Coldplay’s frontman, Chris Martin, experienced a moment of pure musical revelation when he heard The Proclaimers’ “Sunshine on Leith” for the first time just days before the band performed it for BBC’s Radio 2 Piano Room. Released in 1988, the song instantly captivated Martin, who described the powerful impact it had on him: “I’d never heard it before and it blew me away. It just gets to me.”
The performance, which took place at the BBC Maida Vale studios in London, saw Martin joined by British singer Laura Mvula. Coldplay’s set included an array of their own hits, such as “Viva La Vida,” “Paradise,” and “All My Love” from their latest album Moon Music. Yet it was “Sunshine on Leith” that stood out as the emotional highlight of the show.
Martin shared how he’s only just begun to explore The Proclaimers’ music: “There’s a whole other world of music behind that song that I’ve just been discovering,” he said, praising the Scottish duo’s timeless sound. “The Proclaimers make more sense than ever. This song is astonishingly good, and we’re going to butcher it right now!” he joked, acknowledging the challenge of covering such a beloved track.
For Martin, the song’s raw emotion and simplicity hold a profound appeal. In his view, the absence of pretension in The Proclaimers’ music is part of what makes it so powerful. He also reflected on Coldplay’s own journey, explaining, “Coldplay has never been cool. We might be Number One or Number 100, but none of it really matters.” The band’s focus, he says, has always been about connecting with their audience, no matter the status or popularity of their music.
Despite Coldplay’s looming plans to release just two more albums, Martin continues to find inspiration in fresh sounds and emerging artists. “Chris is never going to stop writing,” said Guy Berryman, the band’s bassist. “We’re still years away from any kind of retirement. But I think you have to have a plan.”
