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Violet Hill

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"Violet Hill"
Song
B-side"A Spell a Rebel Yell"
"Lost?"

"Violet Hill" is a song by English alternative rock band Coldplay. It was written by all members of the band for their fourth album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends. Built around a repeating guitar sound, it utilises a marching tempo, supported by the pianos and rhythms that accompany the song's lyrics. The song was initially made available as a free download on the band's website and was downloaded more than two million times.

"Violet Hill" was received with positive reviews. The track was released worldwide as the lead single from Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, reaching number nine on the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart and number eight on the UK Singles Chart. The song, along with its music video, have received award nominations. The single has been widely sampled, with different covers and sounds.

Background and writing

Coldplay vocalist Chris Martin revealed that the band wrote the first line and the first little melody of the song years ago but did not finish it until 2007.[1] Martin told Rolling Stone magazine that lyrics from the song about "a carnival of idiots on show" and how a "fox became God" were a commentary on Fox News.[2][1] "One day I was watching Bill O'Reilly, and I was like, 'I know how to finish that song,'" Martin explained, "My best friend, Tim, he's a musician in a band called the High Wire, but he also has to work in a bar. He was having trouble with his boss, and it made me think that so many people spend their lives being told what to do by people that they just don't like. So it was that idea, and watching Bill O'Reilly, and all these words just came out."[1][2]

During an interview with MTV News, Guy Berryman revealed that the song was one of the older songs that the band had been working on and that they had to move it to one side from the list of songs that were going to appear in the album. Phil Harvey, the band's manager, urged them to include the track in the album, which led to the band to drag it back to the shortlist.[3]

The song is the first anti-war protest song from the band,[4][5] and it borrows its rhythm from British band The Beatles. "Violet Hill" derives its title from a street of the same name near Abbey Road.[6][7]

Music and lyrics

Template:Sound sample box align right

"Violet Hill" excerpt
The music of "Violet Hill" is built around a jagged guitar riff.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Template:Sample box end "Violet Hill" is a synthesizer-and-guitar fuzz song. The momentum of the song builds around guitarist Jonny Buckland, who throws in a curling solo.[8] The track opens with a piano melody from Martin, which soon follows with a jagged distorted guitar riff.[9] Martin sings about medieval imagery of carnivals, cathedrals, religion and war, culminating in a soaring chorus with an anthemic theme.[10][11]

The lyrics start off with Martin's falsetto recalling: "Was a long and dark December/From the rooftops I remember there was snow".[12] The second line of the tenth verse talks about a man's love of a woman, who does not reciprocate his love: "If you love me/Why'd you let me go?".[8][10][12] The song ends with Martin playing the piano and singing in falsetto, and pleading in nearly spoken-words: "If you love me/Won't you let me know?"[8][12]

Release and promotion

Coldplay performing "Violet Hill" during their Viva la Vida Tour

The band announced on 28 April 2008 that the single would be released on the official Coldplay website on 29 April 2008 for free for one week before the paid download on 6 May.[13][14] The song was downloaded for free by over 600,000 people in the 24 hours since it was made available at 12:15 p.m. on 29 April.[15] In the subsequent week, the single was downloaded 2 million times from the Coldplay website.[16]

Coldplay released "Violet Hill" in the US on 9 May 2008 as the album's first single. A promotional 7" vinyl release of the single was given away free in the 10 May issue of NME, including non-album track "A Spell a Rebel Yell" on the B-side.[17] On subsequent physical releases, "Lost?", an acoustic recording of album track "Lost!" serves as "Violet Hill"'s B-side instead.[18]

The single debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 on 24 May 2008 at number 40.[19] The song stayed in the peak position from its release.[19] Three weeks after its release, the track entered at the number nine position on Hot Modern Rock Tracks.[20] The song peaked at number six in Canada Singles Chart and UK Singles Top 40.[21][22] The song peaked at number eight in UK Singles Chart on 17 May 2008.[23]

Reception

Critics were positive towards the song. In the Los Angeles Times review of the album, critic Todd Martens wrote: "The song's first guitar crush arrives after a lengthy ambient intro, and brings an electrifying jolt to the striking piano melody. Martin brings a booming confidence to his vocals that has been more evident in Coldplay's live shows than on record."[24] Simon Vozick-Levinson from Entertainment Weekly wrote: "'Violet Hill' opens with a thin synth wash that's very Music for Airports, and proceeds from there to some droning, stabbing guitar textures that sound cooler than most any Coldplay tunes I can think of."[25] Kristina Feliciano of Paste magazine wrote: "You know you're in for a different kind of Coldplay experience when Chris Martin ditches his anguished falsetto for a deep, doomy basso profundo, as he does on 'Violet Hill'".[26] Mikael Wood of Spin magazine wrote: "'Violet Hill' pulls a similar fake-out, bludgeoning a delicate Eno-style soundscape with big Black Sabbath guitars."[27] Darcie Stevens of the Austin Chronicle wrote: "While the band's fourth LP begins light and pretty, its power breaks late-album with Old West tangent 'Violet Hill'".[28]

After the song's release, it was announced that "Violet Hill" would be featured in Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock as downloadable content.[6][29] The single was covered by Pendulum, when they were guests in BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge.[30] The song has been mixed by Michael Brauer, who also mixed Coldplay's debut album, Parachutes.[31] It was also featured on an episode of the UK soap opera, Hollyoaks.[32]

The official video for "Violet Hill" was nominated for Best UK Video as well as Best Special Effects for the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards.[33] The track was also nominated for two Q awards in the categories of Best Track and Best Video;[34] the song lost in both categories to Keane's "Spiralling" in Best Track and Vampire Weekend's "A-Punk" in Best Video, respectively.[35]

Music videos

A music video was filmed in support of the song, which was released 18 May. It was directed by Mat Whitecross, and parts were shot at Mount Etna and filmed in Sicily.[3][36] An alternative music video, named 'Dancing Politicians', was posted on Coldplay's official website on 17 May.[3] The video is made up of clips, sometimes looped, featuring various politicians and scenes of war, as well as firework displays at the end. It prominently features George W. Bush, presenting clips of him in a mocking manner. Prominent 20th century personalities, such as Fidel Castro, Richard Nixon, Hugo Chávez, Robert Mugabe, Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, Boris Yeltsin, Barack Obama, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Tony and Cherie Blair, and Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip are featured in this alternate video.[36] This video is shown on a small on-stage TV screen at live shows, including the band's 2008 Viva la Vida tour.

Track listings

Digital download

  1. "Violet Hill" – 3:49

Promotional CD

  1. "Violet Hill" [radio edit] – 3:21

Promotional 7" (free with NME)

  1. "Violet Hill" – 3:49
  2. "A Spell a Rebel Yell" – 2:46

CD release

  1. "Violet Hill" – 3:49
  2. "Lost?" – 3:39

Charts

References

  1. ^ a b c Stelter, Brian (2006-06-12). "Coldplay Lyrics Take a Swipe at Bill O'Reilly". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
  2. ^ a b Hiatt, Brian (2008-06-26). "The Jesus of Uncool". Rolling Stone. rollingstone.com. Retrieved 2008-11-27. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ a b c Montgomery, James (2008-06-29). "Coldplay Give Track-By-Track Tour Of Viva La Vida, Explain Handclaps, Tack Pianos And The Number 42". MTV News. mtv.com. Retrieved 2008-08-29. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ Willman, Chris (2008-06-13). "Viva La Vida Review" (Web). Entertainment Weekly. ew.com. Retrieved 2008-08-29. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  5. ^ Meares, Josh. ""Violet Hill" by Coldplay". Planet Wisdom. Retrieved 2008-08-29.
  6. ^ a b Halperin, Shirley (2008-06-12). "Coldplay Talk 'Viva La Vida'". Entertainment Weekly. ew.com. p. 3. Retrieved 2008-11-01. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  7. ^ Harvilla, Rob (2008-06-17). "Coldplay's Insurmountable Fire" (Web). The Village Voice. villagevoice.com. Retrieved 2008-08-29. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ a b c Montgomery, James (2006-04-28). "Coldplay Single Preview: Read About 'Violet Hill' Here Before You Download It On Tuesday!" (Web). MTV News. mtv.com. Retrieved 2008-08-22. Track transitions from stomping guitar chords to hushed vocals, indicating the rest of the album's atmospheric sound. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ Serpick, Evan (2008-02-27). "Coldplay at Work on "Something Different" for Upcoming Album" (Web). Rolling Stone. rollingstone.com. Retrieved 2008-08-29. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ a b Youngs, Ian (2008-06-06). "Joining Coldplay's musical journey". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
  11. ^ Freedom du Lac, J. (2008-06-17). "Coldplay Gets Warmer With 'Viva'". The Washington Post. washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2008-10-10. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  12. ^ a b c Montgomery, James (2008-06-04). "Coldplay's Viva La Vida: Everything To Everyone, In Bigger Than The Sound". MTV News. mtv.com. Retrieved 2008-08-29. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  13. ^ "News Ticker: Guns N' Roses, Britney Spears, Coldplay" (Web). Rolling Stone. ew.com. 2008-04-21. Retrieved 2008-08-29. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  14. ^ Brandle, Lars (2008-04-28). "Coldplay Prep Album With Free Download, Concerts". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-04-28.
  15. ^ "Coldplay single downloaded by 600,000 people". NME. Retrieved 2008-05-01.
  16. ^ "Coldplay song downloaded 2m times". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 2008-05-06.
  17. ^ "NME to give away new Coldplay songs free". NME. 2008-04-23. Retrieved 2008-08-29.
  18. ^ Adams, Cameron (2008-06-12). "Review of Coldplay album Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends". News Limited. news.com.au. Retrieved 2008-11-27. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  19. ^ a b "Coldplay - Violet Hill - Music Charts". αCharts. Retrieved 2008-10-06.
  20. ^ a b "Hot Modern Rock Tracks". Billboard. 2006-06-06. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
  21. ^ "Coldplay - Violet Hill at Top40-Charts". Top 40-Charts. 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2008-10-06.
  22. ^ "UK Singles Top 40". Top 40-Charts. 2008-05-11. Retrieved 2008-10-06.
  23. ^ "UK Singles Chart". Top 40-Charts. May 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-27.
  24. ^ Martens, Todd (2008-06-13). "Coldplay's 'Viva La Vida': 10 track-by-track reactions". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2008-08-28.
  25. ^ Vozick-Levinson, Simon (2008-05-01). "Snap judgment: Coldplay's 'Violet Hill'" (Web). Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2008-08-29.
  26. ^ Feliciano, Kristina (2008-06-12). "Coldplay: Viva la Vida, or Death and All His Friends review". Paste. Retrieved 2008-08-28.
  27. ^ Wood, Mikael (2008-06-17). "Coldplay, 'Viva La Vida'". Spin. Retrieved 2008-08-29.
  28. ^ Stevens, Darcie (2008-07-18). "Phases & Stages". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-08-29.
  29. ^ Brudvig, Erik (2008-06-13). "Coldplay gets Emotional with Guitar Hero 3". IGN Xbox 360. News Corporation. Retrieved 2008-06-13. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  30. ^ "Pendulum perform Coldplay's Violet Hill". BBC Radio 1. BBC. 2008-07-30. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
  31. ^ "Michael H. Brauer Mixer Singles Mixed Discography". Erik Eger Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
  32. ^ "What's Been Played". Channel 4. channel4.com. 2008-08-18. Retrieved 2008-09-15. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  33. ^ Harris, Chris (2008-08-27). "Kanye West, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Katy Perry Videos Pick Up More VMA Nominations". MTV News. mtv.com. Retrieved 2008-08-29. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  34. ^ "Coldplay among Q Award hopefuls". BBC News. BBC. 2008-10-06. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
  35. ^ "Double Q Award win for Coldplay". BBC News. BBC. 2008-10-06. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
  36. ^ a b "'George Bush' gets on his dancing shoes for new Coldplay video". NME. nme.com. 2008-05-20. Retrieved 2008-11-27. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  37. ^ "Coldplay – Violet Hill – Music Charts". A Charts.Us. Retrieved 2008-08-29.
  38. ^ "Belgian Ultratop 40 Singles (Wallonia)". Ultratop. Retrieved 2008-08-29.
  39. ^ (Czech) "Czech Airplay Chart". IFPI. Retrieved 2008-08-29.
  40. ^ "European Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-05-31.
  41. ^ Template:It icon "Italian Singles Chart". Italian Charts. 2008-05-31. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  42. ^ "Japan Hot 100". Billboard. 2008-06-07. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
  43. ^ "Slovak Airplay Chart". IFPI. Retrieved 2008-08-29.
  44. ^ "Pop 100". Billboard. 2006-06-14. Retrieved 2006-06-06.
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