Interpretation of ColdPlay's ALBUM - Viva La Vida or Death and All its Friends

 

Its a Current Day and very Political Statement Folks, simple and clear.

 

"Viva la Vida" is Spanish, It's literal meaning is "live the life". It is often used in English to say "long live" such as viva la resistance, or long live the resistance.

 

The Album Cover Artwork is a Famous Painting called - "LIBERTY FOR THE PEOPLE" painted by French artist Eugène Delacroix, in 1830.

 

The painting commemorates the July Revolution of that year.

 

***** As an aside ******

This year 2008, there was a Ron Paul Liberty March in Washington D.C. on 12th July "http://www.RevolutionMarch.com"

 

This is the start of a real chance for a new Revolution in the US, Ron Pauls movement is going PUBLIC, the "http://www.campaignforliberty.com".

 

Video Coverage of the March -

***** As an aside ******

 

 

The Album Title says it all - COMPARE the TWO tracks mentioned in the Album Title.

 

"Viva La Vida" (A very upbeat song, the message is about a Rejected, and Toppled, Lying Dictator/Establishment).

 

or

 

"Death and All His Friends" (Drawn Out and Overplayed Apathetic Track of Ignorance to the current situation in the world).

 

 

All Americans are very shortly due to make a VERY IMPORTANT CHOICE; I would guess around election time, this

year (November 9th) if not, most likely before then.

 

The CHOICE being alluded to for the people is in summary -

 

1. "Viva La Vida" - Life the Life; Join the Revolution and work with all your passion to change America's corrupt political

and broadcasting systems and release the country back to the constitution, delivering only messages of Peace and Love. Very Upbeat."

 

OR

 

2. "Death and all His Friends" - We can just continue in apathy listening to the current governtment and propoganda until its too late,

la la la dont worry.....dont worry.....I dont want this.....I want to Escape.....I plan to Escape.....Complete Apathy.

 

The albums message is of the chance for Revolution and the consequences of not having one.

 

 

Check out WHAT the Russian President and top Military men had to say in February 2008 about Bush's current antics around the world.

 

http://www.americanfreepress.net/html/russia_threatens123.html

Copy Here - http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/february2008/070208_russia.htm

 

 

 

Also READ the lyrics for Violet Hill, which is narrative of ONE such potential outcome; if the Americans do not choose wisely.

 

VIOLET HILL MUST CONTAIN BE THE MOST MISQUOTED TRACK LYRICS EVER ON THE INTERNET

 

Have a listen to these very recent LIVE performances to verify the words I have used below:

 

Live on Jonathan Ross 13th June 2008 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qte8BBs0i_Q

or

Live in Amsterdam June 2008 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnhbHef8928&feature=related

 

(If the clips get removed just search for them or any other live performance - The important words are VERY pronounced and even exaggerated).

 

 

Violet Hill - The Revolution Fails; The US Continues to be Ruled By Current Administration and the Media, such as FOX News.

 

(The story is about a soldier sent to fight in the Middle East by the US and returning home after WWIII).

 

Was a long and dark December

From the rooftops i remember

There was snow White snow

 

(He recalls the "Nuclear Strike from Russia" (who are currently supplying Enriched Uranium to Iran), after the US Government

goes TOO FAR in the next coming months by invading Iran).

 

Clearly i remember

From the windows they were watching

While we froze down below

 

(He is remembering being left out in the cold after the strike - Do you think FEMA will come and look after you, when the shit hits the fan, lol?)

 

When the future's architectured

By a carnival of idiots on show

You'd better lie low

 

(Rupert Murdoch, Fox News, Bill O'Reilly and all of the Governmental puppets are minipulating everyone, keep your head down and you

might be OK).

 

If you love me

Won't you let me know?

 

(Very poignant, Why dont the government and media let us know the truth?)

 

Was a long and dark December

When the Banks became Cathedrals

And the FOX Became God

 

(We have been lead to think that we should worship money and blindly BELIEVE in the media, aka FOX.)

 

Priests clutched onto bibles

Hollowed out to fit their rifles

And the cross was held aloft

 

(Clearly a commentry that the wars will be fought under the guise of religion).

 

B, B, B-Bury me in Armour

When i'm dead and hit the ground

My loves opposed, that unfolds

 

(He wants to die fighting for this new Revolutionary cause (hence the protective Armour), even thought he is now completely opposed to fighting).

 

If you love me

Won't you let me know?

 

 

(Very poignant, Why dont the government and media let us know the truth?)

 

 

(Guitar Solo)

 

(Nice guitar work ;o))

 

I don't want to be a soldier

who the captain of some sinking ship

would stow, far below

 

(He does NOT wish to fight any more wars that cannot be won, for a US Govenment, who has completely lost its way and has lost world popularity).

 

So if you love me

Why'd you let me go?

 

(He asks a straightforward question......WHY DID you let me go to war, when you knew it was a lie?).

 

I took my love down to violet hill

There we sat in snow

All that time she was silent still

 

(He is implying that if this does not stop soon; as happened in World War 2, Violet Hill in China will also face the same

fate as American Cities will).

 

So if you love me

Won't you let me know?

 

(Very poignant, Why dont the government and media let us know the truth?)

 

If you love me,

Won't you let me know?

 

(Why dont they let US know the truth?)

 

 

 

And Finally......compare the stark interpretation I have made, to that of the "Dancing Politicians" video posted on official Coldplay YouTube Channel.

 

http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44990

 

Actual Video Link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WqQL5WFN20

 

Not any real signs of reference to Jesus, or any direct reflection on the French Revolution IMO.

 

Remember that songs are meant to give you a clear message, but not be blatant. This is why Coldplay have used misinformation, mispronunciation and conceptual metaphors along with historical and religious references, to get their message over.

 

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

 

We in Britain ECHO America - Learn that, at least.

 

I will leave you with these wise words from my Mother, or "Ma", as we tend to call them in Scotland.......

 

"If you dinnae have anything worth sayin, dinnae say anything at all".

 

and please "always treat others the way you wish to be treated".

 

PEACE AND LOVE.

This article is wrong on most counts.

 

Chris said in an interview that the song viva la vida insn't a political song, it's about love,

but it's told in a different way, it's interpreted as somebody who says or does something stupid then regrets it when he loses the person he loves.

 

it's just told in a different way.

it makes it more interesting than the usual straight forward love song.

Its now an Article? - Gee Thanks :o)

 

It's not an "Article", those were my personal thoughts. Mearly my Interpretation.

 

I appreciate the fact you looked at all the information.

 

Good Luck in your future.

very interesting interpretation of Violet Hill

 

 

I think the meaning is whatever you want it to be, so if this works for you, then cheers!:lol:

When I started reading this, I thought 'oi..'

 

But in fact, your take on Violet Hill is really fascinating. Nice one, thanks a lot for sharing :nice:

yeah it is fascinating, but just a little sad!, lol, no it's well done!

The stuff about Violet Hill is interesting...the song does sound like it's about the Bush "administration," and the video only makes that more obvious. I don't think "If you love me, Won't you let me know?" is directed at the government or media, though; does anyone honestly think the government loves them? If that ever happens, we're probably doomed.

 

I can't agree with what you said about Death and All His Friends, though, because you ignored the main line, "I don't want to battle from beginning to end, I don't want a cycle of recycled revenge, etc." This pretty obviously sounds like they want pointless wars to end, and so they're refusing to fight in them.

 

But most of all, this just sounds like you're trying to make us think the album is encouraging revolution in the U.S. to get rid of Bush, possibly replacing him with Ron Paul or someone similar. Keep a few things in mind here:

1. Bush's term is nearly over, and McCain's not doing so well.

2. Coldplay is British.

3. Chris said he likes Obama, and he's the songwriter.

 

So uh...interesting interpretation, but I don't think it's what the band was trying to get across, for the most part.

Album Meaning

 

Hi Guyy,

 

Thank you for taking the time to read my post and comment.

 

I really do appreciate the fact you have read this and actually thought about what I said, then replied with your own views.

 

My comments back to you are,

 

Re. Violet Hill

 

"if you love me wont you let me know....

 

I dont want to be a soldier

who the captain of some sinking ship

would stow, far below...

 

If you love me WHY DID YOU LET ME GO...."

 

(In the full context above, it seems very clear to me that the soldier is asking why did the government let him go to war....even though he knew fine well, it is/was a very bad idea).

 

I would suggest that if a government shows "false love" to the people, suggesting that they can look after everyones problems by taking liberties away and "pulling the wool" over the populations eyes for selfish gains, then yes we are probabaly doomed.

 

Re. Death and all his Friends

 

With regards to Death and All his Friends. You are in fact correct. Quote - "This pretty obviously sounds like they want pointless wars to end, and so they're refusing to fight in them."

 

I do agree with this, but your not looking closely at the "context" of the comments I have made.

 

Remember, what I said was the album gives us a choice between the two tracks mentioned in the Album Title. Viva la Vida OR Death and all his friends.

 

I put forward the idea that the second choice was "apathy", i.e. Death and all his Friends.

 

For such a lengthy track there are VERY FEW lyrics broken into three parts. For me, this final track on the album puts over this drawn out message of apathy, due to inaction.

 

All winter, we got carried

Oh way over on the rooftops let's get married.

All summer we just hurried

so come over, just be patient, and don't worry.

So come over, just be patient, and don't worry.

 

So come over, just be patient, and don't worry.

 

And don't worry.

 

(People ignoring everything that is going on around them; la la la dont worry....it'll be ok)

 

No I don't wanna battle from beginning to end;

I don't wanna cycle of recycled revenge;

I don't wanna follow death and all his friends.

 

No I don't wanna battle from beginning to end;

I don't wanna cycle of recycled revenge;

I don't wanna follow death and all of his friends.

 

(Realisation has now kicked in that things are not OK, far from it - They now want to stop the recycling cycle of war and revenge....they WANT to...)

 

In the end, we lie awake and the dream of making our escape

and

In the end, we lie awake and the dream of making our escape

 

(But in the end, the people simply lie dreaming of escaping from situation that they have ignored - Apathy in a nutshell).

 

You might have also noticed that the album STARTS with "Life in Technicolor" which is the EXACT SAME music being played as in the LAST part of "Death and all his Friends", to me; re-inforcing the Apathy (a loop) and cycle of repeating history.

 

In direct comment to your 3 points:

 

1) Yes Bush's term is nearly over, yet he now has the power via recent legislation to enforce martial law in the US, should any sort of major disaster occur, as could Obama if he is elected. Do you really think Obama will bring change? - I would be happy to debate this.

 

2) I am British and have far less ties to America than Chris Martin. Whats your point?

 

3) Obama is a far better choice than Bush. Nothing wrong with Chris commenting that Obama is the best choice out of two evils (McCain).

The trouble is that Obama's policies are not that different from the current staus quo; its really just more of the same. Continue Wars, keep de-valuing the Dollar, etc. I would concede that it would certainly change America's image abroad, but in the long run nothing would really change for the better on your own soil.

 

 

Its possibly a good idea if you have a look at the reasons behind why these wars of aggression are being fought.

 

(Clue, its not terrorists).

 

1) Just before Iraq was invaded, Saddam had started selling his Oil in Euros. As soon as the US invaded, priority number one was the oil fields. As soon as they were secured, the sale of oil was immediately switched back to the Dollar.

 

2) The CIA has confirmed (via NIE of 2007) that Iran stopped its efforts in 2003 to create Nuclear Weapons. Why the current issue with Iran? - Well, Iran has created its own Oil Stock Exchange selling in Euros Only (Google Iranian Oil Bourse) to compete directly with New York and London. At present they are only dealing in Oil Derivitives, i.e. Petrol, etc. But the Iranian Plan is to start selling Crude Oil in the coming weeks/months. This is why the US (possibly via Isreal) will likely attack Iran.

 

I would be interested in your interpretation and reasons, as you see it.

 

PEACE AND LOVE

VIVA LA VIDA MEANING?????????????????

 

http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com

 

October 3rd - Addendum. FREE ONLINE STREAM.

that thread you made was completely wrong.

 

There was numerous things wrong with the statements you made,

 

one of them being "Viva la vida". It's not about a dictator, it's a story about love, and somebody having to deal with the consequences of their actions after losing the thing that was their whole world, words out of chris' mouth on radio 1.

Sigh.....

 

YOU didn't even take the time to read my request, never mind the thread.

 

I asked you to post in the thread ABOVE. (You know where it is, you've posted before....)

 

Now try again....and read everything S L O W L Y.

 

I know you can do it.

 

Remember that songs are meant to give you a clear message, but not be blatant. This is why Coldplay have used misinformation, mispronunciation and conceptual metaphors along with historical and religious references, to get their message over.

 

PS - I would LOVE to see your interpretation of the lyrics as a love story....

PPS - Did your parents ever tell you about the tooth fairy?......were you disapointed when you found out the truth?

 

I bet you prefer to believe in the tooth fairy..............

3 things.

 

1) If you wanted people to post in the thread you linked us to, you could have just bumped that thread. It's not my fault people stopped caring about it.

 

2) never try to condescend me, you cunt.

 

3) and read this one S L O W L Y........ c h r i s - s a i d - l i v e - o n - a i r - t h a t - v l v - i s - n o t - i - r e p e a t- N O T - a b o u t - a - d i c t a t o r.

 

but I guess he could be wrong, I mean, he only wrote the song :rolleyes:

Tut Tut

 

Read the Lyrics (whole album), watch your language and research.

 

Bad silly, boy.....

 

PEACE AND LOVE

^^Dude, it's using a surface story about a Napoleon clone as a metaphor for a failed relationship. Both interpretations work and have been endorsed by the band.

:rolleyes:

 

okay then, it's about a dictator, and chris was lying about it all.

 

in fact I think his EXACT words were "I don't see how the song could be misinterpreted as religious or about a fallen minister or anything like that, I relate to the song being about love, about making mistakes and having to deal with them the best you can, even if you can't take them back"

 

:kiss:

OK Then....

 

http://coldplay.com/video.php

 

Coldplays own site.

He's talked about it in dozens of interviews, explaining it in several different ways. And the lyrics do kind of speak for themselves. Actually I bet you there are at least 4 or 5 legitimate ways you could interpret it.

 

Take a chill pill guys. :wacko:

I've merged this so we don't have two threads discussing the same thing.

I don't have a problem with people expressing opinions, but I think coming here and generally being condescending and rude is plain out of order, I'm sorry that the VIOLET HILL video has politicians in it. I was of the clear mind that we were discussing Viva la Vida.

 

and if you mean viva la vida as in the whole album, then you're even further from the truth. which makes this whole cherade rediculous.

And to quote you....Age Six Racer

 

Thanks for the merge Mimixxx....however the reason I posted under Coldplay main threads with the link, rather than bump the post in violet hill....was to get more views and opinions. I did TRY to ask people NOT to post on the main post, but here instead.......

 

From the number of posts and reactions i got, before the thread got merged I see that it is THE place to post.

 

After all, my thread was mainly about the sentiment of the album "as a whole" and there is NO thread for such a post and i am after all a newb (to this forum).

 

What is the correct etiquette i need to follow to have this post in the main threads? or even at worst a new main thread for VLV album meaning discussion and debate?

 

I do not wish to offend anyone and appreciate the "time".

 

PEACE AND LOVE

How can I move this thread to the main forum?

 

Major Market Crisis

 

Job Losses

 

Revolution

 

So, I cant move it back then?

You can't I'm afraid ;)

 

Discussion about Coldplay releases are for the Releases section. :)

 

Will still get views though, people post in there regularly.

Thanks

 

Thank you.

 

I do appreciate your logic and help.

 

JT.

 

PEACE AND LOVE

I'm still confused about Viva La Vida. Chris does always say it's a love song, but on one occasion he did actually say "it doesn't take an idiot to work out who it's about" - which I'm guessing = Bush/Blair.

Chris Martin, a British vocalist and lyricist, has not written an entire album about US politics.

 

End of THAT discussion.

 

The album has a clear message, and that is its title: Live life.

 

1. Life in Technicolor - nothing lyrical to analyse here, but the music is incredibly upbeat and the title suggests that the song is meant to be played over a happy moment.

 

2. Cemeteries of London - to me is all about that "for my heart it wasn't open" line, imploring people to look a bit deeper than the shallow surface of (city) life.

 

3. Lost! - back to upbeat again, although with more sinister undertones: it's an ode to perseverance but he still says he's waiting for the shine to wear off.

 

4. 42 - imo one of the keystone tracks lyrically. The way I see it, it's about regret at the end of your life and how you have to deal with death (and his friends) without stalling on it too much.

 

5. Lovers in Japan - a beautiful call to arms, asking people to stick it out and suggesting for the first time overtly that there's an ESCAPE to be found.

 

Reign of Love - another song about regret, but this time about regretting not getting out of an incomplete relationship and getting trapped inside it.

 

6. Yes - another escape to be found, this time in the arms of a girl that represents temptation, has Chris hoping, pleading for that escape to come to fruition.

 

Chinese Sleep Chant - strangely enough I think the lyrics here are really important. Again, it's about an escape - that of sleep - and the idea that there's always some way to get away from things.

 

7. Viva La Vida - First title track, another ode to regret, and how you have to appreciate the things you have when you've got them, else you'll lose them and stop 'ruling the world'. A pretty simple concept eloquently and elegantly explored, but it still comes down to a message of living life.

 

8. Violet Hill - REALLY important lyrically, it seems to me to be asking everybody that listens to it to take a little bit of time making your feelings known. In the context of what seems to me to be a war situation, it's all the more dramatic, but in its simplest form the hook, 'won;t you let me know' is the key line.

 

9. Strawberry Swing - Here Martin takes a bit of a different tack, although the main line of thought is basically the same. He suggests that it's a perfect day but to me the important part is when he mentions curving away. It's a suggestion that to make things good you have to make things happen, and that letting things slide never works out well - just like in Violet Hill, positive action is needed.

 

10. Death and All His Friends - Very, very easy to understand. The first part is a little 'example', so to speak, with Chris saying that sometimes you just need to appreciate when things are really good. And the end, the most powerful vocals on the whole album, and basically the last, is just one last call to arms: that we can't just keep on the same slog day in, day out; that we can't just keep fighting the same people in the same cycles every morning; that we can't just give in and let life take us away - we have to take it in our own hands.

 

The Escapist - And, in the end, we lie awake and we dream of making our escape. Or do we? Is that all we can do? Can we just sit here and dream about it, or can we ACTUALLY DO IT? And musically, we're back to where we started...but have we learnt something?

 

I hope so.