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Rating: "Parachutes" was released on July 10, 2000, and it's the first album by the English band "Coldplay". The album is divided into 11 tracks characterized by a deep sonic continuity mainly focused on the Brit Pop and Pop Rock genres. This album received excellent feedback from critics and the public, managing to reach number one on the UK chart and bringing a lot of fame to the band. Four singles were released: "Shiver" (#35), "Yellow" (#4), "Trouble" (#10), and "Don't Panic". But let's move on to the track-by-track analysis.
Don't Panic Coldplay's debut album certainly doesn't start in the best way, in fact, perhaps in the worst. A short track full of optimism (especially highlighted by the numerous repetitions of the line "we live in a beautiful world") but too repetitive. The fourth and last single from the album turns out to be boring and unoriginal... RATING 4
Shiver The second track immediately starts with a sweet and cheerful melody well executed with the guitar, which gradually transforms into a fairly energetic rhythm. The lyrics talk about unrequited love between two people: this is the cause of the "shiver" that gives the title to the piece. One of the first songs composed by the band, it is certainly one of the catchiest and poppiest tracks on the album; not surprisingly, the song was chosen as the first single. Very beautiful... RATING 8.5
Spies Without a doubt the darkest song on the entire album, it's characterized by a verse constructed with acoustic guitar notes in the Radiohead "style" and a chorus accompanied by electric (guitar) notes. "Spies came out of the water"... Who are the spies that trouble Martin and company? The lyrics also best convey the almost ominous nature of the song. The ideal soundtrack for night travel, in a car, on a deserted road... RATING 7.5
Sparks A song on more or less the same line as the previous one but completely devoid of rhythm changes. A quite soporific ballad that is negligible compared to other tracks... RATING 5.5
Yellow The song that brought Coldplay to prominence at home and abroad. It is definitely the best track on the album and was rightly chosen as the second single. The song is based on a dreamy guitar riff accompanied by the drum in pure Brit pop style; one should also consider Chris Martin's excellent vocal performance. It was the singer himself who decided to title the song "Yellow" after taking a look at the yellow pages. The lyrics are a sweet veneration of the wonders of the beloved woman compared to the twinkle of the stars... RATING 9
Trouble Another very important track for Coldplay's career. The third single from the album is a ballad built on a famous piano riff, considered by many a true masterpiece. Actually, Coldplay have written better stuff, but this track has a mysterious atmosphere derived from the perfect piano sound and why not... also determined by a very expressive video showing Chris tied to a chair on a cold night. The lyrics seem to represent a real apology to someone we acted wrongly towards, causing them harm... RATING 8
Parachutes A brief interlude very sweetly sung by Chris that introduces the second part of the album
High Speed Perhaps the most rock song on the album: leaving aside the ballads' falsettos and the joyful atmospheres of Yellow and Shiver in favor of greater strength in the singing, especially in the chorus. This song's style goes in the direction of the alternative rock that made Radiohead famous. A good song that certainly doesn't fall short compared to other great tracks on this album... RATING 7
We Never Change Back to listening to a ballad. A decent song made precious by the expressive qualities of Chris Martin's sweet voice which manages to bring value to an overall not exceptional song. The lyrics talk about the desire to live best and the importance of staying oneself... Ideal for those who want to give themselves a moment of tranquility and reflection... RATING 6.5
Everything's Not Lost Simply a gem to treasure: a worthy conclusion to this album; if it had been released as a single, it would surely have become a Coldplay classic. The song starts slowly, with Chris's voice accompanied by piano notes, then the chorus arrives, and the magnificent electric guitar sound joins to craft new melodies. In the last part, the song transforms into a joyful melody when Chris sings "Singing out ah ah ah yeah", followed by the rest of the band. The lyrics emphasize that even if you find yourself in a difficult situation, not everything is always lost. The ideal soundtrack for a happy ending... RATING 8.5
Life Is For Living A brief hidden track at the end of the previous track: a nice little song that would have certainly deserved more effort from the band in its development; but, unfortunately, it wasn't so. Perhaps it would have been better to close grandly with "Everything's Not Lost", as this leaves somewhat of a bitter aftertaste... RATING 6
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Don't Panic (02:33)
Bones sinking like stones
All that we've fought for
Homes, places we've grown
All of us are done for
We live in a beautiful world
Yeah we do, yeah we do
We live in a beautiful world
Bones sinking like stones
All that we've fought for
Homes, places we've grown
All of us are done for
We live in a beautiful world
Yeah we do, yeah we do
We live in a beautiful world
We live in a beautiful world
Yeah we do, yeah we do
We live in a beautiful world
Oh all that I know
There's nothing here to run from
Cause yeah
Everybody here's got somebody to lean on
02 Shiver (05:02)
So I look in your direction
But you pay me no attention, do you?
I know you don't listen to me
'Cause you say you see straight through me
Don't you?
But on and on
From the moment I wake
To the moment I sleep
I'll be there by your side
Just you try and stop me
I'll be waiting in line
Just to see if you care
Oh, did you want me to change?
Well I'd change for good
And I want you to know that you'll always get your way
And I wanted to say
Don't you shiver
Don't you shiver
I'll sing it loud and clear
And I'll always be waiting for you
So you know how much I need you
But you never even see me do you?
And is this my final chance of getting you?
But on and on
From the moment I wake
To the moment I sleep
I'll be there by your side
Just you try and stop me
I'll be waiting in line
Just to see if you care, if you care
Did you want me to change?
Well I'd change for good
And I want you to know that you'll always get your way
And I wanted to say
Don't you shiver
Don't you shiver
I'll sing it loud and clear
I'll always be waiting for you
Yeah I'll always be waiting for you
Yeah I'll always be waiting for you
Yeah I'll always be waiting for you
For you, I will always be waiting
And it's you I see
But you don't see me
And it's you, I hear
So loud and so clear
I sing it loud and clear
And I'll always be waiting for you
So I look in your direction
But you pay me no attention
And you know how much I need you
But you never even see me
03 Spies (05:18)
I awake to find no peace of mind
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
And you're feeling so bad 'cause you know
And the spies hide out in every corner
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
Spies came out of the water
And you're feeling so bad 'cause you know
And 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 don't hide here
They're gonna find us
And if we don't hide now
They're gonna catch us when we sleep
And if we don't hide here
They're gonna find us
Spies came out of the water
And you're feeling so good 'cause you know
But those 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
04 Sparks (03:47)
Did I drive you away?
I know what you'll say,
You'll say 'Oh, sing one you know,
But I promise you this,
I'll always look out for you,
Yea that's what I'll do
I Say oh...
I say oh...
My heart is yours,
It's you that I hold on to,
Yea that's what I'll do
I know I was wrong,
But I won't let you down,
Oh yeah I will, yeah I will
Yes I will
I said oh,
I cry oh.
Yeah, I saw sparks
Yeah, I saw sparks,
And I saw sparks,
Yeah, I saw sparks
Sing it out,
La la la laaaaaaa, oh ohhh
La la la laaaaaaa, oh ohhh
La la la laaaaaaa, oh ohhh
La la la laaaaaaa, oh ohhh
05 Yellow (04:28)
Look at the stars
Look how they shine for you
And everything you do
Yeah, they were all yellow
I came along
I wrote a song for you
And all the things you do
And it was called Yellow
So then I took my turn
Oh what a thing to've done
And it was all yellow
Your skin
Oh yeah your skin and bones
Turn it into something beautiful
And you know
You know I love you so
You know I love you so
I swam across
I jumped across for you
Oh what a thing to do
'Cause you were all yellow
I drew a line
I drew a line for you
Oh what a thing to do
And it was all yellow
Your skin
Oh yeah your skin and bones
Turn into something beautiful
And you know
For you I'd bleed myself dry
For you I'd bleed myself dry
It's true
Look how they shine for you
Look how they shine for you
Look how they shine for
Look how they shine for you
Look how they shine for you
Look how they shine
Look at the stars
Look how they shine for you
And all the things that you do
06 Trouble (04:30)
Oh no, I see
A spider web is tangled up with me
And I lost my head
The thought of all the stupid things I've said
Oh no, what's this?
A spider web, and I'm caught in the middle
So I turned to run
The thought of all the stupid things I've done
I never meant to cause you trouble
I never meant to do you wrong
I, well if I ever caused you trouble
Oh no, I never meant to do you harm
Oh no, I see
A spider web and it's me in the middle
So I twist and turn
Here am I in my little bubble
Singing, I never meant to cause you trouble
I never meant to do you wrong
Ah, well if I ever caused you trouble
Oh no, I never meant to do you harm
They spun a web for me
They spun a web for me
They spun a web for me
07 Parachutes (05:10)
In a haze, a stormy haze,
I'll be around, I'll be loving you always,
Always
Here I am, and I'll take my time,
Here I am and I'll wait in line
Always
09 We Never Change (04:09)
I want to live life, and never be cruel
And I want to live life, and be good to you,
And I want to fly, and never come down,
And live my life, and have friends around
We never change do we?
No, no.
We never learn do we?
So I want to live in a wooden house
I want to live life, and always be true
And I want to live life, and be good to you,
And I want to fly, and never come down,
And live my life, and have friends around
We never change do we?
No, no.
We never learn do we?
So I want to live in a wooden house
But making more friends would be easy
Oh and I don't have a soul to save,
Yes and I sin every single day.
We never change do we?
We never learn do we?
So I want to live in a wooden house,
Making more friends would be easy,
I want to live where the sun comes out.
10 Everything's Not Lost (07:15)
When I counted up my demons.
So there was one for every day.
with the good ones on my shoulders,
I drove the other ones away.
So if you ever feel neglected,
If you think that all is lost,
I'll be counting up my demons, yeah,
Hoping everything's not lost.
When you thought that it was over,
You could feel it all around,
And everybody's out to get you,
Don't you let it drag you down.
'Cause if you ever feel neglected,
And if you think that all is lost,
I'll be counting up my demons, yeah.
Hoping everything's not lost
If you ever feel neglected,
If you think that all is lost,
I'll be counting up my demons, yeah,
Hoping everything's not lost.
Singing out,
Oh oh oh yeah,
Oh oh yeah,
Oh oh yeah,
Everything's not lost.
Come on yeah,
Oh oh yeah,
Come on yeah,
Everything's not lost,
Oh oh yeah,
Oh oh yeah,
Oh oh yeah,
And everything's not lost,
Come on yeah,
Oh oh yeah,
Come on yeah,
Come on yeah,
Oh oh yeah,
Come on yeah,
Everything's not lost
Sing out yeah,
Oh oh yeah,
Come on yeah,
Everything's not lost,
Come on yeah,
Oh oh yeah,
Sing out yeah,
And everything's not lost.
11 Beautiful World (02:17)
Bones sinking like stones
All that we've fought for
Homes, places we've grown
All of us are done for
We live in a beautiful world
Yeah we do, yeah we do
We live in a beautiful world
Bones sinking like stones
All that we've fought for
Homes, places we've grown
All of us are done for
We live in a beautiful world
Yeah we do, yeah we do
We live in a beautiful world
We live in a beautiful world
Yeah we do, yeah we do
We live in a beautiful world
Oh all that I know
There's nothing here to run from
Cause yeah
Everybody here's got somebody to lean on
12 Help Is Round the Corner (02:36)
Stuck here n the middle of no where
With a headache and a heavy heart
Oh well nothing was going quite right here
and i'm tired, i can't play my part
Come on, Come on, Oh what a state I'm in
Come on Come on, why won't it just sink in
The help is just around the corner for us
Oh my head just won't stop achin
I'm sat here lickin' my wounds
I'm shattered but it really doesn't matter
Cuz my rescue, is gonna be here soon
Come on Come on, Oh what a state I'm in
Come on Come on why won't it just sink in
The help is just around the corner for us
The help is just around the corner for us
Oh the help is just around the corner for us
15 See You Soon (02:48)
So you lost your trust,
and you never should have,
no you never should have.
But don't break your back if you ever hear this,
well, don't answer that
Cuz in a bulletproof vest,
with the windows all closed,
I'll be doin' my best,
and I'll see you soon.
And in a telescope lens,
and when all you want is friends,
I'll see you soon
So they came for you,
they come snappin' at your heels
they come snappin' at your heels
don't break your back if you ever hear this
well, don't answer that
cuz in a bulletproof vest,
with the windows all closed,
I'll be doin' my best,
and I'll see you soon,
and in a telescope lens,
and when all you want is friends,
I'll see you soon.
you lost your trust, oh no
you lost your trust, no
don't lose your trust, oh no
don't lose your trust
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Other reviews
By Sallu
Ten poems (+ hidden track) each more beautiful than the last that present us with a new benchmark group on the world music scene.
I recommend listening to the CD before going to sleep; it resonates best during those moments.
By ste84
The cold is the element most felt when listening to this CD: the emotion, the chills that make your skin crawl.
"Yellow"...a song to take, keep hidden to discover it in the moonlight while making a love declaration.
By airbag
Despite everything, it is a beautiful album.
Coldplay adopt the compositional formula of early Radiohead... but produce an album that is enjoyable and very listenable.
By TONI E FURMINI
"Yellow," a beautiful song ... a showpiece that at every concert manages to thrill all fans.
Despite showing some influence from Radiohead, this CD is certainly one of the best albums that England has produced since the time of (What's the Story) Morning Glory by Oasis.
By masturbatio
Coldplay will release other albums and other videos, the latter thankfully less obscene, with time they will become something else.
It’s beautiful, an intimate and calm jewel, like only the nineties could give us.
