My Top 10 Favorite Coldplay Songs
Coldplay has and always will be my favorite band. Here are just a few of what I believe are their greatest hits!
#1 - Fix You, Released 2005, X&Y Album
Fix You is a song that is very near and dear to my heart. I learned to play it on the guitar when I was 12 years old and it was always one of my dad's favorites. It's a beautiful yet surreal song about offering support and guidance to those in the throws of grief. While the beginning alludes to feelings of regret and emotional exhaustion, trying your best but not succeeding, by the end, we are reminded to never give up. Healing and love can always be found, even in the darkest times, just know "lights will guide you home."
#2 - The Scientist, Released 2002, A Rush of Blood to the Head Album
Another classic many people will already know, The Scientist is a song that, in addition to Yellow and Clocks, first put Coldplay on the map, especially with the release of its masterpiece of a music video. The Scientist, on the surface, is simply about reflecting on a failed relationship and wishing to start over. The music video, however, reveals a deeper layer to this story: This was not a failed relationship at all, but a tragedy.
#3 - Swallowed in the Sea, Released 2005, X&Y Album
A lesser known song, but one with a beautiful message about belonging and finding oneself while in a loving relationship.
#4 - Warning Sign, Released 2002, A Rush of Blood to the Head Album
With the meaning hidden right in the title, Warning Sign is a solid piece about someone thinking back on a relationship and realizing they missed red flags. A very catchy and relatable song from one of their earlier albums I highly recommend.
#5 - Strawberry Swing, Released 2009, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends Album
A truly inspiring song with a whimsical stop motion-animated video to match, Strawberry Swing sends a message of appreciating the simple things in life. I always blast this song with the windows rolled down in the summer.
#6 - Green Eyes, Released 2002, A Rush of Blood to the Head Album
A lovely song about true love and being there for your partner through thick and thin. I've contemplated having this song play at my wedding someday, my fiancé does have green eyes after all.
#7 - Yellow, Released 2000, Parachutes Album
When my siblings and I were younger, we had "family music video nights," where each of us would choose a video from our shared family iTunes playlist and watch the music video together, singing and dancing along. Yellow was one of the videos that always put us in a trance. Chris Martin slowly walks toward the camera on a quiet beach, singing about love and devotion until the sun rises and he leaves. A simple video with an easy-to-understand message that was always a family favorite.
#8 - White Shadows, Released 2005, X&Y Album
An eccentric song about finding one's place in a larger system, White Shadows is another earlier song not as many people recognize, but it is a hit all the same. The lyrics and sound are powerful, solidifying its place in my top 10 easily.
#9 - God Put a Smile upon Your Face, Released 2003, A Rush of Blood to the Head Album
Even though life can be complicated and challenging and none of us really know what happens when we die, there are still ways we can all find peace and meaning in this world. Such a unique and brilliant song.
#10 - Up&Up, Released 2015, A Head Full of Dreams Album
A more recent song, Up&Up is all about strength and perseverance. Whether we are dealing with internal struggles, battling mental health issues, trying to make our way through life or facing global hardship, it is important we stand together and support each other.
***Honorable Mentions***
In My Place, Released 2002, A Rush of Blood to the Head Album
I remember listening to this on the way to Sacandaga Lake, snoozing in the back of my dad's truck with the rest of my siblings. A song about love and longing, it always sounded a little like a lullaby before I was old enough to understand the meaning behind the lyrics.
True Love, Released 2014, Ghost Stories Album
A super sweet song and a super sweet, quirky video. I highly recommend checking this out, it is sure to make you smile.
Yes, Released 2008, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends Album
Yes, this song can be a little intimidating since it is more than seven minutes long, but it is an intriguing and interesting song about longing, frustration and temptation. Let me know what you think of this song if you do give it a listen.
Life in Technicolor ii, Released 2008, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends Album
I love how uplifting this song is, and the cuteness and unique style of the music video is an added bonus. It really speaks to how creative Coldplay is and how much they love their craft.
About the Creator
Madison "Maddy" Newton
I'm a Stony Brook University graduate and a communications coordinator for the NYS Assembly. Writing is one of my passions, and Vocal has been a great creative outlet for me.
Follow me on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/madleenewt120/
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My Top 10 Favorite Feel-Good Movies
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By Madison "Maddy" Newton6 days ago in Geeks
George Saunders Serves a Heavy Helping of Virtue in a New Novel
The celebrated author returns with a story that challenges morality, empathy, and modern life George Saunders has long been known for fiction that blends humor, heartbreak, and moral complexity. In his latest novel, he once again invites readers into a world where good intentions clash with harsh realities. This time, however, Saunders leans even more heavily into questions of virtue, responsibility, and what it truly means to be a good person in a deeply flawed society. The novel does not offer easy answers. Instead, it asks readers to sit with discomfort, to examine their own values, and to consider how kindness and cruelty often exist side by side. A Writer Obsessed With Moral Questions Saunders has built his career on stories that explore ethical tension. His characters are often ordinary people trapped in systems they barely understand—workplaces, institutions, or social expectations that reward obedience over compassion. In this new novel, Saunders continues that tradition. The story centers on characters who want to do the right thing but struggle with fear, self-interest, and moral confusion. Their actions raise difficult questions: Is virtue still meaningful when it comes at a personal cost? Can good intentions excuse harmful outcomes? How much responsibility do individuals have within broken systems? These themes feel especially relevant in today’s world, where moral certainty is often loud, but moral action is complicated. Virtue as Burden, Not Decoration Unlike stories that present goodness as heroic or glamorous, Saunders treats virtue as heavy and demanding. Being ethical in his fictional world is not a badge of honor—it is a burden that requires sacrifice. Characters face choices where every option carries consequences. Helping one person may harm another. Speaking the truth may lead to punishment rather than praise. Saunders does not romanticize moral courage; he shows how exhausting it can be. This approach makes the novel feel honest. It reflects real life, where doing the right thing is rarely clear and often uncomfortable. A Familiar but Evolving Style Fans of Saunders will recognize his signature style: Dark humor that exposes absurdity Compassionate narration, even toward deeply flawed characters Sharp social observation However, the novel also shows growth. The tone is more reflective and patient than some of his earlier work. While moments of satire remain, they are balanced by quiet scenes of emotional weight. Saunders allows the story to breathe, giving readers time to understand his characters rather than judging them too quickly. Characters Caught Between Fear and Empathy At the heart of the novel are characters who feel deeply but act imperfectly. They care about fairness, dignity, and kindness, yet they are constrained by fear—fear of losing status, security, or belonging. Saunders excels at showing internal conflict. Readers see characters justify their choices, doubt themselves, and sometimes recognize their failures too late. These moments are painful but relatable. Rather than presenting heroes and villains, the novel suggests that most people exist somewhere in between. Social Commentary Without Preaching One of Saunders’ greatest strengths is his ability to critique society without turning the novel into a lecture. The story touches on themes such as: Institutional power Moral compromise in professional life The cost of silence The limits of personal goodness in systemic injustice Yet the message emerges naturally through character decisions and consequences. Saunders trusts readers to draw their own conclusions. This restraint makes the novel more powerful. Instead of telling readers what to think, it encourages them to reflect. Why This Novel Matters Now In an era defined by strong opinions and moral signaling, Saunders offers something different: moral humility. His novel suggests that virtue is not about being seen as good, but about struggling honestly with difficult choices. The story resonates in a world where people are often quick to judge others while ignoring the pressures that shape behavior. Saunders reminds readers that empathy is not weakness—it is a necessary tool for understanding complexity. Critical Reception and Reader Response Early reactions suggest that readers see this novel as a mature and thoughtful addition to Saunders’ body of work. Some praise its emotional depth, while others note that its focus on virtue can feel intense or demanding. That reaction seems intentional. This is not a novel meant to entertain lightly. It asks readers to slow down, to feel unease, and to consider uncomfortable truths. A Novel That Lingers Long after the final page, the questions raised by the novel remain. Readers may find themselves rethinking past decisions or reconsidering what moral courage looks like in everyday life. Saunders does not offer redemption wrapped in certainty. Instead, he offers understanding, compassion, and the reminder that striving for goodness—even imperfectly—still matters. Conclusion With his new novel, George Saunders delivers a powerful meditation on virtue, one that feels both timely and timeless. By focusing on flawed individuals navigating impossible choices, he captures the reality of moral life in the modern world. This is a book that challenges readers without condemning them, that exposes weakness while honoring effort. In serving a heavy helping of virtue, Saunders reminds us that goodness is not simple—but it is worth struggling for.
By Fiaz Ahmed 6 days ago in Geeks
Comments (2)
Hi Maddy! This is such an informative list and this shows your excellent taste in music. My favorite Coldplay song has got to be Viva La Vida
Lol, the mention of Coldplay doesn't fail to remind me of that affair that got exposed in a Coldplay concert! Your playlist was awesomeeee!