~Look at earth from outer space, everyone must find their place~

All the songs in A Rush of Blood to the Head are amazing but Politik is the one song that made it my favourite Coldplay album. I think it is one of their greatest songs ever, without a doubt. Each time I listen to it it would trigger my emotions in so many ways.


I saw them perform this song live at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne last month. It was delivered with so much passion and energy. I will probably make another post about my Melbourne trip but Coldplay's concert was truly spectacular! :D

As for the musical arrangements of Politik, i'm addicted to the stunning thumping beats and consistent drums throughout the intro. In the beginning of the song, emotions of anger, unrest and frustration are expressed and towards the end the music flows full of hope and peace. I just love the pure symphonic, intense and dreamy vibe to the whole song.

To me the lyrics can be interpreted in so many ways. It can be as general as talking about internal struggles, world issues, personal growth, relationships or a battle against yourself. It can also be about politics and love intermingled. I would love any discussion on your own interpretation of the lyrics.

This is also a song questioning our own personal political identity. Some people seem to blindly follow and idolize people (be it a politician, a celebrity or whoever) and they dont really have a clear stance and a clear belief on what they really believe in. When they idolize someone, they see them as perfect and nothing wrong can be done by their 'idol'. That is why Chris asks us to "tell me your OWN politik" so that we realize that we should form our own opinions and our own point of view without blindly following others.

I also believe that the song is about hypocrisy and superficiality that exists in the world and the obsessions with the petty / negative things in life when we should be more concerned about the real important issues of the day. It is also a wake up call directed to those who are racing for wealth, power and status in life. Well, that is just my take on it.

Everytime I listen to it I tend to think about different things. In a way, the song is a good 'reminder' for myself also. Sometimes we just need little reminders, don't we?

I read somewhere that the song is actually about a famous russian journalist, Anna Politkovskaya since Chris Martin has voiced his admiration for her. She was a human rights activist and journalist who was the mortal enemy of Putin. Putin allegedly had her arrested and ordered her to go through a mock execution, before she was finally murdered in her apartment. This theory could be true since the spelling of the title is similar to her name. (It's also the way politic is spelt in Malay, with a K. Hehe).

Whatever it is that they were actually trying to express, the cohesion and balance of the music and the lyrics of Politik has managed to touch my soul.

Below are the lyrics
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Politik

Look at the earth from outer space
Everyone must find their place
Give me time and give me space
Give me real don't give me fake

Give me strength and self control
Give me heart and give me soul
Give me time, give us a kiss
Tell me your own politik

And open up your eyes, open up your eyes,
open up your eyes, open up your eyes

Give me one 'cause one is best
In confusion, confidence
Give me peace of mind to trust
Don't forget the rest us
Give me strength, reserve control
Give me heart and give me soul
Wounds to heal and cracks to fix
Tell me your own politik

And open up your eyes, open up your eyes,
open up your eyes, open up your eyes
Just open up your eyes

But give me love over, love over, love over this
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