Clocks

Clocks, third single taken from A Rush Of Blood To The Head, went on sale on March 24th, 2003 in Europe, thanks to Parlophone and producer Ken Nelson, assisted, as already happened, by Coldplay themselves.

Regional and special editions were released in Australia (mini EP), Japan (24th July), France, Netherlands (with 3 live cds) and USA (24th June). Promos were recorded only for Uk and USA. Moreover, in England a special limited edition (only 1000 units) of a 7”, containing an exclusive remix of Clocks, produced by Röyksopp.

The song conquered music charts worldwide, reaching the 1st overall position in Lithuania, the 2nd in Netherlands, the 7th in Canada, the 9th in England and USA and the 29th in Australia. In Italy it reached the 1st position at climax (even if for a few days).

The single is even available in vinyl 12”, ‘normal’ and DVD formats.

The 12” (as the ‘normal’ single) includes three tracks: Clocks and the two b-sides Crests Of Waves and Animals, already performed live in the past, but now remastered and revisited.

The Dvd contains Clocks video, a live performance of Politik, a photogallery, In My Place (recorded live too) and an interview session.

The American single is composed by two tracks: Clocks and a live performance of Yellow.

Japanese version, different from the others, shows Clocks in edit version, Crests Of Waves, Animals, Murder, In My Place and Yellow (these last two songs recorded live, the same reported before), plus Clocks and In My Place videos. Indeed, this single version is almost equal to God Put A Smile Upon Your Face Japanese single version.

Clocks was recorded at Air Studios of London as the last track of the album in chronological order. It tells about death and fleetingness of life.

Due to the great advertisement lead by TVs and medias, Clocks reached the top of Apple's iTunes Music Store classification, that referred to 2003 singles.

The artwork of the single, as made for every A Rush Of Blood To The Head publication, was realized by designer Sølve Sundsbø who represents her Chris Martin in a point of view described from below to above in the exact moment in which he lays his hands on head.

In 2004, Clocks won Record Of The Year prize at Grammy Awards, beating artists such as Eminem, Outkast and Beyoncé.

On November 13th, 2006, Buena Vista Social Club published a particular album, Rhythms Del Mundo (project that generated proceeds destined to benefit purposes), which contains a ‘south-american’ rendition of Clocks.

In 2006, after a long contest opened by Coldplayzone, Clocks was celebrated as Best Coldplay Song according to Italian fans.