I think this song has something to do with Jesus Christ. Jesus was referred to as the "King of the Jews" and they mention the word "king" several times in this song.
"Long live the king!" is what the soldiers said when they were whipping Jesus Christ (remember when he got crucified, he got beaten with nasty whips, a crown of thorns placed on his head, and he has to carry the cross?).
"I know Saint Peter won't call my name." refers to when Jesus said to Peter that Peter would deny him three times before the cock would crow twice, and this happened, because Peter denied Jesus three times before the cock crew twice.
"Revolutionaries wait for my head on a silver plate." refers to when John the Baptist got decapitated.
Jerusalem is where the temple Jesus was in and is present in the bible many times.
There are still many more lyrics to classify this song as being about Jesus Christ, but I was only naming the basics. Thanks for reading! xD
@TheMusicNinja I also see a lot of paradigms displayed in this song. You've picked up on a number of religious themes. Songs can have many meanings, even as interpreted by the same person. It doesn't have to be just one way or the other. I can accept the Louis XIV interpretations, but also appreciate the strong religious overtones.
@TheMusicNinja I also see a lot of paradigms displayed in this song. You've picked up on a number of religious themes. Songs can have many meanings, even as interpreted by the same person. It doesn't have to be just one way or the other. I can accept the Louis XIV interpretations, but also appreciate the strong religious overtones.
I also noticed the "roll the dice" reference - perhaps when the Roman Soldiers cast lots for Jesus garments? "Fear in my enemies eyes" could reference the fact that Rome ruled the world and all bowed down to the Emporer, Kings, etc that were established. So, how about King Herod as well? Salome, Herod's daughter asked for John the Baptist's "head on a platter".
Jerusalem bells ringing are a reference to the Christian call to prayer on Sundays, whether Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran or otherwise. Christians ring bells as opposed to the adhan, which is the Muslim call to prayer. The choirs and the bells could be allusion to the resurrection.
I also see
"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"
which makes me think of the rushing wind of the "Holy Spirit" during Pentecost.
Jesus became man and dwelt among us - and we know that he felt and experienced human emotion and fought the same internal battles that we fought. He Lived the Life "Viva La Vida". Hence, the question, "Oh who would ever want to be king?" which I interpret to be King of the Jews, or King of the World - after all, look what humans do to Kings, Presidents and others that they elevate to power, only to put them on a string to dance to their tune "like a puppet on a lonely string".
The closing lines -
"Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world"
alludes to the fact that although Jesus never lied, he never heard an honest word. Even St Peter, when confronted by the non-believers, could not utter an honest word about who Jesus truly was.
That's what I hear in the song, with no disrespect to the King Louis XIV references.
@TheMusicNinja regarding your interpretation of viva la vida....plus....before becoming a man Jesus used to Rule the World, seas would rise when he gave the word. Now he sleeps alone, sweeps the streets he used to own.....(refering to his servanthood as a man.
@TheMusicNinja regarding your interpretation of viva la vida....plus....before becoming a man Jesus used to Rule the World, seas would rise when he gave the word. Now he sleeps alone, sweeps the streets he used to own.....(refering to his servanthood as a man.
I LOVE this song!!!! :D <3 It's truly amazing.
I think this song has something to do with Jesus Christ. Jesus was referred to as the "King of the Jews" and they mention the word "king" several times in this song.
"Long live the king!" is what the soldiers said when they were whipping Jesus Christ (remember when he got crucified, he got beaten with nasty whips, a crown of thorns placed on his head, and he has to carry the cross?).
"I know Saint Peter won't call my name." refers to when Jesus said to Peter that Peter would deny him three times before the cock would crow twice, and this happened, because Peter denied Jesus three times before the cock crew twice.
"Revolutionaries wait for my head on a silver plate." refers to when John the Baptist got decapitated. Jerusalem is where the temple Jesus was in and is present in the bible many times.
There are still many more lyrics to classify this song as being about Jesus Christ, but I was only naming the basics. Thanks for reading! xD
@TheMusicNinja I also see a lot of paradigms displayed in this song. You've picked up on a number of religious themes. Songs can have many meanings, even as interpreted by the same person. It doesn't have to be just one way or the other. I can accept the Louis XIV interpretations, but also appreciate the strong religious overtones.
@TheMusicNinja I also see a lot of paradigms displayed in this song. You've picked up on a number of religious themes. Songs can have many meanings, even as interpreted by the same person. It doesn't have to be just one way or the other. I can accept the Louis XIV interpretations, but also appreciate the strong religious overtones.
I also noticed the "roll the dice" reference - perhaps when the Roman Soldiers cast lots for Jesus garments? "Fear in my enemies eyes" could reference the fact that Rome ruled the world and all bowed down to the Emporer, Kings, etc that were established. So, how about King Herod as well? Salome, Herod's daughter asked for John the Baptist's "head on a platter".
Jerusalem bells ringing are a reference to the Christian call to prayer on Sundays, whether Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran or otherwise. Christians ring bells as opposed to the adhan, which is the Muslim call to prayer. The choirs and the bells could be allusion to the resurrection.
I also see "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"
which makes me think of the rushing wind of the "Holy Spirit" during Pentecost.
Jesus became man and dwelt among us - and we know that he felt and experienced human emotion and fought the same internal battles that we fought. He Lived the Life "Viva La Vida". Hence, the question, "Oh who would ever want to be king?" which I interpret to be King of the Jews, or King of the World - after all, look what humans do to Kings, Presidents and others that they elevate to power, only to put them on a string to dance to their tune "like a puppet on a lonely string".
The closing lines -
"Never an honest word But that was when I ruled the world"
alludes to the fact that although Jesus never lied, he never heard an honest word. Even St Peter, when confronted by the non-believers, could not utter an honest word about who Jesus truly was.
That's what I hear in the song, with no disrespect to the King Louis XIV references.
@TheMusicNinja I agree with you, I have been sweeping the internet for hours looking for someone else who though similarly to me.
@TheMusicNinja I agree with you, I have been sweeping the internet for hours looking for someone else who though similarly to me.
@TheMusicNinja regarding your interpretation of viva la vida....plus....before becoming a man Jesus used to Rule the World, seas would rise when he gave the word. Now he sleeps alone, sweeps the streets he used to own.....(refering to his servanthood as a man.
@TheMusicNinja regarding your interpretation of viva la vida....plus....before becoming a man Jesus used to Rule the World, seas would rise when he gave the word. Now he sleeps alone, sweeps the streets he used to own.....(refering to his servanthood as a man.