COLDPLAY - MARTIN'S REM EMBARRASSMENT

COLDPLAY rocker CHRIS MARTIN spent weeks of sleepless nights learning REM lyrics ahead of his collaboration with the band - only to forget his words when he joined them onstage.

The British singer was determined to log the verses for MAN ON THE MOON in his memory prior to the 14 September (04) OXFAM MAKE TRADE FAIR charity show at London's HAMMERSMITH APOLLO, because he wanted to impress his rock heroes.

But to his horror, the verse REM frontman MICHAEL STIPE gave him to sing minutes before performing was the one he knew least.

He says, "We rehearsed briefly. But I can't sleep at the moment, obviously (due to his baby APPLE with wife GWYNETH PALTROW), so I've been up until about two in the morning playing Man On The Moon on repeat.

"And the one verse I didn't bother to learn... I got to the venue and he's like, 'Here's your verse,' which is typical."