Princess of China

File:Rihanna 2, 2012.jpg

"Princess of China" was written by Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, Brian Eno and Chris Martin. The production of the song was helmed by Markus Dravs, Dan Green and Rik Simpson.{{cite AV media notes|author=Coldplay|title=Mylo Xyloto|year=2011|type= inlay cover|publisher= EMI Records}} During the recording sessions for their fifth studio album Mylo Xyloto, the frontman of Coldplay, Chris Martin confirmed the band had recorded a song with Barbadian recording artist Rihanna.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/rihanna/332836-rihanna-new-single-calvin-harris-we-found-love-coldplay|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923203514/http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/rihanna/332836-rihanna-new-single-calvin-harris-we-found-love-coldplay|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 September 2011|title=Rihanna Teases New Single 'We Found Love' On Twitter?|publisher=MTV UK. Viacom|date=2011-09-20|access-date=2011-09-20}} Martin explained that the song was specifically written for Rihanna to be featured on, and hoped that she would like it enough to want to lend her vocals to the track, while further stating, "In like a dream scenario, we had a song that I'd secretly kind of written to see if Rihanna would want to sing it ... and then the rest of the band wanted to keep it, so we came up with the idea of asking her to sing it with us, and, to our great surprise, she said okay". Martin also explained how he approached the singer about collaborating on the song, saying, "The album [Mylo Xyloto] is designed as a whole piece. It has boy and girl lead characters and top of our list for the girl part was Rihanna, but it took a while to pluck up the courage to ask her. We did a show in Las Vegas and I met her and said, 'Do you think there's any chance?' I was very Hugh Grant-like and spluttering about it."{{cite news|last=Lee|first=Ann|url=http://www.metro.co.uk/music/878806-coldplay-and-rihanna-duet-princess-of-china-debuts-online-to-twitter-hype|title=Coldplay and Rihanna duet Princess of China debuts online to Twitter hype|work=Metro|publisher=Associated Newspapers Ltd|date=2011-10-16|access-date=2011-10-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019193942/http://www.metro.co.uk/music/878806-coldplay-and-rihanna-duet-princess-of-china-debuts-online-to-twitter-hype|archive-date=19 October 2011|url-status=dead}}

The song was mixed by Mark Spike Stent, Rik Simpson, Daniel Green and Michael Brauer. In an interview with MTV News Martin confirmed that the "Princess of China" is the band's favourite song on the album because of how it differs from their previous efforts in terms of genre and musical direction. When asked if fans would unite and react favourably to the song, Martin expressed that he was not concerned with how it would be received, and noted that Rihanna is always pushing the boundaries of the music industry.{{cite news|last=Lee|first=Ann|url=http://www.metro.co.uk/music/876022-chris-martin-rihanna-duet-princess-of-china-is-best-bit-of-mylo-xyloto|title=Chris Martin: Rihanna duet Princess of China is best bit of Mylo Xyloto|work=Metro|publisher=Associated Newspapers Ltd|date=2011-09-20|access-date=2011-09-21|archive-date=5 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105133853/http://www.metro.co.uk/music/876022-chris-martin-rihanna-duet-princess-of-china-is-best-bit-of-mylo-xyloto|url-status=dead}}

On 21 September 2011, reports surfaced online that Will Champion, who plays the drums in the band, had expressed interest in singing the lyrics that were ultimately delegated to Rihanna.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/coldplay-drummer-wanted-rihannas-vocal-2358497.html|title=Coldplay drummer wanted Rihanna's vocal|work=The Independent|publisher=Independent Print Limited|date=2011-09-21|access-date=2011-09-21|location=London}} Martin dispelled the suggestion that there was any tension between the bandmates and Rihanna, saying, "There's a bit of a love story thread so we really needed someone to sing higher than me. For all Will's good intentions, he can't do it. You need to be female."

"Princess of China" premiered on Dutch radio on 16 October 2011 and was later uploaded to the band's official VEVO account on YouTube, but it was removed by their record label, EMI. The song was made available to purchase via digital download on 25 October 2011.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/princess-of-china/471339278?i=471339674|title=Mylo Xylto by Coldplay|publisher=Apple Music|date=2011-10-25|access-date=2022-05-15|archive-date=15 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515062353/https://music.apple.com/us/album/princess-of-china/471339278?i=471339674|url-status=dead}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/coldplays-paradise-video-stars-globe-trotting-elephant-465620/|title=Coldplay's 'Paradise' Video Stars Globe-Trotting Elephant|magazine=Billboard|date=2011-10-19|access-date=2022-05-15}}

{{Listen|filename=Coldplay - Princess of China (featuring Rihanna).ogg|title=Princess of China|description=Sample of "Princess of China" from Coldplay's 2011 album Mylo Xyloto.}}

"Princess of China" is influenced by the music genres of electronic rock,{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2011/10/24/album_coldplay_returns_to_safer_ground.html|title=Album: Coldplay returns to safer ground|work=Toronto Star|first=Ben|last=Rayner|date=24 October 2011|access-date=13 January 2015}} electropop,Reviews deeming the song's genre electropop:

• {{cite news|last=McCormick|first=Neil|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/cdreviews/8838871/Coldplay-Mylo-Xyloto-CD-review.html|title=Coldplay: Mylo Xyloto, CD review|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=2011-10-20|access-date=2011-10-25|location=London}}
• {{cite web|last=Sciarretto|first=Amy|url=http://popcrush.com/coldplay-princess-of-china-rihanna/|title=Coldplay, 'Princess of China' feat. Rihanna – Song Review|publisher=Popcrush|date=2011-10-17|access-date=2011-10-17}}
• {{cite news|last=Manning|first=Kara|url=http://www.state.ie/35249-album-reviews/coldplay-mylo-xyloto|title=Coldplay – Mylo Xyloto|work=State|publisher=Roger Woolman|date=2011-10-24|access-date=2011-10-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027200044/http://www.state.ie/35249-album-reviews/coldplay-mylo-xyloto|archive-date=27 October 2011|url-status=dead}}
• {{cite news|first=Alexis|last=Petridis|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/oct/20/coldplay-mylo-xyloto-review|title=Coldplay: Mylo Xyloto – review|work=The Guardian|publisher=Guardian News and Media|date=2011-10-20|access-date=2011-10-26|location=London}} and R&B.{{cite web|last=Corner|first=Lewis|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/music/album-reviews/a346366/coldplay-mylo-xyloto-album-review/|title=Coldplay: 'Mylo Xyloto' – Album review|website=Digital Spy|date=2011-10-24|access-date=2022-05-15}}{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2011/10/17/rihanna-coldplay-princess-of-china/|title=Coldplay's Chris Martin on 'Princess of China' guest Rihanna: 'She's a much, much better singer than me'|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|first=Kyle|last=Anderson|date=2011-10-17|access-date=2011-10-26}} The song starts with a sample of Sigur Rós' "Takk...", which is also featured throughout the song. As noted by Amy Sciarretto of Popcrush, it features a "moody" and heavy synth throughout the duration of the song, which resembles Depeche Mode's intro to It's No Good.{{cite news|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-coldplay-12383-307808|title=Coldplay feat. Rihanna, 'Princess of China' – Review|work=NME|date=2011-10-17|access-date=2022-05-15}} The song also prominently features both Martin's and Rihanna's falsetto register, which was praised by multiple critics. Gil Kaufman of MTV News noted that both of the vocalists' falsettos matched each other perfectly, and that Martin's falsetto complemented Rihanna's higher register.{{cite news|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1672622/coldplay-rihanna-princess-of-china/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130004253/http://www.mtv.com/news/1672622/coldplay-rihanna-princess-of-china/|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 January 2017|title=Coldplay/Rihanna Duet 'Princess of China' Leaks Online|work=MTV News|date=2011-10-17|access-date=2022-05-15}} Judah Joseph of The Huffington Post gave an explanation of the song's composition as part of his review, writing "The best way to describe the composition behind 'Princess of China' is to compare it to an old-school Zelda {{sic|Gameboy}} game's sound effects – but in the best way. The song is epic, Asia-influenced, and it exemplifies the adventurous vibe that comes from an alternative-hip-hop combination."{{cite news|last=Joseph|first=Judah|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/review-of-coldplays-mylo-_b_1024537|title=Review of Coldplay's Mylo Xyloto|work=HuffPost|date=2011-10-23|access-date=2022-05-15}} According to the sheet music published on Musicnotes.com by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, the song is written in the time signature of common time, and is composed in the key of A minor with a tempo of 84 beats per minute.{{cite web |title=Princess of China |year=2011 |url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0098054 |website=Musicnotes|last1=Martin|first1=Chris|last2=Fenty|first2=Robyn}} The song follows a basic sequence of Am₇–C–Dm/F–G₆ as its chord progression.

"Princess of China" received mixed reviews from music critics. A reviewer for NME commented that "Princess of China" is an attempt to sound as pop-oriented as possible and compared the effort to one of Coldplay's previous singles, "Viva la Vida", writing, "Well, if you can get beyond the outrageously chart-hungry intro – that glossy synth sound wouldn't sound out of place on a Taio Cruz album – it's actually kind of awesome. For all the poppy surface sheen, this is a song with surprisingly hefty balls, possessed of a pounding momentum that recalls 'Viva La Vida{{'}}." Josh Eells said, in his review of the album for Rolling Stone, that "Princess of China" is a ballad about loss and regret, co-starring Rihanna. It's a partnership that probably came together over champagne brunch at Jay-Z's, but its synth-fuzz groove is offhandedly seductive."{{cite magazine|author=Josh Eells |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/mylo-xyloto-192273/ |title=Mylo Xyloto |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=2011-10-17 |access-date=2022-05-15}}

Robbie Daw of Idolator praised the collaboration, writing "the marriage of Chris Martin and [Rihanna]'s vocals is a solid one", but noted that he was not sure what to expect.{{cite web|last=Daw|first=Robbie|url=http://idolator.com/6046612/coldplay-rihanna-princess-of-china-listen|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103052350/http://idolator.com/6046612/coldplay-rihanna-princess-of-china-listen|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 January 2013|title=Coldplay & Rihanna 'Princess of China': Listen|publisher=Idolator. Buzz Media|date=2011-10-17|access-date=2011-10-25}} Judah Joseph of The Huffington Post praised the song, calling it a "collaborative monster", and noted that the song was likely to be chosen as a single to gain airplay and because "it is simply too good". Neil McCormick of The Daily Telegraph reviewed the song favourably, and labelled the collaboration as "effective", writing "the richly textured backing bringing out interesting nuances in her sweet but tough vocal, but it is the very English soulfulness of Martin himself that really adds depth to Coldplay." Jason Lipshutz, of Billboard, called the song "the most epic breakup song in recent memory: after Chris Martin warbles, "Once upon a time, we fell apart/You hold it in your hands, like two-halves in your heart," the verse is washed away in a sea of sinister synthesizer and pounding "Woh-oh-oh's".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/coldplay-rihanna-collaboration-princess-of-china-leaks-online-listen-465740/ |title=Coldplay-Rihanna Collaboration, 'Princess of China,' Leaks Online: Listen |magazine=Billboard|date=2009-09-14 |access-date=2022-05-15}} Mark Hogan of Spin gave a mixed review of the song, writing that although the song is "inoffensive", it is not "inspiring".{{cite news|last=Hogan|first=Mark|url=https://www.spin.com/2011/10/hear-chris-martin-dump-rihanna-coldplays-princess-china/|title=Hear Chris Martin Dump Rihanna in Coldplay's 'Princess of China'|work=Spin|date=2011-10-17|access-date=2011-10-25}}

Upon the release of Mylo Xyloto, "Princess of China" debuted at its peak of number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2011-11-12/hot-100?order=gainer|title=Hot 100 – Biggest Jump|magazine=Billboard|access-date= 2012-08-08}} The song sold 105,000 digital copies in its first week and debuted at number eight on Hot Digital Songs for the chart issue dated 12 November 2011.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/coldplay-claims-third-no-1-album-on-billboard-200-chart-465368/|title=Coldplay Claims Third No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart|magazine=Billboard|date=2011-11-02|access-date=2012-08-08|last=Caulfield|first=Keith}} However, the next week it fell 56 places to number 76, representing the biggest fall for the week.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2011-11-19/hot-100?order=drop|title=Hot 100 – Biggest Fall|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=2012-08-08}} The single re-entered the US Billboard Hot 100 on 11 February 2012 at number 98, following the announcement that Rihanna and Coldplay are set to perform the song together at the 54th Grammy Awards.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-02-11/hot-100?order=gainer|title=Hot 100 – Biggest Jump|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2012-08-08}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/465368/coldplay-claims-third-no-1-album-on-billboard-200-chart|title=Rihanna, Coldplay, Paul McCartney Added To Grammys Lineup|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=2012-01-19|access-date=2012-08-08|last=Lipshutz|first=Jason}} The next week it fell off the chart again, before re-entering again on 25 February 2012 at number 75.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-02-25/hot-100?order=gainer|title=Hot 100 – Biggest Jump|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2012-08-08}} The single became Coldplay's fifth and Rihanna's twentieth top-twenty song in the US.{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=coldplay|chart=Hot 100}}|title=Coldplay Album & Song Chart History – Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2012-08-08}}{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=rihanna|chart=Hot 100}}|title=Rihanna Album & Song Chart History – Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2012-08-08}} "Princess of China" debuted at number 39 on the US Pop Songs for the issue dated 14 February 2012{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-01-14/pop-songs?order=gainer|title=Pop Songs – Biggest Jump|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=2012-08-08}} and later managed to peak at number 24 on 31 March 2012.{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=coldplay|chart=Pop Songs B}}|title=Coldplay Album & Song Chart History – Pop Songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2012-08-08}} "Princess of China" debuted at its peak of number 17 on the Canadian Hot 100 on 12 November 2011 based solely on digital downloads.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2011-11-12/canadian-hot-100?order=gainer|title=Canadian Hot 100 – Biggest Jump|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=2012-08-08}} The next week it dropped to number 41 before falling of the chart.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2011-11-19/canadian-hot-100?order=drop|title=Canadian Hot 100 Week of November 19, 2011|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=2012-08-08}}

The song entered the UK Singles Chart at number 33 on 5 November 2011, after the release of Mylo Xyloto.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/Princess+Of+China+ft+Rihanna|title=The Official Charts Company - Princess of China ft Rihanna by Coldplay Search|date=6 May 2013|publisher=The Official Charts Company}} The next week it dropped to number 49 before falling of the chart. "Princess of China" re-entered the chart on 19 May 2012 at number 61. After five weeks, the single reached its peak of number 4 and stayed on the position for one week. The song has sold 475,000 copies in the UK in 2012, and was ranked No. 25 in the year's best-selling single list.{{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-biggest-selling-singles-of-2012-revealed-1784/ |title=The Official Top 40 Biggest Selling Singles Of 2012 revealed! |author=Dan Lane |publisher=Official Charts Company |date=2 January 2013|access-date=5 January 2013}} As of February 2016, the single has sold 560,000 copies in the UK, marking it Coldplay's 4th biggest-selling single in the country.

"Princess of China" made its singles chart debut in Ireland and the Wallonia region of Belgium on 28 October 2011. In Ireland, the song debuted at number 22, which meant that Rihanna had four different songs from four different albums, including two of her own, in the top forty of the chart, with "We Found Love" (Talk That Talk, 2011) featuring Calvin Harris at number one, "Princess of China" (Mylo Xyloto, 2011) at number 22, "Fly" (Pink Friday, 2010) with Nicki Minaj at number 30 and "Cheers (Drink to That)" (Loud, 2010) at number 39.{{cite web|url=http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240001&arch=t&lyr=2011&year=2011&week=43|title=Top 50 Singles, Week Ending 27 October 2011|publisher=Chart-Track. Irish Recorded Music Association|date=2011-10-28|access-date=2011-10-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303191929/http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240001&arch=t&lyr=2011&year=2011&week=43|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=dead}} In the Wallonia region of Belgium, the song debuted at number 45 on the singles chart.{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/fr/showitem.asp?interpret=Coldplay+feat%2E+Rihanna&titel=Princess+Of+China&cat=s|title=Coldplay feat. Rihanna – Princess of China (Song)|publisher=Ulatratop|access-date=2011-10-28|language=fr}}{{dead link|date=January 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} In Denmark, the song debuted at number 17 on 4 November 2011. The song re-entered the chart at number 20 on 15 June 2012 and reached its peak of seven after two weeks. It stayed for a total of 10 weeks on the chart. "Princess of China" debuted and peaked at number 14 for one week on the Finnish Singles Chart. In Germany, the song debuted at number 97 in May 2012.{{cite web|title=Single – Coldplay feat. Rihanna, Princess of China|url=http://www.officialcharts.de/song.asp?artist=Coldplay+feat.+Rihanna&title=Princess+Of+China&cat=s&country=de|publisher=Media Control Charts|language=de|access-date=2012-05-09}}{{dead link|date=December 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

The video was filmed in March 2012 in Los Angeles. It was directed by Adria Petty and Alan Bibby. Rihanna described her look in the video as "gangsta goth geisha".{{cite tweet|user=TaikoCenterLA|number=182733227126030337|title=Taiko Center of LA shooting music video with Coldplay and Rihanna Mar 22 & 23 for "China Princess"|author=Taiko Center L.A.|date=March 22, 2012|access-date=May 15, 2022}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2012/03/23/rihanna-goes-gangsta-goth-geisha-in-coldplay-video/ |title=Rihanna Goes 'Gangsta Goth Geisha' in Coldplay Video |publisher=Rap-Up.com |date=2012-03-23 |access-date=2012-08-13}} Starting from 17 April 2012, a tour edition of the video started playing behind the band as they perform the song during their North American leg of their Mylo Xyloto Tour.{{cite web|author=xlr8edrihanna101 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdZdCH2wdSY |title=Princess of China – Coldplay Ft. Rihanna (Music Video Preview) |publisher=YouTube |access-date=2012-08-13}}{{cite news|url=http://vimeo.com/40971940|title=Coldplay's 'Princess of China' music video, featuring Rihanna|work=vimeo|publisher=wes waldren|date=24 April 2012}} The tour version of the video shows Rihanna wearing two different costumes and golden nail guards as she performs a choreography with her arms in front of a background with colorful effects. It contains visual references to various Chinese wuxia films, including Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and Zhang Yimou's Hero, House of Flying Daggers and Curse of the Golden Flower.

It was confirmed that the full video would be finished by the third week of May 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1684017/coldplay-rihanna-princess-of-china-video/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171101193529/http://www.mtv.com/news/1684017/coldplay-rihanna-princess-of-china-video/|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 November 2017|title=Coldplay, Rihanna's Official 'Princess of China' Video Due in May |publisher=MTV|date=2012-04-27 |access-date=2022-05-15}} During the second week of May, Coldplay released sketch drawings as teasers of "Princess of China" video. On 14 May 2012, Coldplay and Rihanna released a behind the scenes video of "Princess of China" via VEVO and their own YouTube channels. The video was officially released on 2 June 2012.

The video portrays Chris Martin and Rihanna as lovers with a complicated story.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/coldplay-explore-martial-arts-in-princess-of-china-66032/|title=Coldplay Explore Martial Arts in 'Princess of China'|magazine=Rolling Stone|publisher=Rolling Stone Magazine|date=4 June 2012|access-date=15 May 2022|archive-date=15 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515060851/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/coldplay-explore-martial-arts-in-princess-of-china-66032/|url-status=dead}} In one of the scenes Martin and Rihanna are seen kneeling in a desert, with their foreheads touching each other, as they bemoan the loss of their love. The scene then becomes violent as they engage in a sword-fight. The video closes on scenes of Chris Martin seated on a throne watching Rihanna dance with a red coloured drape surrounded by female dancers kneeling down and men beating the drums.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1686342/rihanna-coldplay-princess-of-china-video/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008062738/http://www.mtv.com/news/1686342/rihanna-coldplay-princess-of-china-video/|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 October 2021|title=Chris Martin, Rihanna Are Deadly Ninjas In 'Princess of China' Video|publisher=MTV|author=Jocelyn Vena|date=2 June 2012|access-date=15 May 2022}} At one point, Rihanna's hair was pinned up with chopsticks, and she is also depicted as a multi-armed goddess.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2012/03/23/rihanna-goes-gangsta-goth-geisha-in-coldplay-video/|title=Rihanna Goes 'Gangsta Goth Geisha' in Coldplay Video|website=Rap-Up|date=2012-03-23}}

Coldplay and Rihanna performed an acoustic version "Princess of China" for the first time at the 54th Grammy Awards, held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. They performed the song in a medley with "We Found Love" and "Paradise".{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1679090/grammys-2012-rihanna-coldplay-performance/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150116110952/http://www.mtv.com/news/1679090/grammys-2012-rihanna-coldplay-performance/|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 January 2015|title=Rihanna Turns Grammy Stage into A Rave, With Coldplay Assist|website=MTV News|last=Mitchell|first=John|date=2012-02-12|access-date=2022-05-15}} Starting from 17 April 2012, the song was also performed during Coldplay's Mylo Xyloto Tour with Rihanna on screen.

Coldplay and Rihanna performed "Princess of China" together live at Coldplay's Paris show at Stade De France on 2 September 2012. They also performed "Umbrella" during Encore. They once again performed "Princess of China " at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Summer Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium in London on 9 September 2012.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Digital download

| title1 = Princess of China

| length1 = 3:39

| note1 = Radio edit

| title2 = Princess of China

| length2 = 3:49

| note2 = Invisible Men remix

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = EP{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Princess-of-China/dp/B0087DB75O/ |title=Princess of China: Coldplay & Rihanna |publisher=Amazon|access-date=2012-08-13}}{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/de/album/princess-of-china-ep/id529169487 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723084748/http://itunes.apple.com/de/album/princess-of-china-ep/id529169487 |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 July 2012 |title= "Princess of China – EP" von Coldplay & Rihanna |work=Apple Music |access-date=2012-08-13}}

| title1 = Princess of China

| length1 = 3:39

| note1 = Radio edit

| title2 = Princess of China

| length2 = 3:46

| note2 = Invisible Men remix

| title3 = Paradise

| length3 = 4:46

| note3 = Tiësto remix

| title4 = Princess of China

| length4 = 3:26

| note4 = Acoustic

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = EU promotional single{{Cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Coldplay-Rihanna-Princess-Of-China/release/3547932|title = Coldplay & Rihanna – Princess of China (2012, CD)|website = Discogs}}

| title1 = Princess of China

| length1 = 3:35

| note1 = Radio edit

| title2 = Princess of China

| length2 = 3:49

| note2 = Invisible Men remix

| title3 = Princess of China

| length3 = 3:59

| note3 = Album version

| title4 = Princess of China

| length4 = 3:59

| note4 = Instrumental

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = US promotional single{{Cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Coldplay-Rihanna-Princess-Of-China/release/3926901|title = Coldplay & Rihanna – Princess of China (2012, CDR)|website = Discogs}}

| title1 = Princess of China

| length1 = 5:06

| note1 = Andre Sobota Remix

| title2 = Princess of China

| length2 = 3:49

| note2 = Invisible Men Remix

| title3 = Princess of China

| length3 = 3:31

| note3 = Kat Krazy Remix

| title4 = Princess of China

| length4 = 4:49

| note4 = Kat Krazy Extended Mix

}}

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Personnel

• Chris Martin ― lead vocals, keyboards, acoustic guitar
• Jonny Buckland - lead guitar, keyboards
• Guy Berryman - bass guitar, keyboards
• Will Champion - electronic drums
• Rihanna ― featured vocals
• Markus Dravs, Daniel Green, Rik Simpson ― production
• Kuk Harrell – vocal producer for Rihanna
• Davide Rossi – strings
• Spike Stent – mix engineer
• Bob Ludwig – mastering engineer
• Tappin Gofton – graphic design
• Paris and Coldplay – album art

Video credits{{cite news|url=http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/2012/coldplay-princess-of-china-rihanna|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140913093747/http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/2012/coldplay-princess-of-china-rihanna|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 September 2014|title=Coldplay "Princess of China" Rihanna ― The Inspiration Room|work=aWHITELABELproduct|date=2012-06-08|access-date=2014-09-13}}

• Adria Petty, Alan Bibby ― direction
• Sheira Rees-Davies ― executive producer
• Clark Jackson ― line producer
• Maura Naughton ― post producer
• Stéphane Vallée ― direction of photography
• Hi-Hat ― choreographing
• Annie Sperling ― production designer

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Costume design

• Mel Ottenburg (Rihanna)
• Lauren Bradley (Chris Martin)
• Ivy Jarrin (background talent)
• Joe Gawler and Zak Tucker @ Harbor Picture Company ― color correction
• Copa Network (Vico Sharabani, Yfat Neev, Steve Reiss) ― visual effects
• QuietMan (Johnnie Semerad, Carey Gattyan, Anthony Ferrara) ― visual effects
• Akiko Iwakawa @ Cut+Run ― editional
• Ashley Carrier ― production
• Rana Martin ― executive producer

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{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Princess of China"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2012|title=Princess of China|artist=Coldplay & Rihanna|certyear=2012|access-date=November 18, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Denmark|artist=Coldplay & Rihanna|title=Princess of China|award=Gold|certyear=2012|relyear=2012|id=6679|relmonth=2|access-date=October 11, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Italy|artist=Coldplay & Rihanna|title=Princess of China|award=Platinum|certyear=2012|relyear=2012}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|type=single|artist=Coldplay & Rihanna|title=Princess of China|access-date=11 January 2014|relyear=2012|award=Gold}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=New Zealand|artist=Coldplay & Rihanna|title=Princess of China|award=Gold|certyear=2012|id=2012-09-07|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|relyear=2012}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|artist=Coldplay & Rihanna|title=Princess of China|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2011|certyear=2024|access-date=10 January 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=United Kingdom|artist=Coldplay & Rihanna|title=Princess of China|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2011|certyear=2024|id=8856-2425-1|access-date=16 August 2024}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

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• List of UK top-ten singles in 2012

{{Reflist}}

{{Coldplay songs}}

{{Rihanna songs}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2011 songs

Category:2012 singles

Category:Coldplay songs

Category:Rihanna songs

Category:Electronic rock songs

Category:Electropop songs

Category:British contemporary R&B songs

Category:Song recordings produced by Markus Dravs

Category:Song recordings produced by Rik Simpson

Category:Songs written by Brian Eno

Category:Songs written by Chris Martin

Category:Songs written by Guy Berryman

Category:Songs written by Jonny Buckland

Category:Songs written by Will Champion

Category:Male–female vocal duets

Category:Songs about China

Category:Capitol Records singles

Category:Parlophone singles