Clocks (song)
{{Short description|2003 single by Coldplay}}
{{About|the Coldplay song|other songs|Clock (disambiguation)}}
{{Good article}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Clocks
| cover = Clocks single.jpg
| alt =
| border = yes
| type = single
| artist = Coldplay
| album = A Rush of Blood to the Head
| B-side = {{Plainlist|
- "Crests of Waves"
- "Animals"
}}
| released = {{Plainlist|
- {{Start date|2002|11|11|df=y}} (US)
- {{Start date|2003|3|17|df=y}} (UK)
}}
| recorded = May–July 2002
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| length = {{Plainlist|
- {{Duration|m=5|s=07}} (album version)
- {{Duration|m=4|s=10}} (radio edit)
}}
| label =
| writer =
| producer =
- Ken Nelson
- Coldplay
| prev_title = The Scientist
| prev_year = 2002
| year = 2002
| next_title = God Put a Smile upon Your Face
| next_year = 2003
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|d020hcWA_Wg|"Clocks"}}}}
}}
"Clocks" is a song by the British rock band Coldplay. It was released on 17 March 2003 by Parlophone in the United Kingdom. It was written and composed as a collaboration among all the members of the band for their second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head. The song is built around a piano riff, and features cryptic lyrics concerning themes of contrast and urgency. Several remixes of the track exist, and its riff has been widely sampled.
The record was initially released in the United States as the album's second single on 11 November 2002, reaching number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number nine on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. It was then released in the United Kingdom on 17 March 2003 as the third single from A Rush of Blood to the Head, reaching number nine on the UK Singles Chart. Music critics praised the song's piano melody, and it went on to win Record of the Year at the 2004 Grammy Awards.
"Clocks" is considered to be one of Coldplay's signature songs, and is often ranked among the greatest songs of the 2000s and of all time. In 2010, the single was placed at 490th on Rolling Stone
Recording
"Clocks" was written and composed during the late stages of production of Coldplay's second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head. A riff popped into Chris Martin's mind late one night in Liverpool when he came into the studio, where he then developed it on piano. According to singer Chris Martin, "Clocks" was inspired by the English rock band Muse.{{cite web|url=http://www.coldplay.com/content/ezine/documents/ezine6.pdf|title=Chris talks us through A Rush of Blood to the Head|date=November 2002|website=Coldplay.com|access-date=19 December 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060808184853/http://www.coldplay.com/content/ezine/documents/ezine6.pdf |archive-date=8 August 2006}} Martin presented the riff to the band's guitarist, Jonny Buckland, who then added a layer of guitar chords to the basic track:{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1484768/20040202/coldplay.jhtml|title=Road to the Grammys: The Making Of Coldplay's 'Clocks'|last=Wiederhorn|first=Jon|date=2 February 2004|publisher=MTV News|access-date=13 July 2008|archive-date=5 February 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040205013948/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1484768/20040202/coldplay.jhtml|url-status=dead}} "He picked up his guitar [a sure sign that he likes a song] and played these brilliant chords ... It was like a chemical reaction process."{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/story-of-the-song-clocks-coldplay-2002-876537.html|title=Story of the Song: 'Clocks,' Coldplay (2002)|last=Webb|first=Robert|date=24 July 2008|work=The Independent|access-date=21 November 2016|archive-date=2 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202204415/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/story-of-the-song-clocks-coldplay-2002-876537.html|url-status=live}}
Before writing and composing "Clocks", the band had already written ten songs for the album. However, because A Rush of Blood to the Head was nearing completion, they thought it was too late to include the new song on it. Hence, they recorded a demo and saved it with other unfinished tracks, labelling it "Songs for #3"; the band intended these tracks for what would be their third album (which would eventually become the 2005 album X&Y).
By June 2002, Coldplay were ready to present the new album to their record label Parlophone. However, Martin felt it was "rubbish" and that the band were far from being completely satisfied with the album, so the release was ultimately delayed. After a headlining tour, Coldplay went on working on their third album. Phil Harvey, the band's manager and a friend of Martin, heard it and pressed him to rework "Clocks" immediately. Harvey pointed out that, with its lyrics that speak of urgency, its meaning contradicted Martin's idea of stashing the track. The singer further developed the song while the other band members supplemented his work with their ideas based on the main piano track, adding the guitars, bass and drums. After "Clocks" was finished, Harvey came up with the track's outro, but since he could not play guitar, he whistled the melody to guitarist Jonny Buckland.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001z6wn |title=The Genius of Coldplay – Episode 2: Head Full of Dreams |date=17 May 2024 |time=12:02 to 13:52 |access-date=16 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515121849/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001z6wn |archive-date=15 May 2024 |url-status=live |via=BBC Sounds}} Coldplay recorded the song very quickly because the schedule of A Rush of Blood to the Head had already been delayed; the album was released two months later.
Composition
"Clocks" is an alternative rock and psychedelic rock song. It features a repeating piano melody and a minimalist, atmospheric soundscape of synthesizer pads, drums, electric guitar, and bass guitar.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_warUFthJI|title=What Makes This Song Great? EP.32 Coldplay|author-link=Rick Beato|last=Beato|first=Rick|date=5 June 2018 |via=Youtube|publisher=Rick Beato|access-date=15 June 2018|archive-date=6 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180606004703/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_warUFthJI&gl=US&hl=en|url-status=live}} Martin applied an ostinato, as well as a descending scale on the piano chord progression, which switches from major to minor chords.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F06EED7113AF937A2575BC0A9649C8B63&scp=11&sq=Clocks+by+Coldplay&st=nyt|title=POP REVIEW; Vertigo From the Falsetto and 'Parachutes'|last=Sanneh|first=Kelefa|date=14 August 2002|website=The New York Times|access-date=18 July 2008|archive-date=2 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202185611/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F06EED7113AF937A2575BC0A9649C8B63&scp=11&sq=Clocks+by+Coldplay&st=nyt|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/05/arts/music/05pare.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&sq=Clocks%20by%20Coldplay&st=nyt&scp=2|title=The Case Against Coldplay|last=Pareles|first=Jon|date=5 June 2005|work=The New York Times|access-date=18 July 2008|archive-date=4 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104033156/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/05/arts/music/05pare.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&sq=Clocks%20by%20Coldplay&st=nyt&scp=2|url-status=live}}
The themes of the lyrics include contrast, contradictions and urgency. According to Jon Wiederhon of MTV News, "Martin seems to address the helplessness of being in a dysfunctional relationship he doesn't necessarily want to escape." The lyrics are cryptic; the ending lines of the second verse emphasise contradicting emotion: "Come out upon my seas/Cursed missed opportunities/Am I a part of the cure/Or am I part of the disease?" The song's title also "metaphorically alludes" to its lyrics, "pushing one to wonder about the world's obsession with time while connecting it to the theory: make the best of it when we’re here, present and alive."{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/clocks-mt0005071697|title=Clocks: Song Review|last=Wilson|first=MacKenzie|website=Allmusic|publisher=Macrovision Company|access-date=14 July 2008|archive-date=7 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120607030211/http://www.allmusic.com/song/clocks-mt0005071697|url-status=live}}
The song is written in the key of E{{music|flat}} Mixolydian and a main chord progression of E{{music|flat}}–B{{music|flat}}m–Fm.[https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0042978 Coldplay "Clocks" Sheet Music in Ab Major] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129140851/https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0042978 |date=29 January 2018}} musicnotes.com{{Cite web|url=https://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/bruce.brogdon/musi1192/class-handouts/mixolydian-scale-and-clocks-by-coldplay/view|title=Mixolydian scale and "Clocks" by Coldplay — HCC Learning Web|website=learning.hccs.edu|language=en|access-date=27 April 2017|archive-date=28 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428051452/https://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/bruce.brogdon/musi1192/class-handouts/mixolydian-scale-and-clocks-by-coldplay/view|url-status=live}} E{{music|flat}} Mixolydian is the fifth mode of A-flat major leading to some transcriptions using this key.
Release
Coldplay released "Clocks" in the United Kingdom on 24 March 2003 as the album's third single.{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2003/Music-Week-2003-03-22.pdf|title=New Releases – For Week Starting 24 March 2003: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=25|date=22 March 2003|access-date=2 September 2021|archive-date=3 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903000112/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2003/Music-Week-2003-03-22.pdf|url-status=live}} The single was issued with two B-sides: "Animals", which was one of the band's favourite songs performed on tour but was not included in the album, and "Crests of Waves". The single's cover, created by Sølve Sundsbø, is a portrayal of Chris Martin.{{Cite web |date=March 2003 |title=Countdown for Clocks |url=http://www.coldplay.com/ezine/ezine8.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050514210230/http://www.coldplay.com/ezine/ezine8.pdf |archive-date=14 May 2005 |access-date=13 June 2022 |website=Coldplay E-Zine}} In the United States, while preparing "The Scientist" as the album's second release, the band's label felt the song failed to "provide enough of a blood rush for American listeners"; instead, they released "Clocks" as the second single in the US on 11 November 2002, the same day that "The Scientist" was issued in the UK.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1458121/20021014/coldplay.jhtml|title=Coldplay Singer Questions Whether He's The Devil|last=Wiederhorn|first=Jon|date=15 October 2002|publisher=MTV News|access-date=15 July 2008|archive-date=14 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114111140/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1458121/20021014/coldplay.jhtml|url-status=dead}}{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2002/RR-2002-11-08.pdf|title=Going for Adds|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1478|page=34|date=8 November 2002|access-date=9 June 2021|archive-date=9 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309115100/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2002/RR-2002-11-08.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2002/Music-Week-2002-11-09.pdf|title=New Releases – For Week Starting 11 November 2002: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=25|date=9 November 2002|access-date=2 September 2021|archive-date=30 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830145350/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2002/Music-Week-2002-11-09.pdf|url-status=live}}
Music video
A music video was filmed in support of the song. It was directed by British filmmaker Dominic Leung, and shot at Docklands' ExCeL Building in London. It features the band performing the song, with a laser show, in front of a staged audience, mostly local college students. Stage effects and blue-red light transitions give the video a surreal feel, while a stoic crowd make up the audience. Martin has maketradefair.com scrawled on his left hand for the video to promote fair trade between countries and corporations, which can be seen at various moments throughout the video, especially when paused while he is playing piano at the 3-minute, 22-second mark. The website became defunct in 2004.
Reception and legacy
File:Coldplay performing Clocks.jpg|200x200px]]
The song received widespread acclaim from music critics. Rob Sheffield from the Rolling Stone magazine praised it as one of the album's highlights by saying that "[guitarist] Buckland shines in excellent psychedelic rockers such as 'Clocks'".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/a-rush-of-blood-to-the-head-20020826|title=Coldplay: A Rush of Blood to the Head|last=Sheffield|first=Rob|date=26 August 2002|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=18 July 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080419075243/https://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/171751/review/5943034/arushofbloodtothehead |archive-date = 19 April 2008}} David Cheal of The Daily Telegraph commented how the song features a "hypnotic piano riff, a pounding, almost frantic rhythm, and a contagious tune, all building to a gorgeously serene climax with Martin's floaty voice singing."{{cite journal|first=David|last=Cheal|title=Perfect Playlist: Coldplay|date=12 October 2006|journal=The Daily Telegraph|page=030}} Scott Floman, music critic for Goldmine magazine, described the track as "a stunningly pretty piano rocker, absolutely perfect and is simply one of the best songs of the decade".{{cite web |url=http://sfloman.com/coldplay.html |title=Coldplay Album Reviews – budgeting for new music |website=Sfloman.com |date=11 September 2001 |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-date=2 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702193815/http://www.sfloman.com/coldplay.html |url-status=live }} Bono of U2 named "Clocks" as one of 60 songs that saved his life.{{cite web |date=15 May 2020 |title=60 Letters from Bono |url=https://www.u2.com/news/title/60-letters-from-bono |access-date=15 May 2020 |publisher=U2 |archive-date=24 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524124916/https://www.u2.com/news/title/60-letters-from-bono |url-status=live }}
The single was successful in radio throughout 2003, and appeared on several singles charts worldwide. It peaked at number nine in the United Kingdom,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4497001.stm|title=Coldplay make US singles history|date=5 May 2005|work=British Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=13 July 2008|archive-date=27 April 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060427092720/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4497001.stm|url-status=live}} and rose to number 29 in the United States.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/63105/stefani-single-ousts-50-cent-from-no-1|title=Stefani Single Ousts 50 Cent From No. 1|last=Whitmire|first=Margo|date=28 April 2005|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|access-date=13 July 2008|archive-date=1 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141001015524/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/63105/stefani-single-ousts-50-cent-from-no-1|url-status=live}} The song also went number seven in Canada and number 28 in Australia. "Clocks" won a Grammy Award for Record of the Year at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards. In February 2021, for the 25th anniversary of Adult Alternative Airplay{{cite magazine |last=Rutherford |first=Kevin |date=18 February 2021 |title=Dave Matthews Band & The Wallflowers' 'One Headlight' Top Greatest of All Time Adult Alternative Charts |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/adult-alternative-airplay-25th-anniversary-recap/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531232100/https://www.billboard.com/pro/adult-alternative-airplay-25th-anniversary-recap/ |archive-date=31 May 2023 |access-date=29 November 2023 |magazine=Billboard}} – where "Clocks" spent 15 weeks at number one, and charted for a total of 46 weeks{{cite magazine |title=Coldplay Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay) |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/coldplay/chart-history/aaa |access-date=29 November 2023 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=13 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113094654/https://www.billboard.com/artist/coldplay/chart-history/aaa/ |url-status=live }} – Billboard ranked the song as the second-biggest hit in the history of the chart.{{cite magazine |title=Greatest of All Time Adult Alternative Songs |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/greatest-of-all-time-adult-alternative-songs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011155120/https://www.billboard.com/charts/greatest-of-all-time-adult-alternative-songs/ |archive-date=11 October 2023 |access-date=29 November 2023 |magazine=Billboard}}
"Clocks" has been regarded as one of Coldplay's finest achievements,{{cite magazine |date=26 August 2002 |title=Hot Product: 'Rush' Hour |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/74430/hot-product |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141005194326/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/74430/hot-product |archive-date=5 October 2014 |access-date=13 July 2008 |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc}} with the track's piano progression being their signature creation.{{cite web |last=Gaston |first=Peter |date=20 May 2005 |title=Coldplay Stock Rises in NYC |url=https://www.spin.com/2005/05/coldplay-stock-rises-nyc/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126113650/http://www.spin.com/2005/05/coldplay-stock-rises-nyc/ |archive-date=26 November 2015 |access-date=8 March 2006 |website=Spin}} Many cuts from X&Y feature influences from "Clocks", with Brian Cohen of Billboard Magazine noting how it served as a "launching pad" for them in the band's third album: "several of which echo that song either in structure or feel".{{cite magazine |last=Cohen |first=Brian |date=14 March 2005 |title=Coldplay Unveils New Tunes in Los Angeles |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/63730/coldplay-unveils-new-tunes-in-los-angeles |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705003320/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/63730/coldplay-unveils-new-tunes-in-los-angeles |archive-date=5 July 2015 |access-date=8 March 2006 |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc}} "Speed of Sound", the first single from X&Y, is similar to "Clocks".{{cite web |date=28 April 2005 |title=Coldplay: "Speed of Sound" Track Review |url=http://pitchforkmedia.com/article/track_review/30483/Coldplay_Speed_of_Sound |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224193205/http://pitchforkmedia.com/article/track_review/30483/Coldplay_Speed_of_Sound |archive-date=24 December 2007 |access-date=19 December 2006 |website=Pitchfork}}
In 2010, Rolling Stone placed "Clocks" at 490 on their 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list. In 2011, NME placed it amongst the "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".{{cite web |date=6 October 2011 |title=150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years |url=https://www.nme.com/list/150-best-tracks-of-the-past-15-years/248648/page/1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213193650/http://www.nme.com/list/150-best-tracks-of-the-past-15-years/248648/page/1 |archive-date=13 February 2013 |access-date=28 December 2012 |publisher=Nme.Com}} That same year, it ranked at number 155 on Pitchfork
= Rankings =
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+"Clocks" on select critic rankings |
| scope="col" |Publisher
! scope="col" |Year ! scope="col" |Listicle ! scope="col" |Rank ! scope="col" class="unsortable" |{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
|---|
| rowspan="2" scope="row" |Billboard
| 2021 | style="text-align:left;" |{{Sort|100 Greatest Song Bridges of the 21st Century|The 100 Greatest Song Bridges of the 21st Century}} | 67 |
| 2023
| style="text-align:left;" |{{Sort|100 Greatest Songs of 2003|The 100 Greatest Songs of 2003}} | 13 |
| scope="row" |Cleveland
| 2019 | style="text-align:left;" |150 Greatest Songs of the 21st Century So Far | 103 |
| scope="row" |KROQ-FM
| 2024 | style="text-align:left;" |Top 500 Songs from the Last 30 Years | 178 |
| scope="row" |MTV Australia
| 2013 | style="text-align:left;" |{{Sort|Official Top 1000 All Time Classics|The Official Top 1000 All Time Classics}} | Placed |
| rowspan="3" scope="row" |NME
| 2003 | style="text-align:left;" |Best Singles of 2003 | 24 |
| 2009
| style="text-align:left;" |{{Sort|Top 100 Tracks of the 2000s|The Top 100 Tracks of the 2000s}} | 43 |
| 2011
| style="text-align:left;" |150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years | 148 |
| scope="row" |NPO Radio 2
| 2007 | style="text-align:left;" |Top 2000 | 6 |
| scope="row" rowspan="2" |Pitchfork
| 2005 | style="text-align:left;" |{{Sort|Top 100 Singles of 2000–04|The Top 100 Singles of 2000–04}} | 68 |
| 2009
| style="text-align:left;" |{{Sort|Top 500 Tracks of the 2000s|The Top 500 Tracks of the 2000s}} | 155 |
| scope="row" rowspan="2" |Rolling Stone
| 2010 | style="text-align:left;" |{{Sort|500 Greatest Songs of All Time|The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time}} | 490 |
| 2011
| style="text-align:left;" |100 Best Songs of the 2000s | 26 |
| scope="row" |Slant
| 2010 | style="text-align:left;" |{{Sort|100 Best Singles of the Aughts|The 100 Best Singles of the Aughts}} | 93 |
| scope="row" |VH1
| 2011 | style="text-align:left;" |100 Greatest Songs of the 2000s | 17 |
| scope="row" |WYEP-FM
| 2020 | style="text-align:left;" |Greatest Songs of the Past 30 Years | Placed |
Remixes and samples
According to The New York Times, the opening piano arpeggios of the song have been widely sampled. The same publication said American singer Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown's 2008 single "No Air" "breathes life into the overfamiliar piano line" from "Clocks".{{cite news |last=Sanneh |first=Kelefa |date=26 November 2007 |title=New CDs: Jordin Sparks |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/26/arts/music/26choi.html?scp=10&sq=Clocks+by+Coldplay&st=nyt |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508095500/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/26/arts/music/26choi.html?scp=10&sq=Clocks+by+Coldplay&st=nyt |archive-date=8 May 2015 |access-date=18 July 2008 |work=The New York Times}} The song "Should I Go" by American singer Brandy, from her album Afrodisiac, samples the piano riff of "Clocks",{{cite magazine |date=27 June 2004 |title=Hot Product: Cognac And Brandy |url=https://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000553051 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019203057/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000553051 |archive-date=19 October 2012 |access-date=13 July 2008 |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc}} as does Mexican singer Alejandro Fernández's 2007 single "Te Voy A Perder" from his album Viento a Favor. In 2009, French DJ David Guetta in collaboration with Kelly Rowland released the song "When Love Takes Over", which has a piano introduction like that of "Clocks". A riff similar to "Clocks" was also used for the 2009 song "Shining Down" by Chicago hip hop artist Lupe Fiasco featuring Matthew Santos. An analogous riff can also be heard in the Cahill remix of the 2009 Agnes song "I Need You Now".
"Clocks" was remixed several times. Norwegian duo Röyksopp produced a version of the song which received a 1,000 limited edition 12" vinyl; 100 of which were made available through the band's official website.{{cite web|url=http://www.xfm.co.uk/article.asp?id=8044|title=Coldplay Put The Clocks Back|date=8 July 2003|website=XFM|access-date=2008-07-10|archive-date=2 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202194613/http://www.xfm.co.uk/article.asp?id=8044|url-status=live}} Their remix placed at number five in the Triple J Hottest 100, 2003 (the original placed at number 69 the previous year).{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/history/2003.htm|title=Triple J Hottest 100 2003|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=13 July 2008|archive-date=2 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202021102/http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/history/2003.htm|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/history/2002.htm|title=Triple J Hottest 100 2002|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=2008-07-13|archive-date=9 January 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040109205431/http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/history/2002.htm|url-status=live}} In addition, there have been several other dance remixes of "Clocks", including those by Clokx and Deep Dish plus a mashup from Gabriel and Dresden's 2003 Essential Mix which appeared on various P2P networks. A remixed version of the song is included on the soundtrack of the 2007 video game Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party for the Wii console.
Track listings
{{Track listing
| headline = 7", 12", CD
| title1 = Clocks
| length1 = 5:09
| note1 =
| title2 = Crests of Waves
| length2 = 3:39
| note2 =
| title3 = Animals
| length3 = 5:32
| note3 =
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = DVD
| title1 = Clocks
| length1 = 4:18
| note1 = video edit
| title2 = Politik
| length2 =
| note2 = live and photo gallery
| title3 = In My Place
| length3 =
| note3 = live
| title4 = Interview footage
| length4 =
| note4 =
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Japan Enhanced EP/Mexican Maxi-Single CD
| title1 = Clocks
| length1 = 4:13
| note1 = edit
| title2 = Crests of Waves
| length2 = 3:39
| note2 =
| title3 = Animals
| length3 = 5:32
| note3 =
| title4 = Murder
| length4 = 5:37
| note4 =
| title5 = In My Place
| length5 = 4:03
| note5 = live
| title6 = Yellow
| length6 = 5:13
| note6 = live
| title7 = Clocks
| length7 = 4:18
| note7 = video
| title8 = In My Place
| length8 = 3:48
| note8 = video
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Netherlands CD1
| title1 = Clocks
| length1 = 4:12
| note1 = edit
| title2 = Politik
| length2 = 6:53
| note2 = live
| title3 = Shiver
| length3 = 5:26
| note3 = live
| title4 = Daylight
| length4 = 5:48
| note4 = live
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Netherlands CD2
| title1 = Clocks
| length1 = 5:10
| note1 = album version
| title2 = Trouble
| length2 = 5:43
| note2 = live
| title3 = The Scientist
| length3 = 5:18
| note3 = live
| title4 = Green Eyes/Mooie Ellebogen
| length4 = 5:16
| note4 = live
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Netherlands CD3
| title1 = Clocks
| length1 = 5:31
| note1 = live
| title2 = In My Place
| length2 = 3:51
| note2 = live
| title3 = Everything's Not Lost
| length3 = 8:47
| note3 = live
| title4 = Yellow
| length4 = 4:44
| note4 = live
}}
Personnel
- Chris Martin – lead vocals, piano, synthesizer
- Jonny Buckland – electric guitar
- Guy Berryman – bass guitar
- Will Champion – drums, backing vocals
Charts
{{col-start}}
{{col-2}}
= Weekly charts =
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+2010s weekly chart performance for "Clocks" |
| scope="col" style="width:21em;" |Chart (2016)
! scope="col" |Peak |
|---|
| {{single chart|Billboardrocksongs|16|artist=Coldplay|rowheader=true|access-date=13 May 2020}} |
| {{Single chart|UK|98|date=20110703|rowheader=true}} |
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+2020s weekly chart performance for "Clocks" |
| scope="col" style="width:21em;" |Chart (2023–2024)
! scope="col" |Peak |
|---|
| {{single chart|Austria|45|artist=Coldplay|song=Clocks|rowheader=true|access-date=4 September 2024}} |
| {{single chart|Finland|41|artist=Coldplay|song=Clocks|rowheader=true|access-date=3 August 2024}} |
| scope="row" |Greece International (IFPI){{cite web|url=https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_iel.html|publisher=IFPI Greece|title=Official IFPI Charts — Digital Singles Chart (International) — Εβδομάδα: 24/2024|language=el|access-date=4 July 2024|archive-date=19 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619070210/https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_iel.html}}
| 23 |
| {{single chart|Dutch100|80|artist=Coldplay|song=Clocks|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Portugal|35|artist=Coldplay|song=Clocks|rowheader=true|access-date=2 June 2023}} |
| scope="row"| Singapore (RIAS){{cite web|url=https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/|title=RIAS Top Charts Week 5 (26 Jan - 1 Feb 2024)|publisher=RIAS|access-date=6 February 2024|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240206113709/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/}}
| 20 |
{{col-2}}
= Year-end charts =
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Clocks"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|award=Platinum|number=4|title=Clocks|artist=Coldplay|type=single|relyear=2002|certyear=2024|access-date=16 April 2024 }}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|award=Platinum|artist=Coldplay|title=Clocks|type=single|relyear=2002|certyear=2024|id=13825|access-date=1 May 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|award=Platinum|artist=Coldplay|title=Clocks|type=single|relyear=2002|certyear=2017|id=4686|access-date=28 August 2017}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|artist=Coldplay|title=Clocks|access-date=15 December 2024|relyear=2002|certyear=2023|source=radioscope}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Portugal|artist=Coldplay|title=Clocks|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2002|certyear=2023|id=file_2023-07-03-11-36-42.pdf|access-date=16 September 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|artist=Coldplay|title=Clocks|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2002|certyear=2023|certweek=45|access-date=10 January 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|award=Platinum|number=2|artist=Coldplay|title=Clocks|type=single|relyear=2002|certyear=2024|id=11711-1754-1|access-date=17 May 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Platinum|number=2|artist=Coldplay|title=Clocks|type=single|relyear=2002|certyear=2023|digital=true|access-date=17 April 2023}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true|noshipments=true}}
Release history
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Coldplay songs}}
{{Grammy Award for Record of the Year 2000s}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:British psychedelic rock songs
Category:Capitol Records singles
Category:Grammy Award for Record of the Year
Category:Songs written by Guy Berryman
Category:Songs written by Jonny Buckland
Category:Songs written by Will Champion
Category:Songs written by Chris Martin
Category:Song recordings produced by Ken Nelson (British record producer)