Viva La Vida Analysis
Reinke 1
Reece Reinke
Ms. Rice
English III
November 11, 2015
Protest Song: “Viva La Vida” by Cold Play Throughout history people have protested for many things such as human rights, equality, moral dilemmas, war and taxes. To publicize what they are protesting, they get their point across through many different mediums, such as, signs, literature, television shows and songs just to name a few. “Viva La Vida” which at the surface might not seem like a protest song but is rich with objections to religion. Chris Martin wrote “Viva La Vida” after a religious fallout in his life, in which he doubted the credibility of religion and he incorporated those thoughts into his song. The song later grew to become a huge hit but was sadly misinterpreted …show more content…
Later on in Verse 3 line 4, he says “people could not believe what I’d become” this line has a direct relation to the lines above it, saying that a proclaimed, just god went to war and killed thousands for no reason. Chris Martin is really trying to get his idea of god’s faulty credibility across to listeners. The last three lines of Verse 3 go on to explain that god is just an imaginary figurehead, used by men to control people, just how the church was used in medieval times to strengthen a king’s power by being on “God’s side”. The medieval church was a very powerful institute, almost every King in Europe used the church to further his kingdom by suppressing their views and pushing that of the Church’s. (Ostrowski, Marius) The final line in Verse three says, “Oh who would ever want to be king” is Chris saying that no one in their right mind would believe in a one true king. The fourth & fifth verse is the same as the second verse except for line 6 which says “I know Saint Peter won’t call my name”. Chris is saying that when he dies no one will call on him into the afterlife. He is decreeing that there is no god, and that the life you’re living is all you have. There will be no omniscient being calling anyone to the …show more content…
“Viva La Vida” begins with a change in perspective into, God’s perspective and how God is losing his influence over his once devoted believers. Next, it goes on to discredit missionaries and how they serve a fake god. Lastly, the song goes on to reference the Crusades and how men used God to kill thousands of people and ruin God’s good name. Also Chris mentions that he won’t be called into heaven because there isn’t one. Chris Martin’s song reflects his true views of religion, but hides behind a little interpretation.
Works Cited
Phillips, Jonathan. "THE CRUSADES. (Cover Story)." History Today 65.5 (2015): 26. MAS Ultra - School Edition. Web. 4 Nov. 2015.
Ostrowski, Marius. "The Church In The Middle Ages." History Review 56 (2006): 21. MAS Ultra - School Edition. Web. 5 Nov. 2015.
Macnie, Jim. "Coldplay Biography." Rolling Stone. Rolling Stone, n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2015. <.
Kershaw, Tom. "Coldplay Chris Martin’s Religion and Political Views." Coldplay Chris Martin’s Religion and Political Views. Hollowverse, 15 May 2012. Web. 05 Nov. 2015. & lt .
McCudden, Mary Rose, ed. "Crusades." Britannica Student Encyclopedia. 2015. Print.
ooooooh ooh oooooh oh ooooooh oh oooooh
Reece Reinke
Ms. Rice
English III
November 11, 2015
Protest Song: “Viva La Vida” by Cold Play Throughout history people have protested for many things such as human rights, equality, moral dilemmas, war and taxes. To publicize what they are protesting, they get their point across through many different mediums, such as, signs, literature, television shows and songs just to name a few. “Viva La Vida” which at the surface might not seem like a protest song but is rich with objections to religion. Chris Martin wrote “Viva La Vida” after a religious fallout in his life, in which he doubted the credibility of religion and he incorporated those thoughts into his song. The song later grew to become a huge hit but was sadly misinterpreted …show more content…
Later on in Verse 3 line 4, he says “people could not believe what I’d become” this line has a direct relation to the lines above it, saying that a proclaimed, just god went to war and killed thousands for no reason. Chris Martin is really trying to get his idea of god’s faulty credibility across to listeners. The last three lines of Verse 3 go on to explain that god is just an imaginary figurehead, used by men to control people, just how the church was used in medieval times to strengthen a king’s power by being on “God’s side”. The medieval church was a very powerful institute, almost every King in Europe used the church to further his kingdom by suppressing their views and pushing that of the Church’s. (Ostrowski, Marius) The final line in Verse three says, “Oh who would ever want to be king” is Chris saying that no one in their right mind would believe in a one true king. The fourth & fifth verse is the same as the second verse except for line 6 which says “I know Saint Peter won’t call my name”. Chris is saying that when he dies no one will call on him into the afterlife. He is decreeing that there is no god, and that the life you’re living is all you have. There will be no omniscient being calling anyone to the …show more content…
“Viva La Vida” begins with a change in perspective into, God’s perspective and how God is losing his influence over his once devoted believers. Next, it goes on to discredit missionaries and how they serve a fake god. Lastly, the song goes on to reference the Crusades and how men used God to kill thousands of people and ruin God’s good name. Also Chris mentions that he won’t be called into heaven because there isn’t one. Chris Martin’s song reflects his true views of religion, but hides behind a little interpretation.
Works Cited
Phillips, Jonathan. "THE CRUSADES. (Cover Story)." History Today 65.5 (2015): 26. MAS Ultra - School Edition. Web. 4 Nov. 2015.
Ostrowski, Marius. "The Church In The Middle Ages." History Review 56 (2006): 21. MAS Ultra - School Edition. Web. 5 Nov. 2015.
Macnie, Jim. "Coldplay Biography." Rolling Stone. Rolling Stone, n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2015. <.
Kershaw, Tom. "Coldplay Chris Martin’s Religion and Political Views." Coldplay Chris Martin’s Religion and Political Views. Hollowverse, 15 May 2012. Web. 05 Nov. 2015. & lt .
McCudden, Mary Rose, ed. "Crusades." Britannica Student Encyclopedia. 2015. Print.
ooooooh ooh oooooh oh ooooooh oh oooooh