Clocks

The song is a masterclass in modal writing. By using Eb Mixolydian rather than Eb Major, Coldplay avoids the 'leading tone' (D natural), which prevents the progression from ever feeling fully closed or grounded. The 3-3-2 rhythmic phrasing of the arpeggiated piano riff over this I-v-ii loop creates a hypnotic, perpetual motion effect that mirrors the lyrical themes of cycles and urgency.

Chris Martin arrived at the studio late one night with a piano riff that had just come to mind. He presented the melody to guitarist Jonny Buckland, who layered guitar chords over the basic track. While the band initially considered saving the song for their third album because they had already completed 10 tracks for their second record, their manager Phil Harvey urged them to record and include it immediately.

As one of the most iconic tracks of the 2000s, 'Clocks' solidified Coldplay's global superstar status with its ethereal production and arpeggiated piano melody. The song famously won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year, serving as a bridge between British indie sensibilities and massive arena-rock appeal.