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Wikipedia article{{Infobox song | name = God Put a Smile upon Your Face | cover = GodPutASmileUponYourFace.jpg | alt = | border = yes | type = single | artist = Coldplay | album = A Rush of Blood to the Head | B-side = Murder | released = | recorded = | studio = | venue = | genre = * Alternative rock * folk rock | length = | label = * Parlophone * Capitol | writer = * Guy Berryman * Jonny Buckland * Will Champion * Chris Martin | producer = * Ken Nelson * Coldplay | prev_title = Clocks | prev_year = 2003 | next_title = Speed of Sound | next_year = 2005 | misc = }} "'God Put a Smile upon Your Face'" is a song by British rock band Coldplay. It was written by all members of the band for their second studio album, 'A Rush of Blood to the Head' (2002). The song is built around prominent acoustic and electric guitar riffs with accompanying up-tempo drumming. The song was released on 1 July 2003 as the fourth and final single from the album. Regional singles were released for Canada, Europe, Australia, and an enhanced version for Taiwan. Promo singles were released for the United Kingdom and United States. Since only promo copies were released, the single itself reached only number 100 in the UK Singles Chart. BackgroundColdplay vocalist Chris Martin said, about the writing of the song, "That came out of playing live and wanting to have something with a bit more bounce. We were really getting into things like PJ Harvey and Muse things with a bit more energy." When asked about the development of the song, during a track-by-track reveal, bassist Guy Berryman said:
CompositionThe song features an acoustic and electric guitar sound. The song starts with a hushed acoustic ballad before building into a roar of an electric guitar and soaring with vocals. The song also includes an uptempo metronomic drumming rhythm. The first line of the third verse allude to a definitive moment with the cryptic reference to God: "Now when you work it out, I'm worse than you/Yeah, when you work it out I wanted to/Now, when you work out where to draw the line/Your guess is as good as mine." Greg Kot of the 'Chicago Tribune' commented that the lyric "God gave you style and gave you grace," Martin sings as if "cataloguing the attributes he only wishes he had". When the song is performed live, guitarist Jonny Buckland begins a long ripping off guitar riff while Chris Martin plays an acoustic guitar. ReleaseColdplay first released "God Put a Smile upon Your Face" in the Netherlands and Belgium on 1 July 2003, then followed with a UK and European release on 7 July 2003. The song was later released in Australia on 21 July 2003, and it was added to US triple A and alternative radio on 8 September 2003. When the song was released, it featured the B-side "Murder". The single cover features bassist Guy Berryman, art-directed by Slve Sundsb. Regional singles were released for Canada, Europe, Australia, and an enhanced version for Taiwan. Promotional singles were released in the UK and US. ReceptionCritics were positive towards the song. In the 'Rolling Stone' review of the album, critic Rob Sheffield wrote: "'God Put a Smile Upon Your Face' is the slinkiest and best thing Coldplay have ever done." Adrien Begrand of 'PopMatters' wrote: "Buckland's lead fills highlight the wondrous 'God Put a Smile on Your Face', as the song's chorus reaches heights that rival those of their fellow countrymen Doves." Ted Kessler of 'NME' wrote: "Over a pounding garage tattoo Martin poses a deep, mortality-based teaser ('where do we go from here?'), asserts some self-belief ('God gave me style, God gave me grace') and then hits upon the bottom line as the song's mood suddenly improves with another fat and glorious chorus: 'Yeah, when you work it out I'm the same as you....your guess is as good as mine.'" "God Put a Smile upon Your Face" was featured in the band's live album, 'Live 2003'. The song is available on 'Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock' video game as a downloadable song. The game also includes other Coldplay songs such as "Yellow" and "Violet Hill". The American TV series Alias used the song in the second season episode "Double Agent", which originally aired on 2 February 2003. Plan B sampled the track on his 2007 mixtape 'Paint it Blacker'. The song was also covered by Mark Ronson on his album 'Version', which he performed live with Adele at the 2008 Brit Awards. Music videoThe music video, released in October 2003, is shot in black-and-white and has a narrative theme, with clips of the band interspersed. It was directed by Jamie Thraves, who had previously directed the band's third video for "The Scientist". The video intercuts footage of the band performing the song with the story of a businessman (played by actor Paddy Considine), who is walking when he bumps into a mysterious suited but barefoot stranger. As the businessman continues walking, he drops his briefcase, and when he attempts to pick it up, he is shocked when his hand goes through the handle. Eventually managing to pick up the briefcase, he walks into a restaurant to have a meal with his colleagues, and sits looking uneasy while they enjoy themselves. During the meal, a glass of water falls through the businessman's hand and shatters on the floor, much to the amusement of his colleagues. Humiliated, the businessman quickly goes to the bathroom, looks in the mirror, and is horrified to watch his hands disappear. Placing the spaces where his hands were in his pockets, he rushes out of the restaurant, leaving his briefcase behind, as his colleagues call after him. The businessman keeps running until his feet disappear, causing him to collapse onto a mattress in an alleyway. The businessman writhes in horror as the rest of him disappears, leaving only his empty suit. Track listingPersonnel* Chris Martin lead vocals, acoustic guitar * Jonny Buckland lead electric guitar * Guy Berryman bass guitar * Will Champion drums, backing vocals ChartsRelease historyReferences | |
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