Coldplay Promo Interview on Viva La Vida, Part Five (2008)

[beigecamouflage]

This is wonderful... Chris tells the true meaning of Viva La Vida. He was later criticized for not answering the question. People can't criticize him because he did say ... at least he gives a hint. It is about: the end of the Bush administration.

[cooleo100d]

@beigecamouflage Uuhh, no, it's not about Bush. It can be interpreted that way I guess, but Martin's explanation in this video is about as clear evidence that exists which points to the song being about Louis XVI, from Louis XVI's point of view. Every lyrical element in the song can account for that. The strongest giveaway should be the "revolutionaries wait for my head on a silver plate." They did, and they got it.

[beigecamouflage]

@cooleo100d In another interview, the questioner asked that of course, Viva La Vida must be about the change of administration in the UK from Tony Blair who, like Bush had become unpopular due to his eagerness for the UK's partidcipation in the wars. Chris said that it applies to any circumstance in which a leader has abused his power, disgraced his office, and consequently lost the respect of the people, paraphrasing, because I don't recall the precise words that he used, but that was the idea

[cooleo100d]

@beigecamouflage I'm not doubting that it can be applied to the Bush administration, but there really isn't much to question in regards to the actual, textual meaning, being that there's a artistic representation of the French Revolution on the cover of the album.

[thugzdontcrytears]

Wicked song.. he is merely drawing a parallel by saying it is like a 'King screwing up and .... ". Great song, Great name choice because it causes one to look closer at the lyrics and it's meaning.

[contantboi]

so that is what viva la vida is about, odd name for song about a king screwing up.