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Sparks (Coldplay song)

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"Sparks"
Song by Coldplay
from the album Parachutes
Released10 July 2000 (2000-07-10)
Recorded1999–2000
Genre
Length3:47
LabelParlophone
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)

"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.[2]

Recording

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According 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

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"Sparks" has been ranked among Coldplay's best works by Billboard,[5] and Consequence.[4] The former also included the song on their "40 Best Deep Cuts of 2000" list, pointing out that it contains "many of the touchstones that would become synonymous with the British rock band in the ensuing decades", from the hopeless romanticism of the lyrics to the use of interjections.[6] The song experienced a resurgence on the music charts in the 2020s, after going viral on TikTok.[7]

Performances

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The band have consistently performed "Sparks" throughout the Parachutes (2000–01),[8] and Music of the Spheres (2022–25) tours.[9]

Covers and samples

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See also: List of cover versions of Coldplay songs

American R&B singer Brandy integrated the opening lyrics of the song in "I Tried", from her album Afrodisiac (2004).[10] Kristina Train covered "Sparks" for I Give It a Year, a British romantic comedy released in 2013.[11] Ten years later, Jordana shared a cover of the track as well.[12]

Personnel

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Credits adapted from Tidal.[13]

Band members
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

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Chart performance for "Sparks"
Chart (2022–2024) Peak
position
Global 200 (Billboard)[14] 174
Greece International (IFPI)[15] 52
Portugal (AFP)[16] 95
Singapore (RIAS)[17] 19

Certifications

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Certifications for "Sparks"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[18] 2× Platinum 140,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[19] Gold 45,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[20] Gold 50,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[21] Platinum 40,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[22] Gold 30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[23] Platinum 600,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "Sparks". The Michigan Daily. 11 May 2022. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ a b "Coldplay's 10 Best Songs". Consequence. 13 October 2021. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  5. ^ "The 50 Best Coldplay Songs: Staff Picks". Billboard. 21 November 2019. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  6. ^ "The 40 Best Deep Cuts of 2000". Billboard. 26 March 2020. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  7. ^ "The TikTok Songs of Fall". Valley Magazine. 7 November 2021. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ "Afrodisiac". Entertainment Weekly. 5 July 2004. Archived from the original on 20 May 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  11. ^ "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.
  12. ^ "Jordana – Sparks (Coldplay Cover)". Stereogum. 30 May 2023. Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  13. ^ "Credits / Parachutes / Coldplay". 10 July 2000. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  14. ^ "Coldplay Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  15. ^ "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.
  16. ^ "Coldplay – Sparks". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  17. ^ "RIAS Top Charts Week 5 (26 Jan - 1 Feb 2024)". RIAS. Archived from the original on 6 February 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  18. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  19. ^ "Danish single certifications – Coldplay – Sparks". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  20. ^ "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".
  21. ^ "Portuguese single certifications – Coldplay – Sparks" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  22. ^ "Awards Record". El Portal de Música (Select "Coldplay" on the "Artist" drop down menu) (in Spanish). 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  23. ^ "British single certifications – Coldplay – Sparks". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
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