I used to rule the world…
Now in the morning, I sleep alone.
Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida” is a riches-to-rags story. The narrator is on top of the world and it comes crashing down on him. We don’t know why—there is no special event. What Chris Martin is most interested in is the juxtaposition between being on top and being on bottom. Once he ruled the world and he was so powerful it was almost as if the seas would rise at his command. Now, he sweeps the streets that he used to own.
A lot of the imagery from the song is about an actual king, but the song can have just as much impact if you take it figuratively. That is, a person who had it all but who lost it.
“Viva La Vida’s” melody and strings drive the song, but the riches-to-rags message makes the song special. Some songs we can sing the words but we have no idea what we are singing about. This song it is clear it is about someone who fell from grace. A song is usually much more impactful when you know what it is about.
Interestingly, there is no lesson, moral or observation that Martin attempts to provide about his fall. It really is just a story. Some sort of message about the difference between life on the top versus life on the bottom might have been appropriate. It works nonetheless.
Viva La Vida Lyrics
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
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 are 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
And that was when I ruled the world
It was a 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?
I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Calvary choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can’t explain
I know Saint Peter won’t call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Calvary choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can’t explain
I know Saint Peter won’t call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
Songwriters: Christopher A. J. Martin / Guy Rupert Berryman / Jonathan Mark Buckland / William Champion