Orange

Album: not released on an album (2024)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Coldplay, a band famous for turning feelings into stadium anthems and turning colors into tunes, added a new hue to their palette in 2024. Rather than a citrus-themed sequel to "Yellow," "Orange" is an ode to the footballing pride of Luton F.C.
  • The song originated with a polite protest. In May 2024 Coldplay were scheduled to headline BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Luton, a town where football loyalties run deep and where yellow is the color of the enemy, arch-rivals Watford F.C. So when local fans, aided by the gently mischievous minds at BBC Three Counties Radio, suggested the band change the lyrics of "Yellow" to "Orange," they were mostly joking. But also, not really.
  • Coldplay frontman Chris Martin took the idea and ran with it, not by tweaking "Yellow," but by writing an entirely new song the night before the show. "Orange" is a tribute not just to the team's kit, but to the soul of Luton Town Football Club, affectionately known as the Hatters. Standing on stage, Martin told the crowd:

    "It reached me a while ago, that there were some people in Luton who were worried or disgruntled and maybe even angry about the concept of our band coming here and singing a song called Yellow because... of the Hatters and Kenilworth Road and the Luton Town Football Club."
  • "Orange" references the relegation of Luton Town from the Premier League in May 2024 and celebrates the resilience and spirit of both the team and its supporters.
  • The Big Weekend in Luton performance was met with widespread acclaim, and in May 2025 it was recognized as "Moment of the Year" at the Audio Radio Industry Awards.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Steve Morse of Deep Purple

Steve Morse of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple's guitarist since 1994, Steve talks about writing songs with the band and how he puts his own spin on "Smoke On The Water."

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.

Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes

Chris Robinson of The Black CrowesSongwriter Interviews

"Great songwriters don't necessarily have hit songs," says Chris. He's written a bunch, but his fans are more interested in the intricate jams.

Dean Friedman - "Ariel"

Dean Friedman - "Ariel"They're Playing My Song

Dean's saga began with "Ariel," a song about falling in love with a Jewish girl from New Jersey.

Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues

Justin Hayward of The Moody BluesSongwriter Interviews

Justin wrote the classic "Nights In White Satin," but his fondest musical memories are from a different decade.

Tanita Tikaram

Tanita TikaramSongwriter Interviews

When she released her first album in 1988, Tanita became a UK singing sensation at age 19. She talks about her darkly sensual voice and quirky songwriting style.