.gif)
Clocks (song)
Encyclopedia
"Clocks" is a song by English alternative rock
band Coldplay
. It was written by all members of the band for their second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head
. Built around a piano riff, the song features cryptic lyrics of contrast and urgency themes. Several remixes of the track exist and its riff has been widely sampled
. "Clocks" won Record of the Year
at the 2004 Grammy Awards, and, to date, is one of Coldplay's most successful songs.
"Clocks" debuted to critical and commercial success, with critics mainly commenting on the song's piano melody. It was released in the United Kingdom as the third single
off A Rush of Blood to the Head, where reached number nine in the UK Singles Chart
. It was released in the United States as the album's second single and reached number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100
.
's second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head
. A riff popped into Chris Martin
's mind, one late night when he came in to the studio, where he then developed it on piano. According to Martin, "Clocks" was inspired by the English rock band Muse
. Martin presented the riff to the band's guitarist Jonny Buckland
who then added a layer of guitar chord
s to the basic track: "He picked up his guitar [a sure sign that he likes a song] and played these brilliant chords ... It was like a chemical reaction process."
Before writing "Clocks", the band had already made 10 songs for the album. They thought it was too late for the song's inclusion in the album since it was nearing completion. So they recorded a demo
and saved it with other unfinished tracks, labeling it "Songs for #3"; the band projected these tracks for what would be their third album.
By June 2002, Coldplay were ready to present the album to their record label Parlophone
. However, Martin felt it was "rubbish"; they were not completely satisfied of the album. So, the band and Parlophone concerted to delay the release. After a headlining tour, Coldplay went on working "Songs for #3". Phil Harvey
, a friend of Martin and the band's manager, heard it and egged on him to rework "Clocks" immediately. With lyrics that speak of urgency, Harvey pointed out that its meaning would contradict Martin's idea of stashing the track. Martin was persuaded by Harvey and then further developed "Clocks" while other band members supplemented their ideas based on the main piano track, adding bass
and drums. Coldplay recorded the song very quickly, since they were running after the postponed schedule of A Rush of Blood to the Head, which was released two months later.
soundscape of drums
and bass guitar
. Martin applied an ostinato
and a descending scale
on the piano chord progression
, which switches from major
to minor chord
s. The music of "Clocks" is also provided using synthesizer
s and a sparse string
arrangement.
The song's themes include contrast, contradictions and urgency. According to Jon Wiederhon of MTV News
, "Martin seems to address the helplessness of being in a dysfunctional relationship he doesn't necessarily want to escape." The lyrics are cryptic; the ending lines of the second verse emphasize contradicting emotion: "Come out upon my seas/Cursed missed opportunities/Am I a part of the cure/Or am I part of the disease?". The song's title also "metaphorically alludes" to its lyrics, "pushing one to wonder about the world's obsession with time while connecting it to the theory: make the best of it when we’re here, present and alive".
" as the album's second release, Coldplay's US label felt the song failed to "provide enough of a blood rush for American listeners"; instead, they released "Clocks" as the second single in the US.
A music video was filmed in support of the song. It was directed by British film maker Dominic Leung, and shot at Docklands' ExCeL Building
in London. It features the band performing the song, with a laser show, in front of a staged audience, mostly local college students. Stage effects and blue-red light transitions give the video a surreal feel, while a stoic crowd make up the audience.
Throughout 2003, "Clocks" was featured in various commercials, movies and television programs: from WWE
promos featuring the return of American professional wrestler Kurt Angle
, to the 2002 Irish drama film
In America, and an episode of the American medical drama
television series ER
. The song was played in its entirety during the ending credits for the 2003 film Confidence, and was also featured in the American television drama series The Sopranos
and Third Watch
. In late 2003, the song was used in a trailer for the movie Peter Pan
. This song was also used in the 2006 Disney film, The Wild
.
The song was also critically acclaimed. Rob Sheffield, in his review of the album for Rolling Stone
magazine, said: that "[guitarist] Buckland shines in excellent psychedelic rockers such as ... 'Clocks'". David Cheal of The Daily Telegraph
said that "Clocks" features a "hypnotic piano riff, a pounding, almost frantic rhythm, and a contagious tune, all building to a gorgeously serene climax with Martin's floaty voice singing". "Clocks" won the Record of the Year
at the 2004 Grammy Awards. It was nominated for Best Single at the 2003 Q Awards
. "Clocks" was ranked at number 68 on Pitchfork's Top 100 Singles of 2000-04. It was ranked at number 155 on Pitchfork Media
's 500 Greatest Songs of the 2000s list. In October 2011, NME
placed it at number 148 on its list "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".
The single was successful in radio throughout 2003, and has appeared on several singles chart worldwide. In the United Kingdom, the song has peaked at number nine. In the United States, "Clocks" has peaked there at number 29. It has also reached number seven in Canada, and number 28 in Australia.
"Clocks" has been regarded as one of the finest achievements of Coldplay; the song's piano progression remained the band's signature creation. According to The New York Times
, the opening piano arpeggio
s of "Clocks" has been widely sampled
. Also, many of the songs in X&Y
feature influences from "Clocks". Brian Cohen of Billboard
magazine noted that "Clocks" served as a "launching pad" to songs featured in X&Y, "several of which echo that track either in structure or feel". "Speed of Sound
", the first single from Coldplay's third album, X&Y, bears some similarities with "Clocks", being that the two songs have the same descending chord progression. According to The New York Times, American singer Jordin Sparks
' 2008 single "No Air
" "breathes life into the overfamiliar piano line" from "Clocks". The song "Should I Go" by American singer Brandy
, off her album Afrodisiac
, samples the piano riff of "Clocks", as does Mexican singer Alejandro Fernández
's 2007 single "Te Voy A Perder". In 2009, French DJ David Guetta
featuring Kelly Rowland
released the song "When Love Takes Over
" that also features the piano introduction similar of "Clocks". A sampled riff similar to "Clocks" was also used for the 2009 song "Shining Down
" by Chicagoan hip hop artist Lupe Fiasco
and featuring Matthew Santos
. A similar riff can also be heard in the DJ Cahill Remix of the Agnes song I Need You Now
. Rolling Stone ranked it #490 of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time
in 2010.
made a remixed version of the song, pressed on the 1000 limited edition 12"
vinyl records; 100 of which were made available through the band's official website. The issue features a remixed version of "God Put a Smile upon Your Face
" by Def Inc featuring Mr Thing
. The version placed at number five in the Triple J Hottest 100, 2003
(the original version of the song placed at number 69 the previous year
).
In addition, there have been several other dance remixes of "Clocks", including those by Clokx (Ron van den Beuken) and Deep Dish
plus a mashup
from Gabriel and Dresden's 2003 Essential Mix
which appeared on various P2P
networks. In 2004, Contemporary R&B
-singer Brandy
, together with producer Timbaland
, created a song called "Should I Go" which uses "Clocks" as a sample. The song is featured as the last track on her fourth studio album Afrodisiac
. A remixed cover of the song is included on the soundtrack of the video game Dance Dance Revolution: Hottest Party for the Wii
console. The female, Chinese
group Twelve Girls Band
also covered the song, released on their album Eastern Energy
.. On August 02 2011, remix/electronic artist Amonn released a remixed version of Clocks on iTunes.
German band Gregorian remade the song.
Another popular rework of the song exists on the Rhythms del Mundo
album which was a non-profit album that included many other prominent UK, US and Irish artists. In 2003, the song was featured on Coldplay's live album
Live 2003
. Another live version appeared on the 2009 live album LeftRightLeftRightLeft
.
(released 24 March 2003)
12" (released 7 July 2003)
DVD
(released 24 March 2003)
Japan Enhanced EP
1 Remix version
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
. It was written by all members of the band for their second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head
A Rush of Blood to the Head
A Rush of Blood to the Head is the second studio album by English rock band Coldplay. Released on 26 August 2002 in the UK through the label Parlophone, the album was produced by the band and British record producer Ken Nelson...
. Built around a piano riff, the song features cryptic lyrics of contrast and urgency themes. Several remixes of the track exist and its riff has been widely sampled
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
. "Clocks" won Record of the Year
Record Of The Year
Record of the Year may refer to:*Grammy Award for Record of the Year*The Record of the Year, a British award based on public polling...
at the 2004 Grammy Awards, and, to date, is one of Coldplay's most successful songs.
"Clocks" debuted to critical and commercial success, with critics mainly commenting on the song's piano melody. It was released in the United Kingdom as the third single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
off A Rush of Blood to the Head, where reached number nine in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. It was released in the United States as the album's second single and reached number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
.
Background and writing
"Clocks" was composed during the late stages into the production of ColdplayColdplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
's second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head
A Rush of Blood to the Head
A Rush of Blood to the Head is the second studio album by English rock band Coldplay. Released on 26 August 2002 in the UK through the label Parlophone, the album was produced by the band and British record producer Ken Nelson...
. A riff popped into Chris Martin
Chris Martin
Christopher Anthony John "Chris" Martin is an English song-writer, who is the lead vocalist, pianist and rhythm guitarist of the band Coldplay. He is married to actress Gwyneth Paltrow.-Early life:...
's mind, one late night when he came in to the studio, where he then developed it on piano. According to Martin, "Clocks" was inspired by the English rock band Muse
Muse (band)
Muse are an English alternative rock band from Teignmouth, Devon, formed in 1994. The band consists of school friends Matthew Bellamy , Christopher Wolstenholme and Dominic Howard...
. Martin presented the riff to the band's guitarist Jonny Buckland
Jonny Buckland
Jonathan Mark "Jonny" Buckland is an English guitarist and musician, best known as the lead guitarist of the band Coldplay.-Early life:...
who then added a layer of guitar chord
Guitar chord
In music, a guitar chord is a chord, or collection of tones usually sounded together at once, played on a guitar. It can be composed of notes played on adjacent or separate strings or all the strings together...
s to the basic track: "He picked up his guitar [a sure sign that he likes a song] and played these brilliant chords ... It was like a chemical reaction process."
Before writing "Clocks", the band had already made 10 songs for the album. They thought it was too late for the song's inclusion in the album since it was nearing completion. So they recorded a demo
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
and saved it with other unfinished tracks, labeling it "Songs for #3"; the band projected these tracks for what would be their third album.
By June 2002, Coldplay were ready to present the album to their record label Parlophone
Parlophone
Parlophone is a record label that was founded in Germany in 1896 by the Carl Lindström Company as Parlophon. The British branch was formed in 1923 as "Parlophone" which developed a reputation in the 1920s as a leading jazz label. It was acquired in 1927 by the Columbia Graphophone Company which...
. However, Martin felt it was "rubbish"; they were not completely satisfied of the album. So, the band and Parlophone concerted to delay the release. After a headlining tour, Coldplay went on working "Songs for #3". Phil Harvey
Phil Harvey (manager)
Phil Harvey is the former manager and sometime 'creative director' of the English rock group Coldplay....
, a friend of Martin and the band's manager, heard it and egged on him to rework "Clocks" immediately. With lyrics that speak of urgency, Harvey pointed out that its meaning would contradict Martin's idea of stashing the track. Martin was persuaded by Harvey and then further developed "Clocks" while other band members supplemented their ideas based on the main piano track, adding bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
and drums. Coldplay recorded the song very quickly, since they were running after the postponed schedule of A Rush of Blood to the Head, which was released two months later.
Composition
"Clocks" is built around a repeating piano melody, and features a minimalistMinimalism
Minimalism describes movements in various forms of art and design, especially visual art and music, where the work is set out to expose the essence, essentials or identity of a subject through eliminating all non-essential forms, features or concepts...
soundscape of drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
and bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
. Martin applied an ostinato
Ostinato
In music, an ostinato is a motif or phrase, which is persistently repeated in the same musical voice. An ostinato is always a succession of equal sounds, wherein each note always has the same weight or stress. The repeating idea may be a rhythmic pattern, part of a tune, or a complete melody in...
and a descending scale
Musical scale
In music, a scale is a sequence of musical notes in ascending and descending order. Most commonly, especially in the context of the common practice period, the notes of a scale will belong to a single key, thus providing material for or being used to conveniently represent part or all of a musical...
on the piano chord progression
Chord progression
A chord progression is a series of musical chords, or chord changes that "aims for a definite goal" of establishing a tonality founded on a key, root or tonic chord. In other words, the succession of root relationships...
, which switches from major
Major chord
In music theory, a major chord is a chord having a root, a major third, and a perfect fifth. When a chord has these three notes alone, it is called a major triad...
to minor chord
Minor chord
In music theory, a minor chord is a chord having a root, a minor third, and a perfect fifth.When a chord has these three notes alone, it is called a minor triad....
s. The music of "Clocks" is also provided using synthesizer
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
s and a sparse string
String instrument
A string instrument is a musical instrument that produces sound by means of vibrating strings. In the Hornbostel-Sachs scheme of musical instrument classification, used in organology, they are called chordophones...
arrangement.
The song's themes include contrast, contradictions and urgency. According to Jon Wiederhon of MTV News
MTV News
MTV News is the news division of MTV, one of the first and most popular music television network in the U.S., as well as some of MTV's related channels around the world. MTV News began in the late 1980s with the program The Week In Rock, hosted by Kurt Loder, the first official MTV News correspondent...
, "Martin seems to address the helplessness of being in a dysfunctional relationship he doesn't necessarily want to escape." The lyrics are cryptic; the ending lines of the second verse emphasize contradicting emotion: "Come out upon my seas/Cursed missed opportunities/Am I a part of the cure/Or am I part of the disease?". The song's title also "metaphorically alludes" to its lyrics, "pushing one to wonder about the world's obsession with time while connecting it to the theory: make the best of it when we’re here, present and alive".
Release and music video
Coldplay released "Clocks" in Europe on 24 March 2003 as the album's third single. The single was issued with two B-sides: "Animals", which was one of the band's favourite songs performed on tour but was not included in the album, and "Crests of Waves". The single's cover, created by Sølve Sundsbø as with the album's and its other singles, is a portrayal of Martin. Across the United States, while preparing "The ScientistThe Scientist (song)
"The Scientist" is the second single from British alternative rock band Coldplay's second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head. The song was written collaboratively by all the band members for the album. It is built around a piano ballad, with its lyrics telling the story about a man's desire to love...
" as the album's second release, Coldplay's US label felt the song failed to "provide enough of a blood rush for American listeners"; instead, they released "Clocks" as the second single in the US.
A music video was filmed in support of the song. It was directed by British film maker Dominic Leung, and shot at Docklands' ExCeL Building
ExCeL Exhibition Centre
ExCeL London is an exhibitions and conference centre in the London Borough of Newham, England. It is located on a site on the northern quay of the Royal Victoria Dock in London Docklands, between Canary Wharf and London City Airport.- History :The centre was built by Sir Robert McAlpine, opened...
in London. It features the band performing the song, with a laser show, in front of a staged audience, mostly local college students. Stage effects and blue-red light transitions give the video a surreal feel, while a stoic crowd make up the audience.
Reception
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
promos featuring the return of American professional wrestler Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle
Kurt Steven Angle is an American professional wrestler, amateur wrestler, and 1996 Olympic gold medalist. He is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is recognized as a 15-time World Heavyweight Champion...
, to the 2002 Irish drama film
Drama film
A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women...
In America, and an episode of the American medical drama
Medical drama
A medical drama is a television program, in which events center upon a hospital, an ambulance staff, or any medical environment.In the United States, most medical episodes are one hour long and, more often than not, are set in a hospital. Most current medical Dramatic programming go beyond the...
television series ER
ER (TV series)
ER is an American medical drama television series created by novelist Michael Crichton that aired on NBC from September 19, 1994 to April 2, 2009. It was produced by Constant c Productions and Amblin Entertainment, in association with Warner Bros. Television...
. The song was played in its entirety during the ending credits for the 2003 film Confidence, and was also featured in the American television drama series The Sopranos
The Sopranos
The Sopranos is an American television drama series created by David Chase that revolves around the New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster Tony Soprano and the difficulties he faces as he tries to balance the often conflicting requirements of his home life and the criminal organization he heads...
and Third Watch
Third Watch
Third Watch is an American television drama series which first aired on NBC from 1999 to 2005 for a total of 132 episodes, broadcast in 6 seasons of 22 episodes each....
. In late 2003, the song was used in a trailer for the movie Peter Pan
Peter Pan (2003 film)
Peter Pan is a 2003 fantasy film released as a joint venture of Universal Studios, Columbia Pictures and Revolution Studios. P. J. Hogan directed a screenplay co-written with Michael Goldenberg which is based on the classic play and novel by J. M. Barrie. Jason Isaacs plays the roles of Captain...
. This song was also used in the 2006 Disney film, The Wild
The Wild
The Wild is a 2006 computer-animated film directed by Steve "Spaz" Williams, produced by Clint Goldman, assistant produced by Jim Burton and C.O.R.E...
.
The song was also critically acclaimed. Rob Sheffield, in his review of the album for Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
magazine, said: that "[guitarist] Buckland shines in excellent psychedelic rockers such as ... 'Clocks'". David Cheal of The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
said that "Clocks" features a "hypnotic piano riff, a pounding, almost frantic rhythm, and a contagious tune, all building to a gorgeously serene climax with Martin's floaty voice singing". "Clocks" won the Record of the Year
Record Of The Year
Record of the Year may refer to:*Grammy Award for Record of the Year*The Record of the Year, a British award based on public polling...
at the 2004 Grammy Awards. It was nominated for Best Single at the 2003 Q Awards
Q Awards
The Q Awards are the UK's annual music awards run by the music magazine Q. Since they began in 1990, the Q Awards have become one of Britain's biggest and best publicised music awards, helped in no small part by the often boisterous behavior of the celebrities who attend the event...
. "Clocks" was ranked at number 68 on Pitchfork's Top 100 Singles of 2000-04. It was ranked at number 155 on Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
's 500 Greatest Songs of the 2000s list. In October 2011, NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
placed it at number 148 on its list "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".
The single was successful in radio throughout 2003, and has appeared on several singles chart worldwide. In the United Kingdom, the song has peaked at number nine. In the United States, "Clocks" has peaked there at number 29. It has also reached number seven in Canada, and number 28 in Australia.
"Clocks" has been regarded as one of the finest achievements of Coldplay; the song's piano progression remained the band's signature creation. According to The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, the opening piano arpeggio
Arpeggio
An arpeggio is a musical technique where notes in a chord are played or sung in sequence, one after the other, rather than ringing out simultaneously...
s of "Clocks" has been widely sampled
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
. Also, many of the songs in X&Y
X&Y
X&Y is the third studio album by English rock band Coldplay, released 6 June 2005 in the United Kingdom via the record label Parlophone. The album, which features influences of electronic music, was produced by the band and British record producer Danton Supple...
feature influences from "Clocks". Brian Cohen of Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
magazine noted that "Clocks" served as a "launching pad" to songs featured in X&Y, "several of which echo that track either in structure or feel". "Speed of Sound
Speed of Sound (song)
"Speed of Sound" is a song by English alternative rock band Coldplay. It was written by all members of the band for their third album, X&Y. Built around a piano riff, the song builds into a huge, synthesizer-heavy chorus...
", the first single from Coldplay's third album, X&Y, bears some similarities with "Clocks", being that the two songs have the same descending chord progression. According to The New York Times, American singer Jordin Sparks
Jordin Sparks
Jordin Brianna Sparks is an American pop / R&B singer-songwriter and actress. She hails from Glendale, Arizona who rose to fame as the winner of the sixth season of American Idol. Sparks won when she was 17 years old, making her the youngest winner in Idol history...
' 2008 single "No Air
No Air
"No Air" is a song by American recording artist Jordin Sparks featuring American R&B singer Chris Brown. The song was written by James Fauntleroy II, Eric Griggs, Michael Scala, Harvey Mason, Jr., Damon Thomas and Steve Russell...
" "breathes life into the overfamiliar piano line" from "Clocks". The song "Should I Go" by American singer Brandy
Brandy (entertainer)
Brandy Rayana Norwood , known professionally as Brandy, is an American singer-songwriter, producer, actress, and dancer. In 2009, she introduced her rap alter-ego Bran'Nu....
, off her album Afrodisiac
Afrodisiac
Afrodisiac is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Brandy Norwood, released by Atlantic Records on June 28, 2004 on most international territories and on June 29, 2004 in Canada and the United States...
, samples the piano riff of "Clocks", as does Mexican singer Alejandro Fernández
Alejandro Fernández
Alejandro Fernández is a Mexican singer. Nicknamed as "El Potrillo" by the media and his fans, he has sold over 20 million albums worldwide. Alejandro is the son of the ranchera singer Vicente Fernández. He originally specialized in traditional, earthy forms of Mexican folk music, such as...
's 2007 single "Te Voy A Perder". In 2009, French DJ David Guetta
David Guetta
Pierre David Guetta , known professionally as David Guetta , is a French house music producer and DJ. Originally a DJ at nightclubs during the 1980s and 1990s, he co-founded Gum Productions and released his first album, Just a Little More Love, in 2002. Later, he released Guetta Blaster and Pop Life...
featuring Kelly Rowland
Kelly Rowland
Kelendria Trene "Kelly" Rowland is an American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, and television personality. She rose to fame as one of the founding members of the American girl group Destiny's Child...
released the song "When Love Takes Over
When Love Takes Over
"When Love Takes Over" is a song by French disc jockey -music producer David Guetta from his fourth studio album, One Love. It was released as the lead single from the album on 21 April 2009 by Virgin Records...
" that also features the piano introduction similar of "Clocks". A sampled riff similar to "Clocks" was also used for the 2009 song "Shining Down
Shining Down
"Shining Down" is a song by Lupe Fiasco. It was intended to be the first single of Everywhere, the first of three CDs of Lupe Fiasco's triple album, Lupe Fiasco's LupE.N.D., but because of its release being withheld, there was speculation circulating that it may be the first single of his third...
" by Chicagoan hip hop artist Lupe Fiasco
Lupe Fiasco
Wasalu Muhammad Jaco , better known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco , is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, Lupe is the CEO of 1st and 15th Entertainment. He rose to fame in 2006 following the success of his critically acclaimed debut album, Lupe Fiasco's Food...
and featuring Matthew Santos
Matthew Santos
Matthew Santos is an American rock and folk singer-songwriter, musician and painter. He is best known for his collaboration with Chicago native Lupe Fiasco on the single "Superstar." He was signed to Lupe Fiasco's 1st & 15th Entertainment record label, a subsidiary of Atlantic Records.-Early...
. A similar riff can also be heard in the DJ Cahill Remix of the Agnes song I Need You Now
I Need You Now (Agnes song)
"I Need You Now" is a pop song recorded by Swedish singer Agnes taken from her third album Dance Love Pop. The track was written by Anders Hansson and Sharon Vaughn. It was released as the album's second single in the UK in a remixed form. The song was re-sung and completely reproduced during the...
. Rolling Stone ranked it #490 of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time
The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time
"The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" was the cover story of a special issue of Rolling Stone, issue number 963, published December 9, 2004, a year after the magazine published its list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time"....
in 2010.
Reworked version and remixes
A number of versions and remixes of "Clocks" exist. Norwegian duo RöyksoppRöyksopp
Röyksopp is a Norwegian electronic music duo from Tromsø, formed in 1998. Since their inception, the band's line-up has included Svein Berge and Torbjørn Brundtland....
made a remixed version of the song, pressed on the 1000 limited edition 12"
12-inch single
The 12-inch single is a type of gramophone record that has wider groove spacing compared to other types of records. This allows for louder levels to be cut on the disc by the cutting engineer, which in turn gives a wider dynamic range, and thus better sound quality...
vinyl records; 100 of which were made available through the band's official website. The issue features a remixed version of "God Put a Smile upon Your Face
God Put a Smile upon Your Face
"God Put a Smile upon Your Face" is a song by English alternative rock band Coldplay. It was written by all members of the band for their second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head. The song is built around an acoustic and electric guitar sound, that accompanies it with uptempo drumming...
" by Def Inc featuring Mr Thing
Mr Thing
Mr Thing is a British hip hop producer. He is a former member of the Scratch Perverts. He has worked with such artists as Yungun, Doc Brown and Devise...
. The version placed at number five in the Triple J Hottest 100, 2003
Triple J Hottest 100, 2003
The 2003 Triple J Hottest 100, announced on 26 January 2004, was the eleventh such countdown of the most popular songs of the year, according to listeners of the Australian radio station Triple J. As in previous years, a CD featuring 40 songs was released. A DVD, containing film clips of songs...
(the original version of the song placed at number 69 the previous year
Triple J Hottest 100, 2002
The 2002 Triple J Hottest 100, announced on 26 January 2003, was the tenth such countdown of the most popular songs of the year, according to listeners of the Australian radio station Triple J. As in previous years, a CD featuring 39 songs was released. For the first time, a DVD, containing film...
).
In addition, there have been several other dance remixes of "Clocks", including those by Clokx (Ron van den Beuken) and Deep Dish
Deep Dish
Deep Dish is a duo of DJs and house-music producers consisting of Iranian-American members Ali "Dubfire" Shirazinia and Sharam Tayebi. Based in Washington, D.C., Shirazinia and Tayebi are well known for providing house or dance remixes of tracks of famous stars such as Madonna, Cher and Gabrielle,...
plus a mashup
Mashup (music)
A mashup or bootleg is a song or composition created by blending two or more pre-recorded songs, usually by overlaying the vocal track of one song seamlessly over the instrumental track of another...
from Gabriel and Dresden's 2003 Essential Mix
Essential Mix
The Essential Mix is a weekly radio show on BBC Radio 1 currently broadcast between 03:00 and 05:00 Saturday morning. Originally broadcast on 30 October 1993, The Essential Mix features contemporary DJs and music producers of electronic dance music....
which appeared on various P2P
Peer-to-peer file sharing
P2P or Peer-to-peer file sharing allows users to download files such as music, movies, and games using a P2P software client that searches for other connected computers. The "peers" are computer systems connected to each other through internet. Thus, the only requirements for a computer to join...
networks. In 2004, Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
-singer Brandy
Brandy Norwood
Brandy Rayana Norwood , known professionally as Brandy, is an American singer-songwriter, producer, actress, and dancer. In 2009, she introduced her rap alter-ego Bran'Nu....
, together with producer Timbaland
Timbaland
Timothy Zachery Mosley , better known by his stage name Timbaland, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper....
, created a song called "Should I Go" which uses "Clocks" as a sample. The song is featured as the last track on her fourth studio album Afrodisiac
Afrodisiac
Afrodisiac is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Brandy Norwood, released by Atlantic Records on June 28, 2004 on most international territories and on June 29, 2004 in Canada and the United States...
. A remixed cover of the song is included on the soundtrack of the video game Dance Dance Revolution: Hottest Party for the Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
console. The female, Chinese
Chinese people
The term Chinese people may refer to any of the following:*People with Han Chinese ethnicity ....
group Twelve Girls Band
Twelve Girls Band
Twelve Girls Band are an all female Chinese musical group that initially consisted of twelve members before the addition of a thirteenth. Twelve Girls Band use traditional Chinese instruments to play both traditional Chinese and Western music. Formed on June 18, 2001, the women were selected by...
also covered the song, released on their album Eastern Energy
Eastern Energy
Eastern Energy is an album by Twelve Girls Band. It consists of fourteen songs in a sort of modernized Chinese form on one audio CD and a DVD featuring the video for the song "Freedom" and other material. It was released on Platia 72438-64515-0-7 in 2004. This album is also considered as the...
.. On August 02 2011, remix/electronic artist Amonn released a remixed version of Clocks on iTunes.
German band Gregorian remade the song.
Another popular rework of the song exists on the Rhythms del Mundo
Rhythms del Mundo
Rhythms del Mundo is a nonprofit collaborative album, which fuses an all-star cast of Cuban musicians including Ibrahim Ferrer and Omara Portuondo of the Buena Vista Social Club with tracks from US, UK and Irish artists such as Dido, Arctic Monkeys, U2, Coldplay, Sting, Jack Johnson, Maroon 5,...
album which was a non-profit album that included many other prominent UK, US and Irish artists. In 2003, the song was featured on Coldplay's live album
Live album
A live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album...
Live 2003
Live 2003
Live 2003 is a live album by English alternative rock band Coldplay, first released in November 2003. The set features concerts filmed at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion on 21 July 2003 and 22 July 2003....
. Another live version appeared on the 2009 live album LeftRightLeftRightLeft
LeftRightLeftRightLeft
LeftRightLeftRightLeft is a live album by English alternative rock band Coldplay, released at 9:00 am GMT on 15 May 2009. The album was given away for free at all of the remaining concerts on the Viva la Vida Tour and is available as a free download on the band's official website...
.
Track listings
7" CDCompact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
(released 24 March 2003)
12" (released 7 July 2003)
- "Clocks" – 5:09
- "Crests of Waves" – 3:39
- "Animals" – 5:33
DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
(released 24 March 2003)
- "Clocks" (video edit)
- "Politik" (live and photo gallery)
- "In My Place" (live)
- Interview footage
Japan Enhanced EP
- "Clocks" (Edit) – 4:13
- "Crests of Waves" – 3:39
- "Animals" – 5:32
- "Murder" – 5:37
- "In My Place" (Live) – 4:03
- "Yellow" (Live) – 5:13
- "Clocks" (Video)
- "In My Place" (Video)
Charts
| Chart (2003) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| Australia ARIA Singles Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
28 |
| Canadian Singles Chart Canadian Singles Chart The Canadian Singles Chart is currently compiled by the U.S.-based music sales tracking company, Nielsen SoundScan . The chart is compiled every Wednesday, and is published by Jam! Canoe on Thursdays.... |
7 |
| Dutch Top 40 Dutch Top 40 The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting... |
2 |
| France Singles Chart Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry... |
65 |
| Italy Singles Chart Federation of the Italian Music Industry The Federation of the Italian Music Industry is an umbrella organization that keeps track of virtually all aspects of the music recording industry in Italy.... |
25 |
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
15 |
| New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... |
13 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
9 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
29 |
| U.S. Billboard Pop Songs | 21 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play1 | 31 |
| U.S. Billboard Alternative Songs | 9 |
1 Remix version