Ghost Stories (Coldplay album)

In 2011, Coldplay released their fifth studio album, Mylo Xyloto. Originally conceived by the band as a "stripped-down, more acoustic collection",{{cite web|last=Young|first=Alex|title=Coldplay begins work on "more acoustic" new album|url=http://consequenceofsound.net/2009/12/coldplay-begins-work-on-more-acoustic-new-album/|work=Consequence of Sound|date=10 December 2009|access-date=3 March 2014|archive-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913224929/http://consequenceofsound.net/2009/12/coldplay-begins-work-on-more-acoustic-new-album/|url-status=live}} it became one of Coldplay's most experimental and pop-oriented records to date, being described as "luxuriously colourful"{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/cdreviews/8838871/Coldplay-Mylo-Xyloto-CD-review.html |work=The Daily Telegraph |first=Neil |last=McCormick |title=Coldplay: Mylo Xyloto, CD review |date=20 October 2011 |access-date=20 October 2011 |location=London |archive-date=20 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020152738/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/cdreviews/8838871/Coldplay-Mylo-Xyloto-CD-review.html |url-status=live }} where "the choruses are bigger, the textures grander [and] the optimism more optimistic."{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/mylo-xyloto-20111017 |magazine=Rolling Stone |first=Josh |last=Eels |title=Coldplay: Mylo Xyloto |date=17 October 2011 |access-date=17 October 2011 |archive-date=18 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018194250/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/mylo-xyloto-20111017 |url-status=live }} Produced by Markus Dravs, Brian Eno, Rik Simpson and Dan Green, the album peaked at number one on 18 national album charts and was certified Platinum in 16 countries. Mylo Xyloto had also sold 8 million copies within the first year of release.{{cite web |last=Gundersen |first=Edna |title=Coldplay's Mylo Xyloto tour hits TV, DVD, CD, Blu-ray |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2012/11/17/coldplay-live-2012-dvd-blu-ray/1708275/ |work=USA Today |publisher=Gannett Company |access-date=18 April 2014 |archive-date=26 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140926152727/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2012/11/17/coldplay-live-2012-dvd-blu-ray/1708275/ |url-status=live }} Coldplay's 2011 single, "Paradise", became the band's second UK number-one single after 2008's "Viva la Vida". Coldplay's subsequent world tour in promotion of Mylo Xyloto visited North America, Europe, Australia and Africa, raising $99.7 million in revenue.{{cite magazine |last=Allen |first=Bob |title=Hot Tours: Coldplay Scores Massive Haul on World Tour |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/photos/live/475176/hot-tours-coldplay-scores-massive-haul-on-world-tour |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |date=11 September 2012 |access-date=3 March 2014 |archive-date=29 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729105707/http://www.billboard.com/articles/photos/live/475176/hot-tours-coldplay-scores-massive-haul-on-world-tour |url-status=live }}

Going into the creative process for their sixth studio album, the band wanted to return to the "stripped-down, more acoustic collection" they had stated their fifth album would be, returning to the original idea of an acoustic-orientated album, with less of the production and sound that made Mylo Xyloto. At the 2013 Brit Awards, drummer Will Champion spoke to Jo Whiley of BBC Radio 2 fame, saying in response to a question about Coldplay's sixth album being more stripped-back: "Yeah, that might be nice, actually. There's only so far you can go without becoming pompous and a bit overblown, so we'll tread that line very carefully. Reset. Recalibrate."{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p015d47l|title=Coldplay chat with Jo Whiley|publisher=BBC Sounds|date=21 February 2013|accessdate=15 August 2021}}{{cite web |url=http://www.coldplaying.com/lp6/ |title=Coldplay 'noodling' their way towards LP6 – Jo Whiley interview |work=Coldplaying.com |access-date=3 March 2014 |archive-date=16 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140516183605/http://www.coldplaying.com/lp6/ |url-status=dead }}

Ghost Stories has been described as featuring electronica{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/coldplays-ghost-stories-what-critics-705992/ |title=Ghost Stories review |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=20 May 2014 |access-date=November 15, 2016 |last=Trakin |first=Roy |archive-date=4 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104144119/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/coldplays-ghost-stories-what-critics-705992 |url-status=live }} and synth-pop{{cite journal |url=http://www.spin.com/2014/05/coldplay-ghost-stories/ |title=Coldplay Consciously Uncouple From Trademark Bathos on Appealing 'Ghost Stories' |journal=Spin |date=17 May 2014 |access-date=17 May 2014 |last=Benson |first=Stephanie |archive-date=5 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705185933/http://www.spin.com/2014/05/coldplay-ghost-stories/ |url-status=live }} throughout. It is a spiritually driven album that revolves around two major themes mentioned by lead singer Chris Martin. The album explores the idea of past actions, and the effects they can have on your future and one's capacity for unconditional love. To him, Ghost Stories represents "a journey learning about unconditional love" (as said in the televised Making Ghost Stories with Fearne Cotton).

{{cquote|The idea of Ghost Stories, for me, was "how do you let the things that happen to you in the past – your ghosts – how do you let them affect your present and your future?" Because there was a time when I was feeling like they were going to drag me down and ruin my life, and the lives of those around me. I was very lucky to meet a very good sufi teacher who started to introduce the idea of "if you sit with your experiences and the things you've been through, they alchemize." At the time he said that, I didn't really know what that meant, but I trusted that it would work, and the more that I was learning about that, the more music just started flowing through.|author=Chris Martin to Zane Lowe}}

The creative process and recording sessions for the band's sixth studio album took place between 2013 and early 2014, at their purpose-built studios The Bakery and The Beehive in North London, England, then in Los Angeles for the final process. The creation of the album actually started at Guy Berryman's house in London in early 2013 where he had settled a little studio where everyone gathered to jam and try some new music during a break after the band's big tour for Mylo Xyloto. The band took a different approach for their sixth studio album in contrast to their previous studio albums.{{cite web|last=Wilson|first=Jess|title=Chris Martin was desperate for his bandmates to write Coldplay songs for Ghost Stories|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/chrismartinwas-desperate-bandmates-write-coldplay-3495900|work=Daily Mirror|date=4 May 2014|publisher=Trinity Mirror|access-date=5 May 2014|archive-date=5 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505070553/http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/chrismartinwas-desperate-bandmates-write-coldplay-3495900|url-status=live}} Lead singer Chris Martin invited the band to contribute original songwriting material for the album, as opposed to building songs off Martin's ideas as they had done during previous recording sessions. For example, "Magic" was built off a bass riff originally conceived by bassist Guy Berryman in the studio.{{cite web |title=Chris Martin. Zane Lowe. Part 1 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SW7_IZLJtMo |work=BBC Radio 1 | date=28 April 2014 |publisher=Google, YouTube |access-date=29 April 2014 |archive-date=15 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170715012348/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SW7_IZLJtMo |url-status=live }}

{{cquote|For a long, long time I've been begging the band, "Please could someone else start a song!" I've been given that gift from the universe, or from God or whatever you want to believe in that ideas for songs get sent through wherever they get sent from, and then I take them to the rest of the band and then we layer it up and that's how we do it. I was so grateful. It made me so happy and that was kind of a sample of the album as a whole, "We'll help each other out here". There were lots of songs but that was the first point where I thought, "Everyone is invested in this, everyone knows what we're trying to do; go a bit more personal".|author=Chris Martin}}According to producer Paul Epworth, the band recorded the album mostly on their own, while his direction helped in "trying to avoid going for any of their obvious clichés".{{Cite web |date=11 September 2020 |title=Super-Producer Paul Epworth on Adele's Hygiene, Bono's Calls with Obama, and Oasis's Bad Behaviour |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/interviews/super-producer-paul-epworth-adeles-hygiene-bonos-calls-obama/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221119132314/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/interviews/super-producer-paul-epworth-adeles-hygiene-bonos-calls-obama/ |archive-date=19 November 2022 |access-date=27 December 2022 |website=The Times |url-access=subscription}} He also added his main influence was that Ghost Stories needed to be recorded solely with electronic drums.

File:Mila Fürstová - Other Skies I + Detail.jpg, a central theme also depicted in the artwork for Ghost Stories. (Pictured: "Other Skies I" by Fürstová, 2011)]]

The album artwork for Ghost Stories was etched by British-based Czech etching artist Mila Fürstová.{{cite web|last=Fürstová|first=Mila|title=Coldplay: Portfolio|url=http://www.furstova.com/portfolios/coldplay/|work=Mila Fürstová Etching|access-date=23 March 2014|archive-date=23 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323081719/http://www.furstova.com/portfolios/coldplay/|url-status=live}} The medieval art-driven artwork, measuring 100 by 100 cm, features a pair of angel wings imposed onto a painting of an ocean under a sky at night. The angel wings resemble a broken heart, representing the album's somber theme of melancholic breakups. The wings themselves also feature cryptic imagery of medieval-style drawings of fairly contemporary objects and concepts. The images include a couple in love, a man facing a mirror, a flight of white doves, a circular maze, a girl by candlelight, a window looking out onto an incoming tornado and a garden plant with a ladder, amongst other imagery depicted in the artwork. A larger, digital version of the artwork is available on Coldplay's official website, with the ability to zoom into the artwork with a screen magnifier.{{cite web |last=Gibstone |first=Harriet |title=Coldplay announces new album Ghost Stories |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/mar/03/coldplay-new-album-ghost-stories-magic-single |work=The Guardian |date=3 March 2014 |access-date=3 March 2014 |archive-date=4 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304011201/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/mar/03/coldplay-new-album-ghost-stories-magic-single |url-status=live }}

Fürstová had etched the artworks for all of the releases in the Ghost Stories album cycle, including the artwork for singles "Magic" and "Midnight", which all use the same motif of a scenario taking place in a larger body. Fürstová, whose work has been described as "dazzling images [that] are both contemporary and personal, searching in the surreality of dreams, tales and fables that can map the framework of our consciousness",{{cite web|title=MILA FURSTOVA|url=http://www.thecatstreetgallery.com/artist/MilaFurstova/biography/|publisher=The Cat Street Gallery|access-date=23 March 2014|archive-date=23 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323075905/http://www.thecatstreetgallery.com/artist/MilaFurstova/biography/|url-status=live}} and has won numerous awards, including the Royal College of Art Society Award in 2001 and becoming the youngest academician at the Royal West of England Academy in 2009,{{cite web|title=Mila Furstova|url=http://www.agallery.co.uk/gallery/mila_furstova.php|publisher=AGallery|access-date=23 March 2014|archive-date=23 March 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140323043123/http://www.agallery.co.uk/gallery/mila_furstova.php|url-status=live}} was invited by Coldplay to etch artwork for their new album in January 2013. She described the collaboration between her and the band as "a most inspiring journey and a truly humbling experience to cooperate with such talented people".{{cite web|last=Fürstová|first=Mila|title=My Secret Year with COLDPLAY|url=http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=25c5c7c0f024fcc5be033d7ab&id=4706cc3f3a|publisher=Mila Fürstová Etching|access-date=4 March 2014|archive-date=4 March 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140304050734/http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=25c5c7c0f024fcc5be033d7ab&id=4706cc3f3a|url-status=live}}

There had been plans for an exhibition of Fürstová's Ghost Stories artworks in the Autumn of 2014 in central London. 25 original etchings and 100 high-quality digital prints of the artwork, all hand-signed by Fürstová, had also set to go on sale on 19 May 2014, the same day Ghost Stories released in the United Kingdom and the United States.{{cite web|title=Ghost Stories|url=http://www.albumartists.co.uk/ghost-stories-py93.html|publisher=Album Artists|access-date=23 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323081322/http://www.albumartists.co.uk/ghost-stories-py93.html|archive-date=23 March 2014|df=dmy-all}}

{{main|Ghost Stories Tour}}

File:Coldplay - iTunes Festival 2014 (Screenshot).jpg at SXSW where four Ghost Stories tracks were premiered live.]]

Coldplay performed on the opening night of the televised 2014 iTunes Festival at SXSW on 11 March 2014 at the Moody Theater in Austin, Texas. In addition to performing "Magic" and "Midnight", the band performed "Always in My Head" and "Another's Arms"; the first live performances of the four songs.{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/03/12/coldplay-headlines-first-itunes-festival-at-sxsw/6315913/ |title=Coldplay rules iTunes Festival opener at SXSW |work=USA Today |last=Snider |first=Mike |date=12 March 2014 |access-date=19 March 2014 |archive-date=19 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319044708/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/03/12/coldplay-headlines-first-itunes-festival-at-sxsw/6315913/ |url-status=live }} The band also performed "Magic" in a pre-recorded segment of Sport Relief 2014, which aired on BBC One on 21 March 2014.{{cite web|last=Fanelli|first=Laurie|title=Coldplay perform 'Magic' on Sport Relief TV|url=http://www.veggiefans.net/coldplay-perform-magic-sport-relief-tv/|work=Veggie Fans|access-date=23 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716085930/http://www.veggiefans.net/coldplay-perform-magic-sport-relief-tv/|archive-date=16 July 2014|df=dmy-all}}

In April 2014, Coldplay announced an international scavenger hunt for sheets containing lyrics to the nine songs on the album. The notes, handwritten by Martin, were placed in ghost story books in libraries around the world, with the band tweeting clues leading to their locations. One of the hidden envelopes also contained a special Golden Ticket, allowing its finder and their guest to go to London for the Coldplay concert at the Royal Albert Hall in July.{{cite magazine |last=Gibson |first=Megan |title=Coldplay Launches Lyric Treasure Hunt for Ghost Stories Album |url=https://time.com/80732/coldplay-treasure-hunt-ghost-stories/ |magazine=Time |access-date=30 April 2014 |date=29 April 2014 |archive-date=30 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140430030513/http://time.com/80732/coldplay-treasure-hunt-ghost-stories/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Davidson |first=Amy |title=Coldplay hides album Ghost Stories' handwritten lyrics in libraries |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a567355/coldplay-hides-album-ghost-stories-handwritten-lyrics-in-libraries.html |work=Digital Spy |access-date=30 April 2014 |date=28 April 2014 |archive-date=30 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140430111022/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a567355/coldplay-hides-album-ghost-stories-handwritten-lyrics-in-libraries.html |url-status=live }}

The lyric sheets were found in libraries in Mexico City, Singapore, Helsinki, Barcelona, Dartford, New York City, Tauranga, Dublin and Johannesburg.{{cite web |url=http://coldplay.com/newsdetail.php?id=1531 |title=Ghost Stories lyrics found – download the free booklet |publisher=Coldplay |date=2 May 2014 |access-date=2 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140501224815/http://www.coldplay.com/newsdetail.php?id=1531 |archive-date=1 May 2014 |url-status=dead }}

A TV special titled Coldplay: Ghost Stories was filmed 21–23 March 2014{{cite web|title=Coldplay|url=http://www.setlist.fm/search?page=4&query=coldplay|website=setlist.fm|access-date=16 March 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924100745/http://www.setlist.fm/search?page=4&query=coldplay|url-status=live}} by the Grammy-nominated director Paul Dugdale (Adele, The Rolling Stones) on a custom-built stage in a Sony Pictures movie soundstage in Los Angeles.{{cite web|last1=Appleford|first1=Steve|title=coldplay debut ghost stories on a soundstage at intimate LA show|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/coldplay-debut-ghost-stories-on-a-soundstage-at-intimate-l-a-show-20140322|website=RollingStone.com|date=22 March 2014|access-date=12 March 2015|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143959/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/coldplay-debut-ghost-stories-on-a-soundstage-at-intimate-l-a-show-20140322|url-status=live}} Coldplay performed material from the album in its entirety for the first time. The show, which included cinematic vignettes and 360-degree projections, was attended by an audience of 800 fans and press, and was broadcast in prime time in several countries in May and June 2014.{{cite web |url=http://coldplay.com/newsdetail.php?id=1496&page=1 |title=More countries to screen Ghost Stories TV Special |publisher=Coldplay |date=16 May 2014 |access-date=18 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140518182519/http://coldplay.com/newsdetail.php?id=1496&page=1 |archive-date=18 May 2014 |url-status=dead }}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/coldplay-debut-ghost-stories-on-a-soundstage-at-intimate-l-a-show-20140322 |title=Coldplay Debut 'Ghost Stories' on a Soundstage at Intimate L.A. Show |last=Appleford |first=Steve |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=22 March 2014 |access-date=18 May 2014 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143959/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/coldplay-debut-ghost-stories-on-a-soundstage-at-intimate-l-a-show-20140322 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Ryan |first=Patrick |title=Coldplay to air 'Ghost Stories' concert special |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/04/23/coldplay-to-air-ghost-stories-concert-special/8053627/ |access-date=7 May 2014 |newspaper=USA Today |date=23 April 2014 |archive-date=27 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427052313/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/04/23/coldplay-to-air-ghost-stories-concert-special/8053627/ |url-status=live }} The special was then sold on DVD and Blu-ray in November 2014. Additional footage was shot at Paradise Cove in Malibu, California, and at Woollett Aquatics Center in Irvine, California, for the film.{{cite web|title=Oracle|url=http://www.coldplay.com/oracletags.php?tag=chris&page=5|publisher=Coldplay |access-date=16 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051205/http://www.coldplay.com/oracletags.php?tag=chris&page=5|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}

Chris Martin said, "The Ghost Stories show at Sony Studios was a very special moment for our band ... This film is basically our original vision for the Ghost Stories album."{{cite web|author=Anchorman|title=Ghost Stories Live 2014 out 24 November|url=http://www.coldplay.com/newsdetail.php?id=1741|publisher=Coldplay |access-date=17 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160928041152/http://www.coldplay.com/newsdetail.php?id=1741|archive-date=28 September 2016|url-status=dead}}

Coldplay was also the musical act for 3 May airing of NBC late-night sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live and performed "Magic" and "A Sky Full of Stars". It was the band's fifth appearance on the show.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/6077441/snl-recap-coldplay-performs-new-ghost-stories-tunes-chris-martin-saturday-night-live |title='SNL' Recap: Coldplay Performs New 'Ghost Stories' Tunes, Chris Martin Romances Andrew Garfield |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |date=4 May 2014 |access-date=7 May 2014 |archive-date=7 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507010638/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/6077441/snl-recap-coldplay-performs-new-ghost-stories-tunes-chris-martin-saturday-night-live |url-status=live }}

On 12 May 2014, seven days before its release date, the album became available to stream in full via iTunes, accompanied by an animated video revolving around Fürstová's album artwork,{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/stream-coldplays-moody-heartfelt-ghost-stories-album-20140512 |title=Stream Coldplay's Moody, Heartfelt 'Ghost Stories' Album |magazine=Rolling Stone |first=Kory |last=Grow |date=12 May 2014 |access-date=19 May 2014 |archive-date=17 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517172333/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/stream-coldplays-moody-heartfelt-ghost-stories-album-20140512 |url-status=live }} but the band refused to allow Spotify, Beats Music, Deezer, and Rdio to stream the album until 22 September 2014, which they had previously done on their last album, Mylo Xyloto.{{cite news |last=Dredge |first=Stuart |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/may/19/spotify-coldplay-ghost-stories-black-keys-turn-blue |title=Spotify tells fans why it doesn't have Coldplay's Ghost Stories to stream |date=20 May 2014 |access-date=1 June 2014 |newspaper=The Guardian |archive-date=5 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605051023/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/may/19/spotify-coldplay-ghost-stories-black-keys-turn-blue |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Sherwin |first=Adam |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/coldplay-album-ignites-apple-and-spotify-digital-music-battle-9412346.html |title=Coldplay album ignites Apple and Spotify digital music battle |date=21 May 2014 |access-date=1 June 2014 |newspaper=The Independent |archive-date=5 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605051513/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/coldplay-album-ignites-apple-and-spotify-digital-music-battle-9412346.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://coldplay.com/newsdetail.php?id=1731 |title=Ghost Stories now available to stream |date=22 September 2014 |access-date=22 September 2014 |archive-date=16 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016141702/http://www.coldplay.com/newsdetail.php?id=1731 |url-status=live }}

A music video for "Midnight", the fifth track on the album, was released as a teaser for the band's sixth studio album on 25 February 2014. Ghost Stories was officially unveiled by Coldplay and Parlophone a week later on 3 March 2014, along with its artwork and track listing.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5923045/coldplay-announces-release-date-for-ghost-stories-drops-new-single-magic |title=Coldplay Announces Release Date for 'Ghost Stories,' Drops New Single 'Magic': Listen |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |last=Brandle |first=Lars |date=3 March 2014 |access-date=3 March 2014 |archive-date=21 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121131739/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5923045/coldplay-announces-release-date-for-ghost-stories-drops-new-single-magic |url-status=live }} "Magic" was released on the same day, being the album's lead single. It was made available to download through iTunes and Amazon.com by pre-ordering the album, with the track working as an "instant-grat" download.{{cite web |url=http://coldplay.com/newsdetail.php?id=1416&page=1 |title=New album, Ghost Stories, out 19 May |publisher=Coldplay |date=3 March 2014 |access-date=3 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303162906/http://coldplay.com/newsdetail.php?id=1416&page=1 |archive-date=3 March 2014 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/mar/03/coldplay-new-album-ghost-stories-magic-single |title=Coldplay announces new album Ghost Stories |last=Gibsone |first=Harriet |work=The Guardian |date=3 March 2014 |access-date=3 March 2014 |archive-date=4 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304011201/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/mar/03/coldplay-new-album-ghost-stories-magic-single |url-status=live }} Following the release of the song, it charted on 25 national record charts, peaking within the top ten on 18 of them. "Midnight" was then released as a promotional single by Parlophone on 17 April 2014 with a one-sided 7-inch vinyl for Record Store Day, which was limited to 3000 copies.{{cite magazine |title=Record Store Day Unveils 2014 Releases: David Bowie, Jay Z, Coldplay, Haim + More |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5944639/record-store-day-unveils-2014-releases-david-bowie-jay-z-coldplay-haim-more |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |date=20 March 2014 |access-date=21 March 2014 |archive-date=21 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321212916/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5944639/record-store-day-unveils-2014-releases-david-bowie-jay-z-coldplay-haim-more |url-status=live }}{{cite web|title=Coldplay RSD – Midnight|url=http://www.warnermusic.pl/index.php?action=katalog&album_id=17665&Coldplay_rsd_-_Midnight|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512220530/http://www.warnermusic.pl/index.php?action=katalog&album_id=17665&Coldplay_rsd_-_Midnight|archive-date=12 May 2014|access-date=12 May 2014|work=Warner Music Poland}}

"A Sky Full of Stars" was released digitally as the second official single on 2 May 2014. Within 24 hours from its iTunes release, the track had sold 121,690 units worldwide,{{cite web|title=Biggest Selling iTunes Artists within last 24 hours|url=http://www.kingsofar.com/2014/05/02/biggest-selling-itunes-artists-within-last-24-hours/|publisher=Kings of A&R|access-date=2 May 2014|archive-date=19 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171219115812/http://kingsofar.com/2014/05/02/biggest-selling-itunes-artists-within-last-24-hours/|url-status=live}} peaking at number one in 86 countries on the iTunes Store Charts.{{cite web|title=11:26 AM – 3 May 2014|url=https://twitter.com/coldplay/status/462659549229355009|publisher=Twitter|access-date=4 May 2014|archive-date=4 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504050951/https://twitter.com/coldplay/status/462659549229355009|url-status=live}} The song reached number ten on the Billboard Hot 100, making it their third top 10 hit and first since "Viva la Vida" in 2008.{{Cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6092276/michael-jackson-coldplay-hot-100-top-10-john-legend-no-1 |title=Michael Jackson, Coldplay Hit Hot 100's Top 10; John Legend Still No. 1 |first=Gary |last=Trust |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |date=21 May 2014 |access-date=21 May 2014 |archive-date=17 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517055150/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6092276/michael-jackson-coldplay-hot-100-top-10-john-legend-no-1 |url-status=live }} It also became their first number-one single on the Billboard Hot Rock Songs chart. On 4 August 2014, the band announced that "True Love" would be the third effort from the album.{{cite web |url=http://coldplay.com/newsdetail.php?id=1671&page=0 |title=True Love is Coldplay's next single |publisher=Coldplay |date=4 August 2014 |access-date=6 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808042052/http://coldplay.com/newsdetail.php?id=1671&page=0 |archive-date=8 August 2014 |url-status=dead }} A music video directed by Jonas Åkerlund was released on 22 August 2014, Chris Martin and Jessica Lucas stars as lovers in it.{{cite web|author=Anchorman|title=Check out the clip for Ghost Stories' third single|url=http://www.coldplay.com/newsdetail.php?id=1691&page=5|publisher=Coldplay |access-date=18 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050814/http://www.coldplay.com/newsdetail.php?id=1691&page=5|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}

On 13 October 2014, "Ink" was served as the fourth and final single to Italian contemporary hit radio.{{cite web|url=http://www.radioairplay.fm/RadioDate/PublicDetails/72522/COLDPLAY-INK-Parlophone |title=Coldplay – Ink (Parlophone) |publisher=Radio Airplay SRL |access-date=14 October 2014 |language=it |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028041840/http://www.radioairplay.fm/RadioDate/PublicDetails/72522/COLDPLAY-INK-Parlophone |archive-date=28 October 2014 }} On 18 November, the track was sent to modern rock stations in the United States.{{cite web|url=http://www.allaccess.com/alternative/future-releases |title=Alternative > Future Releases |publisher=All Access Music Group |access-date=14 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017051211/http://www.allaccess.com/alternative/future-releases/ |archive-date=17 October 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }} The music video was written, directed and animated by Blind, which worked with a company by the name "Interlude" to create over 300 possible journeys.{{cite web|author=Anchorman|title=Experience the interactive ink video|url=http://www.coldplay.com/newsdetail.php?id=1806&page=3|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051124/http://www.coldplay.com/newsdetail.php?id=1806&page=3|archive-date=4 March 2016|access-date=18 March 2015|publisher=Coldplay}}

A video for "All Your Friends" was released on 7 November 2014 for the commemoration of the first World War.{{cite web |url=http://coldplay.com/newsdetail.php?id=1771&page=0 |title=All Your Friends video |publisher=Coldplay |date=7 November 2014 |access-date=7 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141108192607/http://coldplay.com/newsdetail.php?id=1771&page=0 |archive-date=8 November 2014 |url-status=dead }} Although the track is not available on the standard edition of Ghost Stories, it is available on the A Sky Full of Stars EP worldwide – except for the United States where it is included on the deluxe version of Ghost Stories sold by Target. An official music video for "Ghost Story" was released as a part of the Ghost Stories Live 2014 DVD on 24 November 2014;{{cite web|url=http://coldplay.fanfire.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Store.woa/wa/product?sourceCode=COLWEBUKWGBP&sku=COL62853|title=Coldplay Official Store – Ghost Stories Live 2014 (CD & DVD)|author=SNI|work=Coldplay Official Store|access-date=17 December 2015|archive-date=22 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722180709/http://coldplay.fanfire.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Store.woa/wa/product?sourceCode=COLWEBUKWGBP&sku=COL62853|url-status=live}} it was uploaded on the band's official YouTube channel on 9 March 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-XXX3dnlVc|title=Coldplay – Ghost Story (Full Video)|date=9 March 2015 |publisher=YouTube, Coldplay Official|access-date=9 March 2015|archive-date=9 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150309155559/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-XXX3dnlVc&gl=US&hl=en|url-status=live}} The video was shot in black and white, and shows the band performing the song during their Ghost Stories Tour. Similar to "All Your Friends", the song is available on the A Sky Full of Stars EP and on the Target deluxe edition of the album is the U.S.

{{Music ratings

| ADM = 6.1/10{{cite web |url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/6387/Coldplay-Ghost-Stories.aspx |title=Ghost Stories by Coldplay reviews |website=AnyDecentMusic? |access-date=20 December 2019 |archive-date=19 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219165844/http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/6387/Coldplay-Ghost-Stories.aspx |url-status=live }}

| MC = 61/100

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/ghost-stories-mw0002630894 |title=Ghost Stories – Coldplay |website=AllMusic |access-date=18 May 2014 |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |archive-date=10 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140510083048/http://www.allmusic.com/album/ghost-stories-mw0002630894 |url-status=live }}

| rev2 = The A.V. Club

| rev2Score = B−{{cite web |url=http://www.avclub.com/review/coldplay-goes-quiet-ghost-stories-one-terrible-not-204733 |title=Coldplay goes quiet on Ghost Stories, with one terrible, notable exception |work=The A.V. Club |date=19 May 2014 |access-date=19 May 2014 |last=Modell |first=Josh |archive-date=7 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707132146/http://www.avclub.com/review/coldplay-goes-quiet-ghost-stories-one-terrible-not-204733 |url-status=live }}

| rev3 = The Daily Telegraph

| rev3Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/cdreviews/10835621/Coldplay-Ghost-Stories-review-Zen-like-and-paralysed.html |title=Coldplay, Ghost Stories, review: 'Zen-like and paralysed' |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=16 May 2014 |access-date=16 May 2014 |last=Brown |first=Helen |archive-date=16 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140516135402/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/cdreviews/10835621/Coldplay-Ghost-Stories-review-Zen-like-and-paralysed.html |url-status=live }}

| rev4 = Entertainment Weekly

| rev4Score = B{{cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2014/06/19/ghost-stories-album |title=Ghost Stories |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=12 May 2014 |access-date=12 May 2014 |last=Anderson |first=Kyle |archive-date=8 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108081441/http://www.ew.com/article/2014/06/19/ghost-stories-album |url-status=live }}

| rev5 = The Guardian

| rev5Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/may/15/coldplay-ghost-stories-review |title=Coldplay: Ghost Stories review – Chris Martin's heartache hasn't inspired poetry |work=The Guardian |date=15 May 2014 |access-date=15 May 2014 |last=Petridis |first=Alexis |author-link=Alexis Petridis |archive-date=15 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140515165201/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/may/15/coldplay-ghost-stories-review |url-status=live }}

| rev6 = The Independent

| rev6Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/coldplays-ghost-stories-album-review-the-most-dour-muted-music-of-the-bands-career-9378695.html |title=Coldplay's Ghost Stories, album review: 'The most dour, muted music of the band's career' |work=The Independent |date=15 May 2014 |access-date=17 May 2014 |last=Hasted |first=Nick |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140515225252/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/coldplays-ghost-stories-album-review-the-most-dour-muted-music-of-the-bands-career-9378695.html |archive-date=15 May 2014}}

| rev7 = NME

| rev7Score = 7/10{{cite journal |url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/coldplay/15307 |title=Coldplay – 'Ghost Stories' |journal=NME |date=13 May 2014 |access-date=13 May 2014 |last=Horton |first=Matthew |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514021344/http://www.nme.com/reviews/coldplay/15307 |archive-date=14 May 2014}}

| rev8 = Pitchfork

| rev8Score = 4.4/10{{cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/19344-coldplay-ghost-stories/ |title=Coldplay: Ghost Stories |work=Pitchfork |date=20 May 2014 |access-date=20 May 2014 |last=Fitzmaurice |first=Larry |archive-date=20 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520221319/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/19344-coldplay-ghost-stories/ |url-status=live }}

| rev9 = Rolling Stone

| rev9Score = {{rating|3.5|5}}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/ghost-stories-20140519 |title=Ghost Stories |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=19 May 2014 |access-date=21 May 2014 |last=Ganz |first=Caryn |archive-date=20 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520074004/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/ghost-stories-20140519 |url-status=live }}

| rev10 = Spin

| rev10Score = 7/10

}}

Ghost Stories received generally positive reviews. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 61, based on 31 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews".{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/ghost-stories/coldplay |title=Reviews for Ghost Stories by Coldplay |website=Metacritic |access-date=14 May 2014 |archive-date=17 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517053927/http://www.metacritic.com/music/ghost-stories/coldplay |url-status=live }} Jason Lipshutz of Billboard wrote the magazine's track-by-track review of the album, praising it as the band's "most listenable album in years" and describing it as "an evocative concoction of sullen phrases, sparse arrangements and powerful themes."{{cite magazine |last=Lipshutz |first=Jason |title=Coldplay's Haunted 'Ghost Stories' Album: Track-By-Track Review |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/6084930/coldplay-ghost-stories-album-review-chris-martin-billboard-magic |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |date=14 May 2014 |access-date=14 May 2014 |archive-date=16 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140516045716/http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/6084930/coldplay-ghost-stories-album-review-chris-martin-billboard-magic |url-status=live }} Kyle Anderson of Entertainment Weekly commented that Ghost Stories "will likely be remembered as a transitional album" and noted that "while being solid, it feels like a prequel to something better". Larry Fitzmaurice of Pitchfork wrote that the album is a "subdued work that finds Chris Martin and his band crisply moping through mid-tempo soundscapes and fuzzy electronic touches that have the visceral impact of a down comforter tumbling down a flight of stairs." Nick Hasted of The Independent wrote that Martin "accepts his loss too meekly to approach the anguish of a great break-up album", but concluded that the band's "step away from grand platitudes is still one in the right direction". Stephanie Benson of Spin wrote that "its deep sea of synth-encrusted pop glistens under a halo of angelic ambient touches and Martin’s ever-rosy perspective."

Jerry Shriver of USA Today felt that "within the realm of memorable breakup albums", Ghost Stories lacked "the confessional gut-punch of Dylan's Blood on the Tracks, the acrimony of Richard and Linda Thompson's Shoot Out the Lights and the irresistible sonic appeal of Fleetwood Mac's Rumours", ultimately describing it as "not even a particularly memorable Coldplay album".{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/05/13/coldplay-album-review/9012963/ |title='Ghost Stories' review: Coldplay's tepid take on love |work=USA Today |date=13 May 2014 |access-date=13 May 2014 |last=Shriver |first=Jerry |archive-date=13 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513072014/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/05/13/coldplay-album-review/9012963/ |url-status=live }} While noting that Ghost Stories "should be applauded for scaling back the gaudy excesses of their previous albums", Consequence of Sound's Josh Terry opined that its songs "suffer from a lack of direction" and "could use the vitality that launched them to the top in the first place".{{cite web |url=http://consequenceofsound.net/2014/05/album-review-coldplay-ghost-stories/ |title=Album Review: Coldplay – Ghost Stories |work=Consequence of Sound |date=15 May 2014 |access-date=17 May 2014 |last=Terry |first=Josh |archive-date=31 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160731005459/http://consequenceofsound.net/2014/05/album-review-coldplay-ghost-stories/ |url-status=live }} Mikael Wood of the Los Angeles Times wrote, "The nine songs on Ghost Stories hum gently, cultivating an effective sense of intimacy. As always, there's a lot going on in the music, sculpted by the band along with various collaborators." He added, "Coldplay's new album, 'Ghost Stories,' finds the British band setting aside its trademark grandiosity."{{cite web |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-chris-martin-coldplay-ghost-stories-20140516-story.html |title=Chris Martin feels it all on Coldplay's 'Ghost Stories' |work=Los Angeles Times |last=Wood |first=Mikael |date=16 May 2014 |access-date=17 May 2014 |archive-date=17 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517174828/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-chris-martin-coldplay-ghost-stories-20140516-story.html |url-status=live }}

Ghost Stories went number-one in over 100 countries on iTunes.{{Cite web |date=2 June 2022 |title=Coldplay {{!}} Tickets |url=https://www.ticketmaster.de/artist/coldplay-tickets/10139 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220602202442/https://www.ticketmaster.de/artist/coldplay-tickets/10139 |archive-date=2 June 2022 |access-date=3 June 2022 |website=Ticketmaster |language=de}} In the UK Albums Chart, the album sold 168,048 copies during its opening week, becoming the second biggest debut of the year and Coldplay's sixth consecutive number-one album.{{cite web |author=Amy Davidson |date=25 June 2014 |title=Oliver Heldens, Becky Hill and Ed Sheeran lead midweek chart update |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a580331/oliver-heldens-becky-hill-and-ed-sheeran-lead-midweek-chart-update.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010234414/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a580331/oliver-heldens-becky-hill-and-ed-sheeran-lead-midweek-chart-update.html |archive-date=10 October 2014 |access-date=26 June 2014 |work=Digital Spy}} With 375,000 copies sold by July, it became the best-selling album of the first half of 2014.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/coldplays-ghost-stories-named-bestselling-album-of-2014-so-far-9581044.html |title=Coldplay's Ghost Stories named best-selling album of 2014 so far |author=Daisy Wyatt |date=3 July 2014 |work=The Independent |access-date=28 August 2017 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924212052/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/coldplays-ghost-stories-named-bestselling-album-of-2014-so-far-9581044.html |url-status=live }} In the United States, the album opened with 383,000 copies, earning the band their fourth number-one on Billboard 200 on the chart dating 7 June 2014, where it would stay for two consecutive weeks. It has sold 853,500 copies on the country as of November 2015.{{cite web|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151124223021/http://hitsdailydouble.com/new_album_releases |archive-date=24 November 2015 |url=http://hitsdailydouble.com/new_album_releases |title=Upcoming Releases |website=Hits Daily Double |publisher=HITS Digital Ventures }} Meanwhile, on the Canadian Albums Chart, Ghost Stories sold 49,000 copies during its first week,{{cite web |url=http://ajournalofmusicalthings.com/weekly-music-sales-report-analysis-may-28-2014/ |title=Weekly Music Sales Report and Analysis: May 28, 2014 |author=Alan Cross |work=A Journal of Musical Things |date=28 May 2014 |access-date=17 December 2014 |archive-date=13 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151013180756/http://ajournalofmusicalthings.com/weekly-music-sales-report-analysis-may-28-2014/ |url-status=live }} becoming the fifth-best-selling album of 2014 by selling 117,000 throughout the year.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6451045/nielsen-music-canada-report-2014-sales-streaming-data |title=Nielsen: Canada Loved Taylor Swift, Streaming Music and, Yep, Vinyl in 2014 |last=Bliss |first=Karen |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |date=27 January 2015 |access-date=30 January 2015 |archive-date=31 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150131070742/http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6451045/nielsen-music-canada-report-2014-sales-streaming-data |url-status=live }} As of August 2017, it has sold over 160,000 copies on the country.{{Cite web |url=https://musiccanada.com/gold-platinum/?fwp_gp_search=coldplay |title=Gold/Platinum - Music Canada |work=Music Canada |access-date=1 September 2017 |archive-date=1 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901111752/https://musiccanada.com/gold-platinum/?fwp_gp_search=coldplay |url-status=live }} Worldwide, the album sold over 3.7 million copies, being the best-selling project of 2014 by a group.{{cite web|title=IFPI Digital Music Report 2015: Charting the Path to Sustainable Growth|url=http://www.ifpi.org/downloads/Digital-Music-Report-2015.pdf|access-date=14 April 2015|website=International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|archive-date=10 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310162132/http://www.ifpi.org/downloads/Digital-Music-Report-2015.pdf|url-status=live}}

All tracks are written by Coldplay, with co-production from Paul Epworth, Dan Green and Rik Simpson, except where noted.

{{Track listing

| headline = Ghost Stories track listing

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title_width = 30%

| writing_width = 35%

| extra_width = 35%

| title1 = Always in My Head

| length1 = 3:36

| title2 = Magic

| length2 = 4:45

| title3 = Ink

| length3 = 3:48

| title4 = True Love

| length4 = 4:06

| title5 = Midnight

| writer5 = {{hlist|Coldplay|Jon Hopkins}}

| extra5 = {{hlist|Coldplay|Epworth|Green|Simpson|Hopkins{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length5 = 4:54

| title6 = Another's Arms

| length6 = 3:54

| title7 = Oceans

| length7 = 5:21

| title8 = A Sky Full of Stars

| writer8 = {{hlist|Coldplay|Tim Bergling}}

| extra8 = {{hlist|Coldplay|Epworth|Green|Simpson|Avicii{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length8 = 4:28

| title9 = O

| length9 = 7:46

| total_length = 42:47

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Japanese edition bonus track

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title_width = 30%

| writing_width = 35%

| extra_width = 35%

| title10 = Midnight

| note10 = Jon Hopkins remix

| writer10 = {{hlist|Coldplay|Hopkins}}

| extra10 = {{hlist|Coldplay|Epworth|Green|Simpson|Hopkins}}

| length10 = 10:05

| total_length = 52:42

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Target edition bonus tracks

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title_width = 65%

| extra_width = 35%

| title10 = All Your Friends

| length10 = 3:31

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

| title11 = Ghost Story

| length11 = 4:17

| extra11 = {{hlist|Coldplay|Green|Simpson}}

| title12 = O (Reprise)

| length12 = 1:37

| extra12 = {{hlist|Coldplay|Epworth|Green}}

| total_length = 50:53

}}

Notes

• ^{{note|a|a}} Signifies an additional producer.
• "O" contains the hidden track "Fly On", which ends at 3:53.
• "O" contains 2 minutes and 24 seconds of silence until beginning at 6:17 on physical editions. This is omitted on the Target and Spotify versions, reducing the length to 5:23.

Sample credits

• "Midnight" contains a sample of "The Fourth State II" (written by Jon Hopkins).
• "Another's Arms" contains a sample of "Silver Chord" (written by Jane Weaver).

Credits are adapted from Ghost Stories liner notes.

• Chris Martin – lead vocals, acoustic guitar, keyboards
• Guy Berryman – bass guitar, keyboards
• Jonny Buckland – electric guitar, slide guitar, keyboards
• Will Champion – drum pad, percussion, reactable, backing vocals, electric guitar on "O"

Additional musicians

{{div col}}

• Timbaland – extra drums (track 4)
• Apple Martin – additional vocals (track 9)
• Moses Martin – additional vocals (track 9)
• Mabel Krichefski – additional vocals (track 9)
• John Metcalfe – strings arrangement, conductor
• Davide Rossi – individual arrangement and strings (track 4)
• Tim Bergling (Avicii) – piano (track 8)

Design

• Mila Fürstová – artwork
• Tappin Gofton – design, art direction
• Phil Harvey – photography

Technical

• Paul Epworth – production
• Coldplay – production
• Dan Green – production, mixing (track 7)
• Rik Simpson – production, mixing (track 7)
• Jon Hopkins – co-production (track 5), "extra magic" {{sic}}
• Tim Bergling – co-production (track 8)
• Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing (track 1–6, 8, 9)
• Geoff Swan – assistant mixing (track 1–6, 8, 9)
• Mike Dean – "extra magic" (track 6)[http://www.coldplaying.com/ultimate-ghost-stories-walkthrough-chris-martin/ Coldplaying.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223215230/http://www.coldplaying.com/ultimate-ghost-stories-walkthrough-chris-martin/ |date=23 December 2014 }} Chris Martin interview transcription: "[About "Another's Arms"] so we called [Mike Dean] up and asked if he would help out and he said, well, ‘i’m free until 5, I’ll do some bass!’"
• Madeon – "extra magic" (track 1, 9)Wikipedia "Madeon" article. Although credited as just "extra magic" on the album notes, he worked on the ambient noises on tracks 1 and 9 alone.
• Ted Jensen – mastering
• Olga FitzRoy – engineering
• Matt Wiggins – engineering
• Jaime Sickora – engineering
• Chris Owens – engineering
• Joe Visciano – engineering
• Tom Bailey – additional studio assistance
• Fiona Cruickshank – additional studio assistance
• Nicolas Essig – additional studio assistance
• Jeff Gartenbaum – additional studio assistance
• Christian Green – additional studio assistance
• Joseph Hartwell Jones – additional studio assistance
• Pablo Hernandez – additional studio assistance
• Neil Lambert – additional studio assistance
• Matt McGinn – additional studio assistance
• Adam Miller – additional studio assistance
• Roxy Pope – additional studio assistance
• John Prestage – additional studio assistance
• Bill Rahko – additional studio assistance
• Kyle Stevens – additional studio assistance
• Dave Holmes – management

{{div col end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for Ghost Stories}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|award=Platinum|number=4|title=Ghost Stories|artist=Coldplay|type=album|relyear=2014|certyear=2024|access-date=16 April 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|type=album|title=Ghost Stories|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|relyear=2016|certyear=2014|access-date=9 July 2014}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|type=album|title=Ghost Stories|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|relyear=2014|certyear=2015|access-date=3 October 2015}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=album|title=Ghost Stories|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|relyear=2014|certyear=2017|access-date=August 22, 2017|number=2}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=album|title=Ghost Stories|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2014|certyear=2024|certmonth=9|id=14413|access-date=25 September 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|type=album|title=Ghost Stories|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|number=3|certyear=2015|relyear=2014|access-date=28 November 2014}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=album|title=Ghost Stories|artist=Coldplay|award=Gold|number=3|relyear=2014|relmonth=5|certyear=2015|access-date=20 June 2015}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Hungary|type=album|title=Ghost Stories|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2014|certyear=2014|access-date=26 June 2014}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=album|title=Ghost Stories|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2014|certyear=2018|certweek=13|access-date=4 April 2018|id=1266}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|type=album|relyear=2014|certyear=2014|award=Gold|number=1|title=Ghost Stories|artist=Coldplay}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=album|title=Ghost Stories|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|number=2|source=radioscope|access-date=15 December 2024|relyear=2014|certyear=2020}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|type=album|award=Platinum|number=2|artist=Coldplay|title=Ghost Stories|relyear=2014|certyear=2016|date=16 November 2016|access-date=16 November 2016}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Portugal|award=Gold|relyear=2014|certyear=2019|type=album|artist=Coldplay|title=Ghost Stories |id=file_2020-03-31-16-25-50.pdf|access-date=26 December 2020}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Singapore|type=album|title=Ghost Stories|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|relyear=2014|access-date=22 December 2020|certyear=2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=South Korea|artist=Coldplay|title=Ghost Stories|nocert=yes|type=album|salesamount=6,127|salesref={{efn|South Korea physical sales figures for Ghost Stories as of February 2016.{{cite web |url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?termGbn=year&hitYear=2014&targetTime=13&nationGbn=E |title=2014년 Album Chart |language=ko |publisher=Gaon Music Chart |access-date=1 June 2019 }}

• {{cite web |url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?termGbn=year&hitYear=2015&targetTime=13&nationGbn=E |title=2015년 Album Chart |language=ko |publisher=Gaon Music Chart |access-date=1 June 2019 |archive-date=2 February 2018 |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 |url-status=live }}}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=album|title=Ghost Stories|artist=Coldplay|award=Gold|relyear=2014|access-date=25 June 2014|id=coldplay-ghost-stories}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|type=album|title=Ghost Stories|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2014|certyear=2015|access-date=9 January 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=album|title=Ghost Stories|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2014|certyear=2015|certmonth=9|id=12821-1754-2|access-date=25 September 2015|salesamount=733,000|salesref={{efn|United Kingdom total sales figures for Ghost Stories as of October 2021.{{Cite web|date=19 October 2021|title=Coldplay's Official Biggest Albums in the UK Revealed|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/coldplays-official-biggest-albums-in-the-uk-revealed__34255/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022051102/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/coldplays-official-biggest-albums-in-the-uk-revealed__34255/|archive-date=22 October 2021|access-date=7 January 2022|website=Official Charts Company}}}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|title=Ghost Stories|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2014|certyear=2023|access-date=17 April 2023}}

{{Certification Table Summary}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Europe|title=Ghost Stories|artist=Coldplay|type=album|award=Platinum|certyear=2014}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

{{col div}}

• 2014 in British music
• List of best-selling albums of 2014
• List of best-selling albums of the 2010s in the United Kingdom
• List of best-selling albums of 2014 in Ireland
• List of number-one albums in Argentina
• List of number-one albums in Norway
• List of Billboard 200 number-one albums of 2014
• List of number-one albums of 2014 (Australia)
• List of number-one albums of 2014 (Belgium)
• List of number-one albums of 2014 (Canada)
• List of number-one albums of 2014 (Finland)
• List of number-one albums of 2014 (Ireland)
• List of number-one albums of 2014 (Poland)
• List of number-one albums of 2014 (Portugal)
• List of number-one albums of 2014 (Spain)
• List of number-one hits of 2014 (France)
• List of number-one hits of 2014 (Germany)
• List of number-one hits of 2014 (Italy)
• List of number-one hits of 2014 (Sweden)
• List of number-one hits of 2014 (Switzerland)
• List of number-one albums of the 2010s (Czech Republic)
• List of number-one albums from the 2010s (Denmark)
• List of number-one albums from the 2010s (New Zealand)
• List of UK Albums Chart number ones of the 2010s

{{col div end}}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

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

{{Coldplay}}

{{Coldplay songs}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2014 albums

Category:Albums produced by Jon Hopkins

Category:Albums produced by Paul Epworth

Category:Albums produced by Rik Simpson

Category:Atlantic Records albums

Category:Coldplay albums

Category:Parlophone albums