COLDPLAY have performed a cover version of the Proclaimers‘ classic tune Sunshine on Leith – but Hibs fans aren’t impressed.
The iconic song was the title track of the Scottish duo’s 1988 album and, whilst narrowly missing out on the UK Top 40 Singles Charts at the time, has since become an unofficial anthem of Hibs, who call Leith home.
The duo, consisting of twin brothers Craig and Charlie Reid, are die-hard Hibs supporters themselves, and can often be seen attending games at Easter Road.
Now, legendary rock band Coldplay and its lead singer Chris Martin appear to have become aware of the footy anthem and its heritage, and took to BBC Radio 2’s Piano Room show yesterday to perform their own version.
Speaking on the song, Martin, 47, said: “I’ve never heard it before and it blew me away and then I watched the Hibernian fans singing it in the terraces and it just gets me so much.
“There is a whole other world of music behind that song that I’ve just been discovering, and the wonderful, wonderful band.”
However, Coldplay’s performance has received less than favourable reviews from fans of the Edinburgh club, who reckon the band’s rendition “butchered” the Leith loyals’ original.
In footage from the Radio 2 performance, crooner Chris Martin and percussionist Will Champion can be seen alongside their bandmates, with both clad in glasses very similar to those often sported by the Reid brothers.
Martin and Champion take the lead vocally in their cover, supported by a string quartet and troupe of backing singers that includes British singer Laura Mvula.
Coldplay’s version seems to offer a more acoustic and slowed-down take on the tune, and noticeably lacks Charlie and Craig’s pronounced Scottish accents that made so many of their songs iconic.
The end result is a cover version that some Hibs fans felt paled in comparison to the original, and supporters were quick to make this clear.
A clip of the band’s cover was shared to social media by a Hibs fan page yesterday with the caption: “Coldplay cover the famous Sunshine on Leith on BBC Radio 2.”
The post has since received over 800 likes and more than 20 comments from unimpressed Hibees who didn’t hold back.
One person said: “This song is too Hibs to be anything else. Thanks for trying though.”
Another replied: “Butchered it.”
A third commented: “No, no, no, don’t do that. Don’t take this song Coldplay.”
Another added: “No. On so many levels. No.”
A fifth stated: “That is rank rotten.”
Another remarked: “F***ing ruined it.”
