A Head Full of Dreams

Coldplay began working on A Head Full of Dreams in late 2014 after promoting their sixth album Ghost Stories. The album has a markedly different style and sound from its predecessors. In an interview with Radio 2 DJ Jo Whiley in December 2014, guitarist Jonny Buckland and bass guitarist Guy Berryman gave a hint as to the difference between A Head Full of Dreams and its predecessor – Buckland called it the "night to the day", comparing the style of Ghost Stories to the expected uplifting theme of A Head Full of Dreams. Lead singer Chris Martin hinted at the style of the album by saying that the band was trying to make something colourful and uplifting. He also stated that it would be something to "shuffle your feet" to.{{fact|date=January 2024}}

On 26 September 2015, the band performed at the Global Citizen Festival 2015 in New York City, playing a six-song set, including a new song called "Amazing Day".{{cite magazine |title=Coldplay Debut New Song, Perform With Ariana Grande at Global Citizen |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/coldplay-debut-new-song-perform-with-ariana-grande-at-global-citizen-20150927 |magazine=Rolling Stone |first=Daniel |last=Kreps |date=27 September 2015 |access-date=2 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151101105024/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/coldplay-debut-new-song-perform-with-ariana-grande-at-global-citizen-20150927 |archive-date=1 November 2015 |url-status=live }} The band's producer Rik Simpson confirmed that the song would be on the new album.{{citation needed|date=March 2025}} The album was produced by Rik Simpson and Norwegian duo Stargate. Mixing duties were carried out predominately by Rik Simpson, while Stargate executive produced the album.{{fact|date=January 2024}}

{{Main|A Head Full of Dreams Tour}}

File:Promotional outdoor to "A Head Full of Dreams Tour" in Buenos Aires, Argentina.JPG, Argentina.]]

Compared to the sparse tour dates of the Ghost Stories era, Coldplay announced a larger global tour soon after the album release, which was more reminiscent of the Mylo Xyloto Tour than the Ghost Stories Tour, to promote both A Head Full of Dreams and Ghost Stories. The band performed in locations such as India and South America – more specifically Argentina, Peru, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico in the first half of 2016.{{cite web |url=http://www.latercera.com/noticia/entretencion/2015/10/661-649644-9-eminem-y-coldplay-alistan-sus-visitas-a--chile-para-la-primera-parte-de-2016.shtml |title=Eminem y Coldplay alistan sus visitas a Chile para la primera parte de 2016 |first1=A. |last1=Del Real |first2=C. |last2=Vergara |work=La Tercera |language=es |date=2 October 2015 |access-date=3 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010201353/http://www.latercera.com/noticia/entretencion/2015/10/661-649644-9-eminem-y-coldplay-alistan-sus-visitas-a--chile-para-la-primera-parte-de-2016.shtml |archive-date=10 October 2015 |url-status=live }} They have since confirmed that pre-production on the tour has started and that the official tour is planned to start next year.{{Cite web |title=Coldplay Preparing To Kick Off New Tour |url=http://www.coldplaying.com/coldplay-preparing-to-kick-off-new-tour |publisher=Coldplaying.com |date=3 November 2015 |access-date=3 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151108134005/http://www.coldplaying.com/coldplay-preparing-to-kick-off-new-tour/ |archive-date=8 November 2015 |url-status=dead}} On 20 November 2015, they announced the A Head Full of Dreams Tour, with shows in South America starting on 31 March 2016, Buenos Aires and a European leg were also announced for summer 2016, including four sold-out nights at Wembley Stadium in June. In February, the band featured a picture on various social media sites of a hot air balloon (a symbol used to promote the tour) by Glastonbury farms' main pyramid stage field, along with the date Sunday 26 June. Glastonbury organisers have since confirmed a record-breaking fourth headline appearance, having previously performed on the stage in 2000, 2002, 2005 and 2011. The band's appearance was then confirmed to be Coldplay's festival show of this year's tour. On 30 September 2016, after the huge success of 2016's A Head Full of Dreams Tour, Coldplay announced a new leg of the tour with dates in Germany, France, Austria, Poland, Belgium, Sweden, Italy, Ireland and Wales. On 7 October 2016, the band announced eighteen more shows in North America beginning in Aug 2017 and finishing in October. On 15 November 2016, they announced shows in Asia for April 2017, visiting Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan.{{cite news|title=Coldplay teases Filipino fans with Asian tour|url=http://cnnphilippines.com/entertainment/2016/11/14/Coldplay-teases-Filipino-fans-with-Asian-tour.html|access-date=14 November 2016|work=CNN Philippines|date=14 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115033540/http://cnnphilippines.com/entertainment/2016/11/14/Coldplay-teases-Filipino-fans-with-Asian-tour.html|archive-date=15 November 2016|url-status=dead}}

Around 29 October 2015 anonymous posters were pinned up on the London Underground showing a geometric pattern, known as the Flower of Life, along with a note "December 4".{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/34704250/is-this-coldplays-a-head-full-of-dreams-cover |title=Is this Coldplay's A Head Full of Dreams cover? |work=Newsbeat |date=2 November 2015 |publisher=BBC |access-date=7 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107071154/http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/34704250/is-this-coldplays-a-head-full-of-dreams-cover |archive-date=7 November 2015 |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/6746238/coldplay-new-album-release-date-london-posters-mystery |title=Is Coldplay Revealing Its Album Release Date With These Mysterious London Posters? |first=Colin |last=Stutz |magazine=Billboard |date=30 October 2015 |access-date=7 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151102180709/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/6746238/coldplay-new-album-release-date-london-posters-mystery |archive-date=2 November 2015 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://radio.com/2015/10/30/new-coldplay-album-december/ |title=Is a New Coldplay Album Coming December 4th? |publisher=Radio.com |date=30 October 2015 |access-date=7 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207001957/http://radio.com/2015/10/30/new-coldplay-album-december/ |archive-date=7 February 2017 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}

Coldplay fans claimed that the symbol resembled the design on a T-shirt worn by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin at the Global Citizen Festival in New York. On 2 November, Coldplay posted the same piece of artwork as an animated GIF on their Twitter account, seemingly confirming that it would be the album cover and 4 December was the album's release date.{{Cite web |title=Coldplay appear to confirm mysterious advert is the artwork for their new album |url=http://www.nme.com/news/coldplay/89452 |work=NME |first=Damian |last=Jones |date=2 November 2015 |access-date=2 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151104010227/http://www.nme.com/news/coldplay/89452 |archive-date=4 November 2015 |url-status=live }} One day later, they published another animated image of which the former was a detailed view. The artwork was created by Argentine artist Pilar Zeta in collaboration with the band.

Oli Sykes, lead singer of British post-hardcore band Bring Me the Horizon, suggested that the flower of life symbol Coldplay used was similar to that of the design of Bring Me the Horizon's 2013 album Sempiternal. Sykes took to Twitter accusing Coldplay of "jackin our steez". He did however clarify in a NME interview that the "flower of life" is a universal symbol and has meanings across the world, none of which he owns the rights to. He also specifies that it had meaning to him and that he is simply acknowledging the symbol being spread and is happy for its doing so.{{Cite web |last=Britton |first=Luke Morgan |date=2015-11-12 |title=Bring Me The Horizon on Coldplay 'copying' their album artwork: 'They could have just Googled it' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/bring-me-the-horizon-16-1199173 |access-date=2023-08-18 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}

At the Global Citizen Festival in New York Coldplay performed six songs, ending with the live debut of a new song, "Amazing Day", which was also performed at TFI Friday, where they played four songs including the live debut of "Adventure of a Lifetime". During their concert at Belasco Theater, in Los Angeles, they performed four new songs, including the live debut of "A Head Full of Dreams" and "Up&Up". On 24 November, Coldplay published short snippets of each new song via Instagram, at hourly intervals.{{cite web|title=Coldplay Preview Every Song on New A Head Full of Dreams|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/62252-coldplay-preview-every-song-on-new-album-a-head-full-of-dreams/|website=Pitchfork|date=24 November 2015|access-date=25 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125153550/http://pitchfork.com/news/62252-coldplay-preview-every-song-on-new-album-a-head-full-of-dreams/|archive-date=25 November 2015|url-status=live}} On 7 February 2016, the band headlined the Super Bowl 50 halftime show.{{fact|date=January 2024}}

"Adventure of a Lifetime", was released on 6 November 2015 as the album's lead single, the music video came out on 29 November 2015.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOaukb29dWA |title=#AOAL #AHFOD |publisher=Coldplay. YouTube |date=5 November 2015 |access-date=5 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151205183236/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOaukb29dWA |archive-date=5 December 2015 |url-status=live }} "Everglow" then premiered on Zane Lowe's Beats 1 radio show on 26 November 2015 and released as a promotional single on the following day.{{cite web |title=Listen to new song Everglow |url=http://coldplay.com/listen-to-new-song-everglow/ |access-date=20 January 2016 |publisher=Coldplay}} "Hymn for the Weekend" was released as the second single for the album on 25 January 2016.{{cite web |title="Hymn for the Weekend" single confirmed |url=https://twitter.com/ColdplayAtlas/status/690414158219755522 |access-date=23 January 2016 |website=Twitter |publisher=Atlas Coldplay (@ColdplayAtlas)}} The band received criticism from certain media outlets for the portrayal of Indian society in its music video.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/thread/reflections/article8201785.ece|title=Another Hymn for Tomorrow|last=Mallimadugula|first=Niharika|website=The Hindu|date=6 February 2016 |access-date=8 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206052016/http://www.thehindu.com/thread/reflections/article8201785.ece|archive-date=6 February 2016|url-status=live}} The third single, "Up&Up", was released on 22 April 2016,{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a790602/coldplay-next-single-a-head-full-of-dreams/ |title=Coldplay have decided on their next single from A Head Full of Dreams |author=Davidson, Amy |date=14 April 2016 |website=Digital Spy |access-date=19 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419031001/http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a790602/coldplay-next-single-a-head-full-of-dreams/ |archive-date=19 April 2016 |url-status=live }} while "A Head Full of Dreams" arrived on 19 August 2016 with an accompanying music video.{{Cite web |date=19 August 2016 |title=Watch The New A Head Full of Dreams Video! |url=https://www.coldplay.com/watch-the-new-a-head-full-of-dreams-video/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719031956/https://www.coldplay.com/watch-the-new-a-head-full-of-dreams-video/ |archive-date=19 July 2022 |access-date=19 July 2022 |publisher=Coldplay}} A stripped-down version of "Everglow", which was inspired by Martin's unrehearsed solo performance of the song due to a technical mishap at Glastonbury Festival, was released as the fifth and final single on 11 November 2016.{{cite web|url=http://coldplay.com/new-single-version-of-everglow-out-today/|title=New single version of Everglow out today - Coldplay|access-date=11 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111200122/http://coldplay.com/new-single-version-of-everglow-out-today/|archive-date=11 November 2016|url-status=live|publisher=Coldplay}}

{{Album reviews

| ADM = 5.5/10{{cite web|url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/7692/Coldplay-A-Head-Full-of-Dreams.aspx|title=A Head Full of Dreams by Coldplay reviews|website=AnyDecentMusic?|access-date=8 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208050615/http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/7692/Coldplay-A-Head-Full-of-Dreams.aspx|archive-date=8 December 2019|url-status=live}}

| MC = 60/100

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/a-head-full-of-dreams-mw0002896448|title=A Head Full of Dreams – Coldplay|website=AllMusic|access-date=4 December 2015|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222032448/http://www.allmusic.com/album/a-head-full-of-dreams-mw0002896448|archive-date=22 December 2015|url-status=live}}

| rev2 = Chicago Tribune

| rev2Score = {{Rating|2|4}}{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/kot/sc-ent-1204-music-coldplay-20151204-column.html|title=Coldplay is bigger, catchier on 'A Head Full of Dreams'|work=Chicago Tribune|date=4 December 2015|access-date=4 December 2015|last=Kot|first=Greg|author-link=Greg Kot|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505102757/http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/kot/sc-ent-1204-music-coldplay-20151204-column.html|archive-date=5 May 2016|url-status=live}}

| rev3 = The Daily Telegraph

| rev3Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/coldplay-a-head-full-of-dreams-album-review-coldplay-get-their-g/|title=Coldplay, A Head Full of Dreams, album review: 'Coldplay get their groove back with Beyoncé'|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=3 December 2015|access-date=4 December 2015|last=Brown|first=Helen|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204060018/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/coldplay-a-head-full-of-dreams-album-review-coldplay-get-their-g/|archive-date=4 December 2015|url-status=live}}

| rev4 = The Guardian

| rev4Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/dec/04/coldplay-a-head-full-of-dreams-review-a-failure-to-commit-to-pop/|title=Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams review – a failure to commit to pop|work=The Guardian|date=4 December 2015|access-date=4 December 2015|last=Petridis|first=Alexis|author-link=Alexis Petridis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204051953/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/dec/04/coldplay-a-head-full-of-dreams-review-a-failure-to-commit-to-pop|archive-date=4 December 2015|url-status=live}}

| rev5 = The Independent

| rev5score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/coldplay-a-head-full-of-dreams-too-much-emotional-laundry-but-it-s-a-step-in-the-right-direction-a6760096.html|title=Coldplay, A Head Full of Dreams: 'Too much emotional laundry but it's a step in the right direction', album review|work=The Independent|date=4 December 2015|access-date=4 December 2015|last=Gill|first=Andy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151205114502/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/coldplay-a-head-full-of-dreams-too-much-emotional-laundry-but-it-s-a-step-in-the-right-direction-a6760096.html|archive-date=5 December 2015|url-status=live}}

| rev6 = NME

| rev6Score = 4/5{{cite journal|url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/coldplay/16355|title=Coldplay – A Head Full Of Dreams|journal=NME|date=4 December 2015|access-date=8 December 2015|last=Nicholson|first=Barry|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210015800/http://www.nme.com/reviews/coldplay/16355|archive-date=10 December 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

| rev7 = Pitchfork

| rev7Score = 4.8/10{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/21321-a-head-full-of-dreams/|title=Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams|work=Pitchfork|date=4 December 2015|access-date=5 December 2015|last=Berman|first=Stuart|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204041521/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/21321-a-head-full-of-dreams/|archive-date=4 February 2016|url-status=live}}

| rev8 = Q

| rev8Score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite journal|title=Seventh Heaven|journal=Q|issue=354|date=January 2016|last=Lynskey|first=Dorian|page=110}}

| rev9 = Rolling Stone

| rev9Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/coldplay-a-head-full-of-dreams-20151204/|title=A Head Full of Dreams|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=4 December 2015|access-date=4 December 2015|last=Dolan|first=Jon|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151206095233/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/coldplay-a-head-full-of-dreams-20151204|archive-date=6 December 2015|url-status=live}}

| rev10 = Spin

| rev10Score = 6/10{{cite journal|url=http://www.spin.com/2015/12/review-coldplay-a-head-full-of-dreams/|title=Review: Coldplay Are All Too Eager to Exit Gracefully With 'A Head Full of Dreams'|journal=Spin|date=4 December 2015|access-date=7 December 2015|last=Unterberger|first=Andrew|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404095240/http://www.spin.com/2015/12/review-coldplay-a-head-full-of-dreams/|archive-date=4 April 2016|url-status=live}}

}}

A Head Full of Dreams received generally mixed reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating from mainstream critics' reviews, the album has a score of 60 out of 100 based on 27 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/a-head-full-of-dreams/coldplay|title=Reviews for A Head Full of Dreams by Coldplay|website=Metacritic|access-date=9 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151207010837/http://www.metacritic.com/music/a-head-full-of-dreams/coldplay|archive-date=7 December 2015|url-status=live}} Jon Dolan of Rolling Stone wrote that A Head Full of Dreams "might be Coldplay's brightest album ever" and concluded: "He's [Chris Martin] hinted that this could be Coldplay's last album; if so, they're going out on a sustained note of grace." Barry Nicolson of NME called it "the most satisfying collection of songs they've written in years".

Alexis Petridis of The Guardian felt that A Head Full of Dreams "is frustratingly blighted by the sense that Coldplay haven't fully committed to the album's big idea" and remarked: "It's a moot point whether that's a sign of innate conservatism or of a band that know exactly what they are doing, who understand that you won't keep packing out those Midwestern sports stadiums if you frighten the horses." Citing the band's unwillingness to stray from their tried and true formula, Ian Gormely of Exclaim! wrote that "A Head Full of Dreams might have been a poptimist masterpiece. Instead, it's just another Coldplay album, with all the baggage — both positive and negative — that entails."{{cite web|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/coldplay-head_full_of_dreams|title=Coldplay – A Head Full of Dreams|work=Exclaim!|date=3 December 2015|access-date=17 December 2015|last=Gormely|first=Ian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223012725/http://exclaim.ca/music/article/coldplay-head_full_of_dreams|archive-date=23 December 2015|url-status=live}}

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic gave the album 3.5/5 stars and acknowledged that "[the] message [that there's a big, bright, beautiful world just waiting to be discovered if you just open your heart and live a little] is unabashedly corny", but ultimately concluded that "under the stewardship of Chris Martin, Coldplay cheerfully embrace the cheese, ratcheting up both the sparkle and the sentiment so the album feels genuine in its embrace of eternal middle-aged clichés."

In a 1/5 star review in Truck & Driver's regular music reviews Shaun Connors queried "why such boring wishy-washy material has been successful," commenting the reasoning for this defeats all rational explanation. He continued: "With this latest collection of tedium there are contributions from Beyoncé (a so-so vocalist) and Noel Gallagher (a not even so-so guitarist)," to conclude with: "On the basis of this album, they've either run out of ideas or bored themselves senseless (or both)..."{{cite journal |first=Shaun |last=Connors |title=Review: Left Cold |periodical=Truck & Driver |publisher=Road Transport Media |location=Sutton, England |page=30 |date=March 2016}} Under the Radar's Scott Dransfield panned the album as "insufferably bland at best and downright offensive at worst" and awarded it 2/10 stars.{{cite web |url=http://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/coldplay_a_head_full_of_dreams/ |title=Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams |last=Dransfield |first=Scott |date=11 December 2015 |website=Under The Radar |access-date=2 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203064425/http://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/coldplay_a_head_full_of_dreams/ |archive-date=3 February 2018 |url-status=live }}

A Head Full of Dreams debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart with 235,975 copies sold, behind Adele's 25.{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Alan |date=11 December 2015 |title=Official Charts Analysis: Adele beats Coldplay |url=http://www.musicweek.com/businessanalysis/read/official-charts-analysis-adele-beats-coldplay/063634 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151213025945/http://www.musicweek.com/businessanalysis/read/official-charts-analysis-adele-beats-coldplay/063634 |archive-date=13 December 2015 |access-date=12 December 2015 |work=Music Week |publisher=Intent Media}} It was their highest first-week album sales since 2008's Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, which sold 302,074 copies in its first week. Had A Head Full of Dreams debuted atop the UK Albums Chart, it would have made Coldplay only the second band in the UK chart history (after Oasis) to do so with their first seven albums. The album did, however, manage to top both the UK Album Downloads Chart and the Official Vinyl Albums Chart.{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/vinyl-albums-chart/20151218/9/|title=Official Vinyl Albums Chart Top 40|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=21 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205184005/http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/vinyl-albums-chart/20151218/9/|archive-date=5 February 2016|url-status=live}} On 12 February 2016, following the positive reception and exposure from Coldplay's headlining set at the Super Bowl 50 halftime show, the album rose to number one in the UK after selling 30,146 copies that week. This secured them a seventh number one album in the UK, thus putting them second in the list of acts with the most UK number one albums in the 21st century; only Robbie Williams has more, with 10.{{cite web |last=Myers |first=Justin |date=12 February 2016 |title=Coldplay's A Head Full of Dreams finally scores them a seventh Number 1 |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/coldplays-a-head-full-of-dreams-finally-scores-them-a-seventh-number-1__13820/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160214161538/http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/coldplays-a-head-full-of-dreams-finally-scores-them-a-seventh-number-1__13820/ |archive-date=14 February 2016 |access-date=12 February 2016 |publisher=Official Charts Company}}

The album also reached number two in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and Italy, held off number one by Adele's 25 in all territories. In the Netherlands, however, the album eventually managed to reach the number one position in its 30th week on the charts, the week following Coldplay's two concerts in Amsterdam. Following their tour stint in Ireland, the album reached a new peak at number two in its 84th charting week.{{cite web|url=http://www.irma.ie/#chartTab2|title=>> IRMA << Welcome to our site >>|website=www.irma.ie|access-date=25 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227140533/http://www.irma.ie/#chartTab2|archive-date=27 December 2016|url-status=live}} The album sold over 4.5 million copies worldwide as of November 2017.

In the United States, A Head Full of Dreams debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 on the issue dating 26 December 2015, with 210,000 equivalent album units, behind Adele's 25.{{cite magazine|first=Keith|last=Caulfield|title=Adele's '25' Rules for Third Week at No. 1, Coldplay Debuts at No. 2 on Billboard 200|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6805727/adeles-25-no-1-on-billboard-200-album-chart-third-week-coldplay-a-head-full-of-dreams|magazine=Billboard|date=13 December 2015|access-date=13 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514111437/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6805727/adeles-25-no-1-on-billboard-200-album-chart-third-week-coldplay-a-head-full-of-dreams|archive-date=14 May 2016|url-status=live}} It was the second-best-selling album of the week, selling 195,000 copies in its first week, which is a drop from the 383,000 copies sold in the first week by Ghost Stories. In its second week, the album fell to number seven on the Billboard 200, selling 61,000 copies.{{cite news|first=Keith|last=Caulfield|title=Adele's '25' Biggest-Selling Album Released Since 2011, Spends Fourth Week at No. 1 on Billboard 200|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6813934/adele-25-billboard-200-biggest-selling-album-since-2011|date=20 December 2015|access-date=20 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151221044104/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6813934/adele-25-billboard-200-biggest-selling-album-since-2011|archive-date=21 December 2015|url-status=live}} On the chart dated 27 February 2016, the album returned to the top 10 of the US Billboard 200, peaking at number four, selling 90,000 units (71,000 in pure album sales).{{cite magazine|first=Keith|last=Caulfield|title=Future Scores Third No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6875223/future-evol-billboard-200-no-1|magazine=Billboard|date=14 February 2016|access-date=14 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215201922/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6875223/future-evol-billboard-200-no-1|archive-date=15 February 2016|url-status=live}} On 4 March 2016, the album was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for combined album sales, streaming-equivalent and track-equivalent of half-million units.{{cite web|last=Frydenlund|first=Zach|date=1 February 2016|title=The RIAA Will Now Factor Streaming Into Gold and Platinum Album Certifications|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2016/02/riaa-will-now-factor-streaming-into-gold-and-platinum-album-certifications|url-status=live|access-date=30 September 2021|work=Complex|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204070850/http://www.complex.com:80/music/2016/02/riaa-will-now-factor-streaming-into-gold-and-platinum-album-certifications? |archive-date=4 February 2016 }}

The only country where A Head Full of Dreams managed to debut at number one was Norway, replacing 25. This enabled Coldplay to achieve there what Adele prevented them from doing in other territories; all of their studio albums reaching the top spot.{{cite web|url=http://lista.vg.no/artist/coldplay/album/a-head-full-of-dreams/13702|title=VG-lista - Coldplay / A head full of dreams|date=4 December 2015|access-date=13 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223051539/http://lista.vg.no/artist/coldplay/album/a-head-full-of-dreams/13702|archive-date=23 February 2017|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} As per International Business Times, the album's released helped streaming services like Apple Music and Spotify enjoy a revenue boost of £83 million.{{Cite web |date=12 September 2016 |title=Adele, Coldplay Albums Boost Spotify and Apple Music Streaming Revenue to £251M |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/adele-coldplay-albums-boost-spotify-apple-music-streaming-revenue-251m-1580851 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230816002227/https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/adele-coldplay-albums-boost-spotify-apple-music-streaming-revenue-251m-1580851 |archive-date=16 August 2023 |access-date=18 August 2023 |website=International Business Times}} Singles "Adventure of a Lifetime" and "Hymn for the Weekend" charted at number 95 and 73, respectively on the Billboard Hot 100 year-end chart in 2016, making A Head Full of Dreams their first album to earn two entries on said ranking.{{Cite magazine |date=2016 |title=Year-End Charts – Hot 100 Songs |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2016/hot-100-songs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230818174010/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2016/hot-100-songs/ |archive-date=18 August 2023 |access-date=18 August 2023 |magazine=Billboard}}

All tracks are written by Coldplay and Stargate, with production from Stargate and Rik Simpson, except where noted.

{{Track listing

| headline = A Head Full of Dreams – standard edition track listing

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title_width = 50%

| extra_width = 50%

| title1 = A Head Full of Dreams

| extra1 = {{hlist|Stargate|Simpson|Dan Green{{ref|c|[c]}}}}

| length1 = 3:43

| title2 = Birds

| length2 = 3:49

| title3 = Hymn for the Weekend

| extra3 = {{hlist|Stargate|Simpson|Digital Divide{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length3 = 4:18

| title4 = Everglow

| extra4 = {{hlist|Stargate|Simpson|Green{{ref|c|[c]}}}}

| length4 = 4:42

| title5 = Adventure of a Lifetime

| length5 = 4:23

| title6 = Fun

| note6 = featuring Tove Lo

| length6 = 4:27

| title7 = Kaleidoscope

| length7 = 1:51

| title8 = Army of One

| extra8 = {{hlist|Stargate|Simpson|Green}}

| length8 = 6:16

| title9 = Amazing Day

| length9 = 4:31

| title10 = Colour Spectrum

| extra10 = {{hlist|Stargate|Simpson|Green}}

| length10 = 1:00

| title11 = Up&Up

| length11 = 6:45

| total_length = 45:45

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = A Head Full of Dreams – Japanese edition bonus track

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title_width = 50%

| extra_width = 50%

| title12 = Miracles

| extra12 = {{hlist|Stargate|Simpson|Green}}

| length12 = 3:55

| total_length = 49:40

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = A Head Full of Dreams – Japanese tour edition bonus tracks

| title13 = Adventure of a Lifetime

| note13 = Matoma remix

| length13 = 4:13

| title14 = Hymn for the Weekend

| note14 = Seeb remix

| length14 = 3:31

| title15 = Up&Up

| note15 = Freedo remix

| length15 = 3:30

| title16 = Magic

| note16 = live at Tokyo Dome City Hall

| length16 = 4:59

| title17 = Clocks

| note17= live at Tokyo Dome City Hall

| length17 = 5:21

| title18 = Viva la Vida

| note18 = live at Tokyo Dome City Hall

| length18 = 4:16

| title19 = Oceans

| note19 = live at Tokyo Dome City Hall

| length19 = 3:59

| title20 = A Sky Full of Stars

| note20 = live at Tokyo Dome City Hall

| length20 = 5:13

}}

Sample credits

• "Kaleidoscope" contains a sample of "Amazing Grace", written by John Newton.
• "Kaleidoscope" and "Colour Spectrum" contain an excerpt of "The Guesthouse" by Rumi, read by Coleman Banks.

Notes

• {{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} indicates an additional producer.
• {{sup|{{note|c|[c]}}}} indicates a co-producer.
• "Army of One" contains the hidden track "X Marks the Spot", which begins at 3:23.
• "Colour Spectrum" is stylised as "50x50px".
• A tour edition was released in Japan and Oceania during the album's namesake tour, featuring a second disc with remixes and unreleased live recordings originally intended for Ghost Stories Live 2014. The location of the recording varied according to the release region.

Credits are adapted from A Head Full of Dreams liner notes.{{cite AV media notes|author=Coldplay|title=A Head Full of Dreams|year=2015|type=booklet|publisher=Parlophone|id=1053933969}}

{{div col}}

;Performing members

• Chris Martin – lead vocals, keyboards, acoustic guitar (tracks 2, 6, and 11)
• Jonny Buckland – electric guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (tracks 3, and 11)
• Guy Berryman – bass guitar, keyboards
• Will Champion – drums, drum pad, percussion, backing vocals

;Additional musicians

• Davide Rossi – strings {{small|(tracks 2 and 9)}}{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/rossidavide/status/663094937727213568 |title=Kept this quite but everyone knows by now! Proud to be on two songs of the new @coldplay album |first=Davide |last=Rossi |author-link=Davide Rossi |publisher=Twitter |date=7 November 2015 |access-date=7 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305151728/https://twitter.com/rossidavide/status/663094937727213568 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=live }}
• Tim Bergling – additional programming {{small|(track 3)}}
• Regiment Horns – brass {{small|(track 3)}}
• Beyoncé – vocals {{small|(tracks 3, 10 and 11)}}
• Gwyneth Paltrow – vocals {{small|(track 4)}}
• Merry Clayton – vocals {{small|(tracks 5 and 11)}}
• Tove Lo – vocals {{small|(track 6)}}
• Khatia Buniatishvili – piano {{small|(track 7)}}
• Coleman Barks – narration {{small|(track 7)}}
• Barack Obama – spoken word {{small|(track 7 and 10)}}
• Annabelle Wallis – vocals {{small|(track 11)}}
• Noel Gallagher – guitar {{small|(track 11)}}
• Moses Martin – tambourine {{small|(track 11)}}
• Rik Simpson – vocals, additional instruments
• Mikkel Eriksen – additional instruments
• Tor Hermansen – additional instruments

;Design and managerial

• Pilar Zeta, Coldplay – design, art direction
• Phil Harvey – photography
• Ultramajic – photography
• Dave Holmes – management
• Mandi Bursteen – co-management
• Arlene Moon – co-management

;Choir

• Nico Berryman
• Jonah Buckland
• Violet Buckland
• Blue Ivy Carter
• Ava Champion
• Juno Champion
• Marianna Champion
• Rex Champion
• Aubrey Costall
• Harvey Costall
• James Duncan
• Brian Eno
• Elise Eriksen
• Hege Fossum Eriksen
• Selma Eriksen
• Jacob Green
• Sophia Green
• Daniel Grollo
• Finn Grollo
• Kat Grollo
• Mathilda Grollo
• Max Harvey
• Rofi Harvey
• Idil Hermansen
• Isak Hermansen
• Apple Martin
• Moses Martin

;Production

• Stargate – production
• Rik Simpson – production, mixing {{small|(track 1–4, 6, 7, 9–11)}}
• Phil Tan – mixing {{small|(track 5 and 8)}}
• Dan Green – production, mixing {{small|(track 8 and 10)}}, additional engineering
• Digital Divide – additional production {{small|(track 3)}}
• Emily Lazar – mastering
• Merlin Watts – mastering
• Bill Rahko – engineering
• Miles Walker – engineering
• Daniela Rivera – engineering
• Tom Bailey – additional engineering
• Robin Baynton – additional engineering
• Jaime Sickora – additional engineering
• Aleks von Korff – additional engineering
• Laurence Anslow – additional studio assistance
• Fiona Cruickshank – additional studio assistance
• Nicolas Essig – additional studio assistance
• Olga Fitzroy – additional studio assistance
• Jeff Gartenbaum – additional studio assistance
• Christian Green – additional studio assistance
• Pablo Hernandez – additional studio assistance
• Phil Joly – additional studio assistance
• Miguel Lara – additional studio assistance
• Matt McGinn – additional studio assistance
• Chris Owens – additional studio assistance
• Roxy Pope – additional studio assistance
• John Prestage – additional studio assistance
• Kyle Stevens – additional studio assistance
• Derrick Stockwell – additional studio assistance
• Matt Tuggle – additional studio assistance
• Ryan Walsh – additional studio assistance
• Joachim Berose – additional studio assistance
• Will Wetzel – additional studio assistance

{{div col end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for A Head Full of Dreams}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Argentina|type=album|title=A Head Full of Dreams|artist=Coldplay|award=Gold|relyear=2015|certyear=2015|access-date=10 July 2017|certref={{cite web | url = https://twitter.com/WarnerMusicArg/status/676454328815648768 | publisher = Warner Music Argentina | language = es | title = CONGRATS!! #AHeadFullOfDreams de @coldplay es #DiscoDeOro en la Argentina. ¡Aplausos y RT para los británicos! : ) | access-date = 11 May 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160528081234/https://twitter.com/WarnerMusicArg/status/676454328815648768 | archive-date = 28 May 2016 | url-status = live }}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|award=Platinum|number=2|title=A Head Full of Dreams|artist=Coldplay|type=album|relyear=2015|certyear=2024|access-date=16 April 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|title=A Head Full of Dreams|artist=Coldplay|type=album|relyear=2015|certyear=2016|award=Gold}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|title=A Head Full of Dreams|artist=Coldplay|type=album|relyear=2015|certyear=2016|award=Platinum}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|title=A Head Full of Dreams|artist=Coldplay|type=album|relyear=2015|award=Diamond|salesamount=160,000|salesref={{efn|Coldplay received a Diamond plaque from Warner Music Brazil for selling 160,000 units of A Head Full of Dreams in the country. However, Pro-Música Brasil did not update their database.{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BbSBMOVgU-W/?ig_rid=ecb296da-dc46-4633-9bcd-5d8a5af49fd6|title=Essa foto é uma singela lembrança de todo orgulho que sentimos ontem, quando entregamos o disco de diamante para A Head Full of Dreams, o mais novo e incrível disco do Coldplay!|trans-title=This photo is a gentle reminder of all the pride we felt yesterday, when we delivered the Diamond plaque for A Head Full of Dreams, Coldplay's brand new and amazing album!|website=Warner Music BR|date=9 November 2016|language=pt|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220406003813/https://www.instagram.com/p/BbSBMOVgU-W/?ig_rid=ecb296da-dc46-4633-9bcd-5d8a5af49fd6|archive-date=6 April 2022|url-status=live|access-date=5 April 2022}}}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|title=A Head Full of Dreams|artist=Coldplay|type=album|relyear=2015|certyear=2017|award=Platinum|number=2|access-date=22 August 2017}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|title=A Head Full of Dreams|artist=Coldplay|relyear=2015|region=Denmark|award=Platinum|number=3|certyear=2023|id=12571|access-date=21 June 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|title=A Head Full of Dreams|artist=Coldplay|type=album|relyear=2015|certyear=2022|award=Diamond|access-date=4 November 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|title=A Head Full of Dreams|artist=Coldplay|type=album|relyear=2015|certyear=2024|award=Platinum|number=2|access-date=7 October 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Hungary|type=album|award=Platinum|number=2|title=A Head Full of Dreams|artist=Coldplay|certyear=2016|relyear=2015|access-date=24 August 2016}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=album|award=Platinum|number=5|title=A Head Full of Dreams|artist=Coldplay|certyear=2021|relyear=2015|access-date=20 December 2021|id=9527}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|type=album|relyear=2015|certyear=2016|award=Platinum+Gold|title=A Head Full of Dreams|artist=Coldplay}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Netherlands|type=album|relyear=2015|relmonth=12|certyear=2016|award=Platinum|title=A Head Full of Dreams|artist=Coldplay|access-date=27 July 2018}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|award=Platinum|number=3|type=album|artist=Coldplay|title=A Head Full of Dreams|access-date=22 November 2024|relyear=2015|certyear=2023|source=radioscope}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|type=album|award=Platinum|number=3|title=A Head Full of Dreams|artist=Coldplay|relyear=2015|certyear=2018|date=28 March 2018|access-date=28 March 2018}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Portugal|title=A Head Full of Dreams|artist=Coldplay|type=album|relyear=2015|certyear=2018|award=Platinum|access-date=21 June 2021|id=file_2020-03-31-15-42-57.pdf}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Singapore|type=album|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2021|access-date=23 January 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=South Korea|artist=Coldplay|title=A Head Full of Dreams|nocert=yes|type=album|salesamount=9,712|salesref={{efn|South Korean year-end physical sales for A Head Full of Dreams in 2015–18.{{cite web |date=1 January 2016 |title= |script-title=ko:2015년 Album Chart: 국외 |trans-title=2015 Album Chart: Overseas |url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?termGbn=year&hitYear=2015&targetTime=13&nationGbn=E |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202012503/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?termGbn=year&hitYear=2015&targetTime=13&nationGbn=E |archive-date=2 February 2018 |access-date=26 June 2025 |publisher=Gaon Chart |language=ko}}

• {{cite web |date=1 January 2017 |title= |script-title=ko:2016년 Album Chart: 국외 |trans-title=2016 Album Chart: Overseas |url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?termGbn=year&hitYear=2016&targetTime=13&nationGbn=E |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202012505/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?termGbn=year&hitYear=2016&targetTime=13&nationGbn=E |archive-date=2 February 2018 |access-date=26 June 2025 |publisher=Gaon Chart |language=ko}}
• {{cite web |date=1 January 2018 |title= |script-title=ko:2017년 Album Chart: 국외 |trans-title=2017 Album Chart: Overseas |url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?termGbn=year&hitYear=2017&targetTime=13&nationGbn=E |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202012508/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?termGbn=year&hitYear=2017&targetTime=13&nationGbn=E |archive-date=2 February 2018 |access-date=26 June 2025 |publisher=Gaon Chart |language=ko}}
• {{cite web |date=1 January 2019 |title= |script-title=ko:2018년 Album Chart: 국외 |trans-title=2018 Album Chart: Overseas |url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?termGbn=year&hitYear=2018&targetTime=13&nationGbn=E |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209180621/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?termGbn=year&hitYear=2018&targetTime=13&nationGbn=E |archive-date=9 February 2019 |access-date=26 June 2025 |publisher=Gaon Chart |language=ko}}}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=album|title=A Head Full of Dreams|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|relyear=2015|certyear=2016|access-date=30 August 2018|id=coldplay-a-head-full-of-dreams}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=album|title=A Head Full of Dreams|artist=Coldplay|award=Gold|relyear=2015|certyear=2016|certweek=26|position=20|access-date=13 March 2020}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|type=album|title=A Head Full of Dreams|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|relyear=2015|certyear=2016|access-date=12 January 2016}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=album|title=A Head Full of Dreams|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|number=4|relyear=2015|salesamount=1,375,805|salesref={{efn|British total sales for A Head Full of Dreams as of January 2020.{{Cite web |date=17 January 2020 |title=Coldplay Secure Another Entry in YouTube's Billion Views Club |url=https://www.musicweek.com/digital/read/coldplay-secure-another-entry-in-youtube-s-billion-views-club/078614 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127072749/https://www.musicweek.com/digital/read/coldplay-secure-another-entry-in-youtube-s-billion-views-club/078614 |archive-date=27 January 2020 |access-date=14 August 2022 |website=Music Week}}}}|access-date=8 February 2019|id=13516-1754-2}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|title=A Head Full of Dreams|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|relyear=2015|certyear=2016|access-date=15 December 2016}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

• 2015 in British music
• List of best-selling albums in France
• List of best-selling albums of the 2010s in the United Kingdom
• List of number-one albums in Norway
• List of number-one hits of 2016 (Switzerland)
• List of UK Albums Chart number ones of the 2010s

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Discogs master}}
• {{Metacritic album}}

{{Coldplay}}

{{Coldplay songs}}

{{Juno Award for International Album of the Year}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Head Full of Dreams}}

Category:Coldplay albums

Category:2015 albums

Category:Albums produced by Rik Simpson

Category:Albums produced by Stargate

Category:Albums recorded at Henson Recording Studios

Category:Albums recorded in the United Kingdom

Category:Albums recorded in the United States

Category:Atlantic Records albums

Category:Juno Award for International Album of the Year albums

Category:Parlophone albums