Music is a wonderful way to share experiences and get to know one another.

Although making assumptions about a person based on the music they enjoy might lead you to incorrect conclusions, it can be a good way to shortcut some of the getting-to-know-you and at least lead to conversation: hey, you like that band? Me too!

With that in mind, I’d like to introduce a weekly-ish feature post in which I’ll share some of my favourite songs, or just what I like right now, and talk a little bit about why I like them, or memories associated with them.

You like what I like? Great, let me know in the comments. You hate it? I’d love to hear that too!

So without further ado, I bring you today’s song: Every Teardrop is a Waterfall by Coldplay

Since their first album, Parachutes in 2010, I have been a big fan of Coldplay (apparently formerly known as Pectoralz).  I used to have that album on repeat while I made my way through various levels of Banjo Kazooie on the Nintendo 64 – so much so that Spies still makes me think of that level where you’re on a map that repeats itself through four seasons before you can complete it.

While their earlier work, filled with beautiful but heartbreaking lyrics, led to the band being labelled ‘suicide rock,’ over time their sound has moved towards the upbeat electro-pop feel that emerged on Viva La Vida.

This song was the first single from Mylo Xyloto and was released worldwide as a digital single in June 2011.  From memory this worked out to be at about 11pm one Friday here and, while I tried to resist the hype, I did find myself listening to BBC1 online at the magic moment.  On first hearing the opening strains (containing elements of Peter Allen’s I Go to Rio) I couldn’t help but think ‘Umm….wtf?’ but quickly came to love the song.

Thanks to my trusty iPod’s random selections, when I hear this song now I think of stepping out of the underground train station into the morning sunlight and strutting off to work – it just fits perfectly.

Are you a fan of Coldplay, or do you find them just too depressing/blah/pop/whatever? Let me know in the comments below!