Ellie Rocco

Professor Echols

ENG 1201

20 February 2022

Viva La Vida Video Comparison

“But that was when I ruled the world” seems to be the most repetitive line in the song

“Viva La Vida” by Coldplay. In two separate music videos, the band displays analogous

situations, both telling the story of a man who reflects on previously “ruling the world”. The

original music video, released in 2008, shows the band in a psychedelic environment as they sing

about their old life. The Anton Corbijn version, released in 2011, shows a king walking around

modern-day London- with nothing but a picture frame- after losing his throne. Even though both

the original and Anton Corbijn's version of “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay use the same music, the

videography and editing create two different narratives. The original video represents reflection

after death while the Anton Corbijn video represents life after a major loss.

The lyrics behind the song are based on the final speech given by Louis XVI before he

was executed. While on the gallows, the King’s speech was drowned out by the sounds of the

audience screaming, booing, and banging drums. The songs serve not as further ammo against

the king, but rather as a way to humanize him. The lyrics speak on how he feels regret for not

doing better for his people. For example, “For some reason, I can’t explain. I know Saint Peter

won't call my name” (Coldplay). Saint Peter is known to hold the keys to heaven, meaning the

king knows how many sins he has committed and is ready to atone for his mistakes.

Based on the videography and editing, you can conclude that these two music videos

show two similar scenarios. The original video shows a man reflecting on his life after death,
singing about his mistakes while in the afterlife. This conclusion can be reached based on how

the setting feels almost otherworldly, with the mystifying background and cracks edited into the

screen, showing the flashbacks as distant memories. Anton Corbijn’s version is showing a man

after loss, in this case, the loss of his crown. This can be determined based on how the King gets

no recognition or attention while walking through the same streets he used to rule. Also, the

picture in his hand with the outfit in a modern setting creates the feeling that he is a fraud.

Both videos use both pathos and logos to appeal to their audience. Both display pathos

through the lyrics, which are meant to make you sympathize with the king. For example,

“Revolutionaries wait for my head on a silver plate. Just a puppet on a lonely string. Oh who

would ever want to be king?” (Coldplay). He acknowledges the power he was given as a burden

and says there was nothing he could do past a certain point. Both use logos through the various

images or symbols they use to represent the final speech and end of the reign of King Louis XVI.

One example from the original music video is the image of the drums early in the video, a

symbol for the king being drowned out by the drummers while trying to speak on the gallows.

One example in Anton Corbijn's version is the photo he carries with him through most of the

video. This is a painting showing Lady Liberty leading the troops with the french flag, painted to

show support of the revolutionaries. The later publishing date and easier to understand messages

used in Anton Corbjin's version show how it is likely meant for the younger generation since

they are more likely to watch the music video and want to understand the message more clearly.

“Viva La Vida” serves to create a different view on the revolution and change how the

listener sees King Louis XVI. His reflection back to a time of “when he ruled the world” forces

the listener to rethink how much of a villain the king could have been. Through two different

videos, Coldplay was able to demonstrate two different scenarios in which the king looked back
on his ruling and where he went wrong. The song is a warning, to think about what you have and

appreciate how fast you can lose it all.

Works Cited

Champion, Will. “Coldplay – Viva la Vida Lyrics.” Genius,

https://genius.com/Coldplay-viva-la-vida-lyrics. Accessed 13 February 2022.

“Coldplay's “Viva la Vida” is a retelling of the French Revolution.” Medium, 24 August 2018,

https://medium.com/@Jaebs/coldplays-viva-la-vida-is-a-retelling-of-the-french-revolutio

n-ad686bde8b6. Accessed 13 February 2022.

“Coldplay - Viva La Vida (Anton Corbijn Version).” YouTube, 30 November 2011,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kVxpsi1XQ4. Accessed 13 February 2022.

“Coldplay - Viva La Vida (Official Video).” YouTube, 4 August 2008,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvgZkm1xWPE. Accessed 13 February 2022.