Songfacts®:

• "Shiver" was one of the first songs Chris Martin wrote for Coldplay. He described it as a "stalking song" similar to The Police's "Every Breath You Take," with the lyrics based around a man's unhealthy obsession with a woman. When the song came out, Martin told the press it was inspired by "Torn" singer Natalie Imbruglia, although he later said this was only meant humorously, adding that "Shiver" was actually about one of his real-life ex-girlfriends.
• The song is heavily influenced by Jeff Buckley. Martin was a massive fan of the American singer-songwriter, with the Coldplay frontman calling "Shiver" a blatant rip-off. He added during an interview with BBC Radio 1's Chris Moyles in 2008: "Not quite as good, that's what I think. We were 21, and he was very much a hero, and as with those things, it tends to filter through."
  
  Buckley died at the age of 30 after drowning in the Mississippi River in 1997. While he only released one album, the critically acclaimed Grace, his music has been cited as an influence by Adele, Radiohead, Lana Del Rey, and many other artists.
• Chris Martin recorded a number of vocal takes for "Shiver," but the one that was chosen was used in its entirety to capture the urgent, organic tone. Speaking to Sound on Sound, the song's producer, Ken Nelson, explained: "This was one where Chris' vocals were done in one take. He recorded more than one take, but the one we picked was one take, warts and all."
• The music video for this song was directed by Grant Gee, who also directed the Radiohead documentary Meeting People Is Easy. The clip sees Coldplay performing "Shiver" in a studio. The spinning globe featured on the cover of Parachutes can be seen sitting on top of an amplifier. Martin purchased this globe from the British stationery store WHSmith for £10. The globe later appeared in cartoon form in the video for "Don't Panic" and accompanied Coldplay throughout the Parachutes World Tour.
• A young Coldplay made their television debut in 2000 on the British music series Later... with Jools Holland. The band performed this song and "Yellow." Reflecting on the moment, Coldplay drummer Will Champion said: "I don't believe you can ever comprehend that what you do in a small studio with a few people can be seen by so many 'viewers.' Terrifying! Gary Brooker came on after us and played 'A Whiter Shade of Pale,' and we felt totally insignificant. Great song that."
• "Shiver" was one of 86 songs included in Guitar Hero World Tour in 2008. The video game was notable because it was the first title from the Guitar Hero series to feature master recordings instead of covers.
• Americans were introduced to Coldplay in 2000 with "Yellow," the lead single to their debut album Parachutes, but in their native UK "Shiver" was the lead single and their first substantial hit, climbing to #35. They played the song live in 1999 before releasing it, and it remains an audience favorite to this day.