Strawberry Swing

Last updated

"Strawberry Swing"
Coldplaystrawberryswing.jpg
Single by Coldplay
from the album Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends
Released14 September 2009 (2009-09-14)
RecordedDecember 2007
Genre
Length
  • 4:11 (Album version)
  • 4:09 (Radio edit)
Label Parlophone
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Coldplay singles chronology
"Life in Technicolor II"
(2009)		"Strawberry Swing"
(2009)		"Christmas Lights"
(2010)
Music video
"Strawberry Swing" on YouTube

"Strawberry Swing" is a song by British rock band Coldplay. On 14 September 2009, it was released as the fourth and final single from the band's fourth studio album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008). The song was written by the members of the band and was produced by Markus Dravs, Brian Eno, Jon Hopkins and Rik Simpson. The track received mostly positive reviews from music critics who praised the infectious melody, the vocal performance of Chris Martin and the west-African influences on the track's arrangement and production.

Contents

"Strawberry Swing" reached a position of 158 on the UK Singles Chart and reached position 5 on both the Polish Singles Chart and the Dutch Tipparade charts. The song received a stop-motion music video directed by Shynola, which was nominated for Breakthrough Video at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards. Coldplay performed the song on their 2008 Viva la Vida Tour, and a live version of the song appeared on Coldplay's live album, LeftRightLeftRightLeft (2009).

The song was performed in the 2012 Summer Paralympics closing ceremony, with the British Paraorchestra. R&B singer-songwriter Frank Ocean released a cover version of the song on his 2011 mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra to positive reviews from critics, and later performed it during his 2012 Coachella Music Festival appearance and his 2012 Channel Orange tour.

Background

"Strawberry Swing", like much of Viva la Vida, was primarily produced by English record producer Brian Eno. [2] The track was released as the fifth official single from Viva la Vida on 14 September 2009. [3] The song was later part of the international soundtrack to the Brazilian soap opera Tempos Modernos in 2009. [4]

Results of a study by the British Academy of Sound Therapy show that "Strawberry Swing" is one of the most psychologically relaxing songs ever recorded. It came in 5th place among surveyed songs behind Marconi Union's "Weightless". [5]

Composition

Gnome-mime-sound-openclipart.svg
Strawberry Swing
Excerpt from the song
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Strawberry Swing" contains multiple elements of Touareg, afro-pop and highlife music, and is largely built around handclaps, plucked, clean guitars, rhythmic cellos and distant organs and keys. [6] Lead singer Chris Martin credits much of the track's sound to his time in Zimbabwe as an adolescent. "My mum comes from Zimbabwe, so I spent a lot of time there. I used to work in a studio [ Shed Studios] where people played [highlife, afrobeat]." [6] Martin has also noted English alternative dance band Delakota's influence on the track, pointing to the 1998 track "The Rock" as specific inspiration. [7]

Alexis Petrdis of The Guardian stated the track had "certainly a wider sonic palette on offer", musing that the song contained a "jerkily funky beat and a vaguely African-sounding guitar line", [8] though also noted many of the track's shared traits with Coldplay's previous discography; namely its mid-tempo, echoing guitars, piano ballad-inspired melodies and bittersweet, anthemic, falsetto vocals. [8]

Reception

The song received mostly positive reviews from music critics. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic stated that the track, with its light, "gently infectious melody and insistent rhythmic pulse, breaks from the album's appealingly meditative murk." [9] Chris Willman of Entertainment Weekly described the song as "ebullient", and mused that the track "throws Afrocentric guitar atop one of those Eno/Dravs soundscapes beautifully". [10] Pitchfork Media's Ryan Dombal reported that "the Gabriel connection is also apparent on the spectacular, wide-eyed 'Strawberry Swing', which floats light tribal drums above circular guitars and Martin's idyllic musings." [11] Evan Sawdey of PopMatters wrote that the guitar playing that populate "Violet Hill" and "Strawberry Swing" sound "like that for the first time in the band's career, Coldplay is actually using the ludicrous studio budget that they're provided with each for release, here indulging in every passing whim and fancy, all while Eno serves as the playground supervisor, the results proving to be as potent as they are varied." [12] IGN's Chad Grischow wrote that the track "blends spectacularly with Martin's calming, 'It's such a perfect day', refrain" and noted that "when the jangling acoustic guitar drifts in near the conclusion, it is the cherry on top of a killer tune". [13] PopMatters included the song on their unranked "Best Singles of 2009" list. [14]

Promotion

Music video

Screenshot from the video making reference to the Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends album cover. Coldplay - Strawberry Swing Screenshot.JPG
Screenshot from the video making reference to the Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends album cover.

A music video for "Strawberry Swing" was directed by Shynola and premiered on 4Music and Channel 4 on 29 July 2009. [15] The video, which is animated using stop motion, features Chris Martin lying on the ground against animated chalk drawings that tell a surreal story with him as the main character. [15] The story begins with Martin waking up in his house. Once he sees that a woman is being held hostage by a giant squirrel, he turns into a superhero and attempts to save her. Along the way, Martin faces attacks from the squirrel and a giant fish in the ocean. [15] When Martin finally gets to the squirrel's home, he rescues the lady by drawing a nut-shaped bomb that blows the squirrel up in a colorful explosion. The two then fly away into space together and begin to kiss. [15] At the end of the song, the animation stops and Martin gets up off the chalk-colored floor in real speed and walks away. [15] The video was nominated in the Best Animation in a Video category at the UK Music Video Awards 2009. [16] In August 2010, the video was nominated for "Breakthrough Video" at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards. [17]

In September 2009, the originality of the Shynola-directed video was questioned by singer-songwriter Andy J Gallagher; he argued that "Owen Trevor had virtually the same idea at least a year before." [18] In an official PDF statement, Shynola stated "Having never seen Mr. Trevor's video before, we can categorically deny that his video was any influence on our video. Any similarities are purely coincidental." [19] The PDF also contained image-by-image rebuttals of Gallagher's claims, and added that the video was mainly inspired by the "dreamlike weirdness" of animator Winsor McCay's artwork. [20]

Live performances

Coldplay performed the song from 2008 to 2010 as part of their Viva la Vida Tour. [21] A performance of the song was featured on the LeftRightLeftRightLeft live album released by Coldplay in 2009. [22] The song was also performed it during their performance at the 2012 Summer Paralympics closing ceremony featuring the British Paraorchestra. [23] The band also performed the song as a requested song by the audience on their A Head Full of Dreams Tour and Music of the Spheres World Tours, at the shows on 11 June 2016 and 25 March 2023, respectively. [24] [25]

Frank Ocean cover

Singer-songwriter Frank Ocean performed an alternative R&B [26] cover version of the song on his 2011 mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra . AbsolutePunk's Holly Hox called Ocean's version "catchy", musing that it "proves that Ocean's voice is as great as his knack for writing thoughtful pop songs." [27] Connor O'Neill of The Miscellany News writes that "there is so much atmosphere you almost melt into it, and he spreads you over an apocalyptic swan song." [28] Music critic Robert Christgau felt that Ocean's cover was superior to the original, stating that it's "where the alienated young R&B pro rewrites the sappy Coldplay single without underplaying its lyricism or, as promised, its nostalgia. 'I've loved the good times here' is a sendoff worthy of the 'dying world' Ocean calls home." [29] Ocean performed his cover of the song during his 2011 Nostalgia Ultra tour, and his 2012 Channel Orange tour through North America. [30] [31] Complex praised his performance, writing that Ocean's "voice sounds as buttery live as it does on record." [32]

Track listing

Digital download
No.TitleLength
1."Strawberry Swing"4:09
Promotional CD Single
No.TitleLength
1."Strawberry Swing" (Radio Edit)4:09
2."Strawberry Swing" (Album version)4:11
3."Strawberry Swing" (Instrumental)4:11

Personnel

Additional Personnel

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "Strawberry Swing"
Chart (2010)Peak
position
Iceland (RÚV) [33] 2
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade) [34] 5
UK Singles Chart [35] 158

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coldplay</span> British rock band

Coldplay are a British rock band formed in London in 1997. They consist of vocalist and pianist Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, drummer Will Champion and manager Phil Harvey. They initially met at University College London, calling themselves Big Fat Noises and changing to Starfish, before settling on the current name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Martin</span> English singer-songwriter (born 1977)

Christopher Anthony John Martin is an English singer, songwriter, musician, producer and philanthropist. He is best known as the lead vocalist, pianist, rhythm guitarist and co-founder of the rock band Coldplay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jon Hopkins</span> English electronic musician and producer

Jonathan Julian Hopkins is an English musician and producer who writes and performs electronic music. He began his career playing keyboards for Imogen Heap, and has produced but also contributed to albums by Brian Eno, Coldplay, David Holmes and others.

Shynola are a London-based directing team who have worked across live-action and animation for over twenty years. Gideon Baws (deceased), Chris Harding, Richard Kenworthy and Jason Groves formed Shynola while at art college and immediately earned recognition for their inventive work.

Davide Rossi is an Italian violinist, string arranger, orchestrator, songwriter, composer and conductor, perhaps best known for having been the electric violinist and multi-instrumentalist for the British electronic music duo Goldfrapp from 2000 until 2013, and for his large contribution of electric violin parts and for most of the string arrangements on all Coldplay's albums since Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends,.

<i>Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends</i> 2008 studio album by Coldplay

Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, often referred to as simply Viva la Vida, is the fourth studio album by British rock band Coldplay, released on 12 June 2008 on the Parlophone label. "Viva la vida" is a Spanish phrase that translates into English as "long live life", "live the life", or simply "live life". Lyrically, the album contains references to love, life, death and war.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Violet Hill</span> 2008 single by Coldplay

"Violet Hill" is a song by British rock band Coldplay. It was written by all members of the band for their fourth album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008). Built around a repeating guitar sound, it utilises a marching tempo, supported by the pianos and rhythms that accompany the song's lyrics. The song was initially made available as a free download on the band's website and was downloaded more than two million times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Viva la Vida</span> 2008 single by Coldplay

"Viva la Vida" is a song by British rock band Coldplay. It was written by all members of the band for their fourth album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008). The lyrics to the song contain historical and Christian references, and the track is built around a looping string section in unison with a digitally processed piano, with other layers gradually being added as the song builds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Viva la Vida Tour</span> 2008–2010 concert tour by Coldplay

The Viva la Vida Tour was the fourth concert tour undertaken by British rock band Coldplay. It was launched in support of their fourth studio album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008), becoming a massive commercial and critical success. The tour visited Europe, Asia, Oceania and the Americas, further establishing the band as one of the biggest touring acts in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lost!</span> 2008 single by Coldplay

"Lost!" is a song by the British rock band Coldplay. It was co-produced with Brian Eno and Markus Dravs for the band's fourth album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends. The song was released on 10 November 2008 as the third official single from the album to generally positive critical reviews. A live version was released via download following a performance of the band and Jay-Z at the 2009 Grammy Awards, spurring high digital sales and giving "Lost!" a new peak at number 40 in the United States.

<i>Prospekts March</i> 2008 extended play by Coldplay

Prospekt's March is the seventh EP by British rock band Coldplay and their first since Remixes (2003). It came out on 21 November 2008 in Europe and Japan, enjoying a worldwide release during the following week. The EP features several left-over tracks from the Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends studio sessions and was also made available in the album's deluxe edition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lovers in Japan</span> 2008 single by Coldplay

"Lovers in Japan" is a song by British rock band Coldplay. It was written by all members of the band for their fourth studio album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends. The song is built around an introductory tack piano sound, then followed by chiming guitars and soaring choruses, supported by the pianos and rhythms that accompany the song's lyrics. The album version of "Lovers in Japan" shares the track with the song "Reign of Love".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Death and All His Friends</span> 2008 song by Coldplay

"Death and All His Friends" is a song by British rock band Coldplay. It was written by all members of the band for their fourth album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, and is the tenth and final track on the album. The song begins with Chris Martin singing softly to a piano accompaniment before morphing into an uplifting arrangement featuring drums, chiming guitars, and a choir recorded in an art gallery in Barcelona. After the song fades out, a hidden song featured on the album, entitled "The Escapist", brings the total length of the track up to over six minutes and concludes the album. "The Escapist" is an ambient music piece that consists of a sample of "Light Through the Veins" by Jon Hopkins, with different mixing and with added vocals and lyrics by Chris Martin. A brief 40-second section of the instrumental of "The Escapist" is what begins the first track on the album, "Life in Technicolor", making the album cyclical.

"42" is a song by British rock band Coldplay. It was written by all members of the band for their fourth album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008). The song, divided into three parts, does not have a chorus. The first part is a ballad with piano and strings, which then transforms into an uptempo rock arrangement with a guitar solo. Finally, the song ends with a multi-instrumental part. A live version of "42" was featured on the band's 2009 live album, LeftRightLeftRightLeft.

<i>Mylo Xyloto</i> 2011 studio album by Coldplay

Mylo Xyloto is the fifth studio album by British rock band Coldplay, released on 24 October 2011. The band worked closely with producer Brian Eno following their successful collaboration on Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008), the band's previous album.

<i>Nostalgia, Ultra</i> 2011 mixtape by Frank Ocean

Nostalgia, Ultra is the debut mixtape by American singer-songwriter Frank Ocean. It was released on February 16, 2011. Ocean was inspired to make the mixtape after Hurricane Katrina in his native New Orleans and his subsequent relocation to Los Angeles. After joining alternative hip hop group Odd Future in 2009, he self-released the mixtape, without initial promotion. Nostalgia, Ultra has a unique R&B aesthetic and features surreal themes and nostalgic lyrics. The songs mostly focus on interpersonal relationships, personal reflection, and social commentary. Following its release, the mixtape received rave reviews from music critics. The cover features a picture of a bright orange BMW E30 M3, Ocean's "dream car", in plain sight amidst lush greenery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paradise (Coldplay song)</span> 2011 single by Coldplay

"Paradise" is a song by the British rock band Coldplay, released on 12 September 2011 as the second single from their fifth album, Mylo Xyloto. The song received its radio debut at 7:50 a.m. on The Chris Moyles Show on 12 September 2011. According to Coldplay's official website, the single was not initially chart eligible in the United Kingdom, because it was available on iTunes as an "instant grat" when pre-ordering the album. Following the release of the album on 30 October 2011, the song became chart eligible in the UK and entered the UK Singles Chart at number 14, before taking the number 1 spot on its tenth week, becoming the band's second number-one single after "Viva la Vida" in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mylo Xyloto Tour</span> 2011–2012 concert tour by Coldplay

The Mylo Xyloto Tour was the fifth concert tour undertaken by British rock band Coldplay. It was announced in support of their fifth album, Mylo Xyloto (2011), and began on 3 December 2011 at Scotland's SEC Centre, following a series of promotional and festival performances, including Austin City Limits, Glastonbury, Lollapalooza, and Rock in Rio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coldplay videography</span>

British rock band Coldplay have released 64 music videos, five video albums and five films, appearing on numerous television shows throughout their career as well. They were formed in London by Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland (guitar), Guy Berryman, Will Champion and Phil Harvey (management). Before their recording contract with Parlophone in 1999, a music video for "Bigger Stronger" was shot and directed by Mat Whitecross, who ultimately became one of the long-time collaborators of the band. It was followed by the singles "Shiver", "Yellow", "Trouble" and "Don't Panic" from Parachutes (2000), with the third earning a MTV Video Music Award for Best Art Direction.

References

  1. ↑ Downer, Adam (9 June 2008). "Coldplay - Viva la Vida (staff review)". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  2. ↑ Cohen, Jonathon (27 January 2007). "Coldplay drafts Eno to produce fourth album". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media . Retrieved 18 August 2008.
  3. ↑ "Strawberry Swing - Single". iTunes . Retrieved 20 September 2009.
  4. ↑ "Tempos Modernos Soundtrack". Tempos Modernos International Soundtrack. 2010.
  5. ↑ 10 Most Relaxing Songs Recorded Ever According to the Scientists – WeTellYouHow
  6. 1 2 Serprick, Evan. "Coldplay at Work on "Something Different" for Upcoming Album". Rolling Stone . Wenner Media . Retrieved 18 February 2010.
  7. ↑ Creps, Daniel (21 May 2009). "Chris Martin Calls Lawsuits Against Coldplay Inspiring". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 23 May 2009. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
  8. 1 2 Petridis, Alexis (5 June 2008). "Coldplay, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends". The Guardian . Retrieved 26 October 2011.
  9. ↑ Thomas, Stephen. "Viva la Vida – Coldplay". AllMusic . Retrieved 25 November 2010.
  10. ↑ Willman, Chris (20 June 2008). "Viva La Vida Review". Entertainment Weekly . No. 998. p. 65. Retrieved 25 November 2010.
  11. ↑ Dombal, Ryan (16 June 2008). "Coldplay: Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends". Pitchfork Media . Retrieved 26 October 2011.
  12. ↑ Sawdey, Evan (16 June 2008). "Coldplay: Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends". PopMatters . Retrieved 26 October 2011.
  13. ↑ Grischow, Chad (19 June 2008). "Coldplay - Viva La Vida Review". IGN . Archived from the original on 1 January 2009. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  14. ↑ "The Best Singles of 2009: Coldplay – Strawberry Swing". PopMatters. 7 December 2009. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 Creps, Daniel (20 July 2009). "Coldplay Unveil Stop-Animation Video For Strawberry Swing". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
  16. ↑ Knight, David (30 September 2009). "UK Music Video Awards 2009 – the Technical Achievement Award nominations in full". Promo News. Archived from the original on 12 April 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2009.
  17. ↑ "Breakthrough Nominees". MTV. Viacom. 29 September 2009. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
  18. ↑ Frenette, Brad (22 September 2009). "Andy Gallagher thinks Shynola's video for Coldplay's 'Strawberry Swing' looks a bit familiar". The National Post. Doug Kelly . Retrieved 27 September 2009.[ dead link ]
  19. ↑ Hughes, Josiah (25 September 2009). "Coldplay Video Directors Rebut Plagiarism Claims with Six-Page Breakdown of Influences". Exclaim! . Archived from the original on 7 May 2010. Retrieved 27 September 2009.
  20. ↑ Coplan, Chris (29 September 2009). "Coldplay camp garners more plagiarism accusations". Consequence of Sound . Complex Media Network. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
  21. ↑ Mcdonald, Evelyn (18 June 2009). "Coldplay Kick Off New "Viva la Vida" Tour With Grand Gestures". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
  22. ↑ Kreps, Daniel (1 May 2009). "Coldplay Reward Fans With Free Live LP "LeftRightLeftRightLeft"". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 3 May 2009. Retrieved 15 May 2009.
  23. ↑ "London 2012 Paralympic Games Closing Ceremony Media Guide" (PDF) (Press release). London 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 September 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  24. ↑ Coldplay live 11.06.2016 Zurich Strawberry Swing , retrieved 21 June 2023
  25. ↑ Coldplay - Strawberry Swing (Rio de Janeiro/ Engenhão 25/03/23) , retrieved 21 June 2023
  26. ↑ McCloster, Niki. "VIXEN Boombox: Alternative R&B Playlist". VIBE Magazine. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  27. ↑ Holly HoX! (2011-02-28). Frank Ocean - Nostalgia, Ultra - Album Review - AbsolutePunk.net. AbsolutePunk. Retrieved on 2011-06-17.
  28. ↑ O'Neill, Connor (20 April 2012). "Frank Ocean's Nostalgia, Ultra self-released". The Miscellany News. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
  29. ↑ Christgau, Robert (2011-06-14). Frank Ocean/Blaqstarr Archived 21 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine . MSN Music. Microsoft. Retrieved on 2011-06-17.
  30. ↑ Markman, Rob (7 November 2011). "Frank Ocean Charms New York Audience". MTV . Viacom . Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  31. ↑ Nancy, Kelly (14 July 2012). "Frank Ocean kicks off Channel Orange Tour in Seattle". Rap-Up . Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  32. ↑ Wete, Brad (14 April 2012). "Review: Frank Ocean at Coachella 2012". Complex . Retrieved 14 April 2012.
  33. ↑ "Coldplay Chart History". RÚV . Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  34. ↑ "Tipparade-lijst van week 51, 2009" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 . Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  35. ↑ "CHART: CLUK Update 26.09.2009 (wk38)". Zobbel. Retrieved 29 September 2009.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.