Tag: The Scientist

Three Unusual (But Awesome) Coldplay Covers

coldplay x&y Songs by Coldplay often seem ripe for reinterpretation despite the fact that lead vocalist Chris Martin does have a great voice. But his voice is so distinctive that sometimes hearing someone else sing a Coldplay song helps reveal another side of the song.

One cover, which may be the most familiar Coldplay cover because of its use in a Chipolte commercial, is Willie Nelson’s cover of “The Scientist,” which appears on his Heroes (2012) album. Willie Nelson, long known for his ability to interpret songs by other artists, takes the Coldplay song and gives it new meaning, aided by the video from Chipolte that addresses a message more serious than tacos. The accompanying “Back to the Start” short movie by film-maker Johnny Kelly made me see “The Scientist” in a whole new light.

Another animated video for a Coldplay cover is “Yellow” by Renee & Jeremy on their A Little Love (2012) CD. The singers Renee Stahl and Jeremy Toback record songs together as Renne & Jeremy for listeners of all ages with the idea of recording songs for kids that adults enjoy too. The following charming video was created and directed by Jon Izen.

My favorite cover of a Coldplay song appeared in the movie Young@Heart (2007). The film (reviewed by Cinematical here) is about senior citizens from Massachusetts who formed a singing group called Young@Heart. Hearing one of the elderly men sing Coldplay’s “Fix You” when he is himself near death and has lost a number of friends sends chills down your spine, giving the song a meaning that the younger singer cannot quite capture no matter how good they are.



What is your favorite Coldplay cover? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    Willie Nelson, Coldplay, and . . . Chipotle?

    Willie Nelson The Scientist As far as fast food commercials go, you probably cannot do better than Willie Nelson singing a Coldplay song with an important message about the source for much of our food. That is the combination put together, along with cool animation by Johnny Kelly, for a short promotional film by Chipolte.

    The short film raises questions about how the nation’s meat is raised and treated, but in a soft-sell sort of way without images of real suffering animals that people try to avoid seeing, lest it spoil our dinners. Chipotle is not trying to turn us all into vegetarians. But the short film, which Chipotle plans to show in theaters around the country, is part of Chipotle’s “Food With Integrity” program where it supports using naturally raised meat and local produce. If you buy the recording of “The Scientist” off of iTunes, 60 cents from each sale goes to Chipotle Cultivate Foundation.

    Taking a cynical view, one may see Chipotle’s incentive in putting together the short film because it allows them to distinguish their practices from other restaurants, thereby getting more customers. But still, it is a commendable way for a restaurant to distinguish itself. And it is a cool song and a great cover by Nelson, combined with interesting animation. Three chords and the truth. What more can you ask for from a song commissioned by a fast food company?

  • Three Unusual (But Awesome) Coldplay Covers
  • October Pop Culture Roundup
  • Internet Venom, Toby Keith’s Death, . . . and Grace from Willie Nelson
  • Karen O and Willie Nelson Record “Under Pressure” (Pandemic Song of the Day)
  • When the World Seems to be Spinnin’ Hopelessly Out of Control
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