60 Minutes interviews Coldplay’s front man Chris Martin about how he writes hit songs. Being “openly neurotic,” Martin makes sure he captures song ideas the moment they strike him–even if it means scribbling them onto his piano with a Sharpie. He’s got a marker holder mounted to his whitewashed piano for just that purpose, as shown. In the video below, reporter Steve Croft asks about it.

Croft: You have notes written on the piano?

Martin: Yeah, look, but this is just the beginning. In six months, this will all be covered.

Croft: And you have to repaint the piano?

Martin: Yeah. When we finish something, we repaint.

While I have mixed feelings about Coldplay, I love that even though Martin is rich and famous, he’s a “compulsive worrier and list maker.” He’s even got band rules posted to the studio wall. (Rule #6: Don’t do too many interviews; always keep mystery.)

Here’s the whole video; the piano bit is at around minute 7:30. (Thanks, TB.)



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