It’s always odd to listen to old Coldplay material, but there’s also something very warming about it too. I’ve seen how now the band are going to hide lyrics from their forthcoming album in library books all over the world or something. Sounds a bit pretentious to me. I think fans would be more likely to hear the songs and then type them up. Even then, some might not want to do that. But “Parachutes“, their debut album released in the first summer of the 21st century, reminds us all of the time when Coldplay wouldn’t even think of such an idea. It reminds us of a time when they didn’t try so hard to be this ‘biggest band in the world’ type thing. That was a good time.
“Don’t Panic” is the opening track on “Parachutes”. It takes a few seconds to get itself together, beginning with a few strums of a lone electric guitar followed by an acoustic. Then suddenly Chris Martin starts softly singing, telling us that we live in a beautiful world. Yeah, we do, yeah we do.
The track is one about hope and reassurance, but its short length and quick pace also make it seem like one about urgency. Almost like time is running out. It’s a strange one to make out sometimes. Honestly though, it’s probably my favourite Coldplay song. Martin’s light falsetto in the chorus, the gurgly, swirling lead guitar present throughout and the solo near the end… the song’s poignant last line before ending and fading out into silence. Everything about it sounds close and personal. Not something I can say about any recent Coldplay stuff.
Eventually released as the album’s last single almost a year its release, “Don’t Panic” didn’t even make it into the top 100. But it marked the start of a small group from London who would become the greatest band to ever exist. Or whatever.
The Music in My Ears 