This entire song is about King Louis XVI and the French Revolution. Chris Martin was a history major and even the cover for the album is a modern take on the famous LaCroix painting of the French Revolution. War & Peace length explanation commencing in 3...2...1... Lines 1-2 about how protagonist “ruled the world and seas would rise…” at his command has to do with the fact that in the late 18th Century, France had a large navy and was the world’s greatest superpower of the era (yes, more than England, which became more powerful after the French Revolution and Napoleon’s Waterloo). Lines 3-4 about sleeping alone and sweeping the streets he used to roam: Louis XVI roamed Paris' streets, but once the Revolution started, he was imprisoned and forced to do menial, manual chores, such as street sweeping. Lines 5-7 about rolling dice (refers to Versaille parlor games); feel the fear in my enemy’s eyes refers to France being the greatest European/world power of the 18th century; before the revolution, the French crowds cheered the death of King Louis 14th who taxed them to death and cheered for the new king, his grandson, Louis 16th who was considered more a king for the people. Lines 8-11 about holding the key and then walls closing in on the protagonist refers to the king going from all powerful but then facing the realization that he wasn’t actually because he suddenly he was imprisoned. Hence, why his kingdom was built on pillars of sand - they eroded quickly as public sentiment changed very quickly after he assumed the throne. Also, the kingdom and key refer to Versaille - ungodly expensive at that time and built by his predecessor despite the economic impact on the vast majority of the population. Lines 12-19 are Chorus 1 and refer to the French king being led to the guillotine. They would ring the bells of Notre Dame, which were bells brought back from Jerusalem to France during the Crusades. France was considered “the daughter of the Roman Catholic Church” in great part because French kings were continually supplying the Catholic Church with crusaders for Rome (Roman cavalries) who would often sing during their march toward the Holy Land. After the Crusades, France was constantly sending its forces to colonize areas, but did so under the guise of it being justified because they were bringing Christianity to the “heathens”. The popes would look the other way at the atrocities that France committed because the French king remained loyal to Rome and provided the papacy with a lot of gold (something the French could afford to do because looting Africa, the New World and Asia was quite profitable). Lastly, while being led to the guillotine, many of Louis 14th’s former soldiers cheered and sang for his execution. Verse 2 Lines 20-27 about wicked winds blowing open doors to the protagonist refers to what was considered the “winds of change” in Europe that grew out of the Age of Enlightenment philosophers' effect on people across France and Europe. When the revolution swept into France, the rebelling crowed stormed Versaille and took the king prisoner. This had not really ever been done before to any monarchy in the western world, and it shocked, appalled and scared the heck out of all of the rest of the Europe’s monarchs. The French king had been the most powerful and suddenly he was imprisoned and laboring at menial, dirty chores until the Revolutionaries could find a way to convince the public that the king should not just be dethroned, but actually killed (this took a while). There was resistance to executing him because of fears that the Catholic Church would organize European monarchs to attack the Revolutionaries to prevent the spread of ideas like democracy, human rights, etc.. that threatened the power of both monarchs and the papacy (I’m Catholic and it’s the truth, I’m not being anti-Catholic) So, the king was made a figurehead/puppet until the new revolutionary government could be sure that it had secured the loyalties of the navy, military and treasury to defend itself both from domestic and foreign threats. So, yes, after waiting a long time for his grandfather’s death, Louis 14th got to be king, but soon after his coronation, the revolution started and he was a different kind of king: and impotent figurehead who was actually a prisoner/menial worker and not the monarch with absolute power that he expected to be. Chorus 2 is the same except the last 3 lines about St. Peter. As an absolute monarch with the blessing of the pope, the French kings were the absolute authority in France for all matters, including nearly all religious one and, like the pope, were considered practically infallible (indeed, they were infallible/absolute in all non-religious matters). Almost everyone in France was Catholic and the Church taught that the monarch was a key representative of God on Earth, second only to the pope, and thus, was to be obeyed unconditionally. If you’re an absolute monarch whose power is blessed by the pope, then conceivably, you can do no wrong (heck, the Divine Right of Kings means that the king and everyone else believes that he is very close to God and in fact, just a step below the pope on religious matters). As a result, it was just naturally that all Catholic monarchs would go to heaven. With the loss of his power, the protagonist/king is beginning to realize that he is no longer at his previous status in any way and thus, does not expect St. Peter to automatically allow him into heaven. All his power, including the Divine Right of Kings was destroyed, so, he now might be judged as any commoner, especially he was now worked as one. If he is no longer automatically close to God because of the Divine Right of Kings, then the protagonist/king is realizing that he may be judged in heaven based upon all his earlier actions, many of which were the kind of deceitful lies that would keep you out of the Pearly Gates. So, this is actually a simplified view of the whole French Revolution, but unequivocally, the song is about the events of that period. Americans don’t usually realize it, but the French Revolution was actually a bigger deal than the American Revolution a few years earlier. Why? Because the US was a bunch of breakaway colonists. They wanted to separate from the English monarchy, but not overthrow it and the entire upper classes of all of the British empire. The French Revolution, though, did seek to do that and more. The revolutionaries believed that after they brought the revolution to France, they would spread it throughout Europe - something far more threatening than some faraway colonists complaining about taxation without representation.
okay, so spaniard here. And yes, you are not wrong, but Viva can also be said in a: "HURRAY!" Sort of manner, and "Hurray for life" also seems like a good and valid translation.
Or, live life; live your life; just live life!; just live your life!; live the life; live life as it was intended; ... it all depends on who says it, or who says it to whom, or why it's being said in the first place. It can be an exclamation, a declaration, a recommendation, or an admonition.
“I know Saint Peter won’t call my name” is a VERY important line. Saint Peter was the one, back in ancient times, who confessed Jesus as the true messiah. It appears that the narrator is talking about how, for his entire life, he saw himself as a just and fair conqueror. He saw himself as a Jesus-like crusader and saviour, but now he knows that’s not the case. He’s too full of himself to accurately look back at his actions and see where he went wrong (For some reason, I can’t explain), but he knows, deep down, that he messed up in the past.
Although Coldplay’s “Viva la Vida” may be considered a modern classic, the underlying themes of the French revolution may be lost in it’s melodic strings. Despite the fact that “Viva la Vida” is Coldplay’s highest charting single, many fans fail to recognize the central idea of the song and ultimately the album. “Viva la Vida”, the song and album, is a retelling of the French revolution and the death of King Louis XVI. First to dissect is the album cover. Coldplay’s fourth studio album, “Viva la Vida or Death to All His Friends” often simple referred to as “Viva la Vida”, features a rendition of the 1830 historical painting known as “Liberty Leading the People”. The art piece was painted by French artist Eugène Delacroix, depicting French revolutionaries marching and waving the French flag, led by the human manifestation of Lady Liberty. The painting serves to portray the revolutionaries in a heroic light, complementing the Album’s themes of life, death, war, and change. Now, to analyze the album’s foremost song, “Viva la Vida”, a little background about the French Revolution must be provided. - Through the final courses of the French revolution, King Louis XVI’s monarchy was finally overthrown and the King was imprisoned by his own people. What followed was a swift trial which promptly decided the fate of the former monarch. King Louis was to be publicly executed via guillotine. On the gallows, as the former king shuffled his way to meet death, he stopped to give one final speech to his people. However, as he began to speak, the ever so passionate french masses began to scream and boo, playing the executioner’s drums louder to drown the sounds of his words. The French masses cared not what their former ruler had to say and cued for the executioner. As so, before King Louis could finish his speech, his captors forced him down onto the guillotine and the former king was executed. His speech, now lost forever. Coldplay’s song “Viva La Vida” is an interpretation of king louis’s lost last speech before his death. The song is written through King Louis point of view, as he apologizes to his people, accepting his fate. “I used to rule the world Seas would rise when I gave the word Now in the morning, I sleep alone” - King Louis led one of the world’s most powerful countries, he commanded hundreds of ships with his simply words. However, now he was reduced to sleeping alone in a jail cell. “Listen as the crowd would sing: “Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!” - King Louis XVI succeeded the throne after his grandfather had passed. Following the death of the beloved king, Louis XV, Louis XVI held much potential in his people’s eyes. Many celebrated his rise to kingship. “Shattered windows and the sound of drums People couldn’t believe what I’d become.” - Although his people saw much potential in the new king, they were left disappointed. His early reign was that of reform and success, however, as time grew and promises were left unfulfilled, the French masses demanded a new order. “Revolutionaries wait for my head on a silver plate. Just a puppet on a lonely string. Oh who would ever want to be king?” - Louis recognizes that revolution was now in full swing and that no amount of reform can help him now. Although Louis accepted his Kingship in eagerness, he looks back at his powers as a burden. He admits that the power he thought he wanted was not the same when he held it. Oddly enough, the song demands sympathy for the overthrown king. Coldplay depicts the King’s final speech as not a plea for help or cry of damnation, but an admittance of regret. This regret humanizes the King, showing understanding that he had ultimately failed his people. Once a revolutionary himself, the first part of his reign was that of enlightenment reform, however, along his kingship he had lost sight of his values. Retreating to the comforts of his palace rather than facing his problems. The songs shows the regret of a man who once promised so much more but delivered none, accepting his fate as he knows it is well deserved. Although King Louis is often characterized as the enemy of the revolution, the song plays a different sentiment. Instead of portraying King Louis as the one dimensional evil tyrant, Coldplay plays the song through the point of view of the King, watching helplessly as the revolution destroys his kingdom. This is a complete dichotomy from Delacroix’s “Liberty Leads the People”, which shows the revolutionaries as heros. This contrast is a deliberate choice to reinforce the album’s theme of change. With the revolutionaires fierce march and the King’s introspective review, the listener is not put onto a single side. Instead, it allows the listener to process both perspectives, allowing a completely new view of the revolution. Reference taken*
Woah... My mind blown. 🤯 But the "Roman Cavalry choir are singing" maybe it tells also about his people itself as the king tells his speech? Pls educate me more. I really love this! Also this video! ❤️🌻🌻
This song is about salvation. All of us thinking we rule the world. Only to wake up and see there is no honesty in it. It’s a false kingdom. I used to think I was king but Peter won’t call my name = not only am I not what I think I am here, I am not what I think I am before God. Which is why he evokes thoughts through the words jerusalem, Roman calvary and saint Peter. With all the wickedness and self deceit “who would ever want to be king?” Wickedness and wild wind put me there. Be my mirror my sword my shield is all scripture. These are Biblical thoughts of God being the King rather than self. Now I serve in the kingdom I thought I owned, sweeping the streets listening to a crowd that doesn’t get it; long live the king! But the only king is the one who is a sword shield and mirror to show us who we are. The song is a parable testimony of salvation from a Christian. It is brilliant and beautiful. Great video. Love the thoughts and connection with not following the evil one in the final song. Great catch!! Long live life...In Christ the king! I might add, to say explicitly what I believe Chris Martin is saying implicitly.
I totally agree with Adam and Bruno! Chris Martin brilliantly uses the historical context to speak about eternal life. What is the use of ruling the world, gaining treasure and power, if you fail being accepted by God??? So, inside every human being there is a need, a desire to develop a relationship with God and this song goes deep into this. In these hard times of lockdown, aren’t we all eager to hear what God has to tell us about life, love and acceptance? God bless us all :)
There is one very important part missing in this analysis, IMHO. It's where this redemption comes from: No, that the former ruler has lost all his power and glory, he suddenly realizes that his power was never actually real. In the beginning, he believed in the power that was above what a human could accomplish: "Seas would rise when I gave the word". It's not that they actually did rise when he gave the world, but he believed it, because "Never an honest word And that was when I ruled the world". So people lied to the ruler, made him believe in his own power because he ruled through the "the fear in my enemy's eyes". So there is a double side to his power, he believed to be in power, that he ruled the world, but it was all just a lie because he never possed "real power", never really lived, only people that lied to him to get close to his power. The same theme appears in Eco's Baudolino, and is a very common theme. If you have power, you will lose the honesty of the people around you. That is also why "One minute I held the key Next the walls were closed on me". When he "held the key" he was not in power yet, he was close on it, but as soon as he achieved it, he realized it was actually his trap. When he was king, he was actually "Just a puppet on a lonely string" and that is why he now reminisces "Oh, who would ever want to be king?". But then the redemption, now that he has lost the power, he has become free to gain "real" life. And this makes him reminisce how bad it actually was when he only believed in false power: "Never an honest word But that was when I ruled the world". The "But" really tells, that this has changed now. People don't need to lie anymore, because they don't fear him anymore, he sees the world as it really is and now there are "honest words". It's also about really looking into what is important in life instead of believing in false things. From the interview: "It's always fascinated me that idea of finishing your life and then being analyzed on it. And it's that runs through most religions. That's why people blow up buildings. Because they think they're going to get lots of virgins. I always feel like saying, Just join a band (cackles head off)." So it's a false belief that you have to be able to "make seas rise" to be deemed a good human when you can be good in much simpler and peaceful ways. You don't need to be a powerful king for St. Peter to call your name. In fact, being a powerful king will do quite the opposite for you, because then you will build "castles on sand" (a biblical metaphor for not believing in god, but in worldly things; Gospel of Matthew (7:24-27) and Luke (6:46-49)) or you will become "pillars of salt" (a biblical image for being punished for clinging to the wrong things; Genesis 19). Instead by just doing honest good, for example, making people happy through your music will accomplish so much more. According to an interview with the Drummer many of the songs on the album share the theme of "trying to remember what's important in your life, rather than being carried away by the trappings of other things." So it is a lot like the quote from fight club: "It's only after we've lost everything, that we're free to do anything"
I learned from this explanation video... that you guys need to learn history. By the way, roman cavalry choirs are singing is a reference to cavalry chanting as they march.
The positive point of this song is the realization that spirituality trumps materialism, and we can be saved through redemption. No man is perfect or without sin, but acknowledging that is a move in the right direction for a wonderful life "Viva la Vida"
I really thought you were going to speak only about the obvious meaning about the French revolution so thanks not all the people get to explain this viva la vida aca en argentina is like a carpe diem thing
CONSPIRACY THEORY: Viva La Vida is what happened after Clancy ran away from Dema and came back with an army of Banditos and took over the City, and the song is Nico's point of view.
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Viva is definitely my favourite album of all time. The whole theme of the album revolves around rise and fall. Sometimes you're doing great in life and sometimes you're just down. Everytime I'm down, I listen to this album to remind me that things will get better because that's how life usually goes. From good to bad to good and then to bad again. Also, I think the song Viva la Vida sounds so happy and glorious and has such an optimistic title in order to show you that you should celebrate every great moment in your life, because it may be gone by tomorrow
@@THE_TRUE_MINER But then why did Coldplay make a song about that? The story of Louis XVI is a great example for the concept of rise and fall. What do you think the title "Viva La vida" means in the context of the song? Why call a song about the fall of a King like that? And also, why name the album after that song?
Well heres my explanation on why they made it like that, king louis XVI was ruler and was feared but during the revolution he was imprisoned and eventually executed, and thd reason coldplay did it like this is because they saw a painting in a museum once wich inspired him to make this song, im not making this up thats the real story.
For me personally, I applied the song to represent my childhood. Growing up I had a fasination with War, History, abs especially the Romans. I’d read this cool Roman history book I had and even played the miniatures game Heroscape and played as the Romans, I’d even play RTS games like Rome Total War, essentially as a kid I pretended to be a great Roman Emperor. Now that I’ve grown up and working a job it’s like I lost that crown. “Sweep the streets I used to roam”
Native spanish speaker in here "Viva la vida" can be missunderstood and translated as "Live the life", but for that to be precise, it would have to be "Vive la vida", the tittle of the song can be translated in a better way as "Cheers to life", like celebrating the fact of living. And after hearing the interpretation of the song, the tittle gets a little more sense don't you think? Hope it helps!
Directly translated The phrase “Viva la vida” isn’t “Live the life” “Live the life” would be “ vive la vida”. “VIVA LA VIDA” or “Que viva la vida” is simply “long live life”
Intesresting Story, The guys from Coldplay did a latin american tour a few years ago and they made a stop in Mexico City, they visited the Frida Kahlo Museum, wich is her house or the house where she used to live. You can walk around the house and see her paintings aling the way, one of her paintings is titled Viva La Vida, the guys from coldplay liked the story behind the painting so much that they decided tio name one of their albums Viva la Vida.
I think when analysing a song, you should look at how the song conveys its themes and ideas through its musical elements. Here is my analysis. The beginning of the song is pretty unique, with a very distinctive rhythmic pattern played on what sounds like a cello or an instrument similar in tone to a cello. It is very staccato and carries a gentle melody as well as its primary rhythmic function. The staccato adds an element of fleetingness and urgency to the song, certainly apt considering the story told by the lyrics of the song about a king losing control and power over his kingdom. Another thing that I find interesting is that the only percussive element used consistently throughout the whole song is the bass drum, which is quite important in maintaining a solid, rhythmic thump throughout the piece to ground all the other elements. It is fascinating, however, that there is no snare drum or hi-hat like in standard Coldplay songs and Pop songs in general. There is, however, a big heavy bell noise like a cow bell (in the music video it is like a bell the size of a dog being struck. But that probably isn’t realistic), and a symbol at the start of the chorus to (literally) set it off with a bang. This bass drum starts at the first verse and continues throughout the rest of the song, stopping only at the minimalist outro. So quite an important element, and I think the reason it is used as such is because a) it helps maintain rhythmic integrity and stability, b) it is a noise made by traditional instruments, consist with the song’s time era and themes, and c) unlike snare drums and hi-hats, it is quite a low noise and can resemble a heartbeat in its thumping nature, suggesting the protagonist’s quick beating heart as he is being led to his uncertain eternal future. It’s low pitch also helps keep other elements in the starlight and doesn’t confuse or drown out other instruments whilst maintaining the timing. After the first verse there is an instrumental, where the base drums, and cello continue through, as well as a really weird instrument that sounds like it is woodwind and a violin simultaneously. The instrumental is eight bars long, and I think the melody might be played by a different instrument for the second half than in the first half. The instrument in the first half, which I suspect is a recorder, has a blowy, sharp tone and passive qualities, whereas in the second half, which I think is played by a violin, it is more wailing and belligerent. Dynamics are used here to tie the two noises together, so it sounds like they are the same instrument, both instruments gradually getting louder so the loud recorder meets the quite violin at the start of the fifth bar and they sound surprisingly similar (but not similar enough to fool me). Now more importantly, why is this? I think to change the tine and feeling of the song which was previously urgent due to the staccato cello and the heart-thumping bass drum, to a more saddened, depressing, wail-like timbre, which is appropriate for the song once the idea of the monarch’s collapse has already been established. The wailing noise of the violin also continues into the second verse and chorus, sustaining the eerie timbre initiated in the instrumental. The chorus is really not that dissimilar from the from the previous verses: there is the bass drum, violin(s)in the background, and some extra percussive elements such as the symbol and the cowbell type thing. Since the song is so interesting, the chorus doesn’t need anything to set it apart, unlike in “Fix You” or “Paradise”. A reason for this is I think the lyrics are pretty obscure and unrelatable. Like I can totally relate to the themes explored in the other songs because theory is fundamentally about human nature and anthropological interactions, whereas this song is about the French revolution, an event that few people are well versed in and even fewer people can relate too. Therefore, the lyrics don’t have as such a significant effect in the audience in this song and there needs to be musical complexity to make up for the lyrical deficiencies. After this chorus, there is the wackiest instrumental section in the history of Coldplay songs (this is my opinion but jeez it is pretty unorthodox). Like I can’t even place the instruments in it. It sounds like bells definitely, and some whistles with some extreme reverb to create a distinctive echo effect, and some extremely high, jarring noises. Maybe there are like wind chimes as well? Actually, I wouldn’t be surprised if one of those noises in that cacophony is wind charms, as the next line in the third verse directly after the instrumental is “it was the wicked and wild wind”. Wind chimes. “wind”. I really am pulling at straws here. But the instrumental is inarguably incongruous and jarring, which I think prompts ideas about the rapid decline from power the French monarchy (and King Lois XVI) faced during the French revolution, and the “jarring”, “incongruous” experience it was for the nobility, as well as French citizens who were faced with having terrifying and immediate choices to support the revolution and risk the French military’s wrath (remember, they had the most potent military in the world at the time), or resigning themselves to aeons more of hard work and unjustifiably large taxes. In the third verse, there is a slight change in that the iconic rhythm is played by an instrument that is not a cello - possibly a viola. This change helps to elevate the atmosphere to a slightly more muddled place by introducing a new sound in the same (or an adjacent - it’s pretty close but can’t tell exactly) octave as the vocals. There is also like a violin introduced as well to for similar reasons in the first verse. Another key difference is there is what sounds like a harpsichord (I know, what on earth right?). It is quite similar to piano but lacks the tonal depth and sounds slightly more “plucked” than “struck”. This is not very obvious and I’m not sure as to why it was included but I think helps contrast the other elements, mainly the violins with their tragically beautiful quality. There is a theme arising with most of the instrument noises used: they aren’t electronic. Usually, Coldplay will have an electric guitar, or some synthesisers, amongst more standard instruments. This song doesn’t, instead using violins, recorders, cellos, traditional percussion (bells bass drum symbol), and a harpsichord?! I mean, this could just be a coincidence, but seeing as the song clearly has historical implications and is likely about the French revolution, it seems deliberate. The classical nature of the instruments clearly nods to that era in time where instrumentation and music was advancing with the rise of several deific composers, the consequent sound being simultaneously developed and natural. The use of several old instruments that have been in use during and since that era (and before but in many cases the instruments only gained popularity in that period. I don’t really know the detail, I’m not a music historian. But you get (hopefully) where I am coming from) helps to root the song’s meaning back to that epoch, hinting at the song’s true value and significance. The music video is interesting but not particularly revealing. It did help me with placing noises to instrument though, because for pretty much the entirety of the time the video shows Coldplay playing the song. The only exceptions for this are the very start and very end. The start consists of what looks like a rose unfolding. So, this is I think suggestive of kingdom being born, or a king’s rise to power. Anyhow, it represents birth and growth, a theme that would have permeated King Lois XVI’s initial time leading the monarchy as he was seen as much more supportive of the people, a people’s king, so the citizens of France were excited for him to succeed his Father (hence the cheering at his father’s execution and when King Loid XVI failed to live up to their standards, the cheering at his death. The end of the video is a shot of each band member (individually) slowly being torn out of existence (like when Thanos snaps in Avengers). They kind of dissolve into what looks like black rose petals. This is quite clearly indicative of the end of an empire or something and carries a sense of finality. The fact that they are black rose petals is packed with symbolism. The colour black has connotations of murder, death, rebellion and misfortune, certainly all ideas applicable to the plight of the monarch in the French revolution. Roses likewise symbolise love and passion, and the fact that the rose petals are all detached and floating away (and black) indicates the death of love and passion. Lastly, there was a rose at the beginning, so the fact that there is a black rose at the end subtly points at the idea that all good things must die. Happiness in short-lived, a reign must fall, a king must die. So, lots of metaphors and symbolism. Lastly, for the whole duration of the video there is like a filter over it or something. I don’t know the what it’s actually called, but it is like the whole video is kind of an old oil painting, with cracks and fissures (like in a really old painting) on the screen. This hints at the idea of the song being about the French revolution as well, or at least some old monarchy, as in that era there was a lot of classical art just kind of getting super popular and abundant. The fact that the entire music video looks like an old oil painting but not a painting, a video, more generally suggests time and age.
Could it be about a break up? To me the entire song is about how the protagonist had everything and was it all when he had a certain person in his life and now that they are gone life is not that great anymore. It is mentioned in the beginning with “Now in the morning, I sleep alone”. The song then continous about how life was so great, but further in the song it goes: “Be my mirror, my sword and shield My missionaries in a foreign field For some reason I can't explain Once you go there was never, never an honest word And that was when I ruled the world”. The protagonist is talking about someone leaving and now everything has changed. Could this also be a meaning of the song or am I alone in this?
To me, it IS about love lost. He tried to rule everything in the relationship. For a while, it looked like he would be in charge of this love. But hubris is the fall of all men. In the end, looking back, he realizes that , no matter what he did to gain his power, if it was an evil deed, God would make him fail eventually. It was indeed evil, so it did fail. God brought 10x more hurt on him for trying to hurt others. God exalted every person this man hurt, and in the end, this man only hurt himself. If only he could see it. If his ego is not too big, he will eventually see it and make a change in himself. He will also repent to God to save his soul before he dies. The soul is the most important thing for any man to save before he dies. The soul is what the deep state actors are trying to steal today, using so many things in our world as weapons. I pray for all people to repent to God for all sin. We are in end times now. ✝️
Reminds me of the downfall of Napoleon at his waterloo... realizing his doom & basically wondering if he will get to heaven... if ya agree give me a thumbs up!!
I think "Chunk would load when I gave the word" probably meant that he used to have commands where he would reload chunks, but something happened so he can't do that anymore
I think is about Christian faith. The power of it and how it looses it. by the way it still importent to think about it the days of our time.mutch mutch more than you think.
Golgotha, aka Calvary is the mountain where Isaac almost sacrificed his son, and the place where Jesus was crucified. Just referring to the 2 ways you pronounced Calvary
I was curious about the meaning of the song because I started watching the video. I looked it up and said Chris Martin was inspired by a painting from the Mexican artist Frida. She was dealing with polio and a bad back apparently. She painted the art as a way to continue with life. I guess no matter what one is going through you can come out triumphant at the end. So go ahead and live your life without any restrictions or something putting a stronghold on you. The French revolution is exactly that. People were tired of being ruled so fighting back was the only way. Aren't we all fighting something everyday? Look up and live the life. Viva La Vida!
My history teacher told us that it was about Maximilien Robespierre since he ruled France like a dictator coming from the 3rd estate for a year and then died of execution
I'm spanish and "viva la vida" means "long live life", to mean "live the life" it would be written "vive la vida". It's just a letter, but it changes the verb form. ^^ Pretty awesome to see you both in a video!!! Btw, could you please explain Violet Hill? It's my favorite song from Coldplay! I would love to see your point of view. ^^
"Vive la vida"... Vive (tú) la vida. "Viva la vida"... Viva (usted) la vida. But you are right "Viva la vida" means "long live the life". To really express "Long live the live" in spanish you should use the ¡ and ! exclamation marks. But that's another story
"Seas would rise when I gave the word" is an allusion to King Canute (1016-1035) who, according to legend, was told by a courier that he was "So great, he could command the tides of the sea to go back”. To prove the hollowness of this boast, Canute had his throne taken to the shore where he commanded the tide not to rise. When the tide rose regardless, Canute declared, 'Let all men know how empty and worthless is the power of kings, for there is none worthy of the name, but He whom heaven, earth, and sea obey by eternal laws.'"
Clifford, April... hello. Your original post is from five years ago and I really don't want to go thru all the comments to know whether I'm repeating someting that has been said before. So, here it goes: do you know Calderón de la Barca, the Spanish writer? I think he is from the 16th or 17th century. If you read his play "La vida es sueño" (Life is a dream), particularly Segismundo's soliloquy you will find some extraordinary coincidences as to the concept of "life being a dream", or possibly a wheel. In it, Segismundo (the main character) laments his fall from grace (riches), vis a vis his current imprisoned state, which leads him to ponder whether life is anything but a dream. A great classic Spanish masterpiece and a good read.
It's about Caesars death. The talk about the Calvery singing, a funeral, the part about his missionaries are the flash backs of Caesar's conquest to conquer the world, the be my mirror, sword, and sheild talks about the 2 Roman Counsuls aka the 2nd highest power in Rome. The part of saint Peter is a bit sus as the Romans had many gods so it could be off but continuing this could mean he was locked out of heaven and saint Peter won't call his name to enter the gates. The part where he says he doesn't know why this points to Caesar's assassination as he didn't do anything wrong but he was killed so he doesn't know why he can't go to heaven, now the tone of the song also gets more dramatic over the interval.
The exact translation of Viva la vida=long live life. I know it sounds weird in English but in Mexican Spanish would be like an expression of happiness and enjoyment of life
Coldplay is one of my favorite Indie Rock band (Young the Giant as well) and I wouldn't mind some more Coldplay lyrics being analyzed: Politik, Spies, We Never Change, Clocks, A Rush of Blood to the Head...and possibly more I can't remember right now. #Coldplayfan
Viva is also a way to say hurray, for example in spanish sometimes in a rally where someone like a candidate for some office, the candidates name will be said by one person and the rest of the people will chant QUE VIVA!
Viva la vida it's spanish for "long live to the life", because it's like when someone say "long live to the king" or something like that, thats because in spanish it's more short and in the example it would be "viva el rey", however can be said "larga vida al rey" too, and it's the most exact translation, but it's not that usual to hear.
Your wife is adorable!!! Also it's a funny coincidence because my English professor's wife is also named April...crazy, right? Anyways, thank you for this video. I love this song and always wondered if it was about something deeper.
This song means alot to me. He's talking about falling through the gaps in society. He's also saying:' be my mirror i. e tell me who I am again cause I've forgotten or lost my identity or memory of who I am through who I used to be, when he says he's not even sure if st Peter will call his name, he's saying he's not even sure if he will go to heaven any more because he's fallen or failed so badly or perhaps because he did somthing wrong when he was in power. Be my sword means protect me, my shield means defend me because now he's become vulnerable and needs sombody to fight for and defend him. Probably sombody who loves or cares for them and knows who they used to be (could be a fan, family or friend), or sombody who is in or has the power to do so. The power he once had himself but now no longer has. ❤❤❤
This song means alot to me. He's talking about falling through the gaps in society. He's also saying:' be my mirror i. e tell me who I am again cause I've forgotten or lost my identity or memory of who I am through who I used to be, when he says he's not even sure if st Peter will call his name, he's saying he's not even sure if he will go to heaven any more because he's failed so badly or perhaps because he did somthing wrong when he was in power. Be my sword means protect me, my shield means defend me because now he's becomes so vulnerable ❤❤❤
I figured this was just about the fall of the British empire and sort of a wistful lamentation for how the UK used to be all-powerful and the thrill of battle, conquest, and the rise of an empire, while acknowledging it wasn't a good or humane thing and doesn't deserve a place in a happy after life. A dirge of nostalgia, melancholy, and acceptance for the British people.
Perhaps it also could be looked at from a spiritual angle- the mere impermanence of life, ranks, wealth, happiness, love, an even sorrow, nothing ever is permanent.
the song in general is a discrete reference to Napoleon Bonaparte. The “Roman Cavalry Choir” is then likely a reference to German cavalry, or the cavalry of the “Holy Roman Empire.” That being the case, it is a reference to a cavalry charge that Napoleon heard, where the galloping horses form a choir of sorts with their hooves.
Just realized... Roman Cavalry Choirs probably means the shouts of soldiers charging towards the enemy. Usually soldiers shout in one voice and choirs do too!
I always thought this was about someone like Constantine, or someone similar because of the line "my head on a silver plate" which is referring to John the Baptist, which makes me think of a religious leaders specifically.
The most accarate translation in my opinion as a native spanish native speaker, is “Hail life”. The translation everyone uses “Long live life” would be used if the title of the song said “Larga vida a la vida”
This song you guys, wait for it is about Louis XVI. He was the ruler in France if, you didn't know already in history class, who practically ruined everything. He was married to Marie Antoinette the woman who was accused of saying the term let them eat cake. Anyways he was very cruel to his people and was a very selfish & as you might say whiny ruler. But as I was saying the song is about him and it was created in the perspective of him before he got guillotined. One of the lyrics in the song States I used to rule this implying that he was very power greedy and basically ruled the world because no one wanted to cross him. Certain phrases in the song can be different things such as Roman Cavalry choirs are simging can mean that when the king arrived everyone was basically at a standing ovation to his feet or once he was being brought to his death or once he finally died everyone celebrated and was notified. But this song is about Louis XVI and the entire album is about the French Revolution. And I 100%agree with them on this as well
I grew up in the streets of Mexico and many of my culture has weird American slang but “viva la vida” in English means The life which you lived and In Spanish it means the life you
Two things, so yes the song is talking about a person of high power that being King Louie XVI. But dictator is the wrong term, King Louie, being a King was a monarch.
the song is about death and all his friends. violence, despair, and death used to rule the world (look at world history) but now, people are encouraged to live life. this isn't mentioned in the song, but i believe it is death and all his friends reminiscing on the good ole days when everything could kill ppl and ppl were avoiding death more than living life. also, y'all are a cute couple.
You missed some obvious things. Jerusalem bells are ringing, Roman CALVARY( Jesus crucified at CALVARY.. means Roman crucifixion troops) not CAVALRY(troops mounted on horses)..
i think the protag of this song was lamenting the death of his power and how it made him a horrible person. Now that he has lost his authority over the people and the people are now aiming to become a republic he knows he must hide. He was never worried about getting into heaven before or doing any good deeds, thats where that "But that was when I ruled the world" part really hits.
I've always thought of it as the MC was the head of a revolution, stating how great and carefree life was before he became king. After rising to power he fell to the allure of power and disapointed the common folk to the point that they revolted and over threw the MC.
Viva la vida in spanish means Hail to life in wich viva its not the verb to live but its another word equivalent to Vive in french as for Vive le roi! Wich mean long live the King or Hail to the King. So in this case is Hail or hurray to life, only. Its unlikely it means live the life bc its not used in that way in spanish.
Hi! As a Spanish speaker, we use the word VIVA! as an expression for cheer something, also can mean LONG LIFE! as a cheerful for something you like or love. A example can be in a wedding you put the cups up and you say: VIVAN LOS NOVIOS! (CHEERS TO THE COUPLE) in this case I think is used this way, like Cheers life, cheers the life, or long life to the life.. just for make more richer your explanation or more confuse! LOL Love your explanations. Greetings from Honduras.
I've always taken a completely different view on the song. To me, it's a coming of adulthood age song that references world history and growing of age of nations as well as a parallel. May sound wild, but nations have ages reaching through adolescence through maturity. Being that I was brought up as a youth in the church, many of the religious references seemed to emphasis the struggle of coming into adulthood and losing so much in that process.
Good Try Guys, Cute Couple. It means "Cheer Life" means in that context, to embrace life in a cheerful and graceful way as Jehovah indented. Embrace and acknowledge that life is good at the core. EMBRACE THAT LIFE IS GOOD! SO LIVE IT GOOD!
To me this song is about imagining a world where you rule the world and then coming down back to your boring old life. Either that or it’s about a rise and fall, maybe a breakup or something. I highly doubt it’s meant to be taken so literally.
Awesome explanation!!! I thought it was a personal metaphor for fame and it's ups and downs.. but it's actually much more story-oriented and meant as a stand alone journey from the highs and lows of life :) Thanks for sharing this with us! Y'all are awesome
This entire song is about King Louis XVI and the French Revolution.
Chris Martin was a history major and even the cover for the album is a modern take on the famous LaCroix painting of the French Revolution.
War & Peace length explanation commencing in 3...2...1...
Lines 1-2 about how protagonist “ruled the world and seas would rise…” at his command has to do with the fact that in the late 18th Century, France had a large navy and was the world’s greatest superpower of the era (yes, more than England, which became more powerful after the French Revolution and Napoleon’s Waterloo).
Lines 3-4 about sleeping alone and sweeping the streets he used to roam: Louis XVI roamed Paris' streets, but once the Revolution started, he was imprisoned and forced to do menial, manual chores, such as street sweeping.
Lines 5-7 about rolling dice (refers to Versaille parlor games); feel the fear in my enemy’s eyes refers to France being the greatest European/world power of the 18th century; before the revolution, the French crowds cheered the death of King Louis 14th who taxed them to death and cheered for the new king, his grandson, Louis 16th who was considered more a king for the people.
Lines 8-11 about holding the key and then walls closing in on the protagonist refers to the king going from all powerful but then facing the realization that he wasn’t actually because he suddenly he was imprisoned. Hence, why his kingdom was built on pillars of sand - they eroded quickly as public sentiment changed very quickly after he assumed the throne. Also, the kingdom and key refer to Versaille - ungodly expensive at that time and built by his predecessor despite the economic impact on the vast majority of the population.
Lines 12-19 are Chorus 1 and refer to the French king being led to the guillotine. They would ring the bells of Notre Dame, which were bells brought back from Jerusalem to France during the Crusades. France was considered “the daughter of the Roman Catholic Church” in great part because French kings were continually supplying the Catholic Church with crusaders for Rome (Roman cavalries) who would often sing during their march toward the Holy Land. After the Crusades, France was constantly sending its forces to colonize areas, but did so under the guise of it being justified because they were bringing Christianity to the “heathens”. The popes would look the other way at the atrocities that France committed because the French king remained loyal to Rome and provided the papacy with a lot of gold (something the French could afford to do because looting Africa, the New World and Asia was quite profitable). Lastly, while being led to the guillotine, many of Louis 14th’s former soldiers cheered and sang for his execution.
Verse 2 Lines 20-27 about wicked winds blowing open doors to the protagonist refers to what was considered the “winds of change” in Europe that grew out of the Age of Enlightenment philosophers' effect on people across France and Europe. When the revolution swept into France, the rebelling crowed stormed Versaille and took the king prisoner. This had not really ever been done before to any monarchy in the western world, and it shocked, appalled and scared the heck out of all of the rest of the Europe’s monarchs. The French king had been the most powerful and suddenly he was imprisoned and laboring at menial, dirty chores until the Revolutionaries could find a way to convince the public that the king should not just be dethroned, but actually killed (this took a while). There was resistance to executing him because of fears that the Catholic Church would organize European monarchs to attack the Revolutionaries to prevent the spread of ideas like democracy, human rights, etc.. that threatened the power of both monarchs and the papacy (I’m Catholic and it’s the truth, I’m not being anti-Catholic) So, the king was made a figurehead/puppet until the new revolutionary government could be sure that it had secured the loyalties of the navy, military and treasury to defend itself both from domestic and foreign threats. So, yes, after waiting a long time for his grandfather’s death, Louis 14th got to be king, but soon after his coronation, the revolution started and he was a different kind of king: and impotent figurehead who was actually a prisoner/menial worker and not the monarch with absolute power that he expected to be.
Chorus 2 is the same except the last 3 lines about St. Peter. As an absolute monarch with the blessing of the pope, the French kings were the absolute authority in France for all matters, including nearly all religious one and, like the pope, were considered practically infallible (indeed, they were infallible/absolute in all non-religious matters). Almost everyone in France was Catholic and the Church taught that the monarch was a key representative of God on Earth, second only to the pope, and thus, was to be obeyed unconditionally. If you’re an absolute monarch whose power is blessed by the pope, then conceivably, you can do no wrong (heck, the Divine Right of Kings means that the king and everyone else believes that he is very close to God and in fact, just a step below the pope on religious matters). As a result, it was just naturally that all Catholic monarchs would go to heaven. With the loss of his power, the protagonist/king is beginning to realize that he is no longer at his previous status in any way and thus, does not expect St. Peter to automatically allow him into heaven. All his power, including the Divine Right of Kings was destroyed, so, he now might be judged as any commoner, especially he was now worked as one. If he is no longer automatically close to God because of the Divine Right of Kings, then the protagonist/king is realizing that he may be judged in heaven based upon all his earlier actions, many of which were the kind of deceitful lies that would keep you out of the Pearly Gates.
So, this is actually a simplified view of the whole French Revolution, but unequivocally, the song is about the events of that period. Americans don’t usually realize it, but the French Revolution was actually a bigger deal than the American Revolution a few years earlier. Why? Because the US was a bunch of breakaway colonists. They wanted to separate from the English monarchy, but not overthrow it and the entire upper classes of all of the British empire. The French Revolution, though, did seek to do that and more. The revolutionaries believed that after they brought the revolution to France, they would spread it throughout Europe - something far more threatening than some faraway colonists complaining about taxation without representation.
I read it all, is mind blowing! All the story told in this song, is just exactly what you tell here, I love it, thanks for the explanation.
You deserve recognition!!
Mate you should start a song explanation channel. You'll do good.
you ripped this from genius
Caffeinated Nation Wow bro, now that I think of it. It really is bigger than the American revolution.
*VIVA LA VIDA IS CLASSIC*
Fallen kingdom
St3v3n 783836 I’ve giving you ten seconds to leave
I used to rule the world
Chunks would load when i gave the world
Now every night I go stow away hide from the mobs I used to slay
Curshburger you leave
okay, so spaniard here. And yes, you are not wrong, but Viva can also be said in a: "HURRAY!" Sort of manner, and "Hurray for life" also seems like a good and valid translation.
Thanks!
Or, live life; live your life; just live life!; just live your life!; live the life; live life as it was intended; ... it all depends on who says it, or who says it to whom, or why it's being said in the first place. It can be an exclamation, a declaration, a recommendation, or an admonition.
Spanish in my native language, vive la vida means live the life.
@@ameliarodriguez8023 in this song it is referring to Frida Kahlo's painting "Viva la Vida" which means long live life
Chris Martin had the name long before writing the song. He compared the name to bohemian rhapsody which never appears in queens song.
“I know Saint Peter won’t call my name” is a VERY important line. Saint Peter was the one, back in ancient times, who confessed Jesus as the true messiah. It appears that the narrator is talking about how, for his entire life, he saw himself as a just and fair conqueror. He saw himself as a Jesus-like crusader and saviour, but now he knows that’s not the case. He’s too full of himself to accurately look back at his actions and see where he went wrong (For some reason, I can’t explain), but he knows, deep down, that he messed up in the past.
Cliff: im good at explaining song lyrics
April: hold my coffee
Although Coldplay’s “Viva la Vida” may be considered a modern classic, the underlying themes of the French revolution may be lost in it’s melodic strings. Despite the fact that “Viva la Vida” is Coldplay’s highest charting single, many fans fail to recognize the central idea of the song and ultimately the album. “Viva la Vida”, the song and album, is a retelling of the French revolution and the death of King Louis XVI.
First to dissect is the album cover. Coldplay’s fourth studio album, “Viva la Vida or Death to All His Friends” often simple referred to as “Viva la Vida”, features a rendition of the 1830 historical painting known as “Liberty Leading the People”. The art piece was painted by French artist Eugène Delacroix, depicting French revolutionaries marching and waving the French flag, led by the human manifestation of Lady Liberty. The painting serves to portray the revolutionaries in a heroic light, complementing the Album’s themes of life, death, war, and change.
Now, to analyze the album’s foremost song, “Viva la Vida”, a little background about the French Revolution must be provided. - Through the final courses of the French revolution, King Louis XVI’s monarchy was finally overthrown and the King was imprisoned by his own people. What followed was a swift trial which promptly decided the fate of the former monarch. King Louis was to be publicly executed via guillotine. On the gallows, as the former king shuffled his way to meet death, he stopped to give one final speech to his people. However, as he began to speak, the ever so passionate french masses began to scream and boo, playing the executioner’s drums louder to drown the sounds of his words. The French masses cared not what their former ruler had to say and cued for the executioner. As so, before King Louis could finish his speech, his captors forced him down onto the guillotine and the former king was executed. His speech, now lost forever.
Coldplay’s song “Viva La Vida” is an interpretation of king louis’s lost last speech before his death. The song is written through King Louis point of view, as he apologizes to his people, accepting his fate.
“I used to rule the world Seas would rise when I gave the word Now in the morning, I sleep alone” - King Louis led one of the world’s most powerful countries, he commanded hundreds of ships with his simply words. However, now he was reduced to sleeping alone in a jail cell.
“Listen as the crowd would sing: “Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!” - King Louis XVI succeeded the throne after his grandfather had passed. Following the death of the beloved king, Louis XV, Louis XVI held much potential in his people’s eyes. Many celebrated his rise to kingship.
“Shattered windows and the sound of drums People couldn’t believe what I’d become.” - Although his people saw much potential in the new king, they were left disappointed. His early reign was that of reform and success, however, as time grew and promises were left unfulfilled, the French masses demanded a new order.
“Revolutionaries wait for my head on a silver plate. Just a puppet on a lonely string. Oh who would ever want to be king?” - Louis recognizes that revolution was now in full swing and that no amount of reform can help him now. Although Louis accepted his Kingship in eagerness, he looks back at his powers as a burden. He admits that the power he thought he wanted was not the same when he held it.
Oddly enough, the song demands sympathy for the overthrown king. Coldplay depicts the King’s final speech as not a plea for help or cry of damnation, but an admittance of regret. This regret humanizes the King, showing understanding that he had ultimately failed his people. Once a revolutionary himself, the first part of his reign was that of enlightenment reform, however, along his kingship he had lost sight of his values. Retreating to the comforts of his palace rather than facing his problems. The songs shows the regret of a man who once promised so much more but delivered none, accepting his fate as he knows it is well deserved.
Although King Louis is often characterized as the enemy of the revolution, the song plays a different sentiment. Instead of portraying King Louis as the one dimensional evil tyrant, Coldplay plays the song through the point of view of the King, watching helplessly as the revolution destroys his kingdom. This is a complete dichotomy from Delacroix’s “Liberty Leads the People”, which shows the revolutionaries as heros. This contrast is a deliberate choice to reinforce the album’s theme of change. With the revolutionaires fierce march and the King’s introspective review, the listener is not put onto a single side. Instead, it allows the listener to process both perspectives, allowing a completely new view of the revolution.
Reference taken*
Woah... My mind blown. 🤯 But the "Roman Cavalry choir are singing" maybe it tells also about his people itself as the king tells his speech? Pls educate me more. I really love this! Also this video! ❤️🌻🌻
@@Ianxclusive the roman cavalry choirs are singing reffers to French crusaders enlisted in the Roman army
thank you for this informative comment!! no offence, but i think its better than the video content itself 😅
Bro wrote an essay💀 But thank you
@@paull2503 can't lie, the comment is way better
I was sold with Twenty One Pilots but Coldplay too!!!
Please explain more songs by Coldplay
I will tell April to get on it.
This song is about salvation. All of us thinking we rule the world. Only to wake up and see there is no honesty in it. It’s a false kingdom. I used to think I was king but Peter won’t call my name = not only am I not what I think I am here, I am not what I think I am before God. Which is why he evokes thoughts through the words jerusalem, Roman calvary and saint Peter. With all the wickedness and self deceit “who would ever want to be king?” Wickedness and wild wind put me there.
Be my mirror my sword my shield is all scripture. These are Biblical thoughts of God being the King rather than self. Now I serve in the kingdom I thought I owned, sweeping the streets listening to a crowd that doesn’t get it; long live the king!
But the only king is the one who is a sword shield and mirror to show us who we are.
The song is a parable testimony of salvation from a Christian. It is brilliant and beautiful.
Great video. Love the thoughts and connection with not following the evil one in the final song. Great catch!!
Long live life...In Christ the king! I might add, to say explicitly what I believe Chris Martin is saying implicitly.
It's a French Revolution song. Basically the French majority got taxed by the king and the public rebelled.
@@FavFriedChicken yes but that is just the context where chris martin tell his experience, he use history to give a less abstract form to the lyrics
I totally agree with Adam and Bruno! Chris Martin brilliantly uses the historical context to speak about eternal life. What is the use of ruling the world, gaining treasure and power, if you fail being accepted by God??? So, inside every human being there is a need, a desire to develop a relationship with God and this song goes deep into this. In these hard times of lockdown, aren’t we all eager to hear what God has to tell us about life, love and acceptance? God bless us all :)
Be my mirror, my sword, and shield...
There is one very important part missing in this analysis, IMHO. It's where this redemption comes from:
No, that the former ruler has lost all his power and glory, he suddenly realizes that his power was never actually real. In the beginning, he believed in the power that was above what a human could accomplish: "Seas would rise when I gave the word". It's not that they actually did rise when he gave the world, but he believed it, because "Never an honest word And that was when I ruled the world". So people lied to the ruler, made him believe in his own power because he ruled through the "the fear in my enemy's eyes". So there is a double side to his power, he believed to be in power, that he ruled the world, but it was all just a lie because he never possed "real power", never really lived, only people that lied to him to get close to his power. The same theme appears in Eco's Baudolino, and is a very common theme. If you have power, you will lose the honesty of the people around you. That is also why "One minute I held the key Next the walls were closed on me". When he "held the key" he was not in power yet, he was close on it, but as soon as he achieved it, he realized it was actually his trap. When he was king, he was actually "Just a puppet on a lonely string" and that is why he now reminisces "Oh, who would ever want to be king?". But then the redemption, now that he has lost the power, he has become free to gain "real" life. And this makes him reminisce how bad it actually was when he only believed in false power: "Never an honest word But that was when I ruled the world". The "But" really tells, that this has changed now. People don't need to lie anymore, because they don't fear him anymore, he sees the world as it really is and now there are "honest words".
It's also about really looking into what is important in life instead of believing in false things. From the interview: "It's always fascinated me that idea of finishing your life and then being analyzed on it. And it's that runs through most religions. That's why people blow up buildings. Because they think they're going to get lots of virgins. I always feel like saying, Just join a band (cackles head off)." So it's a false belief that you have to be able to "make seas rise" to be deemed a good human when you can be good in much simpler and peaceful ways. You don't need to be a powerful king for St. Peter to call your name. In fact, being a powerful king will do quite the opposite for you, because then you will build "castles on sand" (a biblical metaphor for not believing in god, but in worldly things; Gospel of Matthew (7:24-27) and Luke (6:46-49)) or you will become "pillars of salt" (a biblical image for being punished for clinging to the wrong things; Genesis 19). Instead by just doing honest good, for example, making people happy through your music will accomplish so much more. According to an interview with the Drummer many of the songs on the album share the theme of "trying to remember what's important in your life, rather than being carried away by the trappings of other things."
So it is a lot like the quote from fight club: "It's only after we've lost everything, that we're free to do anything"
You know , though the video was great, your analysis made much more sense to me, thank you❤
Underrated explanation
Thanks.
CLIFF THIS SONG JUST CAME ON MY SPOTIFY. YOU'RE A WIZARD
HARREH
IM A WHAT
Reading this and then the replies made me Lol because I recently starting liking Harry Potter.
Spanish is my first language and when you say viva la vida, you're cheering life, not just living life. I hope this makes sense!
I always thought the lyrics “Roman Calvary choirs are singing” was more poetic, like the sound of the charge of the Calvary was music to his ears...
How could they not figure that out?😒
Omg i’ve been waiting patiently for some coldplay lyric explenations!
Cliff mentions tøp at every chance😂 seems like he's a bigger crazy fan than a lot of us😂
Yay for April being involved!! You should share her with us more. She's a doll!
Yes!! Also we have the same name lol
@@chey261 Name twins! Haha
This makes me laugh
No she’s a human
I learned from this explanation video... that you guys need to learn history.
By the way, roman cavalry choirs are singing is a reference to cavalry chanting as they march.
The positive point of this song is the realization that spirituality trumps materialism, and we can be saved through redemption. No man is perfect or without sin, but acknowledging that is a move in the right direction for a wonderful life "Viva la Vida"
I really thought you were going to speak only about the obvious meaning about the French revolution so thanks not all the people get to explain this viva la vida aca en argentina is like a carpe diem thing
Same en Colombia haha
The song could mean that but there could be other perceptions
Same here in Uruguay
Also, the expression "Viva la Vida" was inspired by a painting by Frieda Kahlo.
CONSPIRACY THEORY: Viva La Vida is what happened after Clancy ran away from Dema and came back with an army of Banditos and took over the City, and the song is Nico's point of view.
Vratko. SPOILER ALERT YOU JERK
Whos that
You never explained where herobrine comes in...
The the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the
I want more COLDPLAY!!!!
Viva is definitely my favourite album of all time. The whole theme of the album revolves around rise and fall.
Sometimes you're doing great in life and sometimes you're just down. Everytime I'm down, I listen to this album to remind me that things will get better because that's how life usually goes. From good to bad to good and then to bad again.
Also, I think the song Viva la Vida sounds so happy and glorious and has such an optimistic title in order to show you that you should celebrate every great moment in your life, because it may be gone by tomorrow
I hate to ruin the happy mood but the song is about the french revolution in the eyes of king louis the XVI
@@THE_TRUE_MINER But then why did Coldplay make a song about that? The story of Louis XVI is a great example for the concept of rise and fall. What do you think the title "Viva La vida" means in the context of the song? Why call a song about the fall of a King like that? And also, why name the album after that song?
Well heres my explanation on why they made it like that, king louis XVI was ruler and was feared but during the revolution he was imprisoned and eventually executed, and thd reason coldplay did it like this is because they saw a painting in a museum once wich inspired him to make this song, im not making this up thats the real story.
@@THE_TRUE_MINER You are not interpreting, you're just describing. Why is a song about Louis XVI called "Viva la Vida"?
Listen i didnt name the song they did, but it is about king louis xvi
i thought i was the only one that instantly thought of the french revolution and the downfall of king louis XVI
I'm a simple person. I see April, I click
am i a bit late
@@Joe_Payne no
@@Joe_Payne noo
AHHHH this used to be my favorite songgggg
Ashleigh II-// me too lol
Used too. Used toooooo!!!!
For me personally, I applied the song to represent my childhood. Growing up I had a fasination with War, History, abs especially the Romans. I’d read this cool Roman history book I had and even played the miniatures game Heroscape and played as the Romans, I’d even play RTS games like Rome Total War, essentially as a kid I pretended to be a great Roman Emperor. Now that I’ve grown up and working a job it’s like I lost that crown. “Sweep the streets I used to roam”
I never thought somebody could be paler than Cliff. Apparently there is
To be fair, her light was closer to her. We kind of trade off days being paler than each other.
Native spanish speaker in here "Viva la vida" can be missunderstood and translated as "Live the life", but for that to be precise, it would have to be "Vive la vida", the tittle of the song can be translated in a better way as "Cheers to life", like celebrating the fact of living. And after hearing the interpretation of the song, the tittle gets a little more sense don't you think?
Hope it helps!
Directly translated The phrase “Viva la vida” isn’t “Live the life”
“Live the life” would be “ vive la vida”.
“VIVA LA VIDA” or “Que viva la vida” is simply “long live life”
I would love to hear your interpretation of my favorite Coldplay song Violet Hill...
Back when PSP was starting out and communicating with his fans via email, I requested this one. 2+ years later I still want the review.
Intesresting Story, The guys from Coldplay did a latin american tour a few years ago and they made a stop in Mexico City, they visited the Frida Kahlo Museum, wich is her house or the house where she used to live. You can walk around the house and see her paintings aling the way, one of her paintings is titled Viva La Vida, the guys from coldplay liked the story behind the painting so much that they decided tio name one of their albums Viva la Vida.
I hope no teacher ever plays this video in a classroom
Viva la vida has been my caller tune for almost 4 years now . Lovely couple by the way ..
I think when analysing a song, you should look at how the song conveys its themes and ideas through its musical elements. Here is my analysis.
The beginning of the song is pretty unique, with a very distinctive rhythmic pattern played on what sounds like a cello or an instrument similar in tone to a cello. It is very staccato and carries a gentle melody as well as its primary rhythmic function. The staccato adds an element of fleetingness and urgency to the song, certainly apt considering the story told by the lyrics of the song about a king losing control and power over his kingdom.
Another thing that I find interesting is that the only percussive element used consistently throughout the whole song is the bass drum, which is quite important in maintaining a solid, rhythmic thump throughout the piece to ground all the other elements. It is fascinating, however, that there is no snare drum or hi-hat like in standard Coldplay songs and Pop songs in general. There is, however, a big heavy bell noise like a cow bell (in the music video it is like a bell the size of a dog being struck. But that probably isn’t realistic), and a symbol at the start of the chorus to (literally) set it off with a bang. This bass drum starts at the first verse and continues throughout the rest of the song, stopping only at the minimalist outro. So quite an important element, and I think the reason it is used as such is because a) it helps maintain rhythmic integrity and stability, b) it is a noise made by traditional instruments, consist with the song’s time era and themes, and c) unlike snare drums and hi-hats, it is quite a low noise and can resemble a heartbeat in its thumping nature, suggesting the protagonist’s quick beating heart as he is being led to his uncertain eternal future. It’s low pitch also helps keep other elements in the starlight and doesn’t confuse or drown out other instruments whilst maintaining the timing.
After the first verse there is an instrumental, where the base drums, and cello continue through, as well as a really weird instrument that sounds like it is woodwind and a violin simultaneously. The instrumental is eight bars long, and I think the melody might be played by a different instrument for the second half than in the first half. The instrument in the first half, which I suspect is a recorder, has a blowy, sharp tone and passive qualities, whereas in the second half, which I think is played by a violin, it is more wailing and belligerent. Dynamics are used here to tie the two noises together, so it sounds like they are the same instrument, both instruments gradually getting louder so the loud recorder meets the quite violin at the start of the fifth bar and they sound surprisingly similar (but not similar enough to fool me). Now more importantly, why is this? I think to change the tine and feeling of the song which was previously urgent due to the staccato cello and the heart-thumping bass drum, to a more saddened, depressing, wail-like timbre, which is appropriate for the song once the idea of the monarch’s collapse has already been established. The wailing noise of the violin also continues into the second verse and chorus, sustaining the eerie timbre initiated in the instrumental.
The chorus is really not that dissimilar from the from the previous verses: there is the bass drum, violin(s)in the background, and some extra percussive elements such as the symbol and the cowbell type thing. Since the song is so interesting, the chorus doesn’t need anything to set it apart, unlike in “Fix You” or “Paradise”. A reason for this is I think the lyrics are pretty obscure and unrelatable. Like I can totally relate to the themes explored in the other songs because theory is fundamentally about human nature and anthropological interactions, whereas this song is about the French revolution, an event that few people are well versed in and even fewer people can relate too. Therefore, the lyrics don’t have as such a significant effect in the audience in this song and there needs to be musical complexity to make up for the lyrical deficiencies.
After this chorus, there is the wackiest instrumental section in the history of Coldplay songs (this is my opinion but jeez it is pretty unorthodox). Like I can’t even place the instruments in it. It sounds like bells definitely, and some whistles with some extreme reverb to create a distinctive echo effect, and some extremely high, jarring noises. Maybe there are like wind chimes as well? Actually, I wouldn’t be surprised if one of those noises in that cacophony is wind charms, as the next line in the third verse directly after the instrumental is “it was the wicked and wild wind”. Wind chimes. “wind”. I really am pulling at straws here. But the instrumental is inarguably incongruous and jarring, which I think prompts ideas about the rapid decline from power the French monarchy (and King Lois XVI) faced during the French revolution, and the “jarring”, “incongruous” experience it was for the nobility, as well as French citizens who were faced with having terrifying and immediate choices to support the revolution and risk the French military’s wrath (remember, they had the most potent military in the world at the time), or resigning themselves to aeons more of hard work and unjustifiably large taxes.
In the third verse, there is a slight change in that the iconic rhythm is played by an instrument that is not a cello - possibly a viola. This change helps to elevate the atmosphere to a slightly more muddled place by introducing a new sound in the same (or an adjacent - it’s pretty close but can’t tell exactly) octave as the vocals. There is also like a violin introduced as well to for similar reasons in the first verse. Another key difference is there is what sounds like a harpsichord (I know, what on earth right?). It is quite similar to piano but lacks the tonal depth and sounds slightly more “plucked” than “struck”. This is not very obvious and I’m not sure as to why it was included but I think helps contrast the other elements, mainly the violins with their tragically beautiful quality.
There is a theme arising with most of the instrument noises used: they aren’t electronic. Usually, Coldplay will have an electric guitar, or some synthesisers, amongst more standard instruments. This song doesn’t, instead using violins, recorders, cellos, traditional percussion (bells bass drum symbol), and a harpsichord?! I mean, this could just be a coincidence, but seeing as the song clearly has historical implications and is likely about the French revolution, it seems deliberate. The classical nature of the instruments clearly nods to that era in time where instrumentation and music was advancing with the rise of several deific composers, the consequent sound being simultaneously developed and natural. The use of several old instruments that have been in use during and since that era (and before but in many cases the instruments only gained popularity in that period. I don’t really know the detail, I’m not a music historian. But you get (hopefully) where I am coming from) helps to root the song’s meaning back to that epoch, hinting at the song’s true value and significance.
The music video is interesting but not particularly revealing. It did help me with placing noises to instrument though, because for pretty much the entirety of the time the video shows Coldplay playing the song. The only exceptions for this are the very start and very end. The start consists of what looks like a rose unfolding. So, this is I think suggestive of kingdom being born, or a king’s rise to power. Anyhow, it represents birth and growth, a theme that would have permeated King Lois XVI’s initial time leading the monarchy as he was seen as much more supportive of the people, a people’s king, so the citizens of France were excited for him to succeed his Father (hence the cheering at his father’s execution and when King Loid XVI failed to live up to their standards, the cheering at his death.
The end of the video is a shot of each band member (individually) slowly being torn out of existence (like when Thanos snaps in Avengers). They kind of dissolve into what looks like black rose petals. This is quite clearly indicative of the end of an empire or something and carries a sense of finality. The fact that they are black rose petals is packed with symbolism. The colour black has connotations of murder, death, rebellion and misfortune, certainly all ideas applicable to the plight of the monarch in the French revolution. Roses likewise symbolise love and passion, and the fact that the rose petals are all detached and floating away (and black) indicates the death of love and passion. Lastly, there was a rose at the beginning, so the fact that there is a black rose at the end subtly points at the idea that all good things must die. Happiness in short-lived, a reign must fall, a king must die. So, lots of metaphors and symbolism.
Lastly, for the whole duration of the video there is like a filter over it or something. I don’t know the what it’s actually called, but it is like the whole video is kind of an old oil painting, with cracks and fissures (like in a really old painting) on the screen. This hints at the idea of the song being about the French revolution as well, or at least some old monarchy, as in that era there was a lot of classical art just kind of getting super popular and abundant. The fact that the entire music video looks like an old oil painting but not a painting, a video, more generally suggests time and age.
I opened your comment and randomly read "(like when Thanos snaps in Avengers)"
Could it be about a break up? To me the entire song is about how the protagonist had everything and was it all when he had a certain person in his life and now that they are gone life is not that great anymore. It is mentioned in the beginning with “Now in the morning, I sleep alone”. The song then continous about how life was so great, but further in the song it goes:
“Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
Once you go there was never, never an honest word
And that was when I ruled the world”.
The protagonist is talking about someone leaving and now everything has changed. Could this also be a meaning of the song or am I alone in this?
To me, it IS about love lost. He tried to rule everything in the relationship. For a while, it looked like he would be in charge of this love. But hubris is the fall of all men. In the end, looking back, he realizes that , no matter what he did to gain his power, if it was an evil deed, God would make him fail eventually. It was indeed evil, so it did fail. God brought 10x more hurt on him for trying to hurt others.
God exalted every person this man hurt, and in the end, this man only hurt himself.
If only he could see it. If his ego is not too big, he will eventually see it and make a change in himself. He will also repent to God to save his soul before he dies.
The soul is the most important thing for any man to save before he dies.
The soul is what the deep state actors are trying to steal today, using so many things in our world as weapons.
I pray for all people to repent to God for all sin. We are in end times now. ✝️
This song is obviously about French Revolution when you heard/ see the lyrics and the painting in the video you can clearly understand
hi April! thank you for coming to the channel and now I'm gonna go listen to that entire album for the first time
Reminds me of the downfall of Napoleon at his waterloo... realizing his doom & basically wondering if he will get to heaven... if ya agree give me a thumbs up!!
I think "Chunk would load when I gave the word" probably meant that he used to have commands where he would reload chunks, but something happened so he can't do that anymore
Oofo mode
My theory is it is about a millionaire that went bankrupt, and Is now a janitor. Overthrown literal kings wouldn't "sweep the streets I used to own"
I think is about Christian faith. The power of it and how it looses it. by the way it still importent to think about it the days of our time.mutch mutch more than you think.
Golgotha, aka Calvary is the mountain where Isaac almost sacrificed his son, and the place where Jesus was crucified. Just referring to the 2 ways you pronounced Calvary
I was curious about the meaning of the song because I started watching the video. I looked it up and said Chris Martin was inspired by a painting from the Mexican artist Frida. She was dealing with polio and a bad back apparently. She painted the art as a way to continue with life. I guess no matter what one is going through you can come out triumphant at the end. So go ahead and live your life without any restrictions or something putting a stronghold on you. The French revolution is exactly that. People were tired of being ruled so fighting back was the only way. Aren't we all fighting something everyday? Look up and live the life. Viva La Vida!
My history teacher told us that it was about Maximilien Robespierre since he ruled France like a dictator coming from the 3rd estate for a year and then died of execution
Bro bin yapping for for 2 minutes
I'm spanish and "viva la vida" means "long live life", to mean "live the life" it would be written "vive la vida".
It's just a letter, but it changes the verb form. ^^
Pretty awesome to see you both in a video!!!
Btw, could you please explain Violet Hill? It's my favorite song from Coldplay! I would love to see your point of view. ^^
"Vive la vida"... Vive (tú) la vida. "Viva la vida"... Viva (usted) la vida. But you are right "Viva la vida" means "long live the life". To really express "Long live the live" in spanish you should use the ¡ and ! exclamation marks. But that's another story
I think that "Be my mirror, my sword and shield" is a really good analogy that can be taken a lot of places.
"Seas would rise when I gave the word" is an allusion to King Canute (1016-1035) who, according to legend, was told by a courier that he was "So great, he could command the tides of the sea to go back”. To prove the hollowness of this boast, Canute had his throne taken to the shore where he commanded the tide not to rise. When the tide rose regardless, Canute declared, 'Let all men know how empty and worthless is the power of kings, for there is none worthy of the name, but He whom heaven, earth, and sea obey by eternal laws.'"
Clifford, April... hello. Your original post is from five years ago and I really don't want to go thru all the comments to know whether I'm repeating someting that has been said before. So, here it goes: do you know Calderón de la Barca, the Spanish writer? I think he is from the 16th or 17th century.
If you read his play "La vida es sueño" (Life is a dream), particularly Segismundo's soliloquy you will find some extraordinary coincidences as to the concept of "life being a dream", or possibly a wheel. In it, Segismundo (the main character) laments his fall from grace (riches), vis a vis his current imprisoned state, which leads him to ponder whether life is anything but a dream.
A great classic Spanish masterpiece and a good read.
Only 10 years later...
It's about Caesars death. The talk about the Calvery singing, a funeral, the part about his missionaries are the flash backs of Caesar's conquest to conquer the world, the be my mirror, sword, and sheild talks about the 2 Roman Counsuls aka the 2nd highest power in Rome. The part of saint Peter is a bit sus as the Romans had many gods so it could be off but continuing this could mean he was locked out of heaven and saint Peter won't call his name to enter the gates. The part where he says he doesn't know why this points to Caesar's assassination as he didn't do anything wrong but he was killed so he doesn't know why he can't go to heaven, now the tone of the song also gets more dramatic over the interval.
The exact translation of Viva la vida=long live life. I know it sounds weird in English but in Mexican Spanish would be like an expression of happiness and enjoyment of life
Coldplay is one of my favorite Indie Rock band (Young the Giant as well) and I wouldn't mind some more Coldplay lyrics being analyzed: Politik, Spies, We Never Change, Clocks, A Rush of Blood to the Head...and possibly more I can't remember right now.
#Coldplayfan
facade is my name Clocks and The Scientist -- both have deep lyrics
It just popped that this song is from Jesus POV. The only one who ruled the world from Genesis
Y'all are so freaking cute, I can't handle it.
Viva is also a way to say hurray, for example in spanish sometimes in a rally where someone like a candidate for some office, the candidates name will be said by one person and the rest of the people will chant QUE VIVA!
Viva la vida it's spanish for "long live to the life", because it's like when someone say "long live to the king" or something like that, thats because in spanish it's more short and in the example it would be "viva el rey", however can be said "larga vida al rey" too, and it's the most exact translation, but it's not that usual to hear.
Your wife is adorable!!! Also it's a funny coincidence because my English professor's wife is also named April...crazy, right? Anyways, thank you for this video. I love this song and always wondered if it was about something deeper.
This song means alot to me. He's talking about falling through the gaps in society. He's also saying:' be my mirror i. e tell me who I am again cause I've forgotten or lost my identity or memory of who I am through who I used to be, when he says he's not even sure if st Peter will call his name, he's saying he's not even sure if he will go to heaven any more because he's fallen or failed so badly or perhaps because he did somthing wrong when he was in power. Be my sword means protect me, my shield means defend me because now he's become vulnerable and needs sombody to fight for
and defend him. Probably sombody who loves or cares for them and knows who they used to be (could be a fan, family or friend), or sombody who is in or has the power to do so. The power he once had himself but now no longer has. ❤❤❤
This song means alot to me. He's talking about falling through the gaps in society. He's also saying:' be my mirror i. e tell me who I am again cause I've forgotten or lost my identity or memory of who I am through who I used to be, when he says he's not even sure if st Peter will call his name, he's saying he's not even sure if he will go to heaven any more because he's failed so badly or perhaps because he did somthing wrong when he was in power. Be my sword means protect me, my shield means defend me because now he's becomes so vulnerable ❤❤❤
I figured this was just about the fall of the British empire and sort of a wistful lamentation for how the UK used to be all-powerful and the thrill of battle, conquest, and the rise of an empire, while acknowledging it wasn't a good or humane thing and doesn't deserve a place in a happy after life. A dirge of nostalgia, melancholy, and acceptance for the British people.
Oh my god FINALLY!!!! Thanks April! 😂
you guys know what? you helped a lot for our WSC 2019 art and music curricculum! tks so muchhhhh!LOVE YOU
I believe that "Roman Cavalry Choirs" is in reference to the German 'HRE' Cavalry.
"singing" being the sound of them approaching.
I love Coldplay! So glad this video exists.
Perhaps it also could be looked at from a spiritual angle- the mere impermanence of life, ranks, wealth, happiness, love, an even sorrow, nothing ever is permanent.
the song in general is a discrete reference to Napoleon Bonaparte. The “Roman Cavalry Choir” is then likely a reference to German cavalry, or the cavalry of the “Holy Roman Empire.” That being the case, it is a reference to a cavalry charge that Napoleon heard, where the galloping horses form a choir of sorts with their hooves.
Just realized... Roman Cavalry Choirs probably means the shouts of soldiers charging towards the enemy. Usually soldiers shout in one voice and choirs do too!
I always thought this was about someone like Constantine, or someone similar because of the line "my head on a silver plate" which is referring to John the Baptist, which makes me think of a religious leaders specifically.
The most accarate translation in my opinion as a native spanish native speaker, is “Hail life”. The translation everyone uses “Long live life” would be used if the title of the song said “Larga vida a la vida”
I feel like it's Satan talking about his past glory
Yes could be
It's about the French revolution and King Louis XVI.
Can u explain hallelujah. U know the one from shrek
He already did that, if I can find it I'll come back and link it but I remember seeing it
Edit: found it ruclips.net/video/suXXd9j529M/видео.html
Taylor Britt thanks I’ll check it out
This song you guys, wait for it is about Louis XVI. He was the ruler in France if, you didn't know already in history class, who practically ruined everything. He was married to Marie Antoinette the woman who was accused of saying the term let them eat cake. Anyways he was very cruel to his people and was a very selfish & as you might say whiny ruler. But as I was saying the song is about him and it was created in the perspective of him before he got guillotined. One of the lyrics in the song States I used to rule this implying that he was very power greedy and basically ruled the world because no one wanted to cross him. Certain phrases in the song can be different things such as Roman Cavalry choirs are simging can mean that when the king arrived everyone was basically at a standing ovation to his feet or once he was being brought to his death or once he finally died everyone celebrated and was notified. But this song is about Louis XVI and the entire album is about the French Revolution. And I 100%agree with them on this as well
I grew up in the streets of Mexico and many of my culture has weird American slang but “viva la vida” in English means The life which you lived and In Spanish it means the life you
Your energy gives warmth to me!😊
Two things, so yes the song is talking about a person of high power that being King Louie XVI. But dictator is the wrong term, King Louie, being a King was a monarch.
video starts at 1:32 , and a top comment here explains it much clearer
I like giving my own meanings to songs. This one is one you can give a solid meaning to and still see how others see it. What a great song.
the song is about death and all his friends. violence, despair, and death used to rule the world (look at world history) but now, people are encouraged to live life. this isn't mentioned in the song, but i believe it is death and all his friends reminiscing on the good ole days when everything could kill ppl and ppl were avoiding death more than living life. also, y'all are a cute couple.
also it is (for me, at least) a reminder to live life (viva la vida)
Thank you April for helping mr.P with his Coldplay explanations
Maybe “Roman cavalry choirs are singing” could be referring to a battle cry or swords “singing” (the sound when they clash together)
It's metaphorical. You might not immediately get it unless you've experienced loss on a deep level
You missed some obvious things. Jerusalem bells are ringing, Roman CALVARY( Jesus crucified at CALVARY.. means Roman crucifixion troops) not CAVALRY(troops mounted on horses)..
i think the protag of this song was lamenting the death of his power and how it made him a horrible person. Now that he has lost his authority over the people and the people are now aiming to become a republic he knows he must hide. He was never worried about getting into heaven before or doing any good deeds, thats where that
"But that was when I ruled the world" part really hits.
WE NEED MORE VIDEOS WITH APRIL
I've always thought of it as the MC was the head of a revolution, stating how great and carefree life was before he became king. After rising to power he fell to the allure of power and disapointed the common folk to the point that they revolted and over threw the MC.
Viva la vida in spanish means Hail to life in wich viva its not the verb to live but its another word equivalent to Vive in french as for Vive le roi! Wich mean long live the King or Hail to the King. So in this case is Hail or hurray to life, only. Its unlikely it means live the life bc its not used in that way in spanish.
“Viva la vida” in other words is like “bravo 👏🏻 for life” or “wait to go life”
Hi! As a Spanish speaker, we use the word VIVA! as an expression for cheer something, also can mean LONG LIFE! as a cheerful for something you like or love. A example can be in a wedding you put the cups up and you say: VIVAN LOS NOVIOS! (CHEERS TO THE COUPLE) in this case I think is used this way, like Cheers life, cheers the life, or long life to the life.. just for make more richer your explanation or more confuse! LOL
Love your explanations.
Greetings from Honduras.
translation is more to "cheers to life" than "live your life", but works for both
I would say, it is about our childhood, we were kings and queens in our childhood and what happened to us, Viva La Vida!
I've always taken a completely different view on the song. To me, it's a coming of adulthood age song that references world history and growing of age of nations as well as a parallel. May sound wild, but nations have ages reaching through adolescence through maturity. Being that I was brought up as a youth in the church, many of the religious references seemed to emphasis the struggle of coming into adulthood and losing so much in that process.
Good Try Guys, Cute Couple. It means "Cheer Life" means in that context, to embrace life in a cheerful and graceful way as Jehovah indented. Embrace and acknowledge that life is good at the core. EMBRACE THAT LIFE IS GOOD! SO LIVE IT GOOD!
To me this song is about imagining a world where you rule the world and then coming down back to your boring old life. Either that or it’s about a rise and fall, maybe a breakup or something. I highly doubt it’s meant to be taken so literally.
Roman Calvary choir singing from a military vet is a cadence
Spanish "Viva la Vida" can be translated as "Hooray for the Life". I don't know if it fits with the song's thematic though
Viva La vida is spanish
English translation: Live Life
Awesome explanation!!! I thought it was a personal metaphor for fame and it's ups and downs.. but it's actually much more story-oriented and meant as a stand alone journey from the highs and lows of life :)
Thanks for sharing this with us! Y'all are awesome
Thats what I feel like it's about. A fall from grace.
Lol I just said "redemption" right before April said "redemption! that's the word". It was like having a direct convo with the two.