What is the meaning of Coldplay's song Viva la Vida?

Answer 1

The song's meaning is not clear, some believe it to be connected to the French Revolution, Napoleon Bonaparte and what have you, others see it as a link to Jesus Christ and his crucifixion. The dispute over the meaning of the lyrics is down to ambiguous words, and diverse lines. The song could be connected to dictatorship such as Benito Mussolini, Adolf Hitler, and Saddam Hussein, the opening line is "I used to rule the world, seas would rise when I gave the word." This implies dominance. And another of the lines says "Listen as the crowd would sing, now the old king is dead, long live the king." This could certainly be linked in with Saddam Hussein, who killed the ruler, and ran the country himself. But lines such as "I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing," make us think that the song is more religious based. Those in favour of the idea of Viva la Vida being secular (non-Christian,) use the concept of Dictatorship to define the lyrics.

In conclusion, the meaning is obscure, but the most likely contenders are the idea of faschist dictatorship, and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Answer 2

The song "Viva la Vida" by Coldplay is loosely based on Napoleon's Bonaparte rise to power and decline.