Coldplay fan Obama to appear on band's track

US President Barack Obama features on Coldplay's new song.

The British band, fronted by Chris Martin, has long since known the American politician is a fan of its music, but his decision to let the rockers feature him on a track has been a surprising one. The recording comes from Barack singing at the funeral of Charleston shooting victim Clementa C. Pinckney earlier this year (15).

"We have a tiny clip of the president singing Amazing Grace at that church," Chris said, according to British newspaper The Sun. "Because of the historical significance of what he did and also that that song being about, 'I'm lost but now I'm found.'"

The White House granted special permission for the clip to be used on the single A Head Full of Dreams, which is due out later this week (27Nov15).

"Barack Obama wouldn't let just anyone feature his vocals on the record, especially considering what a deeply emotional moment it was for him," a source told the publication. "But he clearly loves Coldplay and is happy to be a part of their music history. The band were obviously thrilled.

"They needed to get permission from Obama himself and the Charleston church it was recorded in."

In 2012 Chris revealed that Barack was a big fan, but admitted he didn't initially believe the head of the US when he said he loved Coldplay's music.

"I met Barack Obama in the summer and one thing he said to me was, 'Oh I have your songs on my iPod," but I just thought, 'Oh I bet he says that to every pop star he meets,'" he said.

"I can't get my head around the notion that the president of the USA would have any of my songs on his playlist. It is just too surreal."