Talk

Album: X&Y (2005)
Charted: 10 86
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Songfacts®:

  • Coldplay received permission from the Electronica band Kraftwerk to use the main riff from their song "Computer Love" for this, replacing Kraftwerk's synthesizers with guitars, and at the same time creating a completely different song.
  • The band recorded three separate versions of this song; the one found on X&Y was based on an early cut of the song. A newer version of the track (with a different set of lyrics) was leaked onto the internet in March 2005. "Talk" was originally intended to be a B-side for the single "Speed Of Sound" before becoming the last addition to X&Y's track listing. Frontman Chris Martin explained to the NME: "What happened with 'Talk' is that it was all going great, and then someone said 'That should be the first single,' and we all just freaked out and scrapped it all. I hate choosing singles, it's so hard. (But) when we heard it mixed properly, it sounded mega."
  • Martin explained the album title to the NME: "It's a cooler way of saying ying and yang. If I'd called it ying and yang we'd have been in trouble! 10% would walk away. But another 20% would come. We'd be a lot bigger in the Far East. My whole day is a mixture of optimism and pessimism in its most extreme forms. And that's what X&Y is to me. It's two sides. I like the fact they're very strong letters, very clear. Very hard lines, it looks great when you write it down. And it looks great when you see the artwork. It's f---ing amazing. I can say that because I didn't do it."
  • In the CSI: NY episode "Jamalot" (2005), Detective Danny Messer (Carmine Giovinazzo) uses this as his ringtone, which was made available for viewers to purchase. Capitol Records made a deal with CBS to promote the track on the episode, where it's also used as background music in another scene. The song showed up again in the 2007 episode "What Schemes May Come." In 2008, it was used in the Cold Case episode "Andy In C Minor."
  • This was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal but lost to "Dani California" by Red Hot Chili Peppers. It did take home a trophy, however, in the Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical thanks to the "Thin White Duke" remix by English electronic musician Stuart Price.

Comments: 20

  • Dizzyreplying to darkdread77, it's because x&y was a hard time for them and they don't like any of the songs on there except from fix you
  • Darkdread77 from ChileI heard that recently during a concert, Chris told the audience they will never play this song again live, does anybody know the reason?
  • Shadow from Depression, VaMy very fav Coldplay song XD Lovelovelove it! Coldplay is my 2nd fav band (2nd only to Linkin Park)
  • K from Nowhere, OnI hated this song when it first came out.
    What I was thinking, I have no idea.
  • Ian from Ragama, Sri Lanka (ceylon)I love this song because I can relate. I think all the versions are awesome
    - Kailah, Virginia Beach, VA

    I think we all can...
  • Kate from Burnaby, CanadaThis song was Danny Messer's ringtone on an episode of CSI NY. 'Talk. Something my girlfriend likes to do. I'll call her later.'
  • Kailah from Virginia Beach, VaI think this song is about a person looking for someone to talk to for advice. he mentions being scared of the future because he's repeating everything he's done. He just want someone to talk to because nothing makes sense and no one will listen to him. He is really confused and just needs someone who will understand. I love this song because I can relate. I think all the versions are awesome
  • Ahmed from Baghdad, Iraqcool song by all means coldplay rock
  • Ryan from Seattle, Wait's stupid to say that this song sucks because you're probably only heard one of the cuts. The lyrically improved one is a hell of a lot better.
  • Uzoma from Kano, Othertalk is nice buit the lyrics seems to be heading to nowhere.
    -uzoma
  • Shannon Mulvany from Spokane, WaTHIS SONG IS F---ING AWESOME!!!!!
  • Victoria from Tucson, AzThis is amazing.It is addicting.
  • Alex from Madrid, SpainWorst coldplay single ever. "Low" would have been a better choice.
  • Eugon from Cardiff, Walesif anything the songs done justice for Kraftwerk, alot of people don't know who Kraftwerk are, but i think they will after this song
  • K from M, ChileBlatant ripoff? Oh, I see, you don't care if they HAD PERMISSION, it's still a ripoff, right? Besides, it's a completely different song to the Kraftwerk version. It uses one riff! Using one riff from an old, obscure song: you must hate all rock'n'roll. Sex Pistols, they suck, don't they? So unoriginal! Elvis? AWFUL. Don't even start with Jazz. Sheesh, if that's the best criticism you can come up with, Coldplay are indeed awesome.
  • Rick from Humboldt, Iabetter than the rest of coldplay's stuff, except clocks and the scientist.
  • Brendan from Dallas, TxPeople will have different opinions about the Krafwerk sampling, but I doubt many people are familiar with "Computer Love"--it's pretty obscure (along with all things Kraftwerk). In fact, a lot of Coldplay fans weren't even alive when Computer World was released.
  • Boris from Gent, BelgiumThis blatant kraftwerk ripoff (I don't care if they did it with permission) again proves that coldplay is just one of the countless bands who are popular because they just make crap that is based on things people are familiar with and not because they innovate.
  • Claire from ManchesterI think this is one of Coldplay's best songs and the video is good too
  • Ben from Ringwood, EnglandTalk is a great song-one of coldplays best. Its a bit more uplifting than the norm.
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