Chris Martin is the Sir Alex Ferguson of music

Reading Chris Martin’s comments in The Sun this morning in which he compared his band Coldplay to footballing heroes Manchester United many people may have raised a suspicious eyebrow. Chris Martin’s point was that, just like the football club, no matter how many times they’ve got it right over their 16 year career the minute they get it wrong people will give them stick.

To some extent he is right, fans of major football teams, just like fans of music, are for want of a better word, glory hunters. When things are going well the fans are right by the players (or in this case bands) side cheering them on, however the minute they get it wrong fans are quick to turn their backs and the player they once hailed a hero is now deemed to be a let down. However that isn’t where the comparisons between Coldplay and a Premier League football club begin and end. 

Over their many years together Coldplay have time and time again proved that they are at the top of their game and no matter how hard newcomers try they just cannot touch on their success. Much like a Premiership League club Coldplay’s fandom stretches much further than just their native country. Coldplay boast fans all over the world, have the ability to sell out huge stadiums in nearly every city across the globe and have a leading man who’s face is one of the most instantly recognisable in music. They receive the kind of adoration that emerging and even more established acts could only dream about and are put on a pedestal by their biggest fans.

Much like a Premiership League club Coldplay’s fandom stretches much further than just their native country.

But still despite their five number one selling albums, their sell out stadium gigs and their countless awards Coldplay are still derided by the type of people who like to brand themselves ‘fans of real music’. A band like Coldplay will never do enough to change the minds of that small minority of people who can’t stomach the fact that a group who essentially started as a pop act are fawned over by the mass public.

Forget the fact they write their own tracks, forget the fact they play their own instruments and put to one side their ability to adapt and move their style of music forward with every new album. Everything they touch turns to gold and therefore they must, by at least some people, be hated because heaven forbid a commercially successful band could ever deserve the success they’ve achieved. Just like in the world of football where fans of smaller clubs will always find a reason to dislike the success of major club, certain music fans will always find a reason to belittle Coldplay’s success and yet, no amount of negativity will stop them being the most successful act of their time.

Just like in the world of football where fans of smaller clubs will always find a reason to dislike the success of major club, certain music fans will always find a reason to belittle Coldplay’s success.

In many ways Chris Martin is the Sir Alex Ferguson of music. In his time as Coldplay’s leading man he’s over seen a dynasty, created himself a team which has single handedly ensured that they dominate the music scene. No other act has a hope in hells chance of ever knocking them off of the top of their leader board and that’s something they should be praised for.

What do you think? Have Coldplay given you a rush of blood to the head in the past 16 years or have they just caused you trouble? Let us know in the comments section below or join in the debate on Twitter with the #socialvoices hashtag.

Laura Hills is a pop culture junkie, gin enthusiast, and Deputy Editor of Who's Jack magazine.

Follow Laura on Twitter @laurawhosjack