Music

David Bowie once turned down a Coldplay collaboration

by Jeremy Mersereau

January 20, 2016

Bowie said no to singing on the Coldplay tune he called 'not a very good song.'

Forget the songs, the fashion, the indelible influence he’ll forever have on all popular music: the real indicator of David Bowie’s impeccable taste was that he didn’t want to sing on a Coldplay joint.

In a new video for the NME, Coldplay members Will Champion and Jonny Buckland discuss their feelings and remembrances about the pop giant’s passing, and relate an anecdote about the time David Bowie mercilessly smashed singer Chris Martin’s hopes for a collaboration.

“I think Chris phoned him up, wrote him a letter and said, ‘Please sing on it.’ And he came back and said, ‘It’s not a very good song, is it?””

David Bowie, watching the video later: “Watch this, Iman: you can actually pinpoint the second his heart rips in half. Annnnd… now!”

“He was very discerning, he wouldn’t just put his name to anything, so I’ll give him credit for that” Champion continues diplomatically, which is probably a paraphrase of how he consoled a crushed Chris Martin. “He’s just picky, Chris! Chris?!”

Watch Coldplay discuss Bowie’s influence and legacy here: