The meaning behind the song “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay

The meaning behind the song "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay songs

It is a Spanish song that means “Long Live Life.” It was publicized on the 13th of June in the year 2008. The album version plays for about four minutes and four seconds, with its radio edit playing for three minutes and forty-five minutes. Written by a British rock and roll band named Coldplay. The songwriters include Chris Martin, Will Champion, Guy Berryman, and Jonny Buckland. Sadly, “Death Will Never Conquer” is its B-side.

The Spanish title of the song was taken from Mexican artist Frida Kahlo’s painting. The painting portrays Frida Kahlo’s strength in undergoing a decade of chronic pain, putting up with polio, and ultimately a broken spine. Chris Martin, the lead singer, said he loved her boldness in starting the significant painting in her home that incorporated the Long Live Life aspect. The song has not only historical references but also Christian references that make it stand out.

What is the meaning behind the song “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay

The lyrics bring out a certain aura of a protagonist who subtly says he ruled the world at one time, and he knows Saint Peter may not call his name lyric as explained by Martin means that he most certainly will not be on the list to enter the nacreous gates. Consequently, Berryman simply says that the song describes a king who loses his kingdom, thus characterizing the art behind the idea of guerrillas and revolutionism. He continues explaining about the anti-authoritarian perspective that finds its way into the lyrics. He says it is split between encirclement by governments on one side, but since each person is humane with acute emotions, each one shall go belly up and the foolishness of what we must tolerate every day, thus the album title.

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Moreover, the lyrics in the song restate the French Revolution story and King Louis XVI’s unfortunate death. The attributes from the fourth album, known as Viva La Vida, draw interpretation from the historical painting of 1830 called ‘Liberty Leading the People” by French artist Eugene Delacroix. It delineates revolutions by the French in troops with the French flag of Lady Liberty shepherded by the human manifestation. Its purpose was to show the revolutionaries from a heroic perspective, accompanying the album’s themes on how to live.

Imprisoned by his own people, King Louis XVI’s monarchy was completely overthrown. whom he ruled. A swift trial followed whereby it was decided that the King was to be killed through a guillotine. As he stopped to give a final speech on the way to his death, the French masses booed him and screamed at him as the executioner’s drums became louder and louder to fade the sounds of his words. The song depicts how a fallen king who once commanded great ships, ruled his people, seas would rise on his word was now reduced to sleeping in jail alone. His late speech precedes him apologizing to his people and accepting his fate.

He resonates and thinks back on how the crowd cheered unto him when he succeeded his grandfather as many celebrated his rise. As time went by, he did not fulfill all he had promised his people, and they were left disappointed though King Louis’s early reign was full of reforms and success. This made the French masses demand a new order. The lyrics say that revolutionaries await his head to be brought on a silver plate, for he is just on a lonely string like a puppet. This depicts Louis recognizing that no reforms in the revolution then could save him. He understood that the power he wanted was not the same when he took hold of it. The lyrics add to him questioning who would ever want to be King.

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Ironically, Coldplay’s song stipulates a feeling of consolation for the overthrown King as his speech was purely uttered out of regret, which belittles the King, who sincerely shows an understanding of how he had failed his people. He bitterly accepts the fate he knows is well deserved because he gets comfortable with his position instead of realigning what he promised his people. He regrets holding back the values that were to guide him in maintaining his position as a great King.

The King is characterized as the enemy of the revolution, but the song strives to portray the King from his side of view when he impassively watches how the revolution splits his kingdom. This encourages the listener to maintain an open mind on weighing both perspectives to allow a unique view of the revolution. His leadership was a lie, he was found out, and then he had to be accountable for his mistakes.

If that’s not all, Coldplay uniquely delivered this song to bring out the emotions through the instruments, and thus you can feel the song’s mood.

Lyrics “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay

I used to rule the worldSeas would rise when I gave the wordNow in the morning I sleep aloneSweep the streets I used to own
I used to roll the diceFeel the fear in my enemy’s eyesListen as the crowd would sing“Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!”
One minute I held the keyNext the walls were closed on meAnd I discovered that my castles standUpon pillars of salt and pillars of sand
I hear Jerusalem bells a ringingRoman Cavalry choirs are singingBe my mirror, my sword and shieldMy missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can’t explainOnce you go there was neverNever an honest wordAnd that was when I ruled the world
It was the wicked and wild windBlew down the doors to let me inShattered windows and the sound of drumsPeople couldn’t believe what I’d become
Revolutionaries waitFor my head on a silver plateJust a puppet on a lonely stringOh who would ever want to be king?
I hear Jerusalem bells a ringingRoman Cavalry choirs are singingBe my mirror, my sword and shieldMy missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can’t explainI know Saint Peter won’t call my nameNever an honest wordBut that was when I ruled the world
I hear Jerusalem bells a ringingRoman Cavalry choirs are singingBe my mirror, my sword and shieldMy missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can’t explainI know Saint Peter won’t call my nameNever an honest wordBut that was when I ruled the world

 

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