UpPastMidnight June 6th, 2008 09:07PM  

Pretty sure this is about the French Revolution, and the ultimate beheading of King Louis XVI.

p.s. It is Cavalry not Calvary.

anonymous June 14th, 2008 01:04PM  

It is a General Message of any Power(be it great or small)that if not used in the proper manner will be lost by means of Revolution or change from the oppressed party. That party could be a partner in a relationship or the "Greatest empire ever to rule the world-the Roman Empire". For me I'd like to compare it to OUR NATION-ruler of the world, abusing our power, or rather a few individuals at the command control. There is a song by the Flowbots-I can ride my bike with no handlebars, check out those lyrics.

anonymous June 19th, 2008 10:54PM  

Did anyone consider the obvious possibility of a double meaning. Its actually quite common in songs this powerful.

anonymous July 9th, 2008 02:04PM  

I think that the lyrics refer to the end of any reign, not specifically the French Revolution, and perhaps have more to do with humanity itself than history. It could just be about a single person who has experienced a downfall in their life, and is comparing their own misfortune to a much grander scale. Also, the painting on the album cover is not of the French Revolution. The French Revolution lasted from 1789-1799, and the painting, entitled "Liberty Leading the People" (French: "La Liberté guidant le peuple") was in truth painted in commemoration of the July Revolution. The July Revolution was a singular and separate event that occurred in France in 1830, well after the French Revolution.

anonymous July 24th, 2008 12:22AM  

The cover painting is actually by painter Eugène Delacroix. The title splashed in red paint is an homage to a different work, by Mexican symbolist painter Frida Kahlo.

They are drawing inspiration from the painting which depicts "Liberty Leading the People," as a reference to life's more absolute truths.

a sort of modern day rebellion

anonymous July 24th, 2008 12:46PM  

I am impressed with your guys’ interpretations! This is all very interesting. Please allow me to point out a couple of things: As somewhat of a songwriter myself, I am aware that often words in songs are used, not so much because of their deep meaning, but rather because they “sound” good and go with the flow of the song. We’ve probably all heard songs where some words that are used just seem to kill the flow because they sound too harsh or so; just not fitting with the sound and flow of the music. However, some things that would strongly suggest that the song refers to Jesus are: Jerusalem (Don‘t know if the French King had much business there); Roman soldiers, Jesus’ commanding the wind and the seas , which is also found in the Old Testament about God in general; and then Peter‘s denial of Jesus. Also, in the Bible, a clear disappointment with people not listening to His Word. I agree that the song could refer to Jesus as well as the French King, which holds the problem that such a mix just doesn't easily go. But again: Song writers are not usually historians and generally put much less thought into the meaning of every single word in a song than all of you guys have done here.

God Bless!
MCA

anonymous July 24th, 2008 06:38PM  

The song states the person "sleeps alone/sweeps the streets [he] used to own." this would imply that the perspective character has fallen from power, he's still alive. That would contradict the idea it was an executed king. The interpretation of this as being about Jesus... just doesn't fit. I think this is a song about having power, becoming arrogant, alienated, and ultimately suffering some kind of fall.

Ksloy August 11th, 2008 07:50AM  

To set the record straight once and for all "viva la vida" is a Spanish command meaning "live the life" so it is not vive (he/she/it lives), it's viva- a command (telling you to live).

Anyway...

Maybe the song isn't about any one event in particular (jesus, french or spanish revolution), but anyone who has ever been through a hard time in life but through it all was still able to see the good in life, even though they've been knocked down hard. The feeling of being on top of the world one minute and then at your worst the next. I thought about this when I saw this quote from Chris Martin about his influence from the Frida Kahlo painting: “She went through a lot of shit, of course, and then she started a big painting in her house that said 'Viva la Vida',” explained Martin of the choice. “I just loved the boldness of it.” Which means that he was moved by how after all that Frida Kahlo had been through in her life (and yes, she did go through a lot) she was still able to move on with her life and make something good out of it.

and this is kind of out there, but the possible references to great people in the song, (Jesus, kings, etc.). It makes me feel like he's trying to say, by comparing the everyday person to these great or powerful people, that no one persons struggle is any less important than the next. That just how I feel though, the song kind of gives me an empowered feeling.

anonymous August 16th, 2008 02:20AM  

I don't really get all technical when I listen to this song. I just enjoy the music, because I think it's great.

The meaning I get out of this, is that we all have peaks in our lifetime. at one point, we come as close to having it all as we possibly can. Then, a long time down the road, we end up in a state of wondering. we start wondering how it's going to end up. we start wondering where all of that time went. we realize that at some point, our life is going to end. but...how could this be ? it feels like we use to 'rule the world'. we had the power in our hands to make any decisions we wanted, and somehow we'll eventually end up on the brink of old age no matter how we roll the dice. It's just a matter of being able to do what you did your whole life-brace yourself for whatever is next to come. what happened, happened. and hopefully it brings you to where you wanted. Hopefully it all makes sense to you.

Jen September 4th, 2008 02:50PM  

I think "Viva la Vida" is a satire of unchecked power ("I used to rule the world.../now, in the morning, I sleep alone, sweep the streets I used to own.") I think the constant, repetitive chord progression with the marching beat symbolize the downtrodden trying to assert their rightful power, but they're always overwhelmed by the king in the song (the cymbal before the chorus.) And to those who said "Viva la Vida" is Spanish, you're right, literally translated, it means, "Long live the life!"

Aidan September 8th, 2008 09:11PM  

I don't believe it's about Jesus. For starters, he made it clear his kingdom was not of this world. He's also recorded as having calmed the seas, rather than making them rise, as the song says. It's definitely about an earthly ruler.

One ruler who hasn't been mentioned is Charles I. He followed the idea of divine right of kings, like his dad, well known for the Bible with his name on it, James. The band is British too. And Charles I lost his head as well. William Blake can explain the mention of Jerusalem and its connection with England. The cavalry choir can be either the Cavaliers or Roundheads on horseback.

Aidan September 8th, 2008 10:03PM  

I have enjoyed the Louis XVI interpretations the most.

Going back to Jesus, he made it clear that his kingdom was not of this world, so it has to be about an earthly ruler, and not about Jesus. And Jesus is recorded as having calmed the seas, rather than giving his word to make them rise, as the song mentions.

This song could very well be about Charles I of England; Coldplay is from England. William Blake forever made the connection between Jerusalem and England. "And did those feet in ancient time...."

"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!'"

This could well mean Charles's battles first with Scotland, and then during the Civil War period. Or it could mean his relationship with Parliament. When James I died, Charles's father, Charles would have been proclaimed 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"

This could mean Charles's loss of power over the five year period from when the Civil War began until the Presbyterians gave him over to Parliament. Less than two years later he was beheaded. He had held the key, and then the walls closed in on him. The war did not turn his way. His castles? How about Carisbrooke, Hurst and Windor?

"I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field "

Again, with Jerusalem, Blake writes "till we have built Jerusalem,in England’s green & pleasant land...." The bells of course might not be actual bells, but can symbolize death. The Roman Cavalry is obviously the Cavaliers, the supporters of the Roman Catholic king. Jerusalem is London. As mentioned by a previous poster, the mirror, sword and shield is the Bible. Charles's father was King James. The King James Version of the Bible! The missionaries on a foreign field could possibly mean England joining the race for colonies in the Americas a bit late. Jamestown was established in 1607, shortly after a failed attempt. But other European nations were there and firmly established by then. His missionaries could also be his fellow Roman Catholics in the religious turmoil of England after the break from Rome, particularly those Puritans (Cromwell and Parliament).

"It was the 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"

Charles was killed in January of 1649, or with the changing of the calendar, in the winter of 1648. Historians write that there were drums as Charles awaited death. Some also write of a groan among the crowd, in disbelief of what had just happened once the king was beheaded.

"Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be king?"

For the last months of Charles's life, he was a puppet, something to bargain with. With the Restoration, you can bet that the son of the beheaded king had to tread lightly at first, and never enjoyed the divine right of kings as his father and grandfather had.

elviravolta September 12th, 2008 11:38PM  

I believe this song is about Taking power for granted using the French revolution as a metaphor more specifically Louie the XVI

Louie lived a very frivolous life style before the Revolution (I used to roll the dice)
He was also a devout catholic (Roman Catholic choirs)
The song talks about shattered windows and the sound of drums this could refer to the people of Paris demanding he and his family leave Versailles and go to Pairs where they could watch him.
After word he was little more than a puppet to the revolutionary government. He had to have felt helpless and something of a liar.
At that time much of the aristocracy had fled Paris leaving Louie to feel as though his supporters had left him (missionaries in a foreign field)
St Peter is said to stand at the gates of heaven (I know St Peter won’t call my name)
As far as my castle stands on pillars of sand Louis thought his power was absolute but it belonged to the people and the people like sand change positions.
Most of the leaders of the Revolution where also latter beheaded.

BuildGreen September 23rd, 2008 01:16PM  

Live you life. Everybody interprets based on their experience. I see it quite simply: Be in charge, have others depend on you, make the important decisions. I do. Sometimes I feel like I just want to sweep the street, no responsibility. I rode that wave. I have the confidence to do it again, just choose not to. Lives are at stake. Until you've had the obligations and burdens you may not understand. The old guy bagging your groceries may have been a VP of a fortune 500 company. We are all moving on.

anonymous November 11th, 2008 08:54PM  

ok, Viva la vida doesnt mean Live the life, it means something more like a phrase thats saying "praise the life" but the word viva indeed means live as a verb but its not the same to say live the life in english, its quite complicated to find a exact translation.

Meaning November 23rd, 2008 05:15AM  

A lot of people have interpreted the song as a portrait of King Louis XVI, etc. but I feel that the song's purpose is a lot more general than that.

King Louis XVI was found guilty of treason, and ultimately beheaded. However, the song clearly states a transition from ruling to not ruling. He is still alive, and he is reflecting on his past. (now in the morning I sleep alone, sweep the streets I used to own.)

So I will try to generally analyze this song as best as I can:

"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"

He was a ruler with immense command. Seas of people would rise at his command.
This is contrasted with the fact that he has been displaced from ruling. (It's interesting that he sleeps in the morning.) Now he is a servant, or a beggar. "sweeping the streets."
From riches to rags, from kingship to poverty.

"I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
Listened as the crowd would sing
Now the old king is dead long live the king"

Rolling the dice means that he gambled with his power.
He took risks. He became close to a tyrant, a crusader, and took over other kingdoms. He would replace other rulers, as a kind of expansionist/imperialist. "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"

Everything happened so fast, from one minute to another. When you are in power, you get caught up with your success, and time flies. In one instant he held the key. In fact, he held the key to many castles, many kingdoms, all these countries that he conquered, were under his power and domain.
And in the next instant he lost EVERYTHING. The castles symbolize his power. Symbolically speaking, his power had a weak foundation, a weak base. What did he base his power upon? Himself. His castles stood upon pillars of SALT and SAND. They stood on weak foundation, just as he stood on a weak foundation.

"I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringing
Roman cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
Missionaries in a foreign field"

It seems that he used religion as an excuse for conquest, as can be seen in these words:
"Jerusalem bells, roman cavalry choirs."
Be my mirror, sword, and shield: means basically:
Represent my image, my power, and my strength.
Missionaries, or crusaders, in the end they are conquering foreign countries.

"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"

Drunk with power, he lied. He never gave an honest word. He manipulated and used people for the sole end of increasing his territory and power.

"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"

He transitions from ruler to tyrant. And the people realize what he has become. Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

"Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be king?"

In the end he laments being King. Sure he had power, but the truth is, he is at the mercy of the people. There is a price on his head, and he realizes he is a puppet, on a string controlled by others.

(Repeats Stanza)
"For some reason I can't explain
I know St Peter won't call my name"

He fought in the name of Christianity, but he knows that he will not be able to enter into the promised land. His intentions were deceptive. Remember, never an honest word.

"Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world"

Reiterating that he has lost his power.

Hear Jerusalem bells a-ringing
Roman cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can’t explain
I know St Peter won’t call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world

Theme: Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Chris Martin has explained the song lyric "I know Saint Peter won't call my name" in an interview with Q magazine: "It's about ... You're not on the list. I was a naughty boy.
(Wikipedia)
When asked about the song, bass guitarist Guy Berryman said, "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."
(Wikipedia)
Viva La Vida, in Spanish translates to "long live life."

This song has many important implications, and VERY relevant to our times.

We should always be suspicious of people in power, who seem to fight under the banner of religion, freedom, etc. Because in the end they are just merely people, and are subject to corruption, just like anybody else.
Ultimately, people in power will become corrupted. It is human nature.

This is relevant in terms of history. Think about the crusades. The Holy War. The American Revolution. The French Revolution. Spanish Conquistadores. Rulers at first, come with good intentions, but over the course of time, they seek power.
Right now, the U.S. Is involved in the Middle East. What did we first come for? Weapons of Mass Destruction. We toppled Saddam, but we still haven't found any WMD's.
What about 9/11? Remember, Al Qaeda in Afghanistan attacked us in 9/11. So why are we now in Iraq, and not Afghanistan??
We still haven't captured Osama bin Laden, and we are stuck with Iraq, and we are in power, and people are such a BURDEN. We think we are in power, but the truth is that in the end we have to appease the IRaqi people. They were a sovereign nation, and in a way, right now, they are "the white man's burden."

History is an endless waltz.
Fated to repeat itself.


-What do you guys think?

anonymous January 26th, 2009 10:17PM  

This is song is about Napoleon being pulled from power and losing everything pretty much

anonymous February 5th, 2009 02:47AM  

I have heard that it could also be about napoleon

anonymous February 7th, 2009 11:12PM  

First of all, remember Louis reignes in an absolute monarchy believing that he was given the power to rule by god, that´s why the song can be associated both with religion and poltics. Further than retelling historical events, Coldplay has always had an actual intention in their songs, with this I mean that Viva la Vida is an invitation to look around at the world today and see how religion and politics (first ''made'' for man's sake) had been manipulated by humans throughout the history . It also asks us to reconsider how we live our life....(starting by it's title) to take advantage of the beauties of life, to live our life, in spanish it means live your life fully... which should be mans main purpose...if not, then why did Jesus gave his life for us?

tmcvei February 9th, 2009 03:53PM  

I guess each of us can get what we want out of this song and that is what makes it so interesting. I just lost my wife, best friend and soul mate to cancer and to me the the song describes how I felt on top of the world and as powerful as a king until I lost my love ... and "now in the morning I sleep alone". Until I lost my love I thought "I held the key" to everything and then in a minute I realized that my world was built on a foundation of "salt and sand" As far as the chorus ... "I know Saint Peter won't call my name ... "but that was when I ruled the world" (or before I lost my love) ... but ... now that I am no longer on top of the world ... Saint Peter will call my name because I need God's help to overcome my loss.