VIVA LA VIDA LYRICS - COLDPLAY | VIVA LA VIDA OR DEATH AND ALL HIS FRIENDS

Viva La Vida by Coldplay — the 2008 classic from the band's fourth album Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends that became Coldplay's first number-one single in both the UK and the US and won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 2009.

Viva La Vida Song Credits

Song: Viva La Vida
Artist: Coldplay
Lyrics: Chris Martin, Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion
Music: Brian Eno, Markus Dravs, Rik Simpson, Jon Hopkins
Album: Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008)
Music Label: Parlophone
Release Date: May 25, 2008
Duration: 4:04

The title — Spanish for "long live life" — comes from Frida Kahlo's final painting, which Chris Martin saw at her museum in Mexico. The lyrics tell the story of a fallen king, with references to King Louis XVI, the French Revolution and Saint Peter.

"Viva La Vida" was the first Coldplay single to top the UK Singles Chart and the Billboard Hot 100. It won Song of the Year at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, and with over 3.1 billion plays on Spotify it remains one of the band's most-streamed songs.

Viva La Vida Lyrics

[Verse 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

[Verse 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, 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 and pillars of sand

[Chorus]
I hear Jerusalem bells are 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'd gone, there was never
Never an honest word
That was when I ruled the world

[Verse 3]
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 want to be king?

[Chorus]
I hear Jerusalem bells are 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
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world

[Bridge]
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh

[Chorus]
Oh, now I hear Jerusalem bells are 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
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world

Viva La Vida Official Video

Viva La Vida FAQs

When was "Viva La Vida" released?
It was released on May 25, 2008, as the second single from Coldplay's fourth album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, which was released on June 12, 2008 by Parlophone.

What does "Viva La Vida" mean and where did the title come from?
"Viva La Vida" is Spanish for "long live life". Chris Martin took the title from Mexican artist Frida Kahlo's final painting, which he saw at her museum in Mexico.

What is "Viva La Vida" about?
The song tells the story of a king who has lost his kingdom, reflecting on power, downfall and revolution, with references to King Louis XVI and the French Revolution.

What records did "Viva La Vida" set?
It was Coldplay's first number-one single in both the UK and the US, won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 2009, and has gathered over 3.1 billion plays on Spotify.