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)
Spies
Coldplay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I said how do you live as a fugitive
Down here where I cannot see so clear
I said, what do I know
Show me the right way to go
And the spies came out of the water
But you're feeling so bad 'cause you know
But you can't touch them no, 'cause they're all spies
They're all spies
I awake to see that no one is free
We're all fugitives
Look at the way we live
Down here, I cannot sleep from fear no
I said, which way do I turn
Oh I forget everything I learn
And the spies came out of the water
But you're feeling so bad 'cause you know
The spies hide out in every corner
But you can't touch them no
'Cause they're all spies
They're all spies
And if we all hide here
They're going to find us
And if we don't hide now
They're going to catch us where we sleep
And if we don't hide here
They're going to find us
And spies came out of the water
But you're feeling so good 'cause you know
Though spies hide out in every corner
They can't touch you no
'Cause they're just spies
They're just spies
They're just spies
They're just spies
They're just spies
In Coldplay’s song “Spies”, the lyrics portray a sense of fear and paranoia. The lines “I awake to find no peace of mind” and “Down here where I cannot see so clear” indicate that the singer is feeling trapped and uncertain. He is also aware of the danger around him, as he describes the “spies” that “hide out in every corner”.
The lyrics suggest that we are all “fugitives” and that we cannot trust anyone because everyone is a spy. The line “no one is free” implies that we are all being watched and monitored. The singer is seeking direction and guidance on what to do, as he says “Show me the right way to go” and “Which way do I turn”.
The chorus repeats the theme of the spies, emphasizing the fear and powerlessness that the singer feels. The “spies” are portrayed as omnipresent and impossible to catch. However, at the end of the song, the tone shifts slightly as the singer says “They can’t touch you no, ‘cause they’re just spies”. This line suggests that while the fear and paranoia may be overwhelming, the spies are ultimately powerless.
Overall, “Spies” is a song that explores the themes of fear, paranoia, and powerlessness. The lyrics suggest that we are all being watched and monitored, and that we cannot trust anyone. The final message, however, is that despite the fear, we are ultimately more powerful than those who seek to control us.
Line by Line Meaning
I awake to find no peace of mind
I am restless and troubled upon waking up
I said how do you live as a fugitive
I asked how to survive while being pursued
Down here where I cannot see so clear
In this world where things are unclear
I said, what do I know
I wondered what knowledge or understanding I have
Show me the right way to go
Guide me to the correct path
And the spies came out of the water
Unexpected threats are emerging
But you're feeling so bad 'cause you know
You feel anxious because you are aware of the danger
But the spies hide out in every corner
Danger is lurking everywhere
But you can't touch them no, 'cause they're all spies
You can't eliminate the danger because it is widespread and hidden
I awake to see that no one is free
Everyone is living in fear and captivity
We're all fugitives
We are all on the run from something
Look at the way we live
Consider the manner in which we exist
Down here, I cannot sleep from fear no
I am too afraid to sleep
I said, which way do I turn
I asked for direction and guidance
Oh I forget everything I learn
I am too panicked to think straight
And if we all hide here
If we all choose to conceal ourselves
They're going to find us
We will still be discovered
And if we don't hide now
If we don't take precautions soon
They're going to catch us where we sleep
We will be caught off guard
And spies came out of the water
More unseen threats are emerging
But you're feeling so good 'cause you know
You feel good because you are equipped to handle the danger
Though spies hide out in every corner
The threat is still pervasive and lurking
They can't touch you no
You are impervious to harm
'Cause they're just spies
The danger is not as formidable as it seemed
They're just spies
The danger is not as legitimate as it appeared
They're just spies
The threat is not insurmountable
They're just spies
The danger does not define who we are
They're just spies
We can overcome the danger and rise above it
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Christopher Anthony John Martin, Guy Rupert Berryman, Jonathan Mark Buckland, William Champion
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alyas Scofield
on Yellow
love it
Jeannie Smith
on A Sky Full of Stars
<3 love it!
Jeannie Smith
on Shiver
Also I'd like to add that this song and some oyher stuff makes me think of The Bee Gees for some reason.
Jeannie Smith
on Shiver
I like this because of Lucy who's knickname is Shivers.
Jeannie Smith
on Speed of Sound
I like all of Coldplay's songs so far. :)
Jeannie Smith
on O
I like this.
Jeannie Smith
on A Sky Full of Stars
love this song <3
Jeannie Smith
on A Sky Full of Stars
Like this!
Kirstine Reville
on Fix You
NICE