My Universe
by Coldplay (featuring BTS)

Album: Music Of The Spheres (2021)
Charted: 3 1
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This uplifting love song finds Coldplay teaming up with the South Korean boy band BTS. The two global superstar groups sing in both English and Korean about how their lover is their all, their everything, and "their universe."
  • The song marks the first collaboration between Coldplay and BTS, but back in February 2021 BTS covered Coldplay's "Fix You" during a MTV Unplugged performance.
  • What brightens me up
    Are the stars embroidered with your love
    In my universe, you
    Make another world for me


    Coldplay released the song as the second single from Music of the Spheres on September 24, 2021. The astronomical metaphors Coldplay and BTS employ to express how much their lover means to them ties in nicely with the album's interstellar theme.
  • Coldplay frontman Chris Martin told Apple Music it had been on his mind for a while that BTS had interest in a collaboration. When he received a "loving text" that included the phrase, "My universe," he thought to himself, "Oh, that's a cool song title."

    With this idea in mind, Martin asked producer Bill Rahko (Coldplay's "Hypnotised," and "Daddy") if he had any spare loops he could use. After Rahko gave him a track, Martin took his car for a spin, and as he drove, the song's chorus landed in his head.

    Martin drove straight back to the studio and laid down the chorus. Then he called Coldplay's creative director Phil Harvey and Music Of The Spheres producer Max Martin and told them, "I think we've got a song to give to BTS."

    They started communicating with the K-Pop band and Martin flew out to South Korea in April 2021 to be with BTS. The Coldplay frontman worked closely with the septet on the track, from discussing their vocal parts to directing the recording.
  • Coldplay debuted the song live at New York City's historic Apollo Theater on September 23, 2021. BTS were not present at that performance.
  • Dave Meyers directed the video, which follows the two bands exploring the alternative universe of The Spheres. Music is outlawed there, but that doesn't stop Coldplay, BTS, and a supergroup of aliens called Supernova 7 from performing together as a hologram.

    Meyers also helmed the visual for Coldplay's previous single, "Higher Power."
  • The song debuted at #1 on the Hot 100, giving Coldplay their second chart-topper, following "Viva La Vida."

    BTS had visited the summit on five previous occasions, with "Dynamite," "Savage Love (Laxed - Siren Beat) BTS Remix," "Life Goes On," "Butter" and "Permission To Dance."

    BTS achieved their sextet of Hot 100 #1 over 13 months. That's the fastest six visits to the summit since The Beatles accumulated six chart-toppers over a year and two weeks from 1964 to 1966.
  • On November 5, 2021, Coldplay unveiled a dance-heavy remix by Galantis. The Swedish electronic dance production duo work their magic, introducing a more upbeat and energetic instrumental to the song.
  • BTS and Coldplay performed the song live together for the first time at the 2021 American Music Awards. BTS won three trophies during the November 21, 2021 ceremony: Artist of the Year, Favorite Pop Duo and Best Pop Song for "Butter."

Comments: 1

  • S. Doyle from Saskatoon CanadaColdplay is a band I listened to in my younger years. BTS is my daughter's favorite band of all time. It was awesome to have our music tastes blend into one on this song. I already enjoyed BTS's music after hearing it all the time with my kiddo, but what was really neat is that my kid discovered music from my era that she enjoys as well
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Guy Clark

Guy ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris and Lyle Lovett are just a few of the artists who have looked to Clark for insightful, intelligent songs.

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.

Adam Duritz of Counting Crows

Adam Duritz of Counting CrowsSongwriter Interviews

"Mr. Jones" took on new meaning when the song about a misguided view of fame made Adam famous.

Janis Ian

Janis IanSongwriter Interviews

One of the first successful female singer-songwriters, Janis had her first hit in 1967 at age 15.

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.

Arrested For Your Art - The Story Of 2 Live Crew's "Obscene" Album

Arrested For Your Art - The Story Of 2 Live Crew's "Obscene" AlbumSong Writing

In the summer of 1990, you could get arrested for selling a 2 Live Crew album or performing their songs in Southern Florida. And that's exactly what happened.