"Magic" is a song by British rock band Coldplay from their sixth studio album, "Ghost Stories." Released in March 2014, "Magic" served as the album's lead single. The track was written by all four members of the band and produced by British musician and producer Paul Epworth. The song's lyrical theme revolves around the idea of finding and losing love, with the lyrics capturing the sense of longing and hopefulness that often accompanies romantic relationships. The opening lines, "Call it magic / Call it true / I call it magic / When I'm with you," set the tone for the track's sentimental and nostalgic vibe. Musically, "Magic" is driven by a gentle acoustic guitar riff and features soft and melodic piano chords.
“We recorded it with Selena Gomez … but we never got to sing it with her, so we haven’t really played it,” Martin disclaimed at the start. In true Los Angeles show privilege, Selena Gomez walked out to sing with Martin and the fans, one of whom jumped up to hug her. H.E.R., the opening act of the night, walked out to lend her vocals and electric guitar to the track.
Formed in 1997 during their London school days, the rock band consists of vocalist pianist Martin, drummer Will Champion, bassist Guy Berryman, and guitarist Jonny Buckland, who have dominated musical charts and proved to be an undeniable influence on the sonic landscape of music. The band made sure to play their hits, including a mind blowing run of Paradise, The Scientist, Viva la Vida, and Hymn for the Weekend performed back-to-back.
Musically, "Magic" is driven by a gentle acoustic guitar riff and features soft and melodic piano chords. The band's lead vocalist, Chris Martin, delivers a heartfelt and vulnerable vocal performance, heightening the emotional impact of the song. As the track progresses, it builds in intensity, incorporating layers of synthesizers and drums.
Review | Coldplay Music Of The Spheres World Tour
Look no further for a quote to perfectly encapsulate Coldplay, as lead singer Chris Martin laughed and waved a short stool around the stage. Though funny and self-deprecating, the British quartet is a true monstrosity of a band.
For perspective, Coldplay’s debut album Parachutes won the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album in 2002, and, two decades later in 2022, they sold more concert tickets than any other artist, breaking attendance records around the world. Formed in 1997 during their London school days, the rock band consists of vocalist/pianist Martin, drummer Will Champion, bassist Guy Berryman, and guitarist Jonny Buckland, who have dominated musical charts and proved to be an undeniable influence on the sonic landscape of music.
Credit: Kat SophiaAs Martin waved the stool around — he ended up having a completely functional stool that simply needed adjustment, and joked, “I could’ve worked the stool like a proper person” — two fans from Mexico sat in front of his piano anxiously waiting for him to join them in singing “Let Somebody Go.” Martin picks fans from shows to join him onstage to sing their requested songs, and the fans of this show excitedly gifted him a pin he proudly wears.
“We recorded it with Selena Gomez … but we never got to sing it with her, so we haven’t really played it,” Martin disclaimed at the start. In true Los Angeles show privilege, Selena Gomez walked out to sing with Martin and the fans, one of whom jumped up to hug her. H.E.R., the opening act of the night, walked out to lend her vocals and electric guitar to the track.
Worth mentioning is Coldplay’s emphasis on environmental sustainability, with their world stadium tour utilizing energy bicycles, electricity-producing dancefloors, and planting a tree for every ticket sold, to name a few. The floor of the stadium had palpable energy, with fans gleefully riding the energy bicycles and dancing on the floors as the screens onstage displayed their beaming faces. It signaled a step in a more conscious direction for touring, and it was inspiring to see one of the biggest bands in the world walking the walk of the cause they so passionately believe in.
The band made sure to play their hits, including a mind blowing run of “Paradise,” “The Scientist,” “Viva la Vida,” and “Hymn for the Weekend” performed back-to-back. Coldplay performed their biggest songs with a respect and excitement unlike most other acts I’ve seen. Highlight “Fix You” started with Martin performing the intro solo on piano (on the miniature C-Stage in the back of the floor), then running to the main stage as the song soared back to life, joining the rest with the band.
The C-Stage contained my favorite moment of the night, when Coldplay played sleeper hit “Sparks,” in an intimate, acoustic circle — Champion’s drum set swapped for a cajon, and Martin on acoustic guitar — facing one another. It helped those in the back of the stadium get a closer view; I was able to stand at the front, and it was mind-blowing to see such a huge act up close, singing one of my favorite songs.
From left: Selena Gomez, H.E.R., and Chris Martin | Credit: Anna LeeDuring the second C-Stage song, “Magic,” Martin switched to piano and introduced the band while sharing anecdotes. With an improvised song to Buckland, he sang, “It’s just me and you, like in 1996. When you were smoking in the corner, and I was up to all kinds of tricks. You didn’t even like me, you said I got it all wrong. But you said you’d stick beside me, you make millions of dollars from my songs!” Martin laughed. “Not true,” he reassured.
When introducing Berryman on bass, Martin shared how “when we first started playing, this is how we’d rehearse. In Johnny’s bedroom, sitting this close. But they’d be smoking a lot more weed and a lot more cigarettes.” The crowd erupts into laughter. “In 1997, he changed all his life plans and stayed in London so we could keep rehearsing. If he hadn’t done that, we’d all be fucked.”
It’s hard to imagine a world where this wasn’t Coldplay’s story. It is now solidified in the history of music, and their prominent musical influence will surely endure long after them. “Here we are. The four of us still, somehow. Slightly leaner, and a little bit more beard-y. But here we are.”
But what would a Kellyoke be without some massively impressive belting notes? "Wanna fall, fall so far I wanna fall, fall so hard, and I call it magic," she sang her heart out, quickly flipping back and forth between some powerful notes and heavenly gentle vibrato.
The accompanying music video for "Magic" was directed by Jonas Åkerlund and features French actress Zhang Ziyi as a magician's assistant who helps him perform magic tricks. The video follows a narrative where the magician, played by Martin, uses his magic tricks to woo Ziyi's character. The visual effects and cinematography of the video contribute to the mystical and enchanting atmosphere of the song. "Magic" was well-received by both critics and fans, with many praising its introspective lyrics and captivating melody. The song achieved considerable commercial success, reaching the top 10 in various countries' music charts, including the United Kingdom and the United States. It also received several award nominations, including a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Overall, "Magic" is a poignant and beautiful song that showcases Coldplay's ability to craft emotionally resonant music. With its introspective lyrics, gentle instrumentation, and atmospheric production, "Magic" continues to be a fan-favorite and a standout track in Coldplay's discography..
Reviews for "Unveiling the Inspirational Messages in Coldplay's Magix Lyrics"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Magix" by Coldplay. It just didn't live up to their previous work. The songs lacked the catchy hooks and memorable melodies that made me fall in love with the band in the first place. The lyrics felt generic and uninspired, and the overall production felt overproduced and artificial. I was hoping for an album that would take me on an emotional journey, but instead, I was left feeling underwhelmed. It's a shame because I know Coldplay is capable of so much more.
2. David - 1/5 - "Magix" by Coldplay felt like a soulless attempt to pander to the mainstream. The songs all followed the same predictable formula, with repetitive choruses and uninspired instrumentation. It lacked the depth and creativity that I used to associate with Coldplay. It felt like they were trying too hard to stay relevant in the pop music scene, and as a result, they lost sight of what made them special. I was hoping for something new and refreshing, but instead, I got a collection of forgettable pop songs.
3. Emily - 2.5/5 - I have been a fan of Coldplay for years, but "Magix" just didn't resonate with me. The album felt disjointed and lacked a cohesive sound. It seemed like they were experimenting with different genres, but it just didn't work for me. The songs didn't flow well together, and none of them stood out as memorable. I appreciate that Coldplay wanted to explore new musical territories, but the execution fell flat for me. I hope they find their footing again in their next album.
4. Daniel - 2/5 - I found "Magix" by Coldplay to be incredibly boring and uninspiring. The songs all blended together and lacked any sort of energy or excitement. None of the tracks stood out to me, and I found myself losing interest halfway through the album. It felt like a collection of background music rather than something that was meant to be listened to and enjoyed. I was really hoping for something more from Coldplay, but unfortunately, "Magix" didn't deliver.