Clocks
From WikiColdplay
"Clocks" was the third single from Coldplay's second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head. Regional singles were released for UK, Europe, Australia (a mini-EP), Japan (enhanced), Netherlands (3-disc EP), France, and the United States. Promos were released for British and American markets. In addition, a special Limited Edition 12" single was available with 1,000 copies in the UK. This release contained special remixes by Röyksopp. Instrumentals have also shown up by The Twelve Girls Band and The String Quartet. Popularized by television commercials, it holds the record as being the highest selling song on Apple's iTunes music store. In late 2003, the song was used in advertisement for the movie "Peter Pan". It has been noted by critics that "Speed of Sound", the first single from Coldplay's third album X&Y, bears some similarities with "Clocks".[1]
The single cover, created by Sølve Sundsbø, depicts lead singer Chris Martin with his hands folded on a glass table. The drawing perspective is looking from below the table.
"Clocks" was arguably the most successful commercial hit from A Rush of Blood to the Head. Throughout 2003, it was featured in various commercials, movies and television programs; from WWE promos featuring the returning Kurt Angle to the film In America to the end of an episode of ER. The song was played in its entirety during the ending credits for the film Confidence with Dustin Hoffman and Rachel Weisz. It was also used on a trailer on the BBC advertising the "Freeview" service.
In 2004, "Clocks" won the coveted Record of the Year honour at the Grammy Awards, beating the likes of Eminem, OutKast and Beyoncé.
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Musical structure and composition
"Clocks" is in the key of E flat Mixolydian. Built around a repeating piano riff, it features a minimalist soundscape of drums and bass over an aura of synthesizers and strings. The piano riff and ethereal tone of the song are reminiscent of The Unforgettable Fire by U2. Chris Martin's cryptic lyrics are thought to be about death and the transience of life. The song was recorded at Air Studios, London, at the very end of the sessions for A Rush of Blood to the Head. It was the last song to be recorded and arguably forms the turning-point of the whole album; it was something of a departure from Coldplay's previous style. According to Martin, it was inspired by Muse.[2]
Track listings
UK
- 7" R6594, CD CDR6594 released March 24 2003 by Parlophone
- 12" 12R6594 released July 7 2003 by Parlophone
- "Clocks"
- "Crests of Waves"
- "Animals"
- DVD DVDR6594 released March 24 2003 by Parlophone
- "Clocks" (video edit)
- "Politik" (live and photo gallery)
- "In My Place" (live)
- Interview footage
US
Released June 24 2003 by Capitol Records 52608
- "Clocks" (edit) – 4:13
- "Yellow" (live) – 5:37
Japan
Released July 24 2003 by Toshiba-EMI TOCP 61078
- "Clocks" (edit) – 4:11
- "Crests of Waves" – 3:38
- "Animals" – 5:33
- "Murder" – 5:35
- "In My Place" (live) – 3:58
- "Yellow" (live) – 5:12
- "Clocks" (video) – 4:18
- "In My Place" (video) – 3:48
Cover images
UK (promo) |
The single cover, created by Sølve Sundsbø, depicts lead singer Chris Martin with his hands placed on his head. The drawing perspective is looking down from above.
Music video
The "Clocks" music video was directed by Dominic Leung, who previously worked with artists like Badly Drawn Boy. The video was shot at Docklands' ExCeL Building in London. The video features the band performing the song in front of a staged audience, mostly local college students with a laser show. Stage effects and blue-red light transitions give the video a surreal feel, not to mention the stoic crowd that make up the audience.
Reworked version and remixes
In addition to the Royksopp remix there have been several other dance remixes of "Clocks", including those by Clokx and Deep Dish plus a mashup from Gabriel and Dresden's 2003 Essential Mix which appeared on various P2P networks. On 13 November 2006, the album Rhythms del Mundo by the Buena Vista Social Club was released, featuring a reworked version of "Clocks". It follows a samba style, with a slightly altered piano riff. The track "Should I go" off of Brandy's album Afrodisiac also samples the song. It was covered by the band Gregorian.
Lyrics
Lights go out and I can’t be saved Tides that I tried to swim against Brought me down upon my knees Oh I beg, I beg and plead, singin’ Come out if things aren’t said Shoot an apple off my head, and a trouble that can’t be named Tigers waitin’ to be tamed, singin' You... are... You... are... Confusion never stops Closing walls and ticking clocks, gonna come back and take you home, I could not stop that you now know, singin' Come out upon my seas Curse missed opportunities, am I a part of the cure, or am I part of the disease?, singin' You... are... You... are... You... are... You... are... Oh, nothing else compares Oh, nothing else compares And nothing else compares (You... are... You... are...) Home, home, where I wanted to go Home, home, where I wanted to go Home, home, (You...) where I wanted to go (are...) Home, home, (You...) where I wanted to go (are...)
External links
| Chris Martin | Guy Berryman | Jonny Buckland | Will Champion |
| Phil Harvey | Brian Eno | Ken Nelson |
| EPs: Safety EP | Brothers & Sisters EP | The Blue Room EP | Norwegian Live EP |
| Albums: Parachutes | A Rush of Blood to the Head | X&Y | Viva la Vida Or Death And All His Friends |
| Live albums: Live 2003 |
| Compilations: The Singles 1999-2006 |
| Unofficial collections: A Rush Of B-Sides To Your Head | Castles | After After Before |
| Singles: Ode to Deodorant | Brothers & Sisters | Shiver | Yellow | Trouble | Don't Panic | In My Place | The Scientist | Clocks | God Put a Smile upon Your Face | Speed of Sound | Fix You | Talk | The Hardest Part | What If | Violet Hill |
| Tours: A Rush Of Blood To The Head Tour | Twisted Logic Tour | Latin America Tour 2007 | Viva La Vida Tour |
| Other Stuff |
| Songs | Videography | Concert Reviews | Coldplay Chronology | Collaborations |
