Sparks (Coldplay song)

2000 song by Coldplay

"Sparks"

Song by Coldplay
from the album  Parachutes
Released| 10 July 2000 (2000-07-10)
Recorded| 1999–2000
Genre|

* Soft rock
* dream pop

Length| 3:47
Label| Parlophone
Songwriter(s)|

* Guy Berryman
* Jonny Buckland
* Will Champion
* Chris Martin

Producer(s)|

* Ken Nelson
* Coldplay

"Sparks" is a song by the British rock band Coldplay. It was written by all members of the group and co-produced by Ken Nelson for their debut album, Parachutes (2000).[1] Described as a "calming" piece, the song had a chart resurgence in the 2020s.[2]

## Recording

[edit]

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

[edit]

"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 music charts in the 2020s,[2] after going viral on TikTok.[7]

## Performances

[edit]

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

## Covers and samples

[edit]

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

[edit]

Credits adapted from Tidal.[13]

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

[edit]

Chart performance for "Sparks"  Chart (2022–2025)  | Peak
position

|

Australia (ARIA)[14] | 75
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[15] | 73
Global 200 (Billboard)[16] | 92
Greece International (IFPI)[17] | 52
Ireland (IRMA)[18] | 50
Lithuania Airplay (TopHit)[19] | 49
Philippines (Philippines Hot 100)[20] | 99
Portugal (AFP)[21] | 95
Singapore (RIAS)[22] | 19
UK Singles (OCC)[23] | 40
US Billboard Hot 100[24] | 93
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[25] | 12

## Certifications

[edit]

Certifications for "Sparks"  Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Australia (ARIA)[26] | 2× Platinum  | 140,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[27] | Gold  | 45,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[28]
Sales since 2009  | Gold  | 50,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[29] | 2× Platinum  | 60,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[30] | Platinum  | 40,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[31] | Gold  | 30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[32] | Platinum  | 600,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

## References

[edit]

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. ^ a b "Coldplay's Sparks Ignites on Charts After Chris Martin & Dakota Johnson Breakup". Billboard. 18 June 2025. Archived from the original on 18 June 2025. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
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. ^ "Every Coldplay Album, Ranked". Spin. 6 October 2024. Archived from the original on 12 December 2024. Retrieved 12 December 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. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 23 June 2025". The ARIA Report. No. 1842\. Australian Recording Industry Association. 23 June 2025. p. 4.
15. ^ "Coldplay Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
16. ^ "Coldplay Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
17. ^ "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.
18. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
19. ^ "Top Radio Hits Lithuania Weekly Chart: Jul 3, 2025". TopHit. 4 July 2025. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
20. ^ "Philippines Hot 100: Week of June 28, 2025". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
21. ^ "Coldplay – Sparks". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
22. ^ "RIAS Top Charts Week 5 (26 Jan – 1 Feb 2024)". RIAS. Archived from the original on 6 February 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
23. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
24. ^ "Coldplay Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
25. ^ "Coldplay Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
26. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
27. ^ "Danish single certifications – Coldplay – Sparks". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
28. ^ "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".
29. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Coldplay – Sparks". Radioscope. Retrieved 15 December 2024. Type Sparks  in the "Search:" field.
30. ^ "Portuguese single certifications – Coldplay – Sparks" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
31. ^ "Awards Record". El Portal de Música (Select "Coldplay" on the "Artist" drop down menu) (in Spanish). 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
32. ^ "British single certifications – Coldplay – Sparks". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 9 February 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* Coldplay Official Website

* v
* t
* e

Coldplay songs

* Discography
* Videography
* Covers

Parachutes|

* "Don't Panic"
* "Shiver"
* "Sparks"
* "Yellow"
* "Trouble"

A Rush of Blood to
the Head|

* "In My Place"
* "God Put a Smile upon Your Face"
* "The Scientist"
* "Clocks"

Live 2003|

* "Moses"

X&Y|

* "Fix You"
* "Talk"
* "Speed of Sound"
* "The Hardest Part"

Viva la Vida or Death
and All His Friends|

* "Lost!"
* "42"
* "Lovers in Japan"
* "Viva la Vida"
* "Violet Hill"
* "Strawberry Swing"
* "Death and All His Friends"

Prospekt's March|

* "Life in Technicolor II"
* "Prospekt's March/Poppyfields"

Mylo Xyloto|

* "Hurts Like Heaven"
* "Paradise"
* "Charlie Brown"
* "Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall"
* "Major Minus"
* "Princess of China"

Ghost Stories|

* "Magic"
* "Ink"
* "True Love"
* "Midnight"
* "Another's Arms"
* "A Sky Full of Stars"

A Head Full of Dreams|

* "A Head Full of Dreams"
* "Hymn for the Weekend"
* "Everglow"
* "Adventure of a Lifetime"
* "Fun"
* "Up&Up"

Kaleidoscope EP|

* "All I Can Think About Is You"
* "Miracles (Someone Special)"
* "Aliens"
* "Something Just Like This"
* "Hypnotised"

Everyday Life|

* "Daddy"
* "Arabesque"
* "Orphans"
* "Champion of the World"
* "Everyday Life"

Music of the Spheres|

* "Higher Power"
* "Let Somebody Go"
* "My Universe"
* "Coloratura"

Moon Music|

* "Feelslikeimfallinginlove"
* "We Pray"
* "All My Love"

Other songs|

* "Brothers & Sisters"
* "How You See the World No. 2"
* "Gravity"
* "Christmas Lights"
* "Moving to Mars"
* "Atlas"
* "Miracles"
* "Ma meilleure ennemie"

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