# If I like the musical group Coldplay, I'd also like... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 5, 2004, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-like-the-musical-group-coldplay-id-also-like/248825 "2004-06-05T16:50:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-like-the-musical-group-coldplay-id-also-like/248825/21 "2004-06-06T19:16:08Z")
Am I alone in being utterly unable to see a connection between Coldplay and Radiohead? [Blackadder]They’re about as alike as two totally dissimilar things… in a pod.[/Blackadder] ---
**Author:** ![Soapbox\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Soapbox\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soapbox_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-like-the-musical-group-coldplay-id-also-like/248825/22 "2004-06-06T19:51:03Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > Since Radiohead took much of their current style from Jeff Buckley, I’d suggest him as well. Unless by “current” you mean “1995” and by “much” you mean “a little,” I’m going to have to disagree with you. I’m not dissing Buckley, I’m just disagreeing with your statement. ---
**Author:** ![Qwertyasdfg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/ecc23a/32.png) [@Qwertyasdfg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwertyasdfg)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-like-the-musical-group-coldplay-id-also-like/248825/23 "2004-06-06T21:02:14Z")
I like Coldplay a lot, but I really don’t like Radiohead (except for the one album, the Bends.) I’ve heard lots of Radiohead, and almost everything Coldplay has done, and I don’t see a strong connection. If you like Coldplay, I’d say you’ll probably like The Beatles, John Mayer, Guster, Ben Folds Five and Ben Folds’ solo work (although its just not as good.) ---
**Author:** ![Tuco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tuco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuco)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-like-the-musical-group-coldplay-id-also-like/248825/24 "2004-06-06T21:05:32Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > Am I alone in being utterly unable to see a connection between Coldplay and Radiohead? [Blackadder]They’re about as alike as two totally dissimilar things… in a pod.[/Blackadder] Whiney vocals over 4 repeated chords vs. Whiney vocals over 4 repeated chords… Not that that’s a bad thing, it’s just not my bag, baby. ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Macphisto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b487fb/32.png) [@Ms\_Macphisto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Macphisto)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-like-the-musical-group-coldplay-id-also-like/248825/25 "2004-06-06T22:43:45Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > Hmm. Since Radiohead took much of their current style from Jeff Buckley, I’d suggest him as well. > > Don’t get me wrong; I love Radiohead; I think they’re definitely worshiping the right god. But they’re the worshipers, and Buckley’s the god. > > I love Coldplay, too, but mostly because they let me think, if I squint my ears, that Jeff Buckley is still very present in the musical Universe. Another good one for both the OP and **lissener** is Starsailor. As much as I love their first album, _Love Is Here_, I have to admit it’s teetering right on the edge between Buckley-inspired and complete Buckley ripoff. ---
**Author:** ![Soapbox\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Soapbox\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soapbox_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-like-the-musical-group-coldplay-id-also-like/248825/26 "2004-06-06T22:50:52Z")
> [@Tuco](#): > > Whiney vocals over 4 repeated chords vs. Whiney vocals over 4 repeated chords… > > Not that that’s a bad thing, it’s just not my bag, baby. Wrong. Completely wrong. List for me right now any Radiohead song that has only 4 notes. You’re not going to be able to find any. It doesn’t have to be your bag, but your “opinion,” which you stated as a fact, is 100% false. ---
**Author:** ![Dahnlor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dahnlor/32/533_2.png) [@Dahnlor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dahnlor)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-like-the-musical-group-coldplay-id-also-like/248825/27 "2004-06-06T23:46:26Z")
> [@Soapbox Monkey](#): > > Wrong. Completely wrong. List for me right now any Radiohead song that has only 4 notes. You’re not going to be able to find any. > > It doesn’t have to be your bag, but your “opinion,” which you stated as a fact, is 100% false. I don’t see the “whiney vocals” being refuted…so I’d say that statement was more like 50% off. In **Tuco** ’s defense, he’s probably like me and just can’t make it past the first 4. 😉 D ---
**Author:** ![Nightwatch\_Trailer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9dc877/32.png) [@Nightwatch\_Trailer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightwatch_Trailer)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2004, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-like-the-musical-group-coldplay-id-also-like/248825/28 "2004-06-07T02:26:21Z")
I’m surprised that nobody has mentioned **U2** yet. They are quite similar to Coldplay (the lead singer of which - I don’t know his name - sounds very Bono-esque with his crooning). ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2004, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-like-the-musical-group-coldplay-id-also-like/248825/29 "2004-06-07T02:28:55Z")
> [@kung fu lola](#): > > I can’t believe no one has mentioned Snow Patrol yet. Particularly “How to be dead”, which is very Coldplay-ish. I thought of them, but forgot to mention them. They stuck in my mind because the DJ said “…and people who like Coldplay will like Snow Patrol too.” Although I’m not sure I’ve actually heard anything by them yet 😃 ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2004, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-like-the-musical-group-coldplay-id-also-like/248825/30 "2004-06-07T22:13:12Z")
[Gnoosic](http://www.gnoosic.com/tripex.php) is a good website for “recommended if you like…” …and as for the “four chords” of Coldplay. I actually really enjoy playing guitar along with the CDs. There are certainly more than four chords, they tend to be interesting fingerings and tunings. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![threeorange](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@threeorange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threeorange)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-like-the-musical-group-coldplay-id-also-like/248825/31 "2004-06-08T10:47:52Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > Am I alone in being utterly unable to see a connection between Coldplay and Radiohead? [Blackadder]They’re about as alike as two totally dissimilar things… in a pod.[/Blackadder] No, you’re not alone. The Radiohead/Coldplay conflation seems to be another case of PR men with a new band to push needing a comparison to another band that was hot at the time, and the music press running with it. ---
**Author:** ![threeorange](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@threeorange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threeorange)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-like-the-musical-group-coldplay-id-also-like/248825/32 "2004-06-08T10:52:03Z")
> [@Tuco](#): > > Whiney vocals over 4 repeated chords vs. Whiney vocals over 4 repeated chords… Doesn’t that describe most of popular music? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-like-the-musical-group-coldplay-id-also-like/248825/33 "2004-06-08T11:37:06Z")
> [@Qwertyasdfg](#): > > I’ve heard lots of Radiohead, and almost everything Coldplay has done, and I don’t see a strong connection. I haven’t heard a ton of Coldplay, but their popular stuff always makes me think of Radiohead’s piano-based songs (Pyramid Song, Sail to the Moon). I expect the general downcast mood of both bands’ work is also responsible for the comparison. > [@stpauler](#): > > …and as for the “four chords” of Coldplay. I actually really enjoy playing guitar along with the CDs. There are certainly more than four chords, they tend to be interesting fingerings and tunings. That’s also my experience with Radiohead stuff. ---
**Author:** ![look\_ninjas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b2d939/32.png) [@look\_ninjas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/look_ninjas)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-like-the-musical-group-coldplay-id-also-like/248825/34 "2004-06-08T11:42:39Z")
You might like the Cure. ---
**Author:** ![slortar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-like-the-musical-group-coldplay-id-also-like/248825/35 "2004-06-08T12:55:25Z")
Or possibly Gomez. ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-like-the-musical-group-coldplay-id-also-like/248825/36 "2004-06-08T13:32:40Z")
> [@Nightwatch Trailer](#): > > I’m surprised that nobody has mentioned **U2** yet. They are quite similar to Coldplay (the lead singer of which - I don’t know his name - sounds very Bono-esque with his crooning). I was coming to say **U2**. He often sounds very bono-esque and both bands do a lot of what this musical-terminology challenged guy would call “layering”. Different instruments coming in and/or out at different times. Not afraid to use different sounds. That said, I like both bands. I’m just surprised that a lot of people I know who like Coldplay don’t like U2. But most of those people are folks who think anything that has ever sold well sucks. I’m sure the second Coldplay plays an arena, they will instantly change their assessment from “rules” to “sucks”. Also, maybe **Oasis, Echo and the Bunnymen, Joy Division, Cure** for some solid brit pop-rock. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-like-the-musical-group-coldplay-id-also-like/248825/37 "2004-06-08T14:43:39Z")
I’ve been a Radiohead fan since the beginning. The first time I heard Coldplay, I thought, “Wow. These guys are Radiohead-lite”. Basically, they take the pop parts of Radiohead and leave the ground-breaking parts alone. They’re awesome, but they’re no Radiohead. Then I heard Travis and thought, “These guys are Radiohead-lighter”. Also awesome, but not Radiohead. ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-like-the-musical-group-coldplay-id-also-like/248825/38 "2004-06-08T14:47:39Z")
mild anesthesia? ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-like-the-musical-group-coldplay-id-also-like/248825/39 "2004-06-08T15:15:59Z")
> [@Soapbox Monkey](#): > > Unless by “current” you mean “1995” and by “much” you mean “a little,” I’m going to have to disagree with you. > > I’m not dissing Buckley, I’m just disagreeing with your statement. I don’t get the “current” remark: yes, Buckley came before Radiohead; that’s what I’m saying. How does pointing this out suggest that Radiohead wasn’t influenced by him? As far as “much” vs. “a little,” that’s open to interpretation of course. Personally, I think it’s inarguable that Jeff Buckley gave male singers permission to sing again; he made it OK not be be afraid of melody. \*Grace \* was truly alternative in its day: all the other male vocalists were shouting and pounding with their voices, and Jeff comes along with his Judy Garland and Nina Simone and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Robert Plant influences and made it cool for guys to open up their throats and \*sing \* again. The prevailing style at the time was Cobain’s and Vedder’s. Not dissing; just distinguishing. You want to look at dates for a smoking gun, when did Radiohead’s style begin to evolve toward what it is today? Between \*The Bends \* (1995) and \*OK Computer \* (1997). You seem to be defending Radiohead against some kind of accusation. Identifying and acknowledging an artist’s influences isn’t any such thing. If I ever get off my ass and start my band, I’ll be happy to list my influences for anyone who’d care to ask–they’ll include Jeff AND Radiohead. ---
**Author:** ![down\_by\_law](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/65b543/32.png) [@down\_by\_law](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/down_by_law)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-like-the-musical-group-coldplay-id-also-like/248825/40 "2004-06-08T16:59:42Z")
you might try death cab for cutie. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-like-the-musical-group-coldplay-id-also-like/248825.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-like-the-musical-group-coldplay-id-also-like/248825.md?page=3)