"E-Lo" is a song by Coldplay and American singer Pharrell Williams from the band's twelfth extended play, Global Citizen - EP 1 (2018). It is the first song released by Coldplay under the pseudonym Los Unidades and features guest vocals from American singer and rapper Jozzy. It is the second track on the EP and was released as a promotional single on 27 November 2018 accompanied by an official lyric video.
Composition[]
"E-Lo" was written by all Coldplay members, Jozzy, and South African jazz singer Letta Mbulu. It was produced by Pharrell Williams and co-produced by the band's long-time collaborator Bill Rahko with additional production by Federico Vindver and Angel Lopez. "E-Lo" is musically described as a “country-spanning sounds” song, blending Latin and African rhythms over “a lithe pop groove” with “chilled but zipping synths”. Lyrically, Chris Martin sings and belts inspirational lyrics about freedom, unity and peace.[1][2]
The song also features vocals by late South African singer and civil rights activist Miriam Makeba, including a snippet of the song "Baxabene Oxamu", from her 1988 album, Sangoma.
Live performances[]
"E-Lo" was performed live by Chris and Pharrell Williams together on stage at the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 event on 2 December 2018.[3]
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1: Chris Martin & Pharrell Williams]
And there's nowhere I'd rather be (Rather be)
When they take with the one hand and take with the other
On the day all the hands go free (Hands go free)
And the sun's gonna shine
The sun's gonna shine on me
[Chorus]
O-lo-e-o-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo
And all the people go
O-lo-e-o-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo
[Verse 2: Chris Martin & Jozzy]
Mama Maria, she would take my hand (Take my hand)
Down to el Rio Sol (Ooh)
Saying, "Oye for real, hijo understand" (Understand)
"Hands can hurt or heal so"
[Chorus]
Tell all the people go
O-lo-e-o-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo
And all the people go
O-lo-e-o-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo
All the people go
O-lo-e-o-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo
And all the people go
O-lo-e-o-
Free hands go
[Verse 3: Chris Martin, Pharrell Williams & Miriam Makeba]
Mama Miriam, she would take my hand
Down to the Rio and flow (Ay!)
Baxabana ogxam baxabana ngenoxoxo
Bexakwe yinxuba xaka
[Chorus]
Tell all the people go
O-lo-e-o-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo
All the people go
O-lo-e-o-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo
Tell all the people go
O-lo-e-o-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo
And all the people go
O-lo-e-o-
Free hands go (Ay!)
[Bridge: Chris Martin, Pharrell Williams & Jozzy]
And there's nowhere I'd rather be (Rather be) (Yeah)
Gonna raise up the one hand and raise up the other
Hurt me outside, inside I'm free (Inside I'm free)
And there's no enemy
Everyone is my brother
When the truth comes to set me free (Yeah) (Set me free, yeah)
And we're not going to fall in and out with each other
On the day all the hands go free (Hands go free)
Then the sun's gonna shine
The sun's gonna shine on me
[Chorus]
Tell all the people go
O-lo-e-o-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo
And all the people go
O-lo-e-o-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo
Free hands go
Le-lo!
[Outro: Chris Martin & Jozzy]
And the sun's gonna shine on me
And I know, one day I know
The sun's gonna shine on me
Let my hands go free (Oh)
Let my hands go free (Oh yeah)
Let my hands go free (Yeah)
The sun's gonna shine on me
Let my hands go free (Oh, let it shine on me, oh)
And all hands go free (Oh-oh-oh)
When all hands go free
The sun's gonna shine on me
Lyric video[]
An animated lyric video for "E-Lo" was uploaded on Parlophone's YouTube channel alongside the song's release. It was directed and edited by James Zwadlo and produced by Impossible Brief.
Los Unidades & Pharrell Williams - E-Lo (feat. Jozzy)
Official audio[]
E-Lo (feat. Jozzy)