Viva La Vida Poem Analysis

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Although some people listen to a song without actually thinking or caring about what the lyrics mean, Mr. Falk's assignment has us pause from mindlessly chanting the lyrics to actually taking a moment to wonder what the artist really means by his words. Quite coincidentally, this is an opportune chance to appreciate good lyrics as one does good poetry. I believe that all songwriters write with great meaning, often hidden, which makes their music all the more interesting.
There has been much speculation about the “hidden” meaning in the lyrics of Coldplay's hit song, “Viva la Vida,” which translates from Spanish into “long live life.” Penned by Chris Martin, lead singer, pianist, and husband to actress Gwyneth Paltrow, the song has been one of the British alternative rock band's biggest hits and was the second single released from their album Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends. The song and album were christened by Martin after he saw the phrase on a painting by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. He explained, “She went through a lot of s--t, of course, and then she started a big painting in her house that said ‘Viva la Vida.’ I just loved the boldness of it” (Rolling Stone). Shortly after the song was released on iTunes on May 7, 2008, it quickly reached the top spot of the UK Singles Chart and Billboard Hot 100, and became the band's first number-one single.
Many people have interpreted the song as a portrait of King Louis XVI, or perhaps Napoleon, but I feel that the song's purpose is much more generalized and universal than that of a retelling of an influential dictator who lost his power. By skillfully manipulating literary techniques, Chris Martin retold another version of history that provokes thought. King Louis XVI was fou...

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...epidemic, and hadn’t prioritized schoolwork and relationships with family. Upon entering high school, I realized that my academics and my future were in my own hands. Getting used to the “honors” lifestyle proved to be one of the most challenging things I had ever done up till then. Reflecting back now, I hadn’t realized at the time how I had changed my entire life around in a positive way. Back then, I had felt like I carried the entire world on my shoulders when I studied for hours for a test or stayed up past midnight to finish a project. As I am rounding off my high school career, I can proudly say that all of the demoralizing stress, sleepless nights, and numerous packs of lined paper had paid off finally. “Viva la Vida” was there at the start of my high school journey, and is now seeing me off in the (possibly) last essay in high school that I will ever write.

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