2 million people downloaded Coldplay’s new single ‘Violet Hill’ while it was available as a free download, it's been revealed.

The song, which is the first off the band’s new album ‘Viva La Vida’, was uploaded onto the band’s website last Tuesday (April 29th).

Had the song been chart eligible it would have outsold last week’s Top-40 four times over.

The song, which was released officially on digital-download today (May 5th), is no longer available to download for free.

As previously reported, the band will play three free shows – in Barcelona, New York and London - this June in support of their new album.

(by Jason Gregory)