Higher Power (song)
"Higher Power" | ||||
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Single by Coldplay | ||||
from the album Music of the Spheres | ||||
Released | 7 May 2021 | |||
Recorded | 2020 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:31 | |||
Label | Parlophone | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Coldplay singles chronology | ||||
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Official video | ||||
"Higher Power" on YouTube |
"Higher Power" is a song by British rock band Coldplay from their upcoming ninth album Music of the Spheres.[2][3] It was released on 7 May 2021 as the lead single, being written by the band's four members, Federico Vindver and Denise Carite. The track's production was handled by Max Martin, having co-production by Oscar Holter and Bill Rahko.[4][5][6]
Background and promotion[]
On 29 April 2021, Coldplay confirmed on their social media that a new single called "Higher Power" would be released on 7 May.[7][8] The song was produced by Max Martin, whom the band called "a true wonder of the universe".[7] During an interview with Mark Savage of BBC News, lead vocalist Chris Martin, who is in no relation to Max, said, "I came up with the title first, but struggled to find the melody and lyrics to go with it. Then one day I was staying in this place and the sink was very resonant. And so I started hitting the sink [to make] this beat... and then I went to the piano keyboard, and the song just landed in one go".[9]
He also explained that "the song is about trying to find the astronaut in all of us, the person that can do amazing things".[10] The singer later told Zoe Ball that the track had intergalactic origins, saying: "We've been trying to imagine what music might sound like on other planets, and try to imagine being those other acts, so we're not thinking of ourselves as being the band Coldplay from England", he explained.[11] On 15 June 2021, Coldplay released an acoustic version of the song.[12] On 20 July 2021, the band officially announced their ninth studio album Music of the Spheres, revealing that "Higher Power" will be the second song on the album's tracklist. The announcement also stated that the album's next single, entitled "Coloratura", would be released on 23 July.[13]
Music video[]
An audio visualizer for "Higher Power", which was directed by Paul Dugdale, premiered on Coldplay's YouTube channel at 12:01 a.m. BST on 7 May 2021, coinciding with the single's release.[14][15] It features the band performing on an empty lot as alien holograms dance to the tune.[16] Branded as a form of "extraterrestrial transmission", the band previewed the video to French European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet aboard the International Space Station prior to its public release.[17][18] On 19 May, an official lyric video directed by Pilar Zeta and Victor Scorrano was released.[19] Two weeks later, Coldplay confirmed on their social media that the official version, which was directed by Dave Meyers, would be released on 8 June 2021.[20] The official video was revealed to be the first as part of a three-part "melodic orbit", entitled Music of the Spheres, which was, at the time of release, rumoured to be the title of their ninth album. The phrase also refers to the intro track used in the official video, as well as during the Live at Worthy Farm livestream and their performance at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend.[21] The video was choreographed by Seoul-based Kim Boram, and features members of his dance troupe, Ambiguous Dance Company.[22][23]
Live performances[]
On 2 May, the first live performance of "Higher Power" was announced to be held at American Idol's 9 May episode. The Official Charts Company informed on 3 May that the band would perform the track to open the 41st Brit Awards, which was recorded on a barge on the River Thames by The O2 Arena.[24][25] Coldplay included the song, along with a track titled "Human Heart", on their set for Glastonbury Festival's special livestream event on 22 May, which was filmed at Worthy Farm.[26] On 28 May, BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend released the band's performance of "Higher Power" recorded at Whitby Abbey in North Yorkshire, England.[27] On 16 June, Coldplay performed the acoustic rendition live for the first time on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in New York City.[28]On 11 July, the band performed on ASAP Natin To's "Kapamilya Forever Day"[29]
Critical reception[]
Ella Kemp from NME rated the song 4/5 stars and noted that “The track takes everything Chris Martin and co. have learned from a lifetime of dreaming and finally launches their talent into outer space – literally. 'Higher Power' is best appreciated through the sheer force of the melody, giving you the rush of hurtling into the atmosphere [...]. For a band so often shackled by their emotional transparency, [the song] is an exciting leap forward”.[10] Halle Kiefer from Vulture noted similarities with Steve Winwood's "Higher Love", while also complimenting the song by saying that "[in] comparison, 'Higher Power' wins out by a few hundred kilometers".[17]
Credits and personnel[]
Credits and personnel adapted from Parlophone UK presented to YouTube.[30]
Recording and management
- Recorded and mixed at MixStar Studios (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
- Mastered at Sterling Sound (New York City, New York)
- Published by Parlophone Records, under exclusive license to Warner Music Group.
Personnel
- Chris Martin – lead vocals, songwriting, keyboards, percussion
- Jonny Buckland – songwriting, guitar
- Guy Berryman – songwriting, bass guitar
- Will Champion – songwriting, drums, backing vocals
- Max Martin – songwriting, production, keyboards, programming, backing vocals
- Denise Carite – songwriting, choir vocalist
- Federico Vindver – songwriting, keyboards
- Oscar Holter – production, keyboards, programming
- Bill Rahko – production, additional vocals
- Rik Simpson – additional production
- Daniel Green – additional production
- Serban Ghenea – mixing engineer
- Randy Merrill – mastering engineer
- Apple Martin – additional vocals
- John Hanes – engineering
- Michael Ilbert – engineering
- Connor Panayi – assistant engineering
- Dunan Fuller – assistant engineering
- Karl-Ola Kjellholm – assistant engineering
- Linn Fijal – assistant engineering
- Tate McDowell – assistant engineering
- Love Choir – choir arrangement
- Stevie Mackey – choir vocalist
- Dorian Holley – choir vocalist
- Neka Hamilton – choir vocalist
Charts[]
Chart (2021) | Peak position |
---|---|
Argentina (Argentina Hot 100)[31] | 53 |
Australia (ARIA)[32] | 44 |
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[33] | 51 |
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[34] | 1 |
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[35] | 6 |
Brazil (Top 100 Brasil)[36] | 69 |
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[37] | 31 |
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[38] | 40 |
Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[39] | 35 |
Canada Rock (Billboard)[40] | 30 |
Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100)[41] | 1 |
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[42] | 58 |
France (SNEP)[43] | 98 |
Germany (Official German Charts)[44] | 35 |
Global 200 (Billboard)[45] | 24 |
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[46] | 3 |
Hungary (Single Top 40)[47] | 4 |
Iceland (Plötutíðindi)[48] | 17 |
Ireland (IRMA)[49] | 20 |
Israel (Media Forest)[50] | 2 |
Italy (FIMI)[51] | 52 |
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[52] | 61 |
Latvia (LaIPA)[53] | 3 |
Lithuania (AGATA)[54] | 37 |
Mexico Airplay (Billboard)[55] | 29 |
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[56] | 11 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[57] | 44 |
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[58] | 7 |
Norway (VG-lista)[59] | 25 |
Panama Anglo (Monitor Latino)[60] | 4 |
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[61] | 19 |
Portugal (AFP)[62] | 49 |
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[63] | 3 |
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[64] | 43 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[65] | 28 |
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[66] | 18 |
UK Singles (OCC)[67] | 12 |
US Billboard Hot 100[68] | 53 |
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[69] | 20 |
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[70] | 16 |
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[71] | 7 |
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[72] | 34 |
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[73] | 4 |
Certifications[]
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom (BPI)[74] | Silver | 200,000![]() |
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References[]
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- ^ "Coldplay confirm a new album is coming". Capital FM. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ^ "Alien Radio FM". Alien Radio FM. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ^ Minsker, Evan (29 April 2021). "Coldplay Releasing New Song 'Higher Power' Next Week". Pitchfork. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
- ^ "Higher Power - CD Single". Coldplay EU. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
- ^ @coldplay (29 April 2021). "Higher Power is a song that arrived on a little keyboard and a bathroom sink at the start of 2020. It was produced by Chris Martin who is a true wonder of the universe. It's out on Friday 7 May. Love Chris, Guy, Will & Jonny" (Tweet). Retrieved 29 April 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ Jump up to: a b @coldplay (29 April 2021). "Higher Power is a song that arrived on a little keyboard and a bathroom sink at the start of 2020. It was produced by Max Martin who is a true wonder of the universe. It's out on Friday 7 May. Love c, g, w & j" (Tweet). Retrieved 29 April 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ Aswad, Jem (29 April 2021). "Coldplay Return With New Single, 'Higher Power,' Next Week". Variety. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
- ^ Savage, Mark (7 May 2021). "Coldplay's Chris Martin says lockdown made him confront his ego". BBC News. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "On bright new song 'Higher Power', Coldplay reach for the stars". NME. 7 May 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
- ^ Rice, Nicholas (7 May 2021). "Coldplay Debuts New Uplifting Track 'Higher Power' — Which First Premiered in Outer Space". People. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ "https://twitter.com/coldplay/status/1404695553485819906". Twitter. Retrieved 15 June 2021. External link in
|title=
(help) - ^ "Music of the Spheres" out October 15th, retrieved 20 July 2021
- ^ Skinner, Tom (5 May 2021). "Coldplay to premiere 'Higher Power' with link-up to International Space Station". NME. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
- ^ "Listen to Coldplay's brand new single 'Higher Power'". NME. 6 May 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ^ Gumuchian, Marie-Louise (7 May 2021). "Coldplay beam up new single "Higher Power" to space". Reuters. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Kiefer, Halle (7 May 2021). "Get Your Holograms Up and On Their Feet for Coldplay's New 'Higher Power' Music Video". Vulture. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
- ^ Hussey, Allison (6 May 2021). "Listen to Coldplay's New Song "Higher Power"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
- ^ Coldplay - Higher Power (Official Lyric Video), Directed by Pilar Zeta [...] Co-directed by Victor Scorrano, retrieved 3 June 2021CS1 maint: others (link)
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- ^ Coldplay - Higher Power (Official Video), retrieved 8 June 2021
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- ^ "Coldplay unveils 'Higher Power' music video featuring Korean dance company". The Korea Herald. Yonhap. 9 May 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
- ^ "Chris Martin to Mentor 'American Idol' Contestants on Coldplay-Themed Episode". Rolling Stone. 2 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
- ^ "Coldplay to open the 2021 BRIT Awards". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
- ^ Daly, Rhian (22 May 2021). "Coldplay debut new song 'Human Heart' on Glastonbury livestream". NME. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
- ^ @BBCR1 (28 May 2021). "You don't have to wait any longer for @Coldplay's very special live performance recorded at Whitby Abbey!" (Tweet). Retrieved 28 May 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ Brandle, Lars (17 June 2021). "Coldplay Perform 'Higher Power' Live In New York City for 'Fallon': Watch". Billboard. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
- ^ "Coldplay to perform on 'ASAP Natin 'To' on July 11". Rappler. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3nJxEbi7Uk
- ^ "Coldplay – Chart History (Argentina Hot 100)" Billboard Argentina Hot 100 Singles for Coldplay. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
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- ^ "Top 100 Brasil" (in Portuguese). Crowley Broadcast Analysis. Retrieved 26 April 2021. Note: In "SEMANA REFERÊNCIA" select 21 June 2021 - 25 June 2021. To access the full Top 100, click on "VER TOP 100 COMPLETO" and enter your name and email. Then enter the code you received by email.
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- ^ "Top Singles (Week 19, 2021)". SNEP. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
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- ^ "Higher Power in Latvian singles chart" (in Latvian). LaIPA. Archived from the original on 5 July 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
- ^ "2021 19-os SAVAITĖS (gegužės 7-13 d.) SINGLŲ TOP100" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. 14 May 2021. Archived from the original on 14 May 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
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- 2021 singles
- 2021 songs
- Coldplay songs
- Parlophone singles
- Songs written by Chris Martin
- Songs written by Guy Berryman
- Songs written by Jonny Buckland
- Songs written by Will Champion
- Songs written by Max Martin
- Song recordings produced by Max Martin
- Ultratop 50 Singles (Flanders) number-one singles
- Music videos directed by Dave Meyers (director)