The British-born hit-maker and frontman for the popular group Coldplay, Chris Martin burst onto the scene in 2000 with the album, Parachutes. That LP featured the song, “Yellow,” and suddenly a star was born.
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Coldplay followed that album up with its 2002 masterpiece A Rush of Blood to the Head, which featured songs like “The Scientist” and “Clocks.” Since then, Coldplay has put out seven more records, including the band’s most recent, Music of the Spheres, in 2022.
But while the 46-year-old Martin is known for the albums and songs he’s penned for his band, the artist has also written several songs for other big-name artists, including Jin and OneRepublic.
Here are three songs you likely didn’t know Chris Martin wrote for other artists.
1. “The Astronaut,” Jin
Written by Guy Berryman, Buckland, Will Champion, Chris Martin, Kygo, Jin, Moses Martin
When the South Korean BTS star went solo, “The Astronaut” was his debut single. The song, released in 2022, was written by Coldplay and Jin. The two had collaborated with BTS previously on the K-Pop song, “My Universe.” Also part of the process was Martin’s son, Moses. The song, as most great pop tracks are, is about love and loss and the feelings of the one. Sings Jin on the bilingual song,
When I’m with you
There is no one else
I get heaven to myself
When I’m with you
There is no one else
I feel this way I’ve never felt
2. “Better,” OneRepublic
Written by Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, Chris Martin, Ryan Tedder, K’naan, Brent Kutzle, Noel Zancanella
Released in 2016 on the album, Oh My My, this restrained pop song features quick-tongued lyrics and a strong beat. It’s a pop hit, to be sure, and Martin is one of the many hands working the stew. Sings the Colorado-born OneRepublic, a group featuring standout songwriter Ryan Tedder,
I don’t set alarms
Lately I don’t set alarms
But that’s because of the ringing that’s happening inside my head
Inside my head
Yeah yeah
It keeps me safe from harm
At least I tell myself I’m safe from harm
But really it’s probably filling my dreams with dread
So I get out of bed
Yeah yeah
Yes I’m neurotic I’m obsessed and I know it
I can’t take vacations and the brain won’t believe me I’m on one
Hawaii under warm sun
Yeah yeah
3. “Homecoming,” Kanye West
Written by Kanye West, Chris Martin, Tony Williams, Baby Dubb
This song was born after a chance meeting between Martin and super producer Kanye West. The two met at the Abbey Road Studios in London in 2006, which led to a jam session. That session led to this song, “Homecoming,” which the two recorded together not long after first meeting.
Amazingly, the song, upon its release on West’s album, Graduation, met with some criticism. Naysayers complained that Martin wasn’t the typical voice for a rap song and that the two aren’t from the same hometown. Nevertheless, the song, which was co-written by West and Martin, features the two vocalists. Sings Martin to open the track,
I’m coming home again
Do you think about me now and then?
Do you think about me now and then?
‘Cause I’m coming home again
Photo by Stevie Rae Gibbs / Atlantic Records
