Why don't Coldplay (say) release a 5th single?

[Laurence]

Now I know the obvious reason would be for some because they're crap but I'm interested in why the record company haven't done at least a 5th radio single like 'What If?' or 'Swallowed in the Sea'. And I'm just picking Coldplay's X and Y as an example because I'm familiar with them, many other examples of mega selling albums could be given - I'm sure Scissor Sisters for example must have had more hits on their album.

Seems like easy money - would flog a few more albums (especially in the run up to Christmas) and they have the fanbase to lap it up. What is there to stop it happening?

I know Michael Jackson did it loads in the 80s and 90s with over 5 releases per album and it's not uncommon for a slow starter like Moby's Play which only really took off with Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad.

Is it because of the backlash or the costs promoting it wouldn't be recouped?

Any music biz experts know? ;D Thanks

[dandyhighwayman]

[picky]Scissor Sisters did have 5, Laura, Take Your Mama, Comfortably Numb, Mary and Filthy/Gorgeous.[/picky]

[Laurence]

Oh yes - I forgot one of them.

[dandyhighwayman]

Not to worry... I'm sure the validity of your initial question still stands despite the GLARING error.

[sparky]

they released what if in france i think and white shadows somewhere else, i dont know why they only release 3 proper singles in the uk (hardest part ended up being radio only)

but considering talk would of being as big as clocks if they released it shortly after christmas i doubt they would release any single at this time and they are writing and recording their new album at the moment (confirmed by debs from coldplay website admin) keeping coldplay fans like me waiting for new material is hard as i had to wait 3 years for x&y lol but it was worth it!!! i dont think it will be that long this time but if coldplay release a new single now there wont be as much anticipation as x&y

[Razzle Dazzle]

i think a lot of people will think not another single off the album, if you like the band youve already bought the album. might even harm the band, damage credability.

[Paul]

I think most record companies have it in their head that a 5th single verges on saturation point for an album. Unless there are good reasons to the contrary (like the Kooks, who only really took off from the 4th release from their album), there is no need to string out an album

Coldplay are an interesting band to use for this question. It is strange how the final single from each of their albums has always been for radio/download only (Don't Panic, God Put A Smile, Hardest Part)

[greendemon]

they probably just don't need to... it does seem to be highly unusual for a band to be releasing more than 4 songs from an album, although these days it's more like 2 or 3 that they just keep re-releasing

[Maximo Mark]

I think that most established acts will only ever release 4 as a maximum. It's only new acts that are still establishing (Maximo Park, Editors, Kooks...) that generally do more. Them and Pussycat Dolls who are releasing a SIXTH single off their album

[Si.]

its too long for coldplay to release another single, the album was finished last year, its time to be conentrating on the future. and they have bought a recording studio - so lets hope that album number4 will come soon!

[Maximo Mark]

dandyhighwayman said:

[picky]Scissor Sisters did have 5, Laura, Take Your Mama, Comfortably Numb, Mary and Filthy/Gorgeous.[/picky]

And Laura was released twice!!

[otctim05]

Green Day released atleast 5 tracks from their last album.. the Kooks have released 6

[MaryCherry]

I never got why Kylie always stopped at 4 in the UK. Light Years could've had a fifth when she was touring - perhaps Butterfly?

I'm also surprised she didn't milk Fever a bit more.

[andrew07]

I can't understand why Coldplay have never had a No.1 hit single. Fix You, Speed Of Sound and In My Place all should have been No.1's in my opinion.

[ManicKangaroo]

its quite simple, they were outsold by something more popular

[andrew07]

Yeah Crazy Frog and Darius.