Is The True Meaning Of Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" The Secret Reason It Was So Popular And Profitable?
Highlights
- 'Viva La Vida' by Coldplay is a popular and beloved song.
- The song's lyrics reflect a former king's realization of losing power.
- 'Viva La Vida' was a commercial success, selling 316,000 copies.
Since he has been a huge star in the music industry since the late 1990s, it's logical that Chris Martin is wealthier than the rest of Coldplay. His personal life has become as intriguing as his professional accomplishments thanks to his divorce from Gwyneth Paltrow and his relationship with Dakota Johnson. But no matter how much the media writes about his love life, Martin's songwriting abilities will always be interesting.
While Coldplay has seen success with each album release, there is one album in particular that fans have paid the closest attention to. When 'Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends' came out in June 2008, it sold really well. The hit single 'Viva La Vida' also won praise because it sounds great and has compelling lyrics. There's a lot to know about this song, including the actual meaning behind it...
What Is 'Viva La Vida' About?
Although some 2000s boy band songs are problematic, even Coldplay's earliest music still sounds amazing today. Many of Coldplay's songs are about love and loss and other tough emotions. What sets 'Viva La Vida' apart is the fact that it has historical meaning.
According to American Songwriter, Coldplay's 'Viva La Vida' song is about King XVI's passing and the French Revolution.
American Songwriter reported that the song lyrics refer to when King Louis VXI spoke to a crowd before he was going to be killed. As he was set up on the guillotine, he said that he hadn't done anything wrong.
The lyrics of the first verse speak to this memorable moment in time when a former king realized that he had fallen very far: "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."
Since many musicians write about love, this was a creative and ambitious project. When Coldplay was interviewed by MTV about each song on the 'Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends' album, Chris Martin explained that it was a fun song to perform because it was nothing like their other songs.
He said, "This song is one of our favorites, because none of us are doing anything on it that we've ever done before. But we really enjoy playing it. The longer you go on as a band, the harder it is to surprise yourself."
Why Is Coldplay's 'Viva La Vida' So Popular?
There are several potential reasons why Coldplay's 'Viva La Vida' song is so popular. For one thing, when the song was released in the summer of 2008, the band was at the height of their fame.
Their previous three albums featured hit singles like 'The Scientist,' 'Clocks,' 'Yellow,' 'Speed of Sound,' and 'Fix You.' This meant that fans were ready for more music from Coldplay, and they definitely embraced 'Viva La Vida.'
There's also the fact that the song is very catchy, and people responded to the sound right away. Several Coldplay fans discussed 'Viva La Vida' in the popheads SubReddit. One fan wrote, "The song sounds like a cinematic masterpiece. You can actually visualize the orchestra playing." Another shared, "Beautiful song. The live version of this (Live in Buenos Aires) gives me chills when the audience starts singing along."
Overall, though, it seems that Coldplay's 'Viva La Vida' is so beloved because of the meaning behind it. Fans like debating it, with some wondering if it's about the devil or Jesus.
In the Coldplay subReddit, a fan shared that they love 'Viva La Vida' because it tells the story of a king realizing that they are no longer in charge.
The fan wrote, "It is a masterpiece and arguably the best song Coldplay has ever released. It's a brilliant blend of story-telling lyrics and captivating music that really sets a vibe. Firstly the lyrics are packed full of biblical and historical symbolism and allegories yet it's still very easy to understand the story of the song, about a king who has lost his power."
How Much Did 'Viva La Vida' Make Coldplay?
While the figures for Coldplay's profits from 'Viva La Vida' haven't been made public, the 'Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends' album sold very well.
According to The New York Times, fans purchased 316,000 copies the day that the album came out. Since fans had purchased 737,000 copies of 'X&Y' the first week it was available, it seemed that this album would do just as well.
In June 2008, Billboard reported that the 'Viva La Vida' album was number one on the Billboard 200.
Chris Martin has a net worth of $160 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth, and much of that money comes from the success that he has had with Coldplay. Celebrity Net Worth reported that Martin and the other band members share the royalties that they earn.
However, three other musicians said that Coldplay's 'Viva La Vida' was too similar to their own songs. According to Entertainment Weekly, Creaky Boards believed that the song was similar to 'The Songs I Didn't Write.' Cat Stevens said the song sounded like his song 'Foreigner Suite.'
But only one person filed a lawsuit. In December 2008, Joe Satriani filed a lawsuit against Coldplay and said that the song was too similar to his own tune 'If I Could Fly.'
In December 2009, the lawsuit against Coldplay was settled, according to Entertainment Weekly. It's unclear how much money was exchanged. However, it's fair to say that since Coldplay had to spend some money on this lawsuit, that affected how much they made in the end.
Chris Martin said in an interview with NME, “When these things happen it’s a coincidence and we’re as surprised by it as anybody else. Oh, I know exactly where the song [‘Viva La Vida’] came from. It came from the middle of the night, on a piano. I just get embarrassed about having to talk about these things. I do feel a bit upset about it because I wrote the song. But, you know, these things happen. Whatever will be will be.”
Despite these obstacles, Coldplay's 'Viva La Vida' remains beloved by fans, and it's fun to learn the actual meaning of the song.
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