Coldplay’s Chris Martin Says “Yellow” Was Written For BTS, And Here’s The Hilarious Reason Why

BTS and British rock band Coldplay time and time again prove to be friendship goals.

From left: Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman, V, Jungkook, Will Champion, Suga, Chris Martin, RM, Jin, J-Hope, and Jimin. | @BTS_twt/Twitter

And, their friendship was cemented through the collaboration single “My Universe,” which was also featured on Coldplay’s latest album Music of the Spheres.

Now, Coldplay’s lead singer Chris Martin has said that there’s another song of theirs that was “written for BTS.” 

Coldplay performed at 2022 iHeartRadio ALTer EGO on Saturday, January 15, at The Forum in Los Angeles, California. During it, they performed their 2000 hit song “Yellow” from the band’s debut album Parachutes.

Coldplay at 2022 iHeartRadio ALTer EGO | @coldplay/Twitter

Before singing “Yellow,” Chris Martin surprisingly told the audience that the song was actually written for BTS, although the group hadn’t even been formed yet. In fact, maknae Jungkook was a 2-year-old when the song came out.

This was written for BTS twenty years before they formed, but they turned it down.

— Chris Martin

"This was written for @BTS_twt twenty years before they formed…but they turned it down" – Chris Martin before Yellow at #iHeartALT2022 pic.twitter.com/1TwynVW0TA

— Coldplaying (@coldplaying) January 16, 2022

This was a funny nod to BTS during the event. And, it’s a running gag of Coldplay to tease about the origins of “Yellow.”

Actually, while the song sounds emotional, it doesn’t have a deep inspiration behind it. When they first began working on the song, Martin sang in “his worst Neil Young impersonation voice.” And, the iconic song’s lyrics were really inspired by the Yellow Pages found in the studio.

Despite it just being a joke, we can totally imagine “Yellow” being intended for BTS. Just look at some of these lyrics…

Look at the stars
Look how they shine for you
And everything you do

— Coldplay’s Yellow

And this wouldn’t be the only classic Coldplay song that low-key seemed meant for BTS. Previously, the band gave BTS permission to cover “Fix You” for MTV Unplugged.

Additionally, Coldplay performed “My Universe” at 2022 iHeartRadio ALTer EGO. While BTS weren’t there as they’re all in South Korea currently, they showed a video of the group.

All I need in 'My Universe' is @coldplay & @BTS_twt #BTSARMY @bts_bighit Watch live only on @livexlive: https://t.co/mX76zMoHvl #iHeartALT2022 pic.twitter.com/NvBbYGoSkT

— iHeartRadio (@iHeartRadio) January 16, 2022