"Sparks" is a song by the British rock band Coldplay. They wrote and co-produced it with producer Ken Nelson for their debut album, Parachutes (2000).[1] Dubbed a "calming" piece, the song experienced a chart resurgence in the 2020s decade.[2]
"Sparks" | |
---|---|
Song by Coldplay | |
from the album Parachutes | |
Released | 10 July 2000 |
Recorded | 1999–2000 |
Genre | |
Length | 3:47 |
Label | Parlophone |
Songwriter(s) | |
Producer(s) |
Recording
editAccording to producer Ken Nelson, "Sparks" was recorded at the same time as "We Never Change".[1] He described it as "basically a live take", with Jonny Buckland adding his guitar parts afterwards.[1] The lyrics of the song tell the story of a person asking for a second chance after letting down their partner ("And I know I was wrong" / "But I won't let you down").[3] Mary Siroky from Consequence noted that "the waltz tempo ensures a feeling of intimacy and romantic longing persists".[4]
Reception
edit"Sparks" has been ranked among the best Coldplay songs by Billboard,[5] and Consequence.[4] The former said that "Even if the band thought it couldn't hold up as a single like 'Yellow' or 'Trouble', 'Sparks' is still one of the most raw displays of [Chris Martin]'s gripping vocal abilities of Coldplay's catalog".[5] The song later experienced a resurgence on music charts during the 2020s decade after going viral on TikTok.[6]
Performances
editThe band have consistently performed the song during the Parachutes (2000–01),[7] and Music of the Spheres (2022–25) tours.[8]
Covers and samples
editAmerican R&B singer Brandy integrated the opening lyrics of the song in "I Tried", from her album Afrodisiac (2004).[9] Kristina Train covered "Sparks" for I Give It a Year, a British romantic comedy released in 2013.[10] Ten years later, Jordana shared a cover of the track as well.[11]
Personnel
editCredits adapted from Tidal.[12]
- Band members
- Guy Berryman – bass, songwriter
- Jonny Buckland – guitar, piano, backing vocals, songwriter
- Will Champion – drums, percussion, backing vocals, songwriter
- Chris Martin – lead vocals, acoustic guitar, keyboards, songwriter
- Additional personnel
- Ken Nelson – producer, engineer
- Andrea Wright – assistant engineer
- Jon Coles – assistant engineer
- Paul Read – assistant engineer
- Simon Barnicott – assistant engineer
- George Marino – mastering engineer
- Michael H. Brauer – mixing engineer
- Mark Phythian – programmer
Charts
editChart (2022–2024) | Peak position |
---|---|
Greece International (IFPI)[13] | 52 |
Portugal (AFP)[14] | 95 |
Singapore (RIAS)[15] | 19 |
Certifications
editRegion | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[16] | 2× Platinum | 140,000‡ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[17] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI)[18] | Gold | 50,000‡ |
Portugal (AFP)[19] | Platinum | 40,000‡ |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[20] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[21] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
References
edit- ^ a b c "Ken Nelson: Recording Coldplay's Parachutes". Sound On Sound. October 2000. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
- ^ "Sparks". The Michigan Daily. 11 May 2022. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
- ^ "Coldplay: The Hidden Stories and Meanings Behind Every Song on Parachutes Revealed". NME. 15 July 2015. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Coldplay's 10 Best Songs". Consequence. 13 October 2021. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
- ^ a b "The 50 Best Coldplay Songs: Staff Picks". Billboard. 21 November 2019. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
- ^ "The TikTok Songs of Fall". Valley Magazine. 7 November 2021. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ "Coldplay Concert Setlist at Shepherd's Bush Empire, London". Setlist FM. 23 October 2000. Archived from the original on 1 July 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
- ^ "Scaletta Concerto Coldplay 2023: Music of the Spheres World Tour" [Coldplay's 2023 Concert Setlist: Music of the Spheres World Tour]. Tag 24 by Unicusano (in Italian). 19 April 2023. Archived from the original on 25 June 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
- ^ "Afrodisiac". Entertainment Weekly. 5 July 2004. Archived from the original on 20 May 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- ^ "UMP Syncs for I Give It A Year". Universal Music Publishing Group. 30 January 2013. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
- ^ "Jordana – Sparks (Coldplay Cover)". Stereogum. 30 May 2023. Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Credits / Parachutes / Coldplay". 10 July 2000. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
- ^ "Official IFPI Charts — Digital Singles Chart (International) — Εβδομάδα: 24/2024" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 19 June 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
- ^ "Coldplay – Sparks". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
- ^ "RIAS Top Charts Week 5 (26 Jan - 1 Feb 2024)". RIAS. Archived from the original on 6 February 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – Coldplay – Sparks". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – Coldplay – Sparks" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 11 January 2024. Select "2023" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "Sparks" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
- ^ "Portuguese single certifications – Coldplay – Sparks" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
- ^ "Awards Record". El Portal de Música (Select "Coldplay" on the "Artist" drop down menu) (in Spanish). 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
- ^ "British single certifications – Coldplay – Sparks". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 9 February 2024.