Coldplay - Parachutes

"Parachutes" is the debut album by UK alternative rock band Coldplay and was released back in July 2000.  The album was the first step in making Coldplay one of the biggest bands of the 21st century.  This album won both a Grammy, a brit award and has gone 9 times platinum in the UK at time of writing.  

But what was the key ingredient that made this album such a success?  Well although this is a strong 10 track album.  There are always songs on albums which stand out and maybe one which is a trigger for amassing, in this case, fans in their millions.  That song was "Yellow".  A singalong anthem which an infectious riff.  This is a joyous song from start to finish.  To date Coldplay have released 8 studio albums and the only mainstay in their live setlist from "Parachutes" is "Yellow".  Sure the likes of "Trouble" and "Shiver" get played every now and then. But "Yellow" is the one which they just can't drop.

I think there are a few reasons for this and let me just say it is not because "Parachutes" is a bad album by any stretch.  It's just the venues that Coldplay play now are way bigger now and I don't think most songs on here are suited to headline festival slots or stadium gigs.  Half of "Parachutes" is like an acoustic album with the likes of "Sparks", "Don't Panic" and the short title track "Parachutes".  Another reason these songs have disappeared from the live set is that you just have to look at the standard of songs Coldplay have gone on to produce.  Not only that but I would say the songs on later albums sound bigger and are more feel-good songs. Whereas the songs on Parachutes can be quite understated and downbeat.

One song which has disappeared from their live set but perhaps didn't deserve to be is the closing track of the album "Everything’s not lost".  This is a hugely relatable song to pretty much anyone who has gone through a tough time at some point in their life.  It's a piano ballad with an absolutely mesmerising bridge, with a fine guitar section and another sing along chorus.  This is probably my favourite song on the album, followed closely by "Yellow" and then "Shiver".

Overall, while "Parachutes" is not my favourite Coldplay album.  It is still a great album and well and truly got the attention it deserved at the time as well as today. They could have easily become a one hit wonder with "Yellow". But in 2021 they have proven time and time again that this is not the case one bit.