My Coldplay.com - A Coldplay Blog

Here’s the latest Coldplay trivia, courtesy of The Oracle.

August 19, 2008 - submitted by Daniel, Mexico

Q. Dear Oracle,
Why are Coldplay corrupting my mind with images of nipples during Strawberry Swing? and this link : (edited)

The Oracle replies:

Hmmm you must all think the Oracle would not be able to see that multiple people, in the hope of it being answered, have sent in an identical question. It doesn’t work like that…
Nice try though and maybe I will answer the breast issue another day. Maybe not.

August 19, 2008 - submitted by Kate, Australia

Q. Was The Scientist a song for a friend of Chris Martin’s from university? Oh please shed some light on this, oh great one.

The Oracle replies:

No, the song was actually inspired by someone close to the band who was going through a bad time after a relationship break-up.

August 19, 2008 - submitted by Colin, Netherlands

Q. Hi,
Who is the drum technician for Will Champion? And I guess people would like to know the guitarists technicians..

Hope you can tell me, very interested in the drumtech..

The Oracle replies:

Will’s tech is the appropriately named Bash. Hoppy is the guitar tech and both guys have been part of the crew since the very early days.

August 19, 2008 - submitted by Ceci, United States of America

Q. Oh, Oracle, do you think that Michael Phelps is the greatest athlete of all time? Without your insight, the world may never know.

The Oracle replies:

Michael is an incredible asset to his country’s team. Statistically he’s got almost perfect physical attributes for his chosen sport - long arm span, huge feet, double-jointed ankles… These credentials definitely assist in giving him the edge that makes him an athlete who’ll take some beating.

August 19, 2008 - submitted by Alex, United Kingdom

Q. Who was the trance act to support Coldplay at the MGM grand in Las Vegas??

The Oracle replies:

Jon Hopkins supported them in Vegas and a few other dates. He also worked with the band on Viva la Vida.

August 19, 2008 - submitted by Courtney, United States of America

Q. There was a song that Coldplay played on their Politik tour that wasn’t on any of their US albums. I believe the word “sun” is in it. Do you have the song name and a place where I can purchase it?

The Oracle replies:

The song Ladder to the Sun was played during the A Rush of Blood to the Head Tour but there’s no studio version for you to get hold off I’m afraid.

That was nothing to do with money; it was a KROQ radio competition. Coldplay performed at listener Jessica Olah’s house after she won the competition to have the band play for her. You can watch a video here on coldplay.com.

August 19, 2008 - submitted by CITRA, Indonesia

Q. There were 5 people in The Nappies videoclip. Can you tell me who they were (beside Chris, Guy, Jonny, Will)?

The Oracle replies:

The 5th member of The Nappies was Dan Green, Coldplay’s sound engineer.

August 19, 2008 - submitted by Cari, United States of America

Q. Tthe single “Death Will Never Conquer” is that really Will singing lead vocal? I know he is singing it live at the show, but the single given free on this site…sounds like Chris but I read in Rolling Stone Champion sings it…please Oracle help my ears figure this out!!

The Oracle replies:

It’s not a single per se but the track that was given away on this site was indeed sung by Chris. Will sings it at the live shows but there’s no recorded version of Death Will Never Conquer with Will’s vocal on it.

August 18, 2008 - submitted by duncan, United States of America

Q. i’ve always wondered, when talking about a band the word “are” is used in place of “is”. ive always thought of band names as the collection of all of the members together. like coldplay is… as opposed to coldplay are. why is this?/am i just insane?

The Oracle replies:

In the good old U S of A you refer to a band as a singular noun. I guess it is, one group made of many parts. However, over here in the good old U of K, we refer to a band as they. Hence in America the band is but in Britain the band are.

August 18, 2008 - submitted by Paula, Columbia

Q. The song Spies refers to paparazzi?

The Oracle replies:

At the time of writing the song, they band had no first hand experience of being papped so no, it wasn’t. It was actually more of an attempt at a Bond song. In 1999 Bond film The World Is Not Enough was in production and the band wrote Spies inspired by their love of John Barry, renowned writer of Bond themes/songs.
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August 18, 2008 - submitted by Cameron, United Kingdom

Q. At the End of Radiohead’s music video for Just, what does the man on the pavement say to everyone, that causes them lie on the pavement?

The Oracle replies:

Jamie Thraves who directed Just also directed The Scientist & God Put a Smile Upon Your Face. Anyway, he and the band have always remained tight-lipped over that ending so it wouldn’t be right if I told you now would it? Suggestions on a postcard…

August 18, 2008 - submitted by Liam, Australia

Q. What is the thing that Chris swings around in live performances of Fix You?

The Oracle replies:

It’s just a light bulb. Chris had the idea of using a swinging light bulb for the Twisted Logic tour. It wasn’t originally intended for Fix You but it took a few try outs to find the perfect song and moment.

August 18, 2008 - submitted by Jonas, Spain

Q. Dear Oracle, Are Coldplay really fans of Depeche Mode or the optional video of Viva la Vida is just a parody of Enjoy the Silence?

The Oracle replies:

The band are indeed fans of Depeche Mode. It’s not a parody though, more of an homage. The videos were both directed by Anton Corbijn. FYI: Coldplay’s Tour manager Franksy, used to be TM to Depeche Mode.

August 18, 2008 - submitted by tim, Germany

Q. When was the Song “Gold In Them Hills” recorded by Coldplay?

The Oracle replies:

The track was actually by Ron Sexsmith from his 2002 album Cobblestone Runway. It featured Chris on guest vocals.

August 18, 2008 - submitted by Becky, United States of America

Q. Why the heck does the All Saints video for “Never Ever” come up when I click on the Nov. 1 Philly date in the Duffy announcement? (which I’m super excited about!) It’s driving me nuts because I can’t figure it out! Either someone’s craving an All Saints reunion and has hacked the site OR there is a secret meaning! Can you ease my mind and offer any insight?

The Oracle replies:

Well, if you notice 31st Oct clicks through to Marilyn Manson’s This Is Halloween. As you know 31st Oct is Halloween but it appears you don’t know that 1st Nov is All Saint’s Day. You do now

August 15, 2008 - submitted by Miha, Slovenia

Q. Why do Coldplay like elbows so much that they did a song in Holland called Mooie Ellebogen?

The Oracle replies:

Mooie Ellebogen means Beautiful Elbows. The song’s nothing to do with liking elbows (NB They love Elbow the band). The band try to perform songs in the language of the territory they visit when they can. A few years ago while in Holland they resurrected a song they’d actually written with their Dutch friend even more years ago. The tune is traditional.

August 15, 2008 - submitted by Tyler Ham, United Kingdom

Q. When experiencing writer’s block (from a song lyricist’s point of view), what’s the best way to overcome it?

The Oracle replies:

I’m afraid the Oracle doesn’t believe in writer’s block. I just think you have nothing to say. Don’t force it, wait for the lyrics to come.

August 15, 2008 - submitted by Raj, Bahrain

Q. After university, did you think your chances of making it big as a band were good, or was it just a temporary thing that worked out really good?

The Oracle replies:

It all happened fairly quickly so there wasn’t time to doubt it becoming a reality. They’d all previously played in bands but they knew when they got together that this band was better and had a chance of making it.

August 15, 2008 - submitted by Jadis C, United States of America

Q. Will Chris Martin ever get braces?

The Oracle replies:

Chris wore braces back in 1998.