Viva La Vida

Coldplay's latest truly great song didn't hit me as such, for some ridiculous reason, until I started paying attention to the lyrics. I know, I know, I'm a lyrics nerd. They actually make a big difference to me when I hear a song. Here are the lyrics and the official video for "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay:




I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sweep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own

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

I hear Jerusalem bells a 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 go there was never, never an honest word
That was when I ruled the world
(Ohhh)
[Viva La Vida Lyrics on http://www.elyricsworld.com ]
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?


My opinion: Epic song, shabby video. But, wait! Thank goodness, there's an alternate video, which is much better (although still not up to par with the song itself), and which lends a different symbolism to the lyrics than I'd imagined.



I guess I hadn't taken Chris Martin's lyrics as satirically as they'd been intended, because this video depicts a loon who perceived himself as some sort of king, but who no one else in London seems to even notice. So was the royalty all in his imagination? And at the end of the video, he seems to be waiting for something at the seashore. Death, perhaps? Or Gwyneth Paltrow? I'd love to hear your interpretations.