Coldplay: When I Ruled The World Meaning
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When I Ruled The World Lyrics
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own
I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemies' eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing
"Now the old king is...
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1TOP RATED
#1 top rated interpretation:I believe it has to do with Power and how those in positions of authority handle power, fame and authority.
Those in authority will NOT be there forever.....it is all standing on pillars of salt and sand.
We all have to be humble and have perspective in any position we are occupying. -
This song is believed to be through the different perspectives of important people during the French-Revolution era, especially King Louis XVI.
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Playing Dungeon and Dragon, simply boring! And fuck you that my interpretation is too short bloody software!
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Head on a silver plate could refer to John the Baptist
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This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
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The crusades.
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i believe its about the angels that were cast out of heaven by god cause to them god loved humans more so the anti angels (demons) mingled with humans and made human/ angels (demands) (physically bigger then humans) which god drowned during the great flood. so the song is about demons ruling the world it was a ritual at the the super bowl not just entertainment
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Convicted murderer Robert Alton Harris's last words were " you can be a king or a street sweeper, but everybody dances with the grim reaper".
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This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
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My belief is that it's based on what Jesus' perspective probably was like right before His death on the cross. The parallels between the Bible story and the song lyrics are clear(to me anyway) and it causes me to wonder what made a non Christian band write and perform a song that parallels the Bible. Who knows! No matter what it means, I love the song! :)
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It about Lucifer who once ruled the world the Jesus came was killed by Rome
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My earlier interpretation was about the British Empire, but I‘ve since read, with interest, the one about Louis Xiv, and it‘s very good. The French Hoi Poloi at the time, though, wouldn‘t have wanted his head on a silver plate, rather a plain wooden spike - the whole point of the Revolution - but didn‘t Salome ask for the head of John the Baptist on a silver platter? Maybe the song is about religion in general, with pillars of salt reference etc, or the Roman Empire?? Now there‘s an idea.... Anyway, this site is great, so I‘m looking forward to more interpretations! Cheers! Edvardus.
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It‘s absolutely clear to me that this song is about Britain ( moreover, England ), and her once great Empire which used to rule the world. Some Crusades imagery in there too, with Jerusalem. Now Britain sleeps alone, and Britons sweep the streets they used to own. Cool, eh?
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It could be about anyone who once held a position of power or prestige and now finds themselves at the other end of the spectrum. Maybe a vulnerable old man in a nursing home that used to be a CEO or a General of an army that no longer has command. We all find ourselves there, if we are fortunate enough to live that long.
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I believe the song is referring to the singers/ persons life and how he use to be in control of it with all the love and fame like a "king". But now he believes he's alone with no one there and that no one should go throw this. (Example: "Now in morning I sleep alone", "Just a puppet on a lonely string. Oh...who would ever want to be king".)
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I think its about Tony Blair's time as Prime Minister.
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