On this day in 2005, United Kingdom alternative rock juggernauts, Coldplay, became only the second UK band to have a new song enter the Billboard Top Singles chart with their song, “Speed of Sound.” Coldplay’s first single off of their third album, X&Y, entered the charts at #8. What was the previous UK band to achieve such a feet? None other than The Beatles with “Hey Jude” in 1968. In other words, UK bands do not often get their fresh tracks on United States’ charts.

“Speed of Sound” was not released without controversy. Many cried foul at the track’s drumbeat which sounds analogous to the drumbeat used by Kate Bush in her 1985 hit, “Running Up that Hill.” Coldplay lead singer, Chris Martin, would later state that the guys were listening to a lot of Bush prior to recording X&Y and that “Speed of Light” was inspired, to some extent, by Bush’s work. Never the less, the so-called “controversy” did not hinder “Speed of Sound” from receiving considerable critical acclaim. The song was named “Song of the Year” by the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and was nominated for two Grammy’s and a MTV Music Award. Yet, what “Speed of Sound” may be best known for is being the billionth song downloaded on iTunes. Oh the 21^st Century…

Written by Michael Meeze (follow him on Twitter).

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Michael McCarron

Michael is the Founder and Director of the Philly-based LGBT+ non-profit, Punk Out. He enjoys moshing endlessly, forgetting his karaoke performance from the previous night, and pushing that Big Gay Agenda.

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