What's Viva La Vida song's real meaning?

Question

I know the spanish translation. But I want to know what the lyrics mean. It has a lot of religious refrences. So is it anti-christian or something else? I don't know the band's history or if they usually write about religious things, but i'm curious.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

I found this analysis a few weeks ago, and I strongly agreed with it, hope you do to...

If we analize the lyrics, the song has obvious biblical references and I think it's a song about Jesus Christ.

I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sweep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own

All catholics should know that Jesus Christ gave the word and he controlled the seas - I think that the line now in the morning I sweep alone clearly means that Jesus Christ was betrayed and had to endure many things alone! The first verse is talking about a decline from wealth and fame to a nobody, just like Jesus Christ experienced on his life! He used to be a king, but he had to die for all human beings..So on a certain way he turned over his kingship (I used to rule the world). Clear reference of someone giving God kingship over his life.

I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing,
"Now the old king is dead, long live the king!"
One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt, pillars of sand


The line upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand, possibly is a reference to the sermon on the mount where Jesus speaks of a wise man building is house on a rock while the foolish man builds his house on the sand, only to be washed away.

Those days, there were different kings! Ones thought the king was Jesus Christ himself, others thought the king was the Roman authority and other thought the king was the Jewish priests.

I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
Once you know there was never, never an honest word
That was when I ruled the world

Jerusalem bells and Roman Cavalry, it's obvious it's a biblical allusion. I think the line Be my mirror my sword and shield, it's a praying to God for strength. Also, the line my missionaries in a foreign field, has to do with the idea of taking the message of God and Jesus Christ all around the world. Finally, never an honest word, meaning the betrayal to Jesus Christ and his subsequent death.

I know St. Peter won't call my name, referring to the fact that Saint Peter denied Jesus 3 times.

It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become
Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever wanna be king?

This could be a reference to John the Baptist of the New Testament.
In The Book of Mark, John is noted as the one that comes before Jesus to announce His coming to Earth. A lot of people thought he (John) was going to be their Messiah, however he corrected them and told them that it was the One after him that would fill that role. I, also, argue that point because it is said somewhere that John's head was brought to king Herod on a Silver Platter.

Blew down the doors to let me in, meaning when Jesus Christ got furious because they turned the temple into a market!

EDIT: After thinking about it, the line "The old king is dead, long live the king" could be a reference to Jesus being on the cross. All of the people mocking him, and King of Jews above his head.

Source(s):

http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44728&page=2

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Covered all the lyrics, escially those with the allusions. I think this interpretation is the best. Ted in London's was good too, but this one sticks to the christian theme.

Why do people think this has to do with the French Revolution?

Answer 2

in my personal interpretation, i always thought it meant that this person had lived the dream but it was wasted away, as if it was taken from him. but then again, i really don't know what a Roman Cavalry is.

Answer 3

Its the french revolution!
But artists usually enjoy when people make their own interpretations of lyrics. It's interesting.

Source(s):

ME!

Answer 4

I'll re-post an answer I gave to the same question elsewhere.

Okay, so I am seeing tons of crap out there about what this particular song means. And, most of them (in my opinion) are way, WAY off the mark.

There is a very long-winded explanation trying to compare the song to Napoleon. That is wrong for any number of reasons which a basic history book would reveal. Napoleon never went to Jerusalem, so far as I recall (and I have studied his reign quite a bit - but if anyone else knows he did, please correct me). Also, "Roman cavalry choirs" are anachronistic to the Napoleonic era. And, it would be odd to pen such an overtly religious song in reference to Napoleon, a ruler who was at worst irreligious, or at best agnostic to organized religion.

Also, there are references to the doomed Bourbon king, Louis XVI. Again, I believe that is flat-out wrong too, for most of the above reasons. I think these folks feel this way, mainly for the reference to the "head on a silver plate" and the overall remarks about lost power. France was a Catholic nation, so the references to Jerusalem and Saint Peter might fit. But, again, it would be anachronistic for Louis XVI to reference a Roman Cavalry choir.

However, if you want my best guess, I think the song is about 1 of 2 potential people: the Roman Emperor Tiberius (heir to Augustus), or else Pontius Pilate.

For Pontius Pilate, I think there are a couple of pieces of compelling evidence. First, there is are the References to "Roman Cavalry choir" and "Jerusalem." Pontius Pilate was the governor of Jerusalem during the period of Christ, and (as everyone knows the tale) condemned Christ to crucifixion (on the mount known as Calvary). For his deed, Pilate was condemned to walk the Earth for eternity.

I think this could be revealed in the title, "Viva la Vida." There are several ways to interpret and translate the phrase. But, a common one would be "the life lives," or maybe something like "long live the life." However, apparently in Mexico (see the source) where the phrase originated, it can be interpreted as "Long Live Life." So, that could really speak well to Pilate's punishment to live forever and walk the Earth in despair, wringing his hands.

I think you can draw some other pretty clear parallels. As Roman Governor, he was the representative of the Emperor in Rome. So, the song could be the reflection of a man who was once so powerful, but now finds himself cast down from power. Think about it: the Roman Empire is long gone, and Pilate (walking the Earth today) would be led to reflect how he used to be so powerful, but that power is now all gone, perhaps reminiscent of the inscription from Shelley's "Ozymandias."

And, of course, there is the reflection of what philosophers have called the "slave philosophy" of Christianity. That is, the notion that the Christian religion, in preaching humility, forgiveness, and that "the meek shall inherit the Earth," would be capable of overcoming the greatest empire the world has ever seen (the Romans). This could be a good interpretation for the references to missionaries, etc. And of course, there is the point about Saint Peter not allowing the speaker into Heaven. As Pontius Pilate was doomed to forever walk the Earth, I think that is pretty clear.

Now, if you want *MY* personal opinion, I think there is actually a stronger case for Tiberius, the second Roman Emperor. He reigned during the life of Christ and Peter, which would explain the references to goings-on in Jerusalem. The Roman Emperor was viewed as a living god, virtually omnipotent, which would explain the references to controlling the sun. Tiberius was also a ruthless and successful Roman general, which would explain the comments about "roll the dice" (as in, in battle) and seeing the "fear in my enemy's eyes."

I believe the "old king" could easily be interpreted as Augustus (the first emperor), upon whose death in AD 14 Tiberius was declared the new king.

But, what I find most intriguing is the following passage:

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

In 31 AD, the Praetorian Prefect Lucius Aelius Sejanus attempted to organize a coup to overthrow Tiberius and install himself as the new emperor. In the end, the plot was discovered and the conspirators were tried for treason (and punished ... severely). The trial also paved the way for a reign of terror of sorts, where Tiberius purged a number of potential threats to his power, leading to many deaths (including many of the Senatorial ranks).

However, the trials and the fear aroused by the conspiracy had an exhausting effect on Tiberius. Eventually, and in an almost unheard of step, he voluntarily went into exile on the island of Capri, leaving the administration of Rome to his bureaucrats. The conventional historical wisdom is Tiberius grew paranoid of the plots and came to loathe the position of ruler; essentially, becoming an unwilling ruler. Now, I think the whole episode of Sejanus is reflected in that telling passage:

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

And finally, we have the reference of Saint Peter I think is also telling. Tiberius was the emperor during the life and crucifixion of Jesus Christ; in fact, his representative (the Governor, Pontius Pilate) actually condemned Jesus Christ to that fate. As such, it would not be implausible for Tiberius, in exile, having seeing the rise of Christianity, to fear he would not be allowed into Heaven (by Saint Peter, the gatekeeper of Heaven) for what he had allowed to happen.

Now, there is one issue with the above interpretation. Scholars tend to believe Peter only died (by crucifixion) around 64 AD, whereas Tiberius died in 37 AD. So, how would Tiberius know to call him "Saint Peter" as that process of beatification and sainthood must have occurred after Tiberius was already deceased? I would argue that it is simply poetic license on the part of Chris Martin. If he had simply said "I know Peter won't call my name," beyond noticeably missing the extra syllable, no one would easily be able to understand who "Peter" was, and the religious impact would be lost.

Just my 2 pence, but I think it fits rather nicely myself :) Cheers.

Source(s):

Pontius Pilate:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontius_pil...
http://www.coldplaying.com/index.php?nam...

Tiberius:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiberius

Answer 5

I believe it has to to with Catholicism and that he used to be a good catholic but know saint peter wont call his name he wont go to heaven also head on a silver platter happened with Paul the baptist the kings daughter ordered his head on a silver platter for her b-day

Source(s):

i'm catholic

Answer 6

its just showing an example of what happened. The writer knows if he dies then he will not go to heaven. As one of the line states..
I know Saint Peter won't call my name.
So the title means.....
Live your life
But live it the right way.....not the way I did.
BTW that was the coldplay version.

Answer 7

Livn' the crazy life.

Answer 8

It's about Napoleon and the French Revolution but thats just my guess.