Speed of Sound (song)

"Speed of Sound"
Single by Coldplay
from the album X&Y
B-side	"Things I Don't Understand" "Proof"
Released	11 May 2005 (2005-05-11)
Genre	Alternative rock
Length	4:49 (album version) 4:23 (radio edit)
Label	Parlophone
Songwriter(s)	Guy Berryman Jonny Buckland Will Champion Chris Martin
Producer(s)	Danton Supple Coldplay
Coldplay singles chronology
"God Put a Smile upon Your Face" (2003) "Speed of Sound" (2005) "Fix You" (2005)
Music video
"Speed of Sound" on YouTube

"Speed of Sound" is a song by British rock band Coldplay. It was written by all members of the band for their third studio album, X&Y (2005). Constructed around a piano and guitar riff, the song builds into a huge, synthesiser-heavy chorus. It was released by Parlophone Records as the lead single from the album. "Speed of Sound" made its radio premiere on BBC Radio 1 with Lamacq on 19 April,^[1] then was serviced to US radio on 18 April 2005. The song was released physically in Japan on 11 May with two B-sides: "Things I Don't Understand" and "Proof". In the United Kingdom, the single was issued on 23 May 2005.

Vocalist and pianist Chris Martin stated that the song was written after the band had listened to English singer Kate Bush. Upon release, it charted in the UK Singles Chart at number two. In the United States, it debuted at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100,^[2] becoming their first top ten hit and highest-peaking song in the country, until "Viva la Vida" reached number one in 2008.

"Speed of Sound" was named the Song of the Year by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and later nominated for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards. It also won the Brit Award for Best British Single in 2006. During the same year, the track's music video achieved four nominations at the MTV Video Music Awards. "Speed of Sound" is also notable for being the billionth download purchased on the iTunes Store.