Featured Music

Life Lessons from Coldplay’s Chris Martin

4,209

Break-ups are tough – even if you’re the lead singer of a huge band. This much is true, and it was made even more clear during BBC Radio One host Zane Lowe’s interview with Coldplay Chris Martin. It was an interview that was, at times funny, deeply personal, and – yes, I’m going to say it – very moving. 

Most of the stories coming out of the interview have focussed on the singer taking responsibility for the break-up of his marriage to Gwyneth Paltrow – those stories were already making the rounds in as part of promo ahead of the interview, which aired on BBC Radio One on Monday night. But just coming away with that would be to lose out on the gems of insight we learned about one of this generation’s most well-known voices.

Yes, Martin did – more than once – allude to him being the reason his ten-year relationship faulted. This tidbit should be a lot to satiate those curious gossips out there – especially the ones who laid the blame on Gwyneth and her idiosyncratic ways. But the interview was more than just his acknowledgement, publicly, of the role he played in the split. 

It humanized him – frontman, father, creator of ballads and stadium-anthems alike. 

There’s no way us common folk could ever know what it’s like to command a crowd of thousands upon a stage, or what it’s like to be married to a gorgeous actress, or be best friends with Jay-Z and Beyonce. Not that Martin wants us to feel sorry for, or pity, him (because, let’s face it, no one does). But, in testimony to the kind of warm and inviting interviewer Lowe is, Martin revealed more about himself than ever heard before. 

“I think, in life, everyone needs to be broken in some way,” he told Lowe. “I think everyone in their life goes through challenges, whether it’s love or money, kids, or illness…You have to really not run away from that stuff. Life throws these colourful challenges at you.” That, Martin explains, is what he and the band decided to explore on Ghost Stories, and being honest about that experience. 

“I wanted to look at the idea of ghosts; how do you let the things that have happened to you in the past, not affect your present?” he said. It’s a subject other singers have tackled, and no doubt more still will, but right now, for this time and in this place, it was comforting to listen to Martin talk about something I know I battle to deal with all the time – the balance between failure and potential, defeat and hope. Strip it all away, and that’s what you’re left with, right?

He told Zane a sufi (a Muslim ascetic) told him that he should sit with the particular troubling experience and it will ‘alchemize’. “I didn’t know what it meant, but I trusted him,” Martin said. The album, the sixth one he and his three other bandmates have created, is his sitting with the experience of life as it currently is.

“It’s like going to the gym and knowing you have to do an hour on the treadmill, and you’re looking for any excuse not to,” Martin explained further. “But once you’ve done it and that hour is up, you’re so glad you did it. That’s what the album is – it’s basically 42 minutes on an emotional treadmill.”

coldplay

But of course, the interview wasn’t entirely like listening to just another guy with a broken heart. It’s Chris Martin after all  – a man just as much loved as he is hated (mostly for the sake of hating). There’s a lot within the interview about his shortcomings: particularly his inability to let go of his insecurities – despite selling millions of albums, winning dozens of awards, playing to sold-out shows around the world – that affected his family life, and he says, his ability to love back. 

Without being too specific, Martin was just personal enough. “What changed for me was – I don’t want to go through life being scared of it, being scared of love, being scared of rejection, being scared of failure,” he said. “Ever since our band came out, we have been a very polarising group because we do a certain thing very well.” 

Going back to the band’s early days, I think of 2001, as Coldplay’s debut album Parachutes started to gain traction, and a friend at UCT Radio was going off to Australia to see them perform at Big Day Out. A fan of Trouble and Yellow (I remember my 18-year-old self writing in my diary that I liked how Chris Martin’s voice “soared, almost like a girl’s but not”), I jokingly asked her to please get me their autograph, thinking she’d not be able to get anywhere near to a band about to be on the verge of world super-stardom. But she did, and she brought back a piece of A4 foolscap paper that said: “Dear Nadia – with all our love, Coldplay,” and below it were four individual signatures.

Now sure, you could be a cynic and say the autographs weren’t real, but I have no reason to be in this regard. Similarly, you could take a cynical view of the interview, and believe that it’s all about selling albums. All I know is my world is a little more easier to deal with thanks to the magic of Magic, the first single off Ghost Stories. And although I’m not the fan I used to be, I’m looking forward to the album’s release next month, because, dammit, going through a break-up is hard – whether you’re the lead singer of Coldplay or a girl who is just looking for a place to pick herself back up again.

Listen to the part one of the interview here:

Ghost Stories releases May 19th.

[Pic: Parlophone]

4,209 comments

  36. You have made some decent points there. I checked
    on the net for more information about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this web site.

  37. Pingback: sildenafil citrate coupon

  38. Hi there outstanding blog! Does running a blog such as this require a
    lot of work? I’ve absolutely no understanding of computer programming but I was hoping to start my own blog in the near future.

    Anyways, if you have any suggestions or tips for new blog owners please share.
    I know this is off topic but I just needed to ask. Thanks a lot!

  39. Howdy! Someone in my Facebook group shared this
    site with us so I came to check it out. I’m definitely loving
    the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting
    this to my followers! Wonderful blog and excellent style and design.

  40. Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this site. It’s simple, yet effective.
    A lot of times it’s hard to get that “perfect balance” between usability and visual appearance.
    I must say that you’ve done a fantastic job with this. In addition, the blog loads super fast
    for me on Safari. Superb Blog!

  41. Greetings from Idaho! I’m bored to tears at work so
    I decided to browse your site on my iphone during lunch break.
    I enjoy the information you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home.
    I’m shocked at how fast your blog loaded on my mobile ..
    I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, very good
    blog!

  42. Pingback: what is female viagra called

  69. Imagine having access to Akhanda’s time-honoured 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training program virtually, right from your home location!! Uniquely in 2021, our Yoga Alliance registered program can be offered online! Reveal a more radiant version of you! This life-changing opportunity is both a personal development and professional qualification that opens the doors to the world of Yoga teaching! Study with Yogrishi Vishvketu and our exceptional teaching team and step with confidence into teaching and the rest of your life. The virtual YTT program will include five weekends and a 7-day intensive of live online classes that are scheduled to be attended by students across North America and Europe. https://akhandayoga.com/ This virtual program will be conveniently scheduled in time zones from LA (Pacific Time) to Milan (European Time) in four 1.5 hour sessions on both Saturday and Sunday. There will also be a special 2-hour seminar Friday evenings for the two groups individually. The weekends will start on alternate weekends to aid with assimilation of the material, and end with a seven-day intensive. Akhanda means whole and indivisible. Akhanda Yoga, designed by Himalayan Master Yogrishi Vishvketu (PhD) offers a holistic toolkit to bring forward ancient wisdom for a modern age. In Akhanda Yoga Teacher Training you will learn to teach artful, balanced sequences including a full repertoire of yoga techniques: asana, pranayama, mantra and meditation linked with themes to yogic wisdom. Our YTTs are renown for our interactive philosophy, Ayurveda, detailed techniques and engaged anatomy segments. You will also learn to lead foundational posture and breath workshops.

  72. Hi juѕt wanted to give you a quick heads սp and let yoս know a few of thе
    images aren’t loaԁing correctly. I’m not Ñ•ure why but I think its a linking issue.
    I’ve tried it in two different internet Ьrowsers and both shoԝ the same results.

    Feel free to á´ isit my homepage – direct payday loans

  75. Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it is really informative. I am going to watch out for brussels. I?ll appreciate if you continue this in future. Many people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  76. It is appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I desire to suggest you few interesting things or suggestions. Maybe you can write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read more things about it!

  77. Hello there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it’s really informative. I am going to watch out for brussels. I?ll be grateful if you continue this in future. Many people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  79. It’s the best time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you some interesting things or tips. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article. I want to read even more things about it!

  80. We wish to thank you all over again for the lovely ideas you offered Jeremy when preparing her own post-graduate research and, most importantly, for providing each of the ideas in a single blog post. If we had known of your web-site a year ago, we will have been kept from the needless measures we were choosing. Thanks to you.

  81. Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this board and I to find It truly helpful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to offer something back and help others such as you helped me.

  85. Cool bloɡ! Is your theme cᥙstom made or diԀ үou download it from somewherе?
    A theme like yours with a few simple tweeks wouuld really make mʏ blog jmp out.
    Please let me knoww where you got ｙour ⅾｅsign. With thanks

    Alsο visit my page: single chat line free

  88. Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it but, I’d like to shoot you an e-mail. I’ve got some creative ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it grow over time.

  130. Pingback: acheter generic cialis in france
  131. Pingback: cialis experience australia
  132. Pingback: discount cialis south africa
  133. Pingback: brother viagra problem mom fixes
  134. Pingback: trump viagra healthcare paraday
  135. Pingback: sildenafil before surgery

  139. I enjoy what you guys are up too. This kind of clever work and coverage!
    Keep up the fantastic works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to our blogroll.

  140. I will immediately take hold of your rss feed as I can’t to find your e-mail subscription hyperlink
    or newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Kindly permit me realize in order
    that I may subscribe. Thanks.

  141. It is appropriate time to make some plans for the longer
    term and it’s time to be happy. I’ve read this submit and if I
    may just I desire to suggest you some attention-grabbing
    issues or suggestions. Maybe you can write next articles relating
    to this article. I desire to learn even more things about it!

  142. Hi there would you mind sharing which blog platform
    you’re working with? I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m
    having a difficult time choosing between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.

    The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for
    something completely unique. P.S Sorry for getting off-topic
    but I had to ask!

  150. Pingback: cheapest generic cialis australia
  154. Pingback: buy cialis rush
  163. Pingback: cialis 20mg for sale
  181. Pingback: buy 36 hour online
  187. Pingback: buy retina no prescription
  189. Pingback: ivermectin for coronavirus
  193. Pingback: quick cash advance maine
  207. Pingback: non-prescription cialis canada
  236. Pingback: viagra without doctor prescription
  339. Pingback: buy online in canada
  347. Pingback: free and single dating
  695. Pingback: cialis 5mg tablets
  746. Pingback: viagra definition

  770. Teddy: There are many companies that make sure that they are historically accurate. There’s a genre of game called Historical Fantasy, which put you in a real world. Everything around you is real, but your story is fantasy—your specific character. Your character did not exist in that time. Maybe some of the protagonists in the story did not exist in that time. That is the fantasy. But the world around you, most of the characters around you—they are all real, they actually existed. And they’re sure to tell you, when you get a game, what genre it is. They can tell you if it’s completely 100% factual, or they can tell you if it’s completely nonexistent with fairies and rainbows and stuff like that. https://comibaby.com/community/profile/ermadorn0031833/ The horror genre has always been a staple of gaming. From the earliest days of survival horror in NES’ Clock Tower to later classics such as Resident Evil, Silent Hill, Amnesia, Dead Space, Fatal Frame, and BioShock, games have always been around to terrify you. And that tradition continues as the industry continues to venture into new technologies, such as virtual reality. Early next year, we’ll even get the first Resident Evil game made with VR in mind. Help Laura wake up to the real world in Dreamscapes: The Sandman is a survival horror game that sees you playing as Laura. In this video game, can you travel through the eternal darkness and help her wake up in the real world? Try this breathtaking hidden object adventure game now!

  775. Hi there I am so happy I found your blog, I really found you by mistake, while I was looking on Yahoo for something else, Anyways I
    am here now and would just like to say thank you for
    a marvelous post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have
    time to browse it all at the minute but I have saved it and also included your RSS
    feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the
    excellent job.

  776. Please let me know if you’re looking for a article author
    for your weblog. You have some really great articles and I think I would be a good
    asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d love to write
    some articles for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.
    Please blast me an email if interested. Many thanks!

  778. Tiktok izlenme Satın Al

    Türkiye ve dünyada bir anda yıldızı parlayan tiktok video izlenme uygulaması çok kısa
    sürede şüphesiz en çok izlenen video uygulaması arasına giriş
    yaptı
    bir çok kişi bu video izlenme sitesi üzerinden para kazanmaya başlayarak
    birbirinden çeşitli videolar yayınlamışlardır.

    Sizde bu tür video yayınlayarak
    bütçenize katkıda bulunmasını dilerseniz videolarınızın keşfete düşmesi gereklidir.

    Keşfet için https://bit.do/tiktokizlenme

  787. HC Pigment-Control’ün cilt lekelerine karşı
    hızlı ve güçlü etkisi, Kuzey Kanada Bozkırları’na özgü bir tarla bitkisi olan Rumeks’ten (Tyrostatâ„¢), tabiatın yeniden canlandırma mucizesi
    olan Yeniden DiriliÅŸ Bitkisi’ne kadar birçok doÄŸal ve saf aktif bileÅŸene
    dayalıdır. Tüm bu aktif bileşenlerin, lekeler ve cilt yaşlanması üzerindeki etkileri in-vivo testler ve klinik
    laboratuvar çalışmalarıyla kanıtlanmıştır.
    Tüm cilt tiplerinde, leke problemlerini giderme ve
    önlemede,
    cilt tonu eşitsizliğinde, cilt aydınlatmasında, nem ihtiyacı olan ciltlerde güvenle kullanılabilir.

    https://rebrand.ly/hclekekremi

  803. Thank you for every other informative website.
    Where else could I am getting that type of information written in such a perfect manner?

    I’ve a undertaking that I’m just now operating on, and I have been at the look
    out for such information.

  827. I know this web page provides quality based articles or reviews and
    additional stuff, is there any other web page which offers
    these kinds of stuff in quality?