Coldplay has some major similarities to The Beatles, such as the group’s refusal to be pinned down to one genre. Chris Martin said Coldplay’s Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends drew inspiration from the Fab Four. Also, Coldplay worked with a classic rock icon to create the album.
Coldplay’s ‘Viva la Vida’ includes a tip of the hat to The Beatles’ ‘Abbey Road’
During a 2008 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Coldplay’s Chris Martin said he didn’t want to refer to “Violet Hill,” a song from Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, as a single. “We don’t really like that word,” says Martin. “This isn’t our ‘Umbrella’ … it’s [just] our first attempt at a protest song.” It’s interesting that Martin distanced the song from Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” as his band would later work with her on “Princess of China.”
Martin revealed the title of “Violet Hill” was inspired by The Beatles. “It’s our little nod to them,” said Martin. “Violet Hill is a street near Abbey Road.”
The similarities between The Beatles’ music and “Violet Hill” extend beyond the title. “Violet Hill” has a plodding beat reminiscent of The Beatles’ 1990s single “Free as a Bird.” “Violet Hill” is also an anti-war song, which puts it in the same tradition as classic John Lennon compositions such as “Revolution,” “Give Peace a Chance,” and “Happy Xmas (War Is Over).”
Chris Martin said the band was controversial during the ‘Viva la Vida’ era
During the interview, Martin said Coldplay received a mixed reception at that time. “I could walk down the street and get a handshake one minute — then spat at the next,” he said. “I’m never sure whether to wear gloves or a helmet.”