Coldplay frontman Chris Martin has paid a heartfelt musical tribute to Australian music legend John Farnham, writing and performing an original song especially for a major celebration of Farnham’s career in Melbourne.
Martin appeared remotely during The Songs of John Farnham: A Living Legend – The Celebration Concert, held at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on September 20. The sold-out event brought together more than 120 artists and musicians to celebrate Farnham’s extraordinary contribution to Australian music.
Rather than simply performing one of Farnham’s famous songs, Martin arrived with a surprise of his own: an original acoustic number titled “A Better Singer Than Me.” The song was built around a story involving the late Australian cricket great Shane Warne, who helped introduce Martin to Farnham’s music.
Martin recalled travelling with Warne to communities affected by the devastating 2009 Black Saturday bushfires. During the journey, Warne played Farnham’s music and jokingly made it clear that, despite his love for Coldplay, he considered Farnham the superior singer.
The story also connected Martin and Farnham through the Sound Relief benefit concert in 2009, where Coldplay and Farnham performed together to raise money for people affected by the bushfires.
Martin’s tribute carried a playful tone, with the Coldplay singer poking fun at himself while celebrating Farnham’s voice and enduring influence. He also reflected on the friendship that brought him closer to Warne and on the lasting power of Farnham’s music.
The emotional significance of the performance was heightened because Farnham was unable to attend the Melbourne concert. His family had announced that his health had deteriorated and that he would watch the celebration from home.
The concert itself featured an impressive international and Australian lineup. Celine Dion joined remotely from Paris to perform Farnham’s signature song “You’re the Voice,” while Hugh Jackman also contributed from overseas. Keith Urban, Jimmy Barnes, Tina Arena, Jessica Mauboy, Human Nature and numerous other performers took the stage in Melbourne.
The event also supported Head and Neck Cancer Australia, adding a charitable purpose to the celebration of Farnham’s career. The organisation had announced the concert as a special event bringing together Farnham’s fellow performers and musicians to honour his catalogue and raise awareness of head and neck cancer.
Martin’s appearance became one of the evening’s memorable moments, particularly because the tribute was not simply a rendition of an established Farnham hit. Instead, the Coldplay singer created something specifically for the occasion, combining humour, personal memories and admiration for one of Australia’s most recognised musical voices.
The concert ultimately closed with an all-star performance of “You’re the Voice,” bringing many of the night’s performers together on stage.
For Martin, however, the original song offered a more personal way to salute Farnham — while acknowledging the unique friendship and musical memories that connected him to the Australian icon.
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