Parachutes (Coldplay album)

The band began production on Parachutes in late 1999, after producing and releasing The Blue Room EP with British record producer Chris Allison. Allison was asked to assist with production, and the band's musical direction, which was desired by both the band & the A&R department. Production started with the track 'High Speed', which was part of the EP and was later re-released as a part of Parachutes. Allison describes 'High Speed' as thus: 'You'll notice it is quite a bit different to the other tracks, because there are other sounds going on in it: we wanted to mix a soundscape in with the classic rock sound on that particular track. I thought 'High Speed' was a really good marriage between the classic rock sound and the new sound that was developing out of it, something that was more atmospheric'.{{cite book | last=O'Brien | first=Phil|author-link=Philomena Muinzer| title=Coldplay: Look at the Stars | publisher=Plexus | year=2004 | isbn=978-0-85965-349-7 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L24PAbDw9D0C | access-date=16 August 2022 | page=35,36,43}} Seven tracks in all were recorded during the sessions at Orinoco studios in London, with three of them ending up on The Blue Room EP.

The band then took a lengthy break to compose more tracks for Parachutes. A few months later, it was arranged that Allison and the band meet at a rehearsal room to finally begin production on the band's debut album. "They started up playing in the rehearsal room and they really weren't together at all. And I was very honest with them, I just sort of said 'Look, this simply isn't good enough'". Allison adds, "The interesting, the most significant thing that did occur out of the fact that we didn't end up starting the album on that day of the rehearsal was that Chris Martin had not written "Yellow" by that time".

A couple of months later, British record producer Ken Nelson was chosen, producing all but one song on Parachutes. He was introduced to Coldplay by his manager Pete Byrne (who gave him a copy of the band's Fierce Panda-distributed debut single in 1999). Nelson has claimed that, as soon as he heard vocalist Chris Martin's voice on the song "Bigger Stronger", he "realised that he was something special". Nelson was offered the job while Coldplay were performing in Liverpool with English indie rock band Gomez (whose debut album, Bring It On, was what he had produced at the time).{{cite web|url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct00/articles/ken.htm |title=Recording Coldplay's Parachutes |last=Inglis |first=Sam |date=October 2000 |work=SOS |access-date=9 September 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050811021036/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct00/articles/ken.htm |archive-date=11 August 2005 }}

Coldplay initially planned to record Parachutes in the space of two weeks. However, tours and other live performances caused the recording to spread out between November 1999 and May 2000.Roach, p. 45 The band began work on the album at Rockfield Studios in Wales, continuing with sessions at Liverpool's Parr Street Studios. The band worked in three studio rooms at Parr Street, mostly in the project studio which producer Ken Nelson describes as "basically a demo room". The Chris Allison-produced track "High Speed" was also included on the album, and originates from earlier sessions at Orinoco Studios in London. The album was mixed by American engineer Michael Brauer in New York. Coldplay's record label, Parlophone, had originally intended to use a mixing engineer for the tracks they picked as singles, but eventually hired Brauer to work on all songs on Parachutes except the song "High Speed" which was mixed by Chris Allison.

At the Liverpool concert where he was offered the production job, Nelson had noted that Coldplay's performance was "very very uptight [...] they rushed through the set and it was quite difficult to listen to". Once in the studio Nelson and the band went through each song, learning how to play the piece live and deciding what tempo to play it at in an attempt to get the group to "calm down" ("Trouble", for example, had to be reworked to eliminate the cacophony included in its early versions).

The album's cover features a photograph of a yellow globe taken with a disposable Kodak camera. The globe had been purchased from W H Smith for £10; it was featured in the music videos for "Shiver" and "Don't Panic", and also accompanied the band on their tours.Roach, p. 36 The album was dedicated to drummer Will Champion's mother, Sara Champion, who died of cancer in May 2000, two months before the release of Parachutes.(2000) Artwork for Parachutes by Coldplay. Capitol (0 6700 30162 2 3).

File:Coldplay - Don't Panic.jpg.]]Champion has explained that Nelson's production style was liberating and allowed the band to feel at ease during the recording of Parachutes (many songs from the album often featured slow tempos). The ensuing album was "a record's worth of moody and atmospheric tunes". As a nod to the moods created by the album, Champion has compared the song lyrics to the 1972 song "Perfect Day" by American rock singer-songwriter Lou Reed, stating that the "lyrics are beautiful and they're really, really happy, but the music is really, really sad. It's that kind of thing, where you can create [differing] moods through the music and lyrics."{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1427213/20000929/coldplay.jhtml|title=Coldplay Opens Up "Parachutes" For U.S. Audiences|last=Basham|first=David|date=29 September 2000|publisher=MTV|access-date=14 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216125710/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1427213/20000929/coldplay.jhtml|archive-date=16 December 2008|url-status=dead}}

Parachutes was recognised to have an alternative rock,{{cite web|last=Finch|first=Stephan|author2=Walls, Michael|title=Coldplay Parachutes (2000)|work=2walls|date=16 February 2001|access-date=23 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030512163613/http://www.2walls.com/REVIEWS/MUSIC/coldplay.asp|archive-date=12 May 2003|url=http://www.2walls.com/REVIEWS/MUSIC/coldplay.asp}} indie rock{{cite web |last=Wilson |first=MacKenzie |title=Parachutes: Coldplay |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=A3h9yxdyb2ola |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041110221146/http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=A3h9yxdyb2ola |archive-date=10 November 2004 |access-date=24 September 2008 |publisher=AllMusic}} and post-Britpop,{{cite web|url=http://www.musicreviewdatabase.co.uk/2011/12/coldplay-parachutes.html|title=Coldplay – Parachutes|website=Music Review Database|date=17 December 2011|access-date=23 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224053233/http://www.musicreviewdatabase.co.uk/2011/12/coldplay-parachutes.html|archive-date=24 February 2018|url-status=dead}} with some stylistic comparisons being made to contemporaries such as Radiohead and Travis. In fact, a few critics have suggested that the album's commercial success was due in part to a portion of Radiohead's audience being alienated by the band's experimental and more electronic-influenced Kid A album.

Parachutes was released on 10 July 2000 in the United Kingdom by Parlophone. In the United States, it was released on 7 November 2000 by Nettwerk.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=874414|title=Nettwerk To Release Coldplay Album|last=Cohen|first=Jonathan|date=2 August 2000|magazine=Billboard|access-date=15 September 2008|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526062203/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=874414%23/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=874414|archive-date=26 May 2012|url-status=dead}} The album has been made available in various formats since its release: both Parlophone and Nettwerk released it as a CD in 2000, while in the next year Parachutes enjoyed a cassette release made by newfound label Capitol. In China, the album's commercial release was forbidden due to "inflammatory political content", with "Spies" being singled out as the prime offender.{{Cite web |date=14 February 2001 |title=Censorship in China |url=http://coldplay.com/news/news0000000166.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011108094825/http://coldplay.com/news/news0000000166.shtml |archive-date=8 November 2001 |access-date=12 February 2023 |publisher=Coldplay}} In 2002, Parlophone issued the album as an LP.{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=coldplay|chart=all}} |title=Discography – Coldplay: Parachutes |magazine=Billboard |access-date=30 September 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106020206/http://{{billboardURLbyName|artist=coldplay|chart=all}} |archive-date=6 January 2010 }} In November 2020, Coldplay released a 20th anniversary version in transparent yellow vinyl.{{Cite web|title=Coldplay announce Parachutes vinyl reissue for 20th anniversary|url=https://www.radiox.co.uk/artists/coldplay/parachutes-vinyl-reissue-20th-anniversary/|access-date=2 October 2020|website=Radio X|date=12 July 2020}}

The main version of the record contains 10 tracks, with "Everything's Not Lost", the last of them, having a hidden song called "Life Is for Living", clocking in for a total of 7:15. The Japanese version contains all main tracks, plus "Careful Where You Stand" and "For You", which were originally released as the B-sides of "Shiver", the hidden song is on the pre-gap of track 11.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

Four singles were released in total: "Shiver", "Yellow", "Trouble", and "Don't Panic". The first served as lead single in the United Kingdom while "Yellow" was used in the United States. Upon the release of "Trouble", Coldplay abandoned their initial plan of releasing "Don't Panic" as the album's fourth effort, since they deemed three singles were enough for an album. Despite this, however, it was released as a single in some European regions.Roach, p. 54

{{Music ratings

| MC = 72/100

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/parachutes-mw0000101998 |title=Parachutes – Coldplay |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=4 October 2024 |last=Wilson |first=MacKenzie |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605001932/http://www.allmusic.com/album/parachutes-mw0000101998 |archive-date=5 June 2012 |url-status=live }}

| rev2 = Alternative Press

| rev2Score = 4/5{{cite journal |title=Coldplay: Parachutes |journal=Alternative Press |issue=149 |date=December 2000 |page=94}}

| rev3 = Entertainment Weekly

| rev3Score = B+{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/article/2000/11/17/parachutes |title=Parachutes |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=17 November 2000 |access-date=25 November 2010 |last=Sullivan |first=James |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403142811/http://www.ew.com/article/2000/11/17/parachutes |archive-date=3 April 2015 |url-status=live }}

| rev4 = Los Angeles Times

| rev4Score = {{Rating|3.5|4}}{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-jan-07-ca-9250-story.html |title='Parachutes' Cushions Coldplay's U.S. Landing |work=Los Angeles Times |date=7 January 2001 |access-date=25 November 2010 |last=Nichols |first=Natalie |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019001641/http://articles.latimes.com/2001/jan/07/entertainment/ca-9250 |archive-date=19 October 2012 |url-status=live}}

| rev5 = NME

| rev5Score = 9/10{{cite journal |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/coldplay/2510 |title=Parachutes |journal=NME |date=4 July 2000 |access-date=25 November 2010 |last=Grogan |first=Siobhan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121228041331/http://www.nme.com/reviews/coldplay/2510 |archive-date=28 December 2012}}

| rev6 = Pitchfork

| rev6Score = 5.3/10{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/1539-parachutes/ |title=Coldplay: Parachutes |work=Pitchfork |date=7 November 2000 |access-date=25 November 2010 |last=Owen |first=Spencer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628132847/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/1539-parachutes/ |archive-date=28 June 2013 |url-status=live }}

| rev7 = Q

| rev7Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite journal |url=http://www.qonline.co.uk:80/reviews/server.asp?id=18927 |title=Coldplay: Parachutes |journal=Q |issue=167 |date=August 2000 |access-date=30 August 2018 |last=Blake |first=Mark |author-link=Mark Blake (writer) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001203111500/http://www.qonline.co.uk/reviews/server.asp?id=18927 |archive-date=3 December 2000 |url-status=dead}}

| rev8 = Rolling Stone

| rev8Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/parachutes-20041004 |title=Parachutes |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=3 October 2000 |access-date=25 November 2010 |last=Diehl |first=Matt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071208140917/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/109811/review/5944377 |archive-date=8 December 2007 |url-status=live}}

| rev9 = The Rolling Stone Album Guide

| rev9Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com:80/music/artist/album/news/artists/8828/55234/55276 |title=Coldplay: Album Guide |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=10 April 2010 |access-date=25 November 2010 |last1=Randall |first1=Mac |last2=Cohen |first2=Jonathan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100724072945/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artist/album/news/artists/8828/55234/55276 |archive-date=24 July 2010 |url-status=dead }}

| rev10 = Uncut

| rev10Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite journal |title=Coldplay: Parachutes |journal=Uncut |issue=39 |date=August 2000 |last=Oldham |first=James}}

}}Parachutes was released to generally favorable reviews from music critics.{{cite book |title=Viva Coldplay: A Biography |year=2010 |publisher=Omnibus |page=[https://archive.org/details/vivacoldplaybiog0000roac/page/62 62] |isbn=978-1-84938-546-6 |last=Roach |first=Martin |url=https://archive.org/details/vivacoldplaybiog0000roac/page/62 }} At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 72, based on 20 reviews.{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/parachutes/coldplay |title=Reviews for Parachutes by Coldplay |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=15 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729060354/http://www.metacritic.com/music/parachutes/coldplay |archive-date=29 July 2012 |url-status=live }} In a contemporary review of the album, Michael Hubbard of musicOMH called it "an album of remarkable depth, especially when one considers the youthful ages of the band members."{{cite web |url=http://www.musicomh.com/albums/coldplay.htm |title=Coldplay – Parachutes (Parlophone) |publisher=MusicOMH |access-date=15 September 2008 |last=Hubbard |first=Michael |work=musicOMH |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050127094736/http://www.musicomh.com/albums/coldplay.htm |archive-date=27 January 2005}} Siobhan Grogan of NME stated that "all told, it's incredible this is a debut album" and concluded that "accomplished, yet subtle, it works perfectly as a whole in a way all the production skills in the world couldn't replicate." Melody Maker hailed Parachutes as a "masterpiece" and "a defining musical statement of 2000", while James Oldham of Uncut felt that the album "more than justifies the plaudits heaped upon [the band] by the weekly music press". The Guardian described the album as "one of the year's most uplifting albums", adding that it features "elegant songs, classic guitars and gorgeous singing".{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/jul/25/10 |title=Ashcroft and Coldplay nominated for Mercury Music Prize |work=The Guardian |date=25 July 2000 |access-date=15 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107042936/http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/jul/25/10 |archive-date=7 January 2014 |url-status=live }}

While noting that Parachutes "brings nothing new to the table" and that its "musical reference points are immediately recognizable and difficult to overlook", Billboard stated that the band "seems talented enough to transcend this early identity crisis."{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/reviews/reviewdisplay.asp?ID=88024 |title=Coldplay: Parachutes |magazine=Billboard |date=18 November 2000 |access-date=5 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001206025100/http://www.billboard.com/reviews/reviewdisplay.asp?ID=88024 |archive-date=6 December 2000}} Matt Diehl of Rolling Stone opined that the album "ultimately rises above its influences to become a work of real transcendence". In a retrospective write-up, MacKenzie Wilson of AllMusic commented that Parachutes introduced the band as "young musicians still honing their sweet harmonies", adding that the album "deserved the accolades it received because it followed the general rule when introducing decent pop songs: keep the emotion genuine and real."

In a less-enthusiastic review, Pitchfork called the album "harmless and pretty... [but] nothing else". Barry Walters, writing in The Village Voice, similarly writes that "there's little on Parachutes that demands attention or punctures the pensive spell, and, unlike Travis's, Coldplay's hooks are slight."{{cite news |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2000-11-07/music/no-hype-to-not-believe/1 |title=No Hype to Not Believe |work=The Village Voice |date=7 November 2000 |access-date=25 November 2010 |last=Walters |first=Barry |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108154428/http://www.villagevoice.com/2000-11-07/music/no-hype-to-not-believe/1/ |archive-date=8 November 2012 |url-status=live }} In his Consumer Guide column for The Village Voice, Robert Christgau selected "Yellow" and "Don't Panic" as "choice cuts",{{cite news |url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cgv201-01.php |title=Pazz & Jop Preview |work=The Village Voice |date=13 February 2001 |access-date=5 January 2016 |last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709040246/http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cgv201-01.php |archive-date=9 July 2015 |url-status=live }} indicating good songs on "an album that isn't worth your time or money."{{cite web |url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/bk-cg90/grades-90s.php |title=Key to Icons |publisher=robertchristgau.com |access-date=5 January 2016 |last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305171308/http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/bk-cg90/grades-90s.php |archive-date=5 March 2012 |url-status=live }} Setareh Yousefi of Stylus Magazine felt that "the finer moments of Parachutes are blended with some boring sappy songs", with Martin's "powerful voice" ultimately being "in many ways wasted on songs that are alright but not bewildering."{{cite web |url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/coldplay/parachutes.htm |title=Coldplay – Parachutes |work=Stylus Magazine |date=1 September 2003 |access-date=25 November 2010 |last=Yousefi |first=Setareh |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629020117/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/coldplay/parachutes.htm |archive-date=29 June 2013 |url-status=live }}

The popularity of the songs in British clubs, pubs and sporting events led Parachutes to debut at number-one in the UK Albums Chart with 70,935 copies sold.{{Cite web |date=13 July 2020 |title=Coldplay's Parachutes: 20 Incredible Chart Facts on Its 20th Anniversary |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/coldplays-parachutes-20-incredible-chart-facts-on-the-albums-20th-anniversary__30198/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220815141843/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/coldplays-parachutes-20-incredible-chart-facts-on-the-albums-20th-anniversary__30198/ |archive-date=15 August 2022 |access-date=15 August 2022 |publisher=Official Charts Company}} Its biggest sales period, however, was during the penultimate week of 2000, when the album sold 170,642 copies and surpassed one million total sales. The record is certified 9× Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry for selling over 2,700,000 copies.{{cite news|url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=31478 |title=Certified awards |publisher=British Phonographic Industry |access-date=27 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007174523/http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=31478 |archive-date=7 October 2008 |url-status=dead }} In July 2011, it climbed from number 184 to number 48 for a 318th charting week.{{cite web |url=http://www.theofficialcharts.com/albums-chart/ |title=Album Top 40 from the Official UK Charts Company |publisher=Theofficialcharts.com |access-date=13 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108182229/http://www.theofficialcharts.com/albums-chart/ |archive-date=8 November 2011 |url-status=live }} As of January 2018, the album remains Coldplay's third biggest in the country, behind A Rush of Blood to the Head (2.9 million) and X&Y (2.7 million).{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Alan|title=Official Chart Analysis: Lana Del Rey album sells 117k, 43% digital|work=Music Week|url=http://www.musicweek.com/businessanalysis/read/official-charts-analysis-coldplay-lp-sells-168k-to-set-2014-pace/058549|access-date=19 December 2017|date=26 May 2014}} In 2022 Parachutes was named as the 10th most successful debut album in UK chart history.{{Cite web |title=BBC Radio 2 reveals UK's biggest debut LPs for National Album Day 2022 |url=https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/bbc-radio-2-reveals-uk-s-biggest-debut-lps-for-national-album-day-2022/086744 |access-date=15 October 2022 |website=Music Week}}

In the United States, Parachutes debuted at number 189 on the Billboard 200 five weeks after its release.{{Cite web |date=20 December 2000 |title=US Chart Entry |url=http://coldplay.com/news/news0000000149.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011020151150/http://coldplay.com/news/news0000000149.shtml |archive-date=20 October 2001 |access-date=7 February 2023 |publisher=Coldplay}} It later peaked at number 51 and reached number one on the Billboard Heatseekers. Over two million copies have been shipped to the United States, leading to being certified 2× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/61877/coldplays-xy-notches-double-platinum|title=Coldplay's 'X&Y' Notches Double Platinum|last=Jeckell|first=Barry A.|date=5 August 2005|magazine=Billboard|access-date=15 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141002035446/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/61877/coldplays-xy-notches-double-platinum|archive-date=2 October 2014|url-status=live}} It was also certified 4× Platinum in Australia by the Australian Recording Industry Association,{{cite news|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-albums-2003.htm|title=ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2003 Albums|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|access-date=15 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207130327/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-albums-2003.htm|archive-date=7 February 2012|url-status=live}} and 2× Platinum in Canada by the Canadian Recording Industry Association.{{cite news|url=http://www.cria.ca/gold/0403_g.php|title=Gold and Platinum Certification|date=April 2003|publisher=Canadian Recording Industry Association|access-date=15 September 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106090017/http://www.cria.ca/gold/0403_g.php|archive-date=6 November 2012}} As of July 2020, Parachutes has sold 31,922 copies on cassette in UK, making it the 33rd best-selling cassette since 2000.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/coldplays-parachutes-20-incredible-chart-facts-on-the-albums-20th-anniversary__30198|title=Coldplay's Parachutes: 20 incredible chart facts on the album's 20th anniversary|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=13 July 2020|access-date=13 July 2020}}

File:Coldplay Yellow.jpg

With nearly 2.7 million units sold in the United Kingdom, Parachutes is the 22nd best-selling album of the 21st century and 45th of all time in the country.{{cite web|last=Copsey|first=Rob|date=4 July 2016|title=The UK's 60 official biggest selling albums of all time revealed|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-uks-60-official-biggest-selling-albums-of-all-time-revealed__15551/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709012251/http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-uks-60-official-biggest-selling-albums-of-all-time-revealed__15551/|archive-date=9 July 2016|access-date=25 December 2016|publisher=Official Charts Company}} It was also shortlisted for the 2000 Mercury Music Prize and the overall era earned the band many awards, including British Album of the Year at the Brit Awards, Best Album at the Q Awards and Best Alternative Music Album at the Grammy Awards.{{cite web|title=Grammy Awards Winners|url=http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/Winners/Results.aspx?title=&winner=Coldplay&year=0&genreID=0&hp=1|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080525233829/http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/Winners/Results.aspx?title=&winner=Coldplay&year=0&genreID=0&hp=1|archive-date=25 May 2008|access-date=15 September 2008|publisher=National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences}}{{cite news|last=Kemp|first=Rob|date=26 February 2001|title=Robbie Williams, U2, Coldplay Dominate Brit Awards|publisher=MTV|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1440978/20010226/williams_robbie.jhtml|url-status=dead|access-date=15 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090101025357/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1440978/20010226/williams_robbie.jhtml|archive-date=1 January 2009}}

British trade paper Music Week, praised it as one of the most-impressive debut albums ever, spawning the hit singles "Shiver", "Trouble" and "Yellow", with the latter getting included in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll" list for being one of the most successful and important recordings in music.{{Cite web|date=28 June 2011|title=Experience The Music: One Hit Wonders and The Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll|url=http://rockhall.com/exhibits/one-hit-wonders-songs-that-shaped-rock-and-roll/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628094517/http://rockhall.com/exhibits/one-hit-wonders-songs-that-shaped-rock-and-roll/|archive-date=28 June 2011|access-date=21 April 2021}}{{Cite web|date=24 June 2020|title='They were a little bit naff' – How Coldplay's 'Yellow' altered the course of 21st-century rock music|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/coldplay-chris-martin-yellow-song-lyrics-rock-music-influence-a9581401.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/coldplay-chris-martin-yellow-song-lyrics-rock-music-influence-a9581401.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=18 May 2021|website=The Independent|location=London}} In 2010, Parachutes was placed in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.{{cite book|first1=Robert|last1=Dimery|title=1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: Revised and Updated Edition|first2=Michael|last2=Lydon|date=23 March 2010|publisher=Universe|isbn=978-0-7893-2074-2}} In 2013, NME ranked it at number 272 on their "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list.{{cite web|date=24 October 2013|title=The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time: 300–201|url=https://www.nme.com/photos/the-500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-300-201-1426482|access-date=17 November 2020|website=NME}}

While making a 20th anniversary review, Jon O' Brien from the Recording Academy labeled it as Coldplay's most influential album to date, impacting on the work of artists such as The Fray, Snow Patrol and OneRepublic. He also mentioned that Parachutes "ushered in a new wave of mild-mannered guitar bands".{{Cite web|date=10 July 2020|others="Snow Patrol had plugged away to little avail for several years before 'Run', a grandiose lighters-in-the-air anthem in the vein of 'Yellow' [...] American bands weren’t immune to Parachutes' power either. You can certainly hear its DNA in the [...] pop-rock of The Fray and the earlier work of hit machine Ryan Tedder’s OneRepublic, for example"|title=Coldplay's 'Parachutes' Turns 20|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/how-coldplays-parachutes-ushered-new-wave-mild-mannered-guitar-bands|access-date=18 May 2021|publisher=National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences}} Despite the album's success, in a 2006 interview Chris Martin said that the band doesn't like it. He also commented that they look beyond: "We know that's terrible music and we always try to think about what we can do next."{{cite news|date=13 July 2006|title=Coldplay's Martin lobbies for fair trade|work=USA Today|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-07-13-coldplay_x.htm|url-status=live|access-date=29 September 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110625053727/http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-07-13-coldplay_x.htm|archive-date=25 June 2011}}

All tracks are written by Coldplay, with co-production from Ken Nelson, except where noted.

{{Track listing

| headline = Parachutes track listing

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title_width = 50%

| extra_width = 50%

| title1 = Don't Panic

| length1 = 2:17

| title2 = Shiver

| length2 = 4:59

| title3 = Spies

| length3 = 5:18

| title4 = Sparks

| length4 = 3:47

| title5 = Yellow

| length5 = 4:29

| title6 = Trouble

| length6 = 4:30

| title7 = Parachutes

| length7 = 0:46

| title8 = High Speed

| length8 = 4:14

| extra8 = Chris Allison

| title9 = We Never Change

| length9 = 4:09

| title10 = Everything's Not Lost

| length10 = 7:15

| total_length = 41:25

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Japanese edition bonus tracks

| title11 = Careful Where You Stand

| length11 = 4:45

| title12 = For You

| length12 = 5:42

| total_length = 51:52

}}

Notes

• "Everything's Not Lost" contains the hidden track "Life Is for Living", which begins at 5:39.
• "Life Is for Living" is located in the pre-gap of "Careful Where You Stand" on the Japanese edition.

Credits adapted from the album's CD liner notes.{{Cite AV media |title=Parachutes|author=Coldplay|year=2000|publisher=Parlophone|location=Europe|type=CD liner notes|id=7243 5 27783 2 4}}

{{div col}}

Coldplay

• Chris Martin – lead vocals, acoustic guitar, piano, keyboards
• Jonny Buckland – electric guitar; vocals ("Don't Panic"); piano ("Sparks")
• Guy Berryman – bass guitar
• Will Champion – drums, percussion, backing vocals

Technical

• Ken Nelson – production {{small|(except "High Speed")}}; engineering
• Coldplay – production {{small|(except "High Speed")}}
• Chris Allison – production, engineering, mixing {{small|("High Speed")}}
• Andrea Wright – engineering assistant
• Jon Coles – engineering assistant
• Paul Read – engineering assistant
• Simon Barnicott – engineering assistant
• Mark Phythian – computer magic
• Michael H. Brauer – mixing
• George Marino – mastering {{small|(at Sterling Sound)}}

Additional personnel

• Phil Harvey – management
• Dan Keeling – A&R
• Coldplay – design, cover photograph
• Mark Tappin – design assistant {{small|(at Blue Source)}}
• Tom Sheehan – photography
• Sarah Lee – photography

{{div col end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

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

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Argentina|award=Platinum|title=Parachutes|artist=Coldplay|type=album|relyear=2000|certyear=2000|certref={{cite web|url=http://www.capif.org.ar/default.asp?CodOp=OROP&CO=1 |title=Oros y Platinos |publisher=Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas |access-date=15 May 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20051128051040/http://www.capif.org.ar/default.asp?CodOp=OROP&CO=1 |archive-date=28 November 2005 |language=es}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|award=Platinum|number=4|title=Parachutes|artist=Coldplay|type=album|relyear=2000|certyear=2024|access-date=16 April 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|award=Platinum|title=Parachutes|number=2|artist=Coldplay|type=album|relyear=2000|access-date=28 May 2020|certyear=2006}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|award=Platinum|number=2|title=Parachutes|artist=Coldplay|type=album|relyear=2000|access-date=27 June 2012}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|award=Platinum|number=5|title=Parachutes|artist=Coldplay|type=album|relyear=2000|certyear=2024|id=14701|access-date=4 December 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|award=Gold|number=2|title=Parachutes|artist=Coldplay|type=album|relyear=2000|access-date=27 June 2012|certyear=2003}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|award=Gold|title=Parachutes|artist=Coldplay|type=album|relyear=2000|access-date=27 June 2012}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Iceland|title=Parachutes|artist=Coldplay|type=album|award=Gold|salesamount=6,000|salesref=|certref={{Cite web|url=https://www.mbl.is/folk/frettir/2001/08/24/kvoddu_klakann_sattir/ |work=Morgunblaðið |language=is|access-date=30 December 2021 |title=Kvöddu klakann sáttir|date=16 December 2011 }}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|award=Platinum|number=2|type=album|relyear=2000|artist=Coldplay|title=Parachutes|certyear=2024|note=Sales since 2009|id=13504|access-date=November 5, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Netherlands|title=Parachutes|artist=Coldplay|type=album|award=Platinum|relyear=2000|certyear=2001|access-date=23 August 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|award=Platinum|number=2|title=Parachutes|artist=Coldplay|type=album|id=2001-11-23|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|relyear=2000}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Norway|type=album|title=Parachutes|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|relyear=2000|certyear=2001|access-date=28 December 2020}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|type=album|artist=Coldplay|title=Parachutes|award=Platinum|relyear=2000|certyear=2021|date=7 April 2021|access-date=7 April 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|award=Gold|title=Parachutes|artist=Coldplay|type=album|relyear=2000|access-date=6 September 2024|certyear=2001}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|award=Platinum|title=Parachutes|artist=Coldplay|type=album|relyear=2000|access-date=27 June 2012|certyear=2001}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|award=Gold|title=Parachutes|artist=Coldplay|type=album|relyear=2000|access-date=27 June 2012}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|award=Platinum|number=9|title=Parachutes|artist=Coldplay|type=album|relyear=2000|id=4991-1754-2|access-date=14 July 2020|salesamount=2,780,836|salesref={{cite magazine|url=https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/coldplay-s-music-of-the-spheres-tops-100k-first-week-sales/084441|title=Coldplay's Music of the Spheres tops 100k first-week sales|access-date=24 October 2021|date=22 October 2021|magazine=Music Week}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Platinum|number=2|title=Parachutes|artist=Coldplay|type=album|relyear=2000|access-date=27 June 2012}}

{{Certification Table Summary}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Europe|award=Platinum|number=4|title=Parachutes|artist=Coldplay|type=album|relyear=2000|certyear=2006|access-date=27 June 2012}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

• 2000 in British music
• List of best-selling albums in the United Kingdom
• List of number-one albums in Norway
• List of UK Albums Chart number ones of the 2000s

{{Reflist}}

Cited works

• {{cite book|last=Roach|first=Martin|title=Coldplay: Nobody Said it was Easy|publisher=Omnibus |year=2003|isbn=0-7119-9810-8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wObCJcLREWoC|access-date=9 September 2008}}

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

{{Coldplay}}

{{Coldplay songs}}

{{Navboxes

| title = Awards for Parachutes

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Category:2000 debut albums

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