U2 frontman Bono explains why Coldplay “are not a rock band”
U2 frontman Bono has shared his love for Coldplay, revealed his favourite track by the band, and also explained why he believes they “are not a rock band”.
Over the last 25 years, Coldplay has been the most successful band in Britain, selling over 100 million records worldwide. This summer, they will be returning to Worthy Farm in Somerset for their fifth headline appearance on the Pyramid Stage, a record for Glastonbury Festival.
In the run-up to their performance next month, their rise is the story of the new BBC Sounds series, Music Uncovered: The Genius Of Coldplay, hosted by Greg James. As well as featuring Bono, the programme also boasts interviews with Coldplay’s manager Phil Harvey, Glastonbury’s Emily Eavis, plus contemporary artists Rachel Chinouriri, Maisie Peters and Griff.
When asked about his favourite song by Coldplay, Bono said: “I would choose ‘Clocks’, because over the years it just wouldn’t go away. It just sort of sticks to you, tighter than time itself. The clock face of one band sharing a moment in time… I remember when I first heard it, punching the air in a manly but not aggressive way, and then the feeling of ‘oh, this is just better than anyone else’s song at the moment’.”
The Irish singer then added: “I should mention Coldplay are not a rock band. I hope that’s obvious. There is something much more interesting going on there like the Isley Brothers or something. They should not be judged by rock rules… Rage is the river running under most rock formations. Coldplay’s music has a different source and I think it’s best revealed in this song ‘Clocks’.”
Bono’s love of Coldplay and ‘Clocks’ is no secret. When the singer turned 60 in 2020, he decided to share a playlist of his 60 favourite songs of all time, which he said had “saved my life”.
Notably, ‘Clocks’ appeared among the selections. He also wrote an open letter addressed to the band, which reads: “You’re unspeakably great here. I could have chosen YELLOW as I like the folky roots of your first album PARACHUTES. I could have chosen VIVA LA VIDA which is a great lyric about why England never had a revolution like France or wherever (I’d say it was the tea drinking… coffee would have done it.)”
He added: “I chose CLOCKS because I can hold onto it tighter than time… I think it might hold onto me. CLOCKS arrived in the nick of time with it’s Phillip Glass-type arpeggiation and ecstatic exhortation… I just punched the air in a manly, but not aggressive way.”