Charlie Brown (Coldplay Song)

"Charlie Brown" is a song by British rock band Coldplay. The song was released as the third single from their fifth studio album ''Mylo Xyloto''. The single was listed by '' Q'' magazine as their track of the day on 2 December 2011. The music video for the song was released on 2 February 2012, as well as a live version on 6 December 2011. Despite the name, the lyrics have no relation to the Peanuts franchise whatsoever.

Background

According to the band, "Charlie Brown" was the first song recorded during sessions for the band's then-upcoming fifth studio album, with the intention of being included on what later became ''Mylo Xyloto''.

The lyrics of an early version of the song included a mention of the famous ''Peanuts'' character. The character's name, however, "was left out of the final recording but the name stuck as the band couldn't think of an alternative." During the writing and recording sessions of ''Mylo Xyloto'', the song took on other names, such as "Cartoon Heart", before eventually being titled "Charlie Brown". It was written by Chris Martin in his daughter's doll's house. The doll's house was converted into a studio when Martin's daughter said she didn't like it.

Development

During an online interview with the Australian publication ''Sunday Herald Sun'', Coldplay said they were making two records, describing "Charlie Brown" as the centre-piece of the stripped down album the band intended to make along with the electric one they were already calling ''Mylo Xyloto''. They then decided to combine both of the albums because bassist Guy Berryman said that he "will not allow this song to be played on an accordion," as it was originally planned to be.

Coldplay first performed "Charlie Brown" at a "friends and family" gig at The Forum, Kentish Town, London on 31 May 2011. They then continued to play it at multiple shows in 2011, beginning with the Rock im Park festival in Nürnberg, Germany on 3 June 2011 and again at Rock am Ring festival the following day, which was the first live broadcast of the song officially authorised by the band and management. The song became very popular among the festivals crowd. Drummer Will Champion said it had happy memories of playing it over the summer.

Reception

"Charlie Brown" received generally positive reviews from critics. In an article published by '' Q'' magazine on 10 October 2011 entitled "First Impressions of... Coldplay's ''Mylo Xyloto''", they wrote that "'Charlie Brown' is one of the best things Coldplay have done" and likened the song to the style of U2's ''The Joshua Tree'' and "the heady holler-alongs of Arcade Fire". They also named it as their track of the day on 2 December 2011. BBC
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