Coldplay

Why has the new Coldplay album Viva la Vida sold so well? I think one reason is because of the deep emotional connection that Coldplay has with its fans. I have friends who said they have wept through half of a Coldplay concert. Wept. As in tears streaming. I just purchased the latest album two days ago. I have listened to the album 4 times. I have listened to the song ‘Reign of Love’ 34 times. My play count is a bit skewed towards that song.

I can’t pinpoint an exact reason why ‘Reign of Love’ has such a hold on me. All I know is that I’ve come close to tears those 34 listens, most of the listens being in public. The same thing has happened with ‘Kingdom Come’ from Coldplay’s last album. I can loop that song for hours and it just has a hold over me.

When I think about it, I really can’t repay Coldplay for this experience. The discovery of new music is one thing. But the discovery of a song that you know will have significance for you for the rest of your life is beyond value. 20 years from now I will remember hearing ‘Reign of Love’ for the first time. I will remember my place of life. I will remember my feelings. I will remember my friendships. The song will magically transport me back to June 2008. $9.99 does not even come close to covering the value of that experience.

And even if I had the chance to talk to Chris Martin of Coldplay, I wouldn’t be able to convey what his music has done in my life. I recently had the opportunity to speak with Ed Roland of Collective Soul. Collective Soul is another band that has had an invaluable effect on my life. I told Ed Roland exactly how much his music had meant to me and yet I think I maybe told him 1% of what that truly meant.

It’s because music becomes lodged into a much deeper place within my soul. A place that I can’t put into mere words to tell an artist what their work has actually meant in my life. The best homage I can give to Coldplay is not just to purchase their album, but to allow their art to continue it’s emotional work in my life.

During the writing of this blog, I added 4 more listens to my play count for ‘Reign of Love.’

Stay tuned,
Erik
erikrostad.com