"Speed of Sound"
Single by Coldplay
from the album X&Y
B-side(s)	"Things I Don't Understand", "Proof"
Released	23 May 2005
Format	7", CD, 10", 12"
Genre	Alternative Rock
Length	4:49
Label	Parlophone
Writer(s)	Berryman, Buckland, Champion, Martin
Producer(s)	Coldplay, Ken Nelson, Danton Supple
Peak chart positions
#2 (Canada, UK Singles Chart) #5 (Latvia, US Modern Rock) #8 (US Billboard Hot 100) #9 (Australia)
Coldplay singles chronology
"God Put A Smile Upon Your Face" (2003) "Speed of Sound" (2005) "Fix You" (2005)
X&Y track listing
"X&Y" (6)	"Speed of Sound" (7)	"A Message" (8)

"Speed of Sound" is the lead single from Coldplay's 2005 album, X&Y. It made its radio premiere on BBC Radio 1 with Lamacq on the evening of Monday, 18 April 2005. Beginning with a piano riff the song builds into a huge, synth-heavy chorus: "Birds go flying at the speed of sound, to show you how it all began / Birds came flying from the underground, if you could see it then you'd understand." The song was created as the band attempted to work through a cover version of Kate Bush's song, "Running Up That Hill"; thus the main riff of Speed of Sound resembles that of Bush's song.^{[citation needed]} Image File history File links Coldplay_speedofsound. ... A collection of various CD singles In music, a single is a short recording of one or more separate tracks. ... Coldplay are an English rock band. ... X&Y is the third album by English rock band Coldplay, released in England on 6 June 2005 and in North America on June 7. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... is the 143rd day of the year (144th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... It has been suggested that Childrens gramophone records be merged into this article or section. ... A CD single is a music single in the form of a compact disc. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The term alternative rock or alternative music1 was coined in the early 1980s to describe bands which didnt fit into the mainstream genres of the time. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Parlophone is a record label which was founded in Germany prior to World War I by the Carl Lindstrom Company. ... A songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics to songs, the musical composition or melody to songs, or both. ... In the music industry, a record producer (or music producer) has many roles, among them controlling the recording sessions, coaching and guiding the musicians, organizing and scheduling production budget and resources, and supervising the recording, mixing and mastering processes. ... Ken Nelson is a British record producer. ... // A record chart, also known as a music chart, is a method of ranking music according to popularity during a given period of time. ... The UK Singles Chart is currently compiled by The Official UK Charts Company (OCC) on behalf of the British record industry. ... Modern Rock Tracks is a music chart in the United States that has appeared in Billboard magazine since September 10, 1988. ... The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. ... Coldplay are an English rock band. ... God Put A Smile Upon Your Face is the fourth single from Coldplays sophomore album, A Rush of Blood to the Head. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... X&Y is the third album by English rock band Coldplay, released in England on 6 June 2005 and in North America on June 7. ... A Message is a song by English alternative rock band Coldplay and is the eighth track on their 2005 album, X&Y. The song consists of simple acoustic guitar verses with a gentle rock chorus. ... See also: 2005 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2005 Record labels established in 2005 2000s in music. ... X&Y is the third album by English rock band Coldplay, released in England on 6 June 2005 and in North America on June 7. ... This page redirects from Radio 1. See Radio 1 (disambiguation). ... Steve Lamacq (born 16 October 1965), sometimes known by his nickname Lammo (given to him by John Peel), is a British disc jockey who has been broadcasting for several years on the popular BBC radio station Radio 1. ... is the 108th day of the year (109th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Kate Bush (Born Catherine Bush on 30 July 1958, Bexleyheath, Greater London) is an English singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. ... Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) was the first single from Kate Bushs 1985 album Hounds of Love. ...

"Speed of Sound" was infamously beaten to the number one spot on the UK Singles Chart by the novelty song "Axel F" by the Crazy Frog. However, it became Coldplay's first UK Download #1. It also became Coldplay's first and biggest single to chart in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #8, making it arguably Coldplay's most successful single. The UK Singles Chart is currently compiled by The Official UK Charts Company (OCC) on behalf of the British record industry. ... A novelty song is a usually intentionally humorous song, usually in published or recorded form. ... Axel F is the debut and most internationally successful single by Crazy Frog, released in 2005. ... Crazy Frog is an animated character used in the marketing of a ring tone based on The Annoying Thing, a computer animation created by Erik Wernquist. ... The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. ...

Track listings

Japan

• CD TOCP-40179 released 11 May 2005 by Toshiba-EMI

1. "Speed of Sound" - 4:49
2. "Things I Don't Understand" - 4:55
3. "Proof" - 4:10

is the 131st day of the year (132nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Toshiba-EMI - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ...

UK

• CD CDR6664, 7" R6664, 12" 12R6664, 10" 10R6664

1. "Speed of Sound" - 4:49
2. "Things I Don't Understand" - 4:55
3. "Proof" - 4:10 (CD and 10" only)

Australia

• CD 872 9862 released 23 May 2005 by Capitol Records

1. "Speed of Sound" - 4:49
2. "Things I Don't Understand" - 4:55
3. "Proof" - 4:10

is the 143rd day of the year (144th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Capitol Records is a major United States-based record label, owned by EMI. // The Capitol Records company was founded by the songwriter Johnny Mercer in 1942, with the financial help of movie producer Buddy DeSylva and the business acumen of Glenn Wallichs, (1910-1971) (owner of Music City, at the...

Music video

Jon Buckland in "Speed of Sound" video

The video promo for "Speed of Sound" was shot on a Los Angeles sound stage over 22–23 April 2005. Shooting took place on large sets backed by large LED displays. The performance based video was helmed by Mark Romanek, who was responsible for Linkin Park's "Faint," Johnny Cash's "Hurt" and Jay-Z's "99 Problems". The video earned 4 nominations at the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards. This is a screenshot of a copyrighted website, video game graphic, computer program graphic, television broadcast, or film. ... This is a screenshot of a copyrighted website, video game graphic, computer program graphic, television broadcast, or film. ... Jon Buckland, from Live 2003 DVD Jonathan Mark Buckland (born 11 September 1977), known as Jon or Jonny Buckland, is the lead guitarist of the band Coldplay. ... Flag Seal Nickname: City of Angels Location Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates , Government State County California Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,290. ... A sound stage is a hangar-like structure, building or room, that is soundproof for the production of theatrical motion pictures and television, usually inside a movie studio. ... is the 112th day of the year (113th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... April 23 is the 113th day of the year (114th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... External links LEd Category: TeX ... Mark Romanek (born September 18, 1959) is an award-winning American music video director who has also moved into directing theatrical films. ... Linkin Park is a nu-metal band from Agoura Hills, California. ... It has been suggested that Johnny Cash family be merged into this article or section. ... Hurt is a song written by Trent Reznor, first released as a promotional single on Nine Inch Nails 1994 album The Downward Spiral. ... Jay-Z (aka the Jigga, HOV and Hova, born Shawn Carter on December 4, 1970 in Brooklyn, New York) is an African American rapper/hip hop artist and record label executive; one of the most popular and successful rappers of the late 1990s and early 2000s. ... The MTV Video Music Awards were established in 1984 by MTV to celebrate the top music videos of the year. ...

Awards and nominations

Awards

The MTV Europe Music Awards were established in 1994 by MTV Europe to celebrate the most popular music videos in Europe. ... The Brit Awards are the annual United Kingdom pop music awards founded by the British Phonographic Industry. ...

Nominations

The MTV Video Music Awards were established in 1984 by MTV to celebrate the top music videos of the year. ... Grammy Award statuette The Grammy Awards, presented by the Recording Academy (an association of Americans professionally involved in the recorded music industry) for outstanding achievements in the recording industry, is one of four major music awards shows held annually in the United States (the Billboard Music Awards, the American Music...

Trivia

• Coldplay were the first British band to enter directly in the top ten of Billboards Hot 100 chart since "Hey Jude" by The Beatles.
• Coldplay premiered "Speed of Sound" at a small warm-up gig in London in March 2005.
• During their performance of "Speed of Sound" at the 2005 Glastonbury Festival, Chris asked "Crazy Frog, where are you now?". This was a reference to the fact "Speed of Sound" was beaten to the UK number 1 spot by "Crazy Frog".
• There is another song by this title, written by Chris Bell.
• "Speed of Sound" appears on the videogame SingStar Rocks!.
• The song is a part of the comedian "Weird Al" Yankovic's polka medley Polkarama in his October 2006 hit album, Straight Outta Lynwood.
• "Speed of Sound" was the billionth song downloaded from iTunes.

Music sample Hey Jude ( file info) Problems? See media help. ... The White Album, see The Beatles (album). ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Crazy Frog is an animated character used in the marketing of a ring tone based on The Annoying Thing, a computer animation created by Erik Wernquist. ... Chris Bell was a singer, songwriter and guitarist born on January 25, 1951 in Memphis, Tennessee. ... SingStar Rocks is a PlayStation 2 karaoke game published by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and developed by SCEE and London Studio. ... This article is about the musician himself. ... Straight Outta Lynwood is the 12th album by Weird Al Yankovic. ... Singles from Straight Outta Lynwood Released: August 21, 2006 Released: September 12, 2006 Released: September 26, 2006 Released: March 19, 2007 Straight Outta Lynwood is the twelfth album by Weird Al Yankovic. ... This article is about the iTunes application. ...

External links

• Official website
• Official Fansite
• Coldplay Wiki
• Speed of Sound lyrics