Coldplay Channels ‘Animal Farm’ In Politically Charged Music Video

On Thursday (March 12), Coldplay released its politically charged music video for “Trouble In Town.”

The video reflects the song's message of police brutality (especially on people of color) as well as corruption in politics.

Inspired by George Orwell's 1954 novella Animal Farm, viewers meet a furtive fox who has a run-in with a corrupt snow leopard police officer. While the duo's chase around town is happening, other animals around the city tune in to a political debate that ends in an all out brawl between the politicians (portrayed as pigs). 

“And I get no shelter/ And I get no peace/ And I just get more police, eh/ And I get no comfort/ And I get no name/ Everything is gettin' strained,” Chris Martin sings in the song's chorus. 

The song, which comes from Coldplay's album Everyday Life, isn't the only track to have political undertones. Many songs on the album deal with environmental crises, gun violence, and bombings in Syria.

Within the song, and featured in the video as an exchange between the snow leopard cop and fox citizen, a sample from a 2013 incident in Philadelphia between a cop and two unidentified pedestrians is weaved into the song reflecting the injustice of unlawful harassment and racial profiling.

All proceeds from the video will benefit two nonprofit organizations: Innocence Project and African Children's Feeding Scheme.

The band is currently halting all touring until it can figure out a sustainable way to tour but have made a few appearances. 

Photo: Getty Images