Viva La Vida
Coldplay * Track #8 On Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends
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Album Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends
Viva La Vida by Coldplay
Release Date
Performed by
ColdplayProduced by
Brian Eno & Markus Dravs & Rik SimpsonWrited by
Chris Martin & Guy Berryman & Jonny Buckland & Will ChampionAbout
Revered as an essential rock song of the 2000s, “Viva La Vida” tells the story of a monarch who’s lost his kingdom. In another aspect, the song is also seen as a narrative on the French Revolution given the historical and biblical references in the lyrics. The instrumental is based around a string a...
Viva La Vida Lyrics
[Verse 1: Chris Martin]
I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning, I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own
[Instrumental Interlude]
[Verse 2: Chris Martin]
I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing
"Now the old king is dead, long live the king"
One minute, I held the key
Next, the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand
[Chorus: Chris Martin]
I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin'
Roman cavalry choirs are singin'
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason, I can't explain
Once you'd gone, there was never
Never an honest word
And that was when I ruled the world
[Instrumental Interlude]
[Verse 3: Chris Martin]
It was a wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become
Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string (Mmm, mmm)
Aw, who would ever wanna be king?
[Chorus: Chris Martin]
I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin'
Roman cavalry choirs are singin'
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason, I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
[Bridge: Brian Eno, Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland & Will Champion]
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
[Chorus: Chris Martin, Brian Eno, Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland & Will Champion]
(Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh)
Hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin'
(Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh)
Roman cavalry choirs are singin'
(Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh)
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
(Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh)
My missionaries in a foreign field
(Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh)
For some reason, I can't explain
(Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh)
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
[Outro]
Mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm
Mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm
Mmm, mmm
Viva La Vida Q&A
Who wrote Viva La Vida's ?
Viva La Vida was written by Chris Martin & Guy Berryman & Jonny Buckland & Will Champion.
Who produced Viva La Vida's ?
Viva La Vida was produced by Brian Eno & Markus Dravs & Rik Simpson.
When did Coldplay release Viva La Vida?
Coldplay released Viva La Vida on Sun May 25 2008.
What did Coldplay say about "Viva La Vida"?
Chris Martin:
I think everything we’re trying to do at the moment is about not starting again so much as breaking down what we’ve built up before and trying to build something different and hopefully better, or worse in a good way. And this song is one of our favorites, because none of us are doing...
What have the artists said about the concept of the song?
Guy Berryman:
It’s a story about a king who’s lost his kingdom, and all the album’s artwork is based on the idea of revolutionaries and guerrillas. There’s this slightly anti-authoritarian viewpoint that’s crept into some of the lyrics and it’s some of the pay-off between being surrounded by govern...
What is the symbolism in the song?
The Bible often uses wind as a symbol of temptation or struggle in life, because it is harsh, unpredictable, unforgiving, and stops for no one. Many biblical authors lived in the desert, so it’s no wonder that the hot and bitter wind was used as such a symbol – it was something we all can feel and v...
Is there any alternative music video for this track?
Yes, it is directed by Anton Corbijn.