Arabesque

Album: Everyday Life (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Arabesque is a form of artistic decoration that is mostly used in Islamic countries. The art was developed by the Ancient Persians, who made vases and adorned their palaces with brilliantly decorated tiles with intertwined flowing lines. The way these lines link with each other appear to be random, but they come together to form attractive, intricate patterns.

    The title is used to illustrate the song's fuzzy mood, which combines Western rock and jazz stylings with Middle Eastern rhythms.
  • Coldplay are longtime promoters of unity among humankind, advocating peace and connecting cultures through music. They are saying in this song that we do not choose the country we are born in. Therefore, Westerners should not despise Middle Easterners just because they live in a different geographical location.
  • The song features a verse performed in French by Belgian rapper/singer Stromae. He talks about how drops of water from the same source eventually unite to produce great rivers. This illustrates that even when starting apart, we're all part of the same family.
  • Femi Kuti and his band contribute horns, while other members of the Nigerian musician's family also contribute to the track. "Arabesque" samples a early 1980s track, "Music is the Weapon" by Kuti's father, Remi, while Femi's son, Omorinmade Anikulapo-Kuti, plays the alto sax. The use of three generations from one family further illustrates the song's message that "we share the same blood."
  • During the outro, Chris Martin uses the f-word when sings "same f--king blood." This is the first studio release by Coldplay to feature the profanity.
  • This song and "Orphans" were released as the first singles off Everyday Life on October 24, 2019.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Producer Ron Nevison

Producer Ron NevisonSong Writing

Ron Nevison explains in very clear terms the Quadrophenia concept and how Heart staged their resurgence after being dropped by their record company.

Black Sabbath

Black SabbathFact or Fiction

Dwarfs on stage with an oversize Stonehenge set? Dabbling in Satanism? Find out which Spinal Tap-moments were true for Black Sabbath.

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Bob Daisley

Bob DaisleySongwriter Interviews

Bob was the bass player and lyricist for the first two Ozzy Osbourne albums. Here's how he wrote songs like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" with Ozzy and Randy Rhoads.