Bono made a bold statement while being interviewed for BBC Sounds eight-part series Music Uncovered: The Genius Of Coldplay, declaring “Coldplay are not a rock band.” But the U2 singer didn’t mean it as a diss.
During the segment, Bono discussed the band’s hit “Clocks” off their sophomore album A Rush of Blood to the Head.
“It just sort of sticks to you, tighter than time itself,” he explained before recalling how he reacted the first time he heard it, “punching the air in a manly but not aggressive way…and then the feeling of, ‘oh, this is just better than anyone else’s song at the moment.'”
Then he made the declaration. “I should mention Coldplay are not a rock band. I hope that’s obvious,” he said. “There is something much more interesting going on there like The Isley Brothers or something.”
“They should not be judged by rock rules,” Bono continued. “Rage is the river running under most rock formations. Coldplay’s music has a different source and I think it’s best revealed in this song ‘Clocks.'”
