Songful Style | “Humankind” by Coldplay

We are back after our little holiday hiatus and it is Suzy’s song pick. To kick off the new year, she chose 2021’s “Humankind” by British rock band Coldplay.

About Songful Style

Songful Style is an ageless style challenge series hosted by Suzy of The Grey Brunette, Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge, and Marsha of Marsha in the Middle. 

Each month we will share a song with the lyrics and video and we invite you to use whatever aspect of the song that inspires you to create an outfit. 

It is similar to Style Imitating Art where we use artwork to inspire our outfit creations. Except Songful Style gives you lyrics, music, video, and album artwork to inspire your fashion creativity. You may even find inspiration in a memory triggered by the selected song. It is all open to your own personal interpretation and just a fun way to discover new music and get a little bit more creative with your wardrobe.

Anyone is welcome to join us on a permanent basis or you can just play along without any obligation to do anything other than feel inspired. We are flexible and fun and just want to find more ways to play dress up because it’s what we enjoy doing! 

We will be posting on the last Monday of each month and will announce our song choice for the following month at the end of each post. Then about a week or two later, I will share a detailed post like this one about the chosen song.

Video Inspiration

The Lyrics

“Humankind” by Coldplay

Today I heard the strangest
I heard the strangest song
A DJ a star away is
Playing it to turn us on
(Ay)

My heart started glowing
I feel it inside, it's flowing

I say I know, I know, I know
We're only human
I know, I know, I know
How we're designed, yeah
Oh I know, I know, I know
We're only human
But from another planet
Still they call us humankind

Today I had the strangest
Feeling that I belong (belong)
(Ay)

Before, I was dying
I feel it inside, now I'm flying

I say I know, I know, I know
We're only human
I know, I know, I know
How we're designed, yeah
Oh I know, I know, I know
We're only human
But from another planet
Still they call us humankind

Before, I was dying
I feel it inside, now I'm flying

I know, I know, I know
We're only human
I know, I know, I know
How we're designed
Oh I know, I know, I know
We're only human
But we're capable of kindness
So they call us humankind

About the Artist and the Song

Coldplay is a British rock band formed in 1997 in London by vocalist and pianist Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, drummer Will Champion, and manager Phil Harvey. The group initially met at University College London and formed a band called Big Fat Noises before changing it to Starfish and ultimately settling on the name Coldplay.

The group first independently released an extended play, Safety, in 1998, shortly after their debut performance at The Laurel Tree. The two day recording session was financed by Phil Harvey for £1500 and resulted in 500 copies that were mostly distributed to record labels, friends, and family. Only about 150 copies were sold on the open market. The following year, Coldplay signed with Parlophone Records Ltd. and subsequently released their debut album, Parachutes, in 2000.

Their debut album featured Coldplay’s breakthrough single “Yellow” and went on to receive a Brit Award for British Album of the Year, a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album, and a Mercury Prize nomination. Their second album, 2002’s A Rush of Blood to the Head, earned the Grammy Award for Record of the Year. Their third album, X&Y in 2005, completed what the band considers a trilogy and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Album. Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, Coldplay’s fourth album released in 2008, won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album and was also nominated for Album of the Year.

Their next five studio albums showcased diversification in Coldplay’s sound with each new record presenting a unique theme and the addition of new musical styles including electronica, pop, R&B, classical, and progressive rock. The band has become well known and admired for their “euphoric” and “immersive” live performances. With over 100 million records sold worldwide, Coldplay is one of the best selling musical acts of all time.

In 2014, they were ranked by Fuse as the sixth most awarded music group in history, including being the recipients of the most Brit Awards of any band ever. Three of their albums are currently listed in the top 50 highest selling albums in the UK and they are responsible for the most number one albums in the country. They also can boast two of the highest grossing tours of all time and are recognized as “one of planet’s most influential and pioneering” acts.

“Humankind” is the third track on Coldplay’s ninth studio album, Music of the Spheres, which was released on October 15, 2021, on the Parlophone label in the United Kingdom and by Atlantic Records in the United States. Inspired by the Star Wars film franchise, Music of the Spheres is the band’s third concept album which is set in a fictional planetary system call The Spheres. This system consists of nine planets, three natural satellites, a star, and a nebula, with each fictional celestial body corresponding to a specific track on the album. “Humankind” represents the celestial body called Echo.

According to the band, “Humankind” was the most difficult song to record because they just “couldn’t get the feel of it right until the end of the sessions.” While it doesn’t appear that “Humankind” won any awards, the album itself was nominated in 2022 for an American Music Award for Favorite Rock Album, a Billboard Music Award for Top Rock Album, a Hungarian Music Award for International Alternative or Rock Album of the Year, and a Žebřík Music Award for Best Foreign Album. In 2023, Music of the Spheres was also nominated for a Gold Derby Music Award for Best Rock/Alternative Album as well as Grammy nominations for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album.

Whether you are a fan or not, it cannot be denied that Coldplay has fans. And lots of them.

Album Covers and Other Photo Inspiration

I must admit that I was not familiar with this song before writing this post. Upon first listen, I was really confused by the lyrics and a little annoyed by the ear worminess of the chorus “I know, I know, I know, We’re only human.” After reading about the concept of the album and the fictional planetary system where the songs are set, it now makes much more sense to me. But that doesn’t really help me with this style challenge at all. I am without a clue. May a songfully stylish sun shine inspiration down on me!

You are welcome to do your own research if you need more inspiration or if you are interested in learning more. If you want to join us, we will be hosting a link party on Monday, January 29, 2024, where you can share your outfits. We would love to see your Songful Styles.

Happy styling!

Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

Joining these Fabulous Link Parties.