"Up with the Birds" is a song by British rock band Coldplay. It was written by all four members of the band with additional composition by Brian Eno for their fifth studio album, Mylo Xyloto. The track's first section is built around organ, strings and piano, creating a downbeat, quiet mood, while the track's second section is dominated by guitars and drums, featuring a faster tempo. The track also features samples from "Driven by You" (1991) by English musician Brian May and a lyrical interpolation of "Anthem" (1992) by Canadian musician Leonard Cohen.
It was released on 21 April 2012 as a limited edition 7" promotional single for Record Store Day, serving as the overall fifth release from Mylo Xyloto. On the strength of digital downloads, the track charted at number 43 on the South Korea Gaon International Chart following the release of the album. Critical reception of the song was generally positive, with critics noting that the song was a good choice to serve as a closer to the album.
Last Updated: June 12, 2021
