
Coldplay and Keane are two popular British rock bands with a dedicated fan following. While Coldplay comprises members Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, Chris Martin, and Phil Harvey, Keane includes Tom Chaplin, Tim Rice-Oxley, Richard Hughes, and Dominic Scott. The bands share similarities in their musical styles, with some fans noting that Keane sounds like “old Coldplay” or Coldplay without the guitars. Interestingly, Rice-Oxley was almost the keyboard player for Coldplay, but he declined the offer as he did not want to leave his own band, Keane. Despite this, the two bands maintain a connection, with Coldplay's Chris Martin discovering the band and offering Rice-Oxley a role.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Similarity in sound | Coldplay and Keane have been described as having similar sounds, with some noting that Keane sounds like "old Coldplay" or Coldplay without guitars. |
| Song Similarities | Keane's "Somewhere Only We Know" has been compared to Coldplay's "Yellow", while "Your Eyes Open" and "On a Day Like Today" from Keane have been likened to Coldplay's "Daylight" and "Politik". |
| Shared History | Chris Martin of Coldplay invited Tim Rice-Oxley of Keane to join Coldplay as a keyboard player, but Rice-Oxley declined. Tom Chaplin of Keane joined the band after Rice-Oxley's invitation. |
| Musical Style | Both bands incorporate piano-driven rock into their music, with Keane having a more piano-based focus. |
| Energy Level | While sharing similar music styles, Coldplay and Keane differ in their energy levels. |
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What You'll Learn

'Somewhere Only We Know' by Keane and 'Yellow' by Coldplay sound alike
Many fans have observed that the songs "Somewhere Only We Know" by Keane and "Yellow" by Coldplay sound very similar. One fan noted that both songs focus on the third of the chord, with "walked" in "Somewhere Only We Know" going up to E and back, while "the" in "Yellow" drops to B and back up to C#. Additionally, both songs have an identical rhythm in the backing and vocal style. This combination of factors likely contributes to the perceived similarity between the two songs.
Another factor that may contribute to the similarity between the two songs is the fact that Keane's pianist, Tim Rice-Oxley, was almost a member of Coldplay. Rice-Oxley writes the majority of Keane's songs, so his influence on the band's sound is significant. It is possible that Coldplay and Keane shared similar influences, which could have resulted in some overlapping musical elements between the two bands.
Some fans have also noted that "Somewhere Only We Know" by Keane has a similar feel to songs on Coldplay's album "AROBTTH". This could be due to the pounding piano and nostalgic vibes that are present in both "Somewhere Only We Know" and songs on "AROBTTH". Additionally, one Coldplay song includes the lyrics "hopes and fears", which was the title of Keane's 2004 album. This shared lyrical theme may also contribute to the perception of similarity between the two bands.
While there are some notable similarities between "Somewhere Only We Know" and "Yellow", it is important to recognize that both bands have their own distinct styles. For example, one fan noted that Keane's music is more graceful and soothing than Coldplay's, due to the vocals of Tom Chaplin. Ultimately, while there may be some overlapping elements between the two bands, Keane and Coldplay each have their own unique sound that has garnered dedicated fan bases.
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'Under the Iron Sea' by Keane and 'X&Y' by Coldplay are similar
Fans of both Coldplay and Keane have noted the similarities between the two bands, with some even saying that Keane sounds like "Coldplay without the guitars". One Coldplay fan commented that Keane's "Under the Iron Sea" (2006) and Coldplay's "X&Y" (2005) are "practically the same album".
Both albums were released within a year of each other, with "X&Y" preceding "Under the Iron Sea". "X&Y" features two-toned guitar riffs, while "Under the Iron Sea" was made solely with pianos. Despite this difference, the albums are said to be musically and lyrically similar. For example, "Under the Iron Sea" has been described as well-crafted and direct, with songs that are "happy song/sad words". Similarly, "X&Y" is known for its incredible two-toned guitar riffs.
The similarities between the two bands may be due in part to the fact that Keane's Tim Rice-Oxley was almost the keyboard player for Coldplay. Both Rice-Oxley and Coldplay's Chris Martin are dominant piano players and songwriters, and it is thought that they would have clashed as bandmates because they would have wanted things to be done their own way. Rice-Oxley writes 99% of Keane's songs with little input from Tom Chaplin, who is simply the singer.
In addition to their musical similarities, both Coldplay and Keane are British rock bands. Coldplay's members are Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, Chris Martin, and Phil Harvey, while Keane's members are Rice-Oxley and Chaplin.
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Chris Martin invited Tim Rice-Oxley to join Coldplay
Coldplay and Keane do share similarities in their sound, with some fans noting that Keane sounds like "Coldplay without the guitars". The two bands also share similarities in their songwriting, with both Chris Martin and Tim Rice-Oxley being dominant piano players and songwriters.
In fact, in 1997, Chris Martin invited Tim Rice-Oxley to join Coldplay as their keyboardist. Rice-Oxley was offered the role as Coldplay's keyboard player, but he declined as he wanted to remain with Keane. It is speculated that the two musicians may have clashed due to their similar roles as dominant piano players and songwriters, and Rice-Oxley was also concerned about the rest of Coldplay's feelings about adding a new member.
Rice-Oxley was instrumental in naming the band 'Keane'. He had initially suggested the name 'Coldplay' for his own band, but it was rejected by his bandmates as being "too depressing". The name was then adopted by Coldplay, who were looking for a new name at the time.
Rice-Oxley has gone on to have great success with Keane, selling 13 million albums as the band's primary songwriter. Coldplay, on the other hand, have sold 100 million albums, showcasing the massive potential that a collaboration between the two bands may have had.
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Tim Rice-Oxley declined and Tom Chaplin joined instead
Coldplay and Keane are often compared for their similar musical styles. Some fans have noted that Keane sounds like "Coldplay without the guitars". The two bands have been described as early contemporaries from the same musical scene.
Keane's Tim Rice-Oxley was invited by Coldplay's Chris Martin to join the band on piano. However, Rice-Oxley declined the offer as Keane had just started at the time. Rice-Oxley and Martin are both dominant piano players and songwriters, and it is speculated that they would have clashed as they would have wanted things to be done their own way. Instead, Tom Chaplin joined Coldplay. Chaplin is the lead singer of Keane and has been described as a graceful and soothing singer. He is not involved in songwriting, with Rice-Oxley writing 99% of Keane's songs.
Some fans have noted similarities between specific songs by the two bands, such as 'Somewhere Only We Know' by Keane and 'Yellow' by Coldplay. Others have compared entire albums, such as 'Under the Iron Sea' by Keane and 'X&Y' by Coldplay.
While some fans appreciate the similarities between the two bands, others assert that Coldplay has a unique sound. One fan commented that while Keane and Coldplay share similarities, Coldplay's sound is broader.
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Both bands have piano-driven songs
Coldplay and Keane are two British rock bands with a lot of similarities. Both bands have piano-driven songs, with Chris Martin of Coldplay and Tim Rice-Oxley of Keane being dominant piano players and songwriters. Rice-Oxley was even invited to join Coldplay as their keyboardist, but he declined as he did not want to leave his own band, Keane.
Keane's songs have been described as having a more piano-based centre than Coldplay's, with some people saying that Keane sounds like Coldplay without the guitars. One commenter on Reddit said that Keane's "Somewhere Only We Know" sounds like Coldplay's "Yellow". Another commenter said that Keane's "Under the Iron Sea" and Coldplay's "X&Y" are "practically the same album".
While both bands have similar sounds, there are some differences in their styles and energy levels. For example, Keane's music has been described as more laid-back than Coldplay's. Additionally, Keane's music has been criticised for being "stylistically all over the place" and for having "immature" and "cringe-worthy" lyrics. Despite this, there are still many people who appreciate the similarities between the two bands and enjoy their unique sounds.
Both bands have achieved success and recognition in the music industry, with Coldplay gaining a broad sound and a unique style that sets them apart from other bands. Keane, on the other hand, has been praised for their live performances and has had multiple hits, such as "Somewhere Only We Know" and "Everybody's Changing".
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Frequently asked questions
Many people think that the bands Keane and Coldplay have a similar sound, with some noting that Keane has a more piano-based focus. One source even compares specific songs, saying that Keane's "Your Eyes Open" and "Somewhere Only We Know" sound like Coldplay's "Daylight" and "Yellow" respectively.
One reason for the similarity in sound could be that the bands almost shared a member. Tim Rice-Oxley of Keane was invited to join Coldplay by Chris Martin, but he declined as he did not want to leave his own band.
This is subjective and depends on individual taste. Some people prefer Keane because they find Tom Chaplin's voice more graceful and soothing than Chris Martin's. However, one source notes that Coldplay is unique and has a broad sound that cannot be replicated by other bands.











































