Viva la Vida is a song performed by a British band, Coldplay. Songs created by all Coldpaly personnel are featured in their fourth album entitled Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008). Viva la Vida achieved great success in the market and topped the charts on various international charts such as UK Singles Chart and Billboard Hot 100. The song won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year at the 51st Grammy Award in 2009.
The song Viva la Vida in addition has an element of musicality is very good, also has a song lyrics that are very interesting to be reviewed. The lyrics in Viva la Vida can make the listener curious because it has a 'very deep meaning'. It is in this song that all Coldplay personnel pour out ideas and provide different perspectives on life, history, and religion.
Viva la Vida got his inspiration from the paintings of 20th century Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. Chris Martin, vocalist of Coldplay band, said that Viva la Vida in English means "Long Live Life" is a song dedicated to Frida Kahlo who remains strong and appreciative of life despite polio. Kahlo who has gone through bitterness in life can paint great work in his home and say "Viva la Vida".
The lyrics of Viva la Vida have many historical and religious references, in this case Christianity. The lyrics of Viva la Vida are very interesting to be examined per section. The lyrics of Viva la Vida are divided into 5 parts of the lyrics and 2 choruses.
Section 1:
"I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own "
In the first part of this song, we can see that the lyrics of this song tell a story about someone who once ruled the world, or at least became the ruler of a large and powerful country. Whatever it says is always heard and the attention of the whole world. The ruler then suddenly loses his power and becomes an ordinary person or a lowly person in an area he once mastered. From king to messenger or beggar.
Section 2:
"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!
In the second part, the figure who tells his life in the lyrics of the song Viva la Vida states that he once ruled the world and took risks such as playing dice in expanding his power so as to frighten his opponents. This figure has so much power that people worship him because it can defeat the power of the previous ruler.
Section 3:
"One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon the pillars of salt and pillars of sand "
The third part of the song's lyrics tells of the once-powerful figure having power ('the key'), but is confined within his own wall and can no longer expand his domain. This figure realizes that the center of his power ('castle') stands in the power of the obedient and dissident and smart and stupid. 'Pillars of salt' refers to Lot's wife transformed into a pillar made of salt. This story is found in the Book of Genesis which tells about the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot's wife did not follow the orders of angels that forbade her to see when the city of Sodom was destroyed behind her. 'Pillars of sand' refers to the Christian references contained in the Gospels of 'Parable of The Wise and The Foolish Builders' or 'House on The Rock'. This parable tells of a fool who built his house from the sand and the wise man who built his house from a strong rock.
Section 4:
"It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People can not believe what I'd become "
The fourth part of the song after this chorus tells how the figure in the lyrics of this song reaches power in an evil and rude way. Power is achieved by destroying homes. The people became disbelieving with the figure who became the ruler. The figure of the ruler becomes a tyranny because it has absolute power.
Section 5:
"Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be king? "
The fifth part of the lyrics tells about how the once-powerful figure fell from power with a tragic fate. The power possessed by the ruler figure is ultimately dropped through the revolution. The revolution in these lyrics can refer to the French Revolution which overthrew the French rulers. 'Head on a silver plate' can refer to the beheading in France in the past with guillotine. Many French rulers were beheaded with guillotine in the event of a revolution. The term 'head on a silver plate' may also refer to the event of the beheadings of St. John the Baptism. Herod beheaded John the Baptism as requested by Salome who wanted John the Baptism's head on a silver platter. In addition, Herod considers John the Baptism a dangerous enemy because John the Baptism is considered to have a powerful influence among the people and can create rebellion. The ruler in the lyrics of Viva la Vida felt like a puppet driven by a rope. With all the tragic fate gained by the ruler, who will be king?
Chorus 1:
"I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field "
In the chorus of the first song, the lyrics of the written song tell about the power of the ruler in the lyrics of the song. The figure of the ruler heard 'Jerusalem Bell' which may be used by Jewish priests. Coldplay's intention to write these lyrics is possible to remind the Crusades in Jerusalem. Roman kavelari troops were then written in motion to wage war on behalf of religion. Roman kavelari troops seem to sing the choir (church choir) while going to war. Glass (mirror) can refer to the image, sword (sword) refers to power, and shield refers to strength. These three things are the axis of power figure of the ruler. The figure of the ruler of Viva la Vida conquered other territories under the pretext of religion. He acts in the name of religion in committing atrocities in order to conquer an unfamiliar region.
Chorus 2:
"For some reason I can not explain
I know Saint Peter will not call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world "
The second chorus part, the figure of the ruler realized that at some point he admitted his crime while ruling. He realizes that he will not go to heaven after his death. Saint Peter in Christianity is the main apostle, the first Catholic pope, then glorified into saint (saint). The figure of the ruler feels his name is not on the list of humans who enter into heaven. The figure never said an honest word in reign. The lyrics of this song were closed by stating that it (crime and cruelty) occurred and was done when he ruled.
"But that was when I ruled the world"