is a hit single by the British rock band Coldplay , released in 2016 as the second single from their seventh studio album, A Head Full of Dreams . The track features uncredited guest vocals from Beyoncé . Commercial Performance & Impact
: The track features a mix of rattling pianos and funky percussion, creating a "spacey and dreamy" sound according to Rolling Stone . Music Video & Controversy Coldplay - Hymn For The Weekend
: As of 2024, it remains one of the band's most-played songs on UK radio and television. Background & Meaning is a hit single by the British rock
: Some argued that the video used Indian culture, religious festivals like Holi, and traditional dress (worn by Beyoncé) as a mere "exotic backdrop" without deep understanding. Music Video & Controversy : As of 2024,
: It is Coldplay's most-viewed music video on YouTube, surpassing 2.67 billion views .
The music video was filmed in several Indian cities, including Mumbai and Varanasi, and features themes from the . While many praised its vibrant cinematography, it sparked a significant debate regarding cultural appropriation :