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

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And Hell

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And HellSongwriter Interviews

Guitarist Tony Iommi on the "Iron Man" riff, the definitive Black Sabbath song, and how Ozzy and Dio compared as songwriters.

Daryl Hall

Daryl HallSongwriter Interviews

Daryl Hall's TV show is a hit, and he's been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - only one of these developments excites him.

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.