Clocks
"Clocks" is from Coldplays second album, "A Rush of Blood to the Head" (released on Parlophone in 2002). It is one of the bands most critically acclaimed songs, and is considered by many to be their "signature" tune. However, the track was originally shelved from appearing on the album. When the manager of Coldplay, Phil Harvey, heard the track, he urged Chris Martin to include it. Martin then reworked the track with the other band members and the track became the last song to be recorded for "A Rush of Blood to the Head". This is was apt because the song itself is about time and urgency in life.
The music of the opening piano riff, with its subtle shifts between major and minor chords, and a simplistically elegant motif, has been compared to the minimalist music of "serious" contemporary composers such as Philip Glass. The single went to number nine on the UK charts in 2003, and in 2004 was awarded the record of the year at Grammy Awards. "Clocks" has been covered and sampled by various artists since. One of the songs most creative reworkings appears on "Rhythms del Mundo", a project which aims to raise funds for disaster relief and to create awareness about climate change. Here the original vocal files have been mixed with Cuban rhythm and orchestration.
For most of the song, the chords are not too demanding. There are just three chords which are repeated in the intro, verse and chorus. It will be a good idea to work out the piano riff to get the most out of the song. The opening notes are Eb - Bb - G (played in descending order, and repeated) moving to Db - Bb - F (played in a similar way), then C - Ab - F. Have a listen to "Clocks" on youtube to hear how Martin plays this. Look out for the change of chords at bridge. If you are playing this song on the guitar, I would suggest using capo one, and playing in D, so that the chords become D, Am, Em (this is much easier!)
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