Clocks (song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Clocks"

Single by Coldplay
from the album A Rush of Blood to the Head
B-side(s)	"Crests of Waves", "Animal"
Released	March 24, 2003
Format	7", 12", CD, DVD
Genre	Alternative, Piano rock
Length	5:07
Label	Parlophone
Producer(s)	Ken Nelson, Coldplay
Chart positions
#1 (Latvia) #2 (Netherlands) #7 (Canada) #9 (UK Singles Chart, U.S. Modern Rock) #28 (AUS) #29 (U.S. Billboard Hot 100)
Coldplay singles chronology
"The Scientist" (2002)	"Clocks" (2003)	"God Put A Smile Upon Your Face" (2003)
A Rush of Blood to the Head track listing
"The Scientist" (4)	"Clocks" (5)	"Daylight" (6)

"Clocks" was the Grammy-winning third single from English rock band Coldplay's second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head. Regional singles were released for UK, Europe, Australia (a mini-EP), Japan (enhanced), Netherlands (3-disc EP), France, and the United States. Promos were released for British and American markets. In addition, a special Limited Edition 12" single was available with 1,000 copies in the UK. This release contained special remixes by Röyksopp. Instrumentals have also shown up by The Twelve Girls Band and The String Quartet. Popularized by television commercials, it holds the record as being the highest selling song on Apple's iTunes music store. In late 2003, the song was used in advertisement for the movie "Peter Pan". It has been noted by critics that "Speed of Sound", the first single from Coldplay's third album X&Y, bears some similarities with "Clocks".^[1]

The single cover, created by Sølve Sundsbø, depicts lead singer Chris Martin with his hands folded on a glass table. The drawing perspective is looking from below the table.

"Clocks" was arguably the most successful commercial hit from A Rush of Blood to the Head. Throughout 2003, it was featured in various commercials, movies and television programs; from WWE promos featuring the returning Kurt Angle to the film In America to the end of an episode of ER. The song was played in its entirety during the ending credits for the film Confidence with Dustin Hoffman and Rachel Weisz. It was also used on a trailer on the BBC advertising the "Freeview" service.

In 2004, "Clocks" won the coveted Record of the Year honour at the Grammy Awards, beating the likes of Eminem, OutKast and Beyoncé.

1 Musical structure and composition
2 Track listings
- 2.1 UK
- 2.2 US
- 2.3 Japan
3 Music video
4 Reworked version and remixes
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Musical structure and composition

This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources.
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. (help, get involved!)
Any material not supported by sources may be challenged and removed at any time. This article has been tagged since January 2007.

"Clocks" is in the key of E flat Mixolydian. Built around a repeating piano riff, it features a minimalist soundscape of drums and bass over an aura of synthesizers and strings. The piano riff and ethereal tone of the song are reminiscent of The Unforgettable Fire by U2. Chris Martin's cryptic lyrics are thought to be about death and the transience of life. The song was recorded at Air Studios, London, at the very end of the sessions for A Rush of Blood to the Head. It was the last song to be recorded and arguably forms the turning-point of the whole album; it was something of a departure from Coldplay's previous style. According to Martin, it was inspired by Muse.^[2]

[edit] Track listings

[edit] UK

7" R6594, CD CDR6594 released March 24, 2003 by Parlophone
12" 12R6594 released July 7, 2003 by Parlophone

"Clocks"
"Crests of Waves"
"Animals"

DVD DVDR6594 released March 24 2003 by Parlophone

"Clocks" (video edit)
"Politik" (live and photo gallery)
"In My Place" (live)
Interview footage

[edit] US

Released June 24, 2003 by Capitol Records 52608

"Clocks" (edit) – 4:13
"Yellow" (live) – 5:37

[edit] Japan

Released July 24, 2003 by Toshiba-EMI TOCP 61078

"Clocks" (edit) – 4:11
"Crests of Waves" – 3:38
"Animals" – 5:33
"Murder" – 5:35
"In My Place" (live) – 3:58
"Yellow" (live) – 5:12
"Clocks" (video) – 4:18
"In My Place" (video) – 3:48

A still from the "Clocks" music video showing drummer Will Champion drinking from a water bottle

[edit] Music video

The "Clocks" music video was directed by Dominic Leung, who previously worked with artists like Badly Drawn Boy. The video was shot at Docklands' ExCeL Building in London. The video features the band performing the song in front of a staged audience, mostly local college students with a laser show. Stage effects and blue-red light transitions give the video a surreal feel, not to mention the stoic crowd that make up the audience.

[edit] Reworked version and remixes

In addition to the Royksopp remix there have been several other dance remixes of "Clocks", including those by Clokx and Deep Dish plus a mashup from Gabriel and Dresden's 2003 Essential Mix which appeared on various P2P networks. On 13 November 2006, the album Rhythms del Mundo by the Buena Vista Social Club was released, featuring a reworked version of "Clocks". It follows a samba style, with a slightly altered piano riff. The track "Should I go" off of Brandy's album Afrodisiac also samples the song. It was covered by the band Gregorian