Hurts Like Heaven

Album: Mylo Xyloto (2011)
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Songfacts®:

  • This atmospheric anthem is the second track on Mylo Xyloto following the 42 second opening title song. Frontman Chris Martin told Music Week: "That's the opening track, really. That's kind of our call to arms to each other. I think it's callisthenics musically for us. It warms you up."
  • Johnny Buckland's guitar is more prominent on Mylo Xyloto than on Coldplay's previous albums. Martin told Q magazine this song is, "all Jonny. It only has two chords."
  • Speaking to Billboard magazine the Coldplay vocalist explained why the band's lead guitarist makes a bigger contribution than before: "When we finished the last record Viva La Vida, we were all feeling pretty pleased with ourselves when it was like #1 or whatever. Then… (producer) Brian Eno wrote to us and said, 'Dear Coldplay. I really think we've made a good record here. But I do think we can do a lot better, and I feel we all need to get back to work as soon as possible because I feel like Jonny especially is on the route to something, and he hasn't got there yet.'"
  • The song's animated music video tells the tale of a graffiti gang on an alien planet who rebel against Major Minus and his oppressive regime. The clip acts as a prequel to Coldplay's comic book series about a character named Mylo Xyloto, a "Silencer," who, in the words of director Mark Osbourne, is a part of a "war against sound and color."

Comments: 1

  • Nawaf from Manama, BahrainThe song is about not being afraid to open up and listen to you're heart. The chorus clearly states "Oh you use as your heart as a weapon and it hurts like heaven".
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