Brandy Covers Coldplay’s “Magic”: Listen

Christina Lee | July 13, 2014 10:32 am

Just as Coldplay‘s “Magic” gains traction on the Hot 100, Brandy offers her own, must-listen take.

In the original, frontman Chris Martin can sound increasingly listless, like he’s slowly wrapping his head around recent events (“And I just got broken, broken into two”). Not Brandy. Just as when she covered Rihanna‘s “Diamonds” in a dressing room, Brandy seems to be smiling to herself, particularly during her elated falsetto.

From the start, Brandy’s resilient voice unfurls to play into the song’s throbbing rhythm. Clearly, she’s decided that heartbreak cannot tear her down. So to end, she makes sure that Martin’s final words feel true: “As if you were to ask me / after all that we’ve been through /’Still believe in magic?’ / Oh yes, I do.” Even to Coldplay’s original instrumental, Brandy manages to reinterpret the song completely – a lovely feat.

Hear Brandy cover Coldplay’s “Magic” below.

Brandy, “Magic” (Coldplay cover)

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