Mylo Xyloto cover art

  Studio Album · No. 5

Mylo Xyloto Songwriting Credits by Coldplay

2011 Parlophone 14 tracks 44 min

Produced by Rik Simpson, Markus Dravs, Dan Green  ·  Engineered by Mark Stent, Michael Brauer, Dan Green, Rik Simpson

Parlophone Alternative RockPop RockDance-RockNew WaveElectronica
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Coldplay wrote 14 of 14 documented tracks

Authorship Breakdown 14 / 14 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 14 tracks with documented writers, by whether Coldplay carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
14 trackswritten by Coldplay 0 tracksoutside writers
Coldplay's roles on this album

Share of the 14 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

14
Tracks
2
Lyricists
5
Producers
1
No.1 Single
14 million
Worldwide Copies Sold
2011
Released

Awards & Recognition 3

Best Rock Album (2013, Nominated)
Top Rock Album (2012)
Top Alternative Album (2012)
Data Insight

As with all Coldplay records, every song on Mylo Xyloto is credited collectively to the four band members (Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman, Will Champion) rather than to individual writers. The album was built with producers Markus Dravs, Dan Green and Rik Simpson, with Brian Eno credited for additional production and creative direction. The most notable outside contribution is Rihanna, who co-features on 'Princess of China'; that track's writing credits also extend to Peter Allen and Adrienne Anderson because it interpolates their song 'I Go to Rio,' and members of Sigur Ros are credited on two tracks for a sampled element.

Mylo Xyloto is Coldplay's fifth studio album, released October 24, 2011, on Parlophone. The album debuted at number one in 34 countries and is the band's most pop-oriented and sonically colorful record up to that point. It is a suite-like concept album following two lovers named Mylo and Xyloto against an unnamed dystopian cityscape, though the narrative is never made explicit in the lyrics. Its production combines Rik Simpson's electronic layering with the organic warmth of prior records, producing 'Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall,' 'Paradise,' and 'Charlie Brown' as its standout singles. 'Princess of China,' a pop-electronic duet featuring Rihanna, was a commercial hit that demonstrated the band's willingness to pursue mainstream collaboration. Brian Eno is credited as co-writer on the majority of tracks, reflecting his continued creative partnership with the band beyond his producer role on Viva la Vida.

Track Listing & Credits 14 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Mylo Xyloto
Chris Martin Chris MartinJonny BucklandGuy BerrymanWill Champion Rik Simpson Chris Martin (Lead Vocals)
2
Hurts Like Heaven
Chris Martin Chris MartinJonny BucklandGuy BerrymanWill ChampionBrian Eno Rik SimpsonMarkus DravsDan Green Chris Martin (Lead Vocals)
3
Paradise #1
Chris Martin Chris MartinJonny BucklandGuy BerrymanWill ChampionBrian Eno Rik SimpsonMarkus DravsDan Green Chris Martin (Lead Vocals)
4
Charlie Brown
Chris Martin Chris MartinJonny BucklandGuy BerrymanWill ChampionBrian Eno Rik SimpsonMarkus DravsDan Green Chris Martin (Lead Vocals)
5
Us Against the World
Chris Martin Chris MartinJonny BucklandGuy BerrymanWill ChampionBrian Eno Rik SimpsonMarkus DravsDan Green Chris Martin (Lead Vocals)
6
M.M.I.X.
Chris Martin Chris MartinJonny BucklandGuy BerrymanWill ChampionBrian Eno Rik SimpsonMarkus DravsDan Green Chris Martin (Lead Vocals)
7
Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall #6
Chris Martin Chris MartinJonny BucklandGuy BerrymanWill ChampionBrian EnoPeter AllenAdrienne AndersonHarry CastioniAlex ChristensenAlberto HaussJeff Wycombe Rik SimpsonMarkus DravsDan Green Chris Martin (Lead Vocals)
8
Major Minus
Chris Martin Chris MartinJonny BucklandGuy BerrymanWill ChampionBrian Eno Rik SimpsonMarkus DravsDan Green Chris Martin (Lead Vocals)
9
U.F.O.
Chris Martin Chris MartinJonny BucklandGuy BerrymanWill ChampionBrian Eno Rik SimpsonMarkus DravsDan Green Chris Martin (Lead Vocals)
10
Princess of China
Chris MartinRihanna Chris MartinJonny BucklandGuy BerrymanWill ChampionBrian EnoJón Þór BirgissonOrri Páll DýrasonGeorg HólmKjartan Sveinsson Rik SimpsonMarkus DravsDan GreenKen ThomasKuk Harrell Rihanna
11
Up in Flames
Chris Martin Chris MartinJonny BucklandGuy BerrymanWill Champion Rik SimpsonMarkus DravsDan Green Chris Martin (Lead Vocals)
12
A Hopeful Transmission
Chris Martin Chris MartinJonny BucklandGuy BerrymanWill ChampionBrian Eno Rik SimpsonMarkus DravsDan Green Chris Martin (Lead Vocals)
13
Don't Let It Break Your Heart
Chris Martin Chris MartinJonny BucklandGuy BerrymanWill Champion Rik SimpsonMarkus DravsDan Green Chris Martin (Lead Vocals)
14
Up with the Birds
Chris Martin Chris MartinJonny BucklandGuy BerrymanWill ChampionBrian EnoLeonard CohenBrian May Rik SimpsonMarkus DravsDan Green Chris Martin (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 23 contributors

More from Coldplay

Frequently Asked Questions Mylo Xyloto

Who wrote the songs on Coldplay's Mylo Xyloto?
Every song on Mylo Xyloto is credited to all four members of Coldplay collectively: Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman and Will Champion. The band has used this shared songwriting convention across its catalogue. Additional writers appear on 'Princess of China' because it interpolates an existing song.
Who produced Mylo Xyloto?
The album was produced by Markus Dravs, Dan Green and Rik Simpson. Brian Eno also contributed additional production and creative direction. Mixing was handled mainly by Mark Stent and Michael Brauer.
Is Rihanna on Mylo Xyloto?
Yes. Rihanna features on 'Princess of China,' sharing lead vocals with Chris Martin. It is the only guest vocal feature on the album and became one of its singles.
Why does Princess of China have extra songwriting credits?
'Princess of China' credits Peter Allen and Adrienne Anderson in addition to Coldplay because it interpolates their 1976 song 'I Go to Rio.' These credits reflect the reuse of that existing melody rather than additional collaborators in the studio.
What were the biggest singles from Mylo Xyloto?
'Paradise' was the album's standout single, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart and number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. 'Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall' preceded it, peaking at number 6 in the UK and number 14 in the US.
How many copies has Mylo Xyloto sold?
Mylo Xyloto has sold more than 14 million copies worldwide. It was certified 5x Platinum in the United Kingdom and Platinum in the United States.
Did Mylo Xyloto win any awards?
The album won Top Rock Album and Top Alternative Album at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards. It was also nominated for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards.

Sources