"Sparks"
Song by Coldplay
from the album Parachutes
Released10 June 2000 (2000-06-10)
Recorded1999–2000
GenreAlternative rock
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,[2] the song experienced a chart resurgence in the 2020s decade.

Recording

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

"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.

Performances

The band have consistently performed the song during the Parachutes (2000–01),[6] and Music of the Spheres (2022–24) tours.[7]

Covers and samples

American R&B singer Brandy integrated the opening lyrics of the song in "I Tried", from her album Afrodisiac (2004).[8] Kristina Train covered "Sparks" for I Give It a Year, a British romantic comedy released in 2013.[9] Ten years later, Jordana shared a cover of the track as well.[10]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[11]

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 and certifications

References

  1. 1 2 3 "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. 1 2 "Coldplay's 10 Best Songs". Consequence. 13 October 2021. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  5. 1 2 "The 50 Best Coldplay Songs: Staff Picks". Billboard. 21 November 2019. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  6. ↑ "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.
  7. ↑ "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.
  8. ↑ "Afrodisiac". Entertainment Weekly. 5 July 2004. Archived from the original on 20 May 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  9. ↑ "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.
  10. ↑ "Jordana – Sparks (Coldplay Cover)". Stereogum. 30 May 2023. Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  11. ↑ "Credits / Parachutes / Coldplay". 10 July 2000. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  12. ↑ "Coldplay – Sparks". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  13. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Coldplay – Sparks" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 11 January 2024. Select "2023" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Sparks" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  14. ↑ "Portuguese single certifications – Coldplay – Sparks" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  15. ↑ "Spanish single certifications" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 11 January 2024. Select Canciones under "Categoría", select 2024 under "Año". Select 1 under "Semana". Click on "BUSCAR LISTA".
  16. ↑ "British single certifications – Coldplay – Sparks". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
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