Who's behind the notes? Discover Coldplay: The Complete Biography of the British Rock Band
"Viva la Vida" is one of Coldplay's most iconic songs, and it's associated with several interesting facts:
Historical Inspiration: The song's title, "Viva la Vida," translates to "Long Live Life" or "Live the Life" in Spanish. It was inspired by a painting by the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, titled "Viva la Vida," which means "Live Life" in English.
Grammy Success: "Viva la Vida" won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 2009, cementing its place as one of Coldplay's most successful and celebrated tracks.
Chart-Topping Success: The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States and remained there for several weeks. It also achieved significant chart success worldwide, making it one of the band's most commercially successful singles.
Brian Eno's Influence: The song was produced by Brian Eno, a renowned musician and producer known for his work with artists like U2 and David Bowie. Eno's influence is evident in the song's atmospheric and grandiose sound.
Classical Influence: "Viva la Vida" features a string section and orchestral elements, giving it a distinct classical and baroque influence. This departure from their previous sound was a bold and successful experiment for the band.
Controversy and Lawsuit: In 2008, American guitarist Joe Satriani filed a lawsuit against Coldplay, claiming that "Viva la Vida" plagiarized his 2004 instrumental track "If I Could Fly." The lawsuit was eventually settled out of court, and Coldplay denied any intentional copying.
Music Video: The music video for "Viva la Vida" was directed by Hype Williams and features a visually stunning and surreal depiction of various historical and biblical scenes. It won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Special Effects in 2008.
Cultural Impact: The song's popularity led to numerous covers, parodies, and adaptations across various media. It has also been used in numerous films, TV shows, and commercials.
Album Title: "Viva la Vida" is the title track from Coldplay's fourth studio album, released in 2008. The album received critical acclaim and was a commercial success, solidifying Coldplay's position as one of the world's biggest rock bands.
Legacy: "Viva la Vida" remains one of Coldplay's signature songs and is often included in their live performances. It has become a cultural touchstone, recognized for its unique sound and lyrical depth.