Analysis of Lyrics
Viva la Vida is a song by Coldplay which is about a king who rejoiced in life being in power; it is actually about the life of a deposed king who has lost power after a revolution. This song particularly refers to the French revolution or the Roman Empire, after which the king is reflecting his life back then. He has been pondering about how the world was in his hands, that, in just a single command the sea would rise, how his people praised him and sang in his name, how his prosecutors dreaded his presence. Yet, everything has become the opposite by now, since, the table has turned. The king has lost all the power and is just another average citizen who has to follow the regulations and work like an ordinary man. The castle which belonged to him are no more accessible to him and he just realized that they had been on a very weak foundation as he refers it to salt and sand which portrays an image of an unsteady structure. Then he recalls the time thinking of no truthfulness in his people, saying it would never come and has gone forever. The time he became wicked and forcefully got what he wanted, his people wouldn’t believe it was him. As a consequence, they found him to be unwanted and the people needed a revolution. Then the chorus is repeated in the song in which the king thinks to himself about being deprived of heaven by saying that saint peter wouldn’t call him to give the good news of paradise. [Thesis]
The song, Viva la Vida, is Coldplay’s one of the most successful tracks which literally means ‘long live life’. It is about a king that has been dethroned as a consequence of his people’s craving for revolution and is recalling his past which seems to be a painful memory to him. He has no more desire to be in power after going through all of it. In the song the loss of immense power was a great loss to him. According to people, they say that the song, is about the revolutions in history and is about the glory of life. Also, it has been expressed that no one would ever want to get into power because of revolutions that occur over and over again. In addition, this song is also a celebration of every form of revolution economic, social, political as well as artistic. Kingdom is not real and those who build you once will be the one to bring you down because of one single wrong step or decision. Power is deceiving and when it is said ‘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.’ It becomes pretty clear how his eyes are opened to the world and he is no more the ruler instead he is just another common person with no value. Some People also believe that this song might be a story of a lover and the world he is referring to the woman whom he loved but now he has lost her to someone he already was familiar to. Perhaps, the use of ‘sweep the streets I used to own’ might have meant that he dies each day seeing her with someone else. To many people it was an inspirational song that at a certain time in life, each individual has felt on top of this world, but unfortunately ups and downs is a part of life and instead of being miserable of loss of power stays optimistic and competent to make place in heaven. Furthermore, people have related it to the loss of love and deprival of friendship even after possessing a lot of materialistic possessions.
Also, they say that the song gives an impression that the king was brainwashed and was made to feel on top of this world but as his eyes opened to reality it was too late.
However, I perceive that in contrast to its name, long live life, the song is ironically based on a tragic account of the life of a king, which can be related to every human in this world who believes in the temporary power of this universe. Yet, he will be left with nothing and will die with empty hands like the king who is left all alone. The fear of him in his enemies is no more. Although it has not been stated anywhere but it seems to be about Roman Empire, according to my interpretation, because of the use of ‘Jerusalem bells’ and ‘Roman cavalry’. Also it is very relevant to our times since it is not difficult to relate the downfall of imperialism in today’s world with the replacement of revolutions. The song has a lot of spiritual imagery and gives the scenario of the king’s misery after his loss of kingdom and his own people pulled him down as they wanted his head on a silver plate that is a sign of his people’s conspiracy against him due to his acts of wickedness. ‘Head on a silver plate’ here might have also referred to the john Baptist (who’s head was demanded on a silver plate by King Herod’s great niece). Though the king claims to have changed by now but it’s too late. It calls on for wisdom as it makes one agree to the fact that kingdom is just merely a fantasy that leaves us with nothing other than false hopes. This song has a lot of references to Christianity as several incidents mentioned in the song can be related to Christians such as Saint Peter wouldn’t call on his name for the paradise. He is considered to be the guardian of the keys to heaven. Also the when the song talks about the missionaries it might have referred to those of the Christian crusaders imposing their faith forcefully in a place which was alien to them. In addition I believe no one would ever be greedy for power if they knew of such consequences. The alliteration of “f” in ‘Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes’ has created an effect of fear in the listener’s mind and one can actually feel being in the state of mind of the singer. In addition, in the fifth verse, the usage of very harsh words is practiced. Making it sound unpleasant to the listener’s ears, creating a very destructive imagery. Also, I believe that every action has an equal and opposite reaction, thus, one wrong move of the king caused him to be deposed by his own people.
As a conclusion, although the band members have not given any statement of confirmation about its subject but have repeatedly made use revolutionaries and kings that blatantly suggests it belongs to the French revolution. Also it could be learned that the right use of power would have ended up the king to a better place and he would have been called by Saint Peter to be granted the keys of heaven. Similarly, a person should make the right use of authority and should stay optimistic in every matter of life rather than being a pessimist to deal with difficult situations. This is because it is going to make our personality and will be a great factor to make us who we are. Hence, this song is very impactful and inspirational to those who have become miserable due to several downfalls and thus, have lost hope in a better life. They still have time to make up for the losses and they shouldn’t give up. Despite of having too much power it won’t end a person to achieve heaven rather the acts of kindness and wisdom will lead him to achieve real success.
