In a candid revelation that showcases David Bowie's notorious straightforwardness, Coldplay members recently shared how the legendary musician declined to collaborate on their track "Lhuna" with a brutally honest text message.
During the recording of their fourth album "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends" between 2006 and 2008, Coldplay had hoped to feature David Bowie's iconic on a song called "Lhuna." The band's frontman Chris Martin had specifically written a "David Bowie-type character" into the track and personally reached out to the iconic artist.
Martin sent Bowie a piano recording along with a letter explaining the song's concept. However, Bowie's response was characteristically blunt. According to Coldplay drummer Will Champion, Bowie simply texted back: "It's not a very good song, is it?"
The song, which didn't make it onto the final album that went on to sell 6.8 million copies worldwide, was later released as a charity single for World AIDS Day, featuring Kylie Minogue instead.
Despite the rejection, the band maintained their respect for Bowie's integrity. "I'll give him credit for that," Champion remarked, acknowledging Bowie's selective approach to collaborations throughout his career.
This wasn't the first time Bowie had turned down high-profile collaborations. The artist, known for his partnerships with Queen and Bing Crosby, also declined working with Red Hot Chili Peppers despite multiple requests.
The incident adds to Bowie's reputation for unfiltered honesty in the music industry, joining a list of memorable critiques including his public disagreements with Elton John, Paul McCartney, and Gary Numan.
"Lhuna," which tells the story of a character fantasizing about the titular woman, marked a departure from Coldplay's usual style. While the collaboration never materialized, it remains a testament to Bowie's unwavering commitment to his artistic standards, even in the face of potentially lucrative opportunities.
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