David Bowie Snubbed Coldplay Track Collaboration Because He Thought It Was Beneath Him

David Bowie and Coldplay were both of the high-ranking level of fame that created a huge crossover fanbase between the two entities. Even if you’re not a fan of one of them, David’s influence on Coldplay is undeniable, and because of that, the British rock group wanted to make him a direct part of that sound at one point.

Unfortunately for Coldplay, Bowie’s answer was a resounding, “No.” It seems that David couldn’t be convinced to provide backing vocals on a track that the band offered to him. Speaking with NME about the legacy that Bowie left on music, Coldplay’s drummer Will Champion recounted the cringeworthy response they got back the legendary musician.

“It’s not a very good song, is it?”

After that devastating reply, you’d think Coldplay might have shied off a bit from David, but their level of respect for his talent and taste never faltered. In fact, Champion’s version of the story almost seems to have instilled an even greater sense of Bowie awe in him.

“He was very discerning – he wouldn’t just put his name to anything. I’ll give him credit for that!”

Of course, conceding to David’s appraisal of their song doesn’t seem that out of place when you listen to the other things Coldplay has to say about him. The group speaks about Bowie being pivotal in the evolution of modern music, dabbling in several genres and darting back-and-forth on the line between pop star and rocker. Will remarked that artists everywhere, irregardless of affiliation, were in mourning for the recently deceased icon.

“When you have any involvement in music he was one of the points of reference for absolutely everything, for genres and for how to be a rockstar or a popstar or whatever it was. Completely defining that. So for musicians it’s quite disorienting.”

The Coldplay drummer’s stunned reaction mirrored that of millions of others who were completely unprepared for David’s passing last week. Although Bowie had been battling cancer for a year and a half, almost no one had any idea that he was even sick, much less that he was about to pass away — not even some of his closest friends.

Despite not knowing him personally, fans were equally floored by the news. After all, many felt like David was an intimate acquaintance through decades of devotion to his music and movies. Coldplay guitarist Jonny Buckland noted that for many Bowie fanatics, he’s among their oldest memories of music.

The Coldplay members also spoke about how sad it must have been for people who actually knew David well. Brian Eno, the producer who worked with Bowie on his acclaimed “Berlin Trilogy” of Low, Heroes, and Lodger, penned a heartfelt post on the subject. Champion noted that the personal loss of musicians who knew David was one of the first things he thought of.

“The first thing when I read in the morning was [think of Brian]. We all lost a musical hero, but he also lost a really dear friend… His disappearance and his death was enigmatic. Eno didn’t even know. It’s extraordinary… even his untimely and sad death was a work of art.”

Do you think David Bowie was right to snub the Coldplay track?

[Image via Patrick Riviere and Andreas Rentz/Getty Images]