"Magic" is a song by British rock band Coldplay for their sixth studio album, Ghost Stories (2014). It was released on 3 March 2014 as the record's lead single, being written and produced by band members Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, Chris Martin, while production assistance was provided by Paul Epworth.

The song was recorded by the band during sessions for their sixth studio album in 2013, at their purpose-built studios The Bakery and The Beehive in North London, England, both originally constructed for work on their two previous studio albums, 2008's Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends and 2011's Mylo Xyloto respectively. The song's bass riff, the first part of the song, was originally conceived by Guy Berryman during the band's recording sessions in February 2013.^[3]

The single art for "Magic" was etched by British-based, Czech etching artist Mila Fürstová.^[4] The artwork features a symbolic white dove imposed onto a blue background. Much like other artworks of the Ghost Stories album cycle, the image depicts a scenario contained within the perimeter of the subject of focus, this time the white dove. The scenario features imagery related to stage magic, including a levitating couple, a flying deck of cards and a theater stage.

A beat consisting of a "muffled snare" and "dusty bass riff" is repeated throughout most of the song. As the song progresses, a piano is later added to the instrumentation which is eventually swapped out for a stomp-clap beat and again for a synth beat. Following the song's second chorus, these beats are gradually combined while Martin sings in falsetto. The song's "anticlimactic" portion then decreases intensity until it has eventually resumed to simply a snare and bass riff.^[5]

"Magic"

"Magic" features a similar production style to tracks on Mylo Xyloto, yet contrasts with its softer, less "colourful" music.

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Jamieson Cox of Time magazine wrote that "Magic" isn't as far from the style of Coldplay's previous albums as "Midnight", the first track from Ghost Stories that was revealed. He added that the single "does hint at a few new tricks up the band's sleeve," and described it as "a successful marriage of old and new."^[6] Rolling Stone magazine's Kory Grow commented in similar tone, calling the song "a return to form," proven "to be Coldplay through and through."^[7] Digital Spy's Lewis Corner concurred, writing: "[The song] isn't a quick card trick to draw you in like some of the band's previous hits, but rather a long-form spectacle that slowly allures you with its intricacies and delicate craftsmanship."^[8]

Writing for Consequence of Sound , Alex Young opined that the track "sounds a lot less Bon Iver and a lot more Chris Martin drinking a venti, no-whip Skinny Vanilla Latte on a Sunday afternoon."^[9] Carl Williot of Idolator noted the song's Edge influence and commented that it showed "a tonedown their trademark grandeur in exchange for a more minimalist, atmospheric set of songs."^[10] Spin's Kyle McGovern had similar thoughts, and called the track "a low-key meditation on love."^[11] Bill Lamb of About.com gave the song 4.5 stars out of 5 and called it a "refreshingly simple, heartwarming love song."^[12] Writing for Los Angeles Times, Mikael Wood commented: "With Martin's delicate falsetto floating over a muted drum-machine beat ... this one offers up a sumptuous vocal melody – and a surprisingly soulful one at that".^[13]

3voor12 (25),^[14] Mondo Sonoro (43),^[15] and Rolling Stone (30) ranked "Magic" as one of the best songs from 2014.^[16] In the following year, NPO Radio 2 placed the track at number 438 on their annual Top 2000.^[17] Tampa Bay Times named it the 45th best pop song of the 2010s.^[18] Billboard cited the piece among the best love songs of the 21st century (26).^[19]

In July 2014, R&B artist Brandy released a rerecorded version of "Magic" to her TwitMusic account.^[29][30] The same day, it peaked at number one on Billboard's Trending 140 chart, less than 24 hours after its premiere.^[31] Covered in live performances by various artists. In April 2014, singer Aloe Blacc performed the song on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge.^[32] A few days later, You Me at Six covered the song BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge on the same venue.^[33] Singer Rita Ora gave a mashup rendition of "Magic" and Beyoncé's "Drunk in Love" at the Radio 1's Big Weekend event in May 2014.^[34] In September 2014, Jacob Banks also sang "Magic" on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge.^[35][36] The song was also covered by singer-songwriter Lauren Aquilina for her own BBC Radio 1 Maida Vale Studios session.

Adapted from DR credits.^[37]