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"42" is a song by British rock band Coldplay. It was written by all members of the band for their fourth album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008). The song, divided into three parts, does not have a chorus. The first part is a ballad with piano and strings, which then transforms into an uptempo rock arrangement with a guitar solo. Finally, the song ends with a multi-instrumental part. A live version of "42" was featured on the band's 2009 live album, LeftRightLeftRightLeft.

Writing and composition

The song is distinctive for Coldplay as it has no chorus and is divided into three parts. In a track-by-track analysis, guitarist Jonny Buckland revealed, "We've been trying for about two years now to record a song that didn't have any chorus and didn't really have any verses... and '42' was the only time we were able to do it successfully." Frontman Chris Martin added, "Although every time we tried we've called it 42, that's about the ninth '42'" Martin also said, in an interview for MTV, that the track was called 42 because it was his "favorite number". Buckland used an ostrich tuning in this song, tuning his guitar to F-F-F-f-f-f.

For the track's influences, Chris Martin stated in an interview, "It's our attempt at "Bohemian Rhapsody" (Queen), and "Paranoid Android" (Radiohead), all those songs that we love, that go A-B-C-D-E-F-G in structure."

Personnel

• Chris Martin – composer, performer
• Guy Berryman – composer, performer
• Jonny Buckland – composer, performer
• Will Champion – composer, performer

Additional personnel

• Brian Eno – sonic landscapes
• Davide Rossi – strings

Charts and certifications

References

1. Slender Fungus (1 May 2009). "News – Coldplay to give away live album". Coldplay. Archived from the original on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
2. "Coldplay Promo Interview on Viva La Vida, Part Three (2008)". YouTube. 19 June 2008. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
3. Montgomery, James (29 June 2008). "Coldplay Give Track-By-Track Tour of Viva La Vida, Explain Handclaps, Tack Pianos and the Number 42". MTV News. Archived from the original on 28 August 2008. Retrieved 29 August 2008.
4. ngmagazinecom (19 June 2008). Coldplay Promo Interview on Viva La Vida, Part Three (2008). Retrieved 24 November 2024 – via YouTube.
5. "Chart Log UK 1994–2008". Zobbel. Archived from the original on 2 May 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2009.
6. "Brazilian single certifications – Coldplay" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved 29 November 2023.

• 2008 songs
• Coldplay songs
• Song recordings produced by Brian Eno
• Song recordings produced by Jon Hopkins
• Song recordings produced by Markus Dravs
• Song recordings produced by Rik Simpson
• Songs written by Guy Berryman
• Songs written by Jonny Buckland
• Songs written by Will Champion
• Songs written by Chris Martin