2014)
A Head Full of Dreams (2015)
Everyday Life (2019)
Music of the Spheres (2021)
Idiot
Coldplay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was a god-damn idiot
Because I came here so violent
Because I came around here so violent
I said yes I was an idiot
I was a god-damn idiot
Because I made you think for it
And sing it
It's a wonderful life
Never felt so alive
Never felt so alive
It's a wonderful life
Never felt so alive
Never felt so alive
My love, my love, where have you been?
My love, my love, where did you go?
My love, my love, what have you seen?
My love, you're such an idiot
Like an idiot
I run around like a chicken with its head cut off
Like an idiot
I run around like a chicken with its head cut off
Like an idiot
I run around like a chicken with its head cut off
Like an idiot
I was an idiot
I fell down like a god damn idiot
Because I came here to bring them down
Because I came round here to fight them down
I said yes I felt like an idiot
I was a god damn idiot
Sing it
It's a wonderful life
Never felt so alive
Never felt so alive
It's a wonderful life
Never felt so alive
Never felt so alive
My love, my love, where have you been?
My love, my love, where did you go?
My love, my love, what have you seen?
My love, you're such an idiot
Like an idiot
I run around like a chicken with its head cut off
Like an idiot
I run around like a chicken with its head cut off
Like an idiot
I run around like a chicken with its head cut off
Like an idiot
Listen now, it's a wonderful life
Never felt so alive
It's a wonderful life
Never felt so alive
It's a wonderful life
Never felt so alive
Never felt so alive
It's a wonderful life
Never felt so alive
Never felt so alive
The lyrics to Coldplay's song "Idiot" seem to be about a person realizing that they have made mistakes and acted foolishly in the past. The repetition of "I was an idiot" drives home the point that the singer is taking ownership of their actions and admitting fault. The lines "Because I came here so violent/Because I came around here so violent" suggest that the singer may have been aggressive or confrontational in the past, but now recognizes the error of their ways. The song also includes some self-deprecating humor, as the singer describes themselves as running around "like a chicken with its head cut off."
Despite the self-criticism, the chorus of the song is uplifting and positive. The repetition of "It's a wonderful life" suggests that the singer has come to a place of gratitude and appreciation for their current situation, even if it took some missteps to get there. The lines "Never felt so alive" reinforce this idea that the singer has learned from their mistakes and is now living a fuller, more meaningful life.
The repeated phrase "My love, you're such an idiot" is an interesting addition to the song. It's unclear who the singer is addressing, but it could be interpreted as a way of apologizing for past behavior to a loved one. Overall, "Idiot" is a reflective and introspective song that explores themes of growth and self-improvement.
Line by Line Meaning
So I was an idiot
I did something foolish and regrettable.
I was a god-damn idiot
I was a complete and utter fool.
Because I came here so violent
I acted in an aggressive and confrontational manner upon arriving here.
Because I came around here so violent
I acted in an aggressive and confrontational manner upon arriving here.
I said yes I was an idiot
I acknowledged and admitted my foolishness.
Because I made you think for it
I caused you to struggle and put in effort for something because of my actions.
Because I came round here to think for it
I caused you to struggle and put in effort for something because of my actions.
And sing it
Expressing and conveying emotion through music and song is important.
My love, my love, where have you been?
Where have you been, my beloved?
My love, my love, where did you go?
Where did you disappear, my beloved?
My love, my love, what have you seen?
What did you experience, my beloved?
My love, you're such an idiot
You are acting foolishly, my beloved.
Like an idiot
Being foolish and making bad decisions.
I run around like a chicken with its head cut off
Acting frenzied, confused, and directionless.
I fell down like a god damn idiot
I made a mistake and fell down like a complete fool.
Because I came here to bring them down
I arrived here with the intention of defeating and conquering them.
Because I came round here to fight them down
I arrived here with the intention of defeating and conquering them.
Listen now, it's a wonderful life
Take notice of the beauty and joy in life.
Never felt so alive
Feeling incredibly alive and present in the moment.
It's a wonderful life
Life is beautiful and worth living to the fullest.
Contributed by Jeremiah P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
USMCLP
This, The Man Who Swears A Lot, Solid Ground, and A Ghost are probably the rarest unreleased Coldplay gems. You guys should them check out.
roan van der Meer
Bro hasn't listened to A View From the Top yet i think
Job Vermeeren
@roan van der Meer waiting for a studio release lol.
Polyester Giant
Love how the song seems so wobbly with its tempo. Don't know if it's on purpose, but it contributes to this sort of seething rage the song excels at. The drumwork also aids this effect.
Jimbo
Without this addition my Coldplay playlist with nearly all the demos and extras wouldn’t be the same!
Rariix
I'm so pissed there's no studio version of this on Spotify/etc. Let alone any version! :((
Constantinos Agapiou
rariix you're right
kwyjiboss
Same. I just discovered this song, and now my ultimate Coldplay playlist is incomplete.
USMCLP
It was probably recorded as a B-Side but never released.
BackpackTworld
you can put it in your spotify by yourself