Hymn for the Weekend

Lore & Background

The song was debuted on Annie Mac's BBC radio show on 30 November 2015. According to Berryman, lead singer Chris Martin originally wanted the song to be a party song with the lyrics "drinks on me, drinks on me", but his bandmates didn't think that would go well with their fans. Martin's longtime friend Beyoncé was asked to sing on the song, and she accepted the request. Martin corroborated Berryman's story in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, explaining that the original kernel came from listening to Flo Rida and wanting a late-night club song called "Drinks on Me", but the band rejected that lyric, leading to "drink from me" and the idea of having an angelic person in your life, which turned into asking Beyoncé to sing on it.

In Their Own Story

The sun rises over the bustling streets, casting golden light on vibrant fabrics and smiling faces. In the center of a spontaneous gathering, two voices rise above the hum of the crowd, harmonizing in a melody that feels both ancient and new. There is no need for words to explain the connection; the rhythm of the drums and the warmth of the air tell the story of hearts beating as one, celebrating a moment frozen in time where everything feels possible.

Reader's Guide

The song is written in the key of C minor set in a time signature at a moderate tempo of 90 beats per minute. Its music video, filmed in various locations across India, attracted attention for its colourful imagery and sparked discussions surrounding cultural representation. The video was shot in October 2015 at various Indian cities including Worli Village, Mumbai, and Kolkata, with Fort Vasai in Vasai, Mumbai, and scenes at Maratha Mandir theatre. It is themed after the Holi festival, directed by Ben Mor, and released on 29 January 2016, featuring Beyoncé and Sonam Kapoor.

Did You Know?

• The original version of the song reached number six on the UK Singles Chart and number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in February 2016; the Seeb remix later charted separately, also peaking at number 25 on the Hot 100 in
• With over 2.67 billion views on YouTube, it is Coldplay's most-viewed music video and the second-most overall, behind the lyric video for 'Something Just Like This'.
• The song was first performed as a snippet during the Super Bowl 50 halftime show on 7 February 2016, with the full debut taking place at the 2016 Brit Awards on 24 February 2016.
• In 2026, Italian composer Giacomo Bucci released an orchestral version of the song on his album Mainstream Overtures.