Viva la Vida (or what it actually means)

I am selectively lifting responses to the Coldplay lyric from the website: http://www.metrolyrics.com/viva-la-vida-lyrics-coldplay.html.


ouhhh (061008):
"Viva la vida" doesn't mean "Live your life" only. In fact "Viva la Vida" a Spanish phrase (I know it because I'm Spanish) also means "Go life!" I don't know how to express it correctly, but it is something like "life rocks!" or "C'mon Life", something like you are cheering the life, (using the personification literal expression)

I also think that this song is related to the french revolution basing on the album's cover, a painting in where we can see "Liberty" which is the most famous painting representing "french freedom"

I think that Coldplay is using this french revolution metaphor to express that it doesn't care how powerful you are or you think you are, because everyone has an end and for everyone there is a time where everything changes, and what can seem secure and unchangeable, of course it can turn around.

Like I've reflected before..


ouhhh (061008):
This song not about fear of not going to heaven or being turned down (its too optimistic), nor about any particular king or other ruler who lost his power.
First read the lyrics well, than hear the way he sings and read the title.
This song contains a story told by (kind of) a generalized case of human who believed that he has a power and did something that caused him being hurt and proven that the power was just an illusion. But the moral of the song is that after such a mental catastrophy, one should discover that ruling the world is not really necessary to have a good life and just enjoy the life. This is what the title says. Viva la vida means "live your life", be free and happy.
See what the fourth verse of the refrain starts with:
"And that was when I ruled the world" turns to "But that was when I ruled the world". 'But' is important because it suggests that the speaker no longer thinks the way he did before, he wants to separate himself from who he was before. He discovered that life is great without ruling the world and that is why he is singing so happily.


poliklosio (061008):
If you want to move on and relate the song to an average human's life, this is also a good metaphor of maturing, leaving the adolescense.


Crono (021008):
... this song is not about Napoleon. It's not about any particular factual ruler or king. He didn't "sweep the streets" of his own country, but died in exile on an island. This song is about the fall of a man that used to be on top of the world. It's not a Christian song or religious song by any means, but it is a song of a fallen leader. Napoleon is just one example, and this song could be applied to many throughout history and even some contemporary men that have fallen...

...the Saint Peter reference in the song is from a Catholic belief, not a Christian one (yes, there is a difference). No where in the Bible does it say that Peter is a gatekeeper in heaven. Even if he were to be one, he isn't one now, because he is "asleep" awaiting the resurrection of the righteous, as are all the other men and women who died in Christ.


gray7 (041008):

Never liked Coldplay which is confusingly me slightly as I love this song. Am a bit disturbed by the Christians claiming it though. Suspect the St Peter reference is ironic - he's not going to call any of our names as he doesn't exist - but Cronos is spot on about Napoleon. He might have woken up alone on Elba but he certainly wasn't sweeping the streets - were there any? - and Marie Antoinette ditto who was executed rather than put to some useful public service such as street sweeping. (Sorry, have a history degree. Know this stuff). Being a fellow Brit I suspect Mr Martin like most of us doesn't do God but likes his religious, historical and political references being a bit posh and very well educated. Got to go with the Cronos analysis that it's about someone who was on top and then screwed up. Ideally a short selling hedge fund manager who's now bankrupt. As James put it a decade ago: 'Now I've swung back down again it's worse than it was before. If I hadn't seen such riches I could live with being poor'!


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It's nice to read how other people feel about songs in general (cryptic lyrics by RH seem to get everyone guessing). Lyrics shouldn't be taken too literally - like those romantic love songs. The way the lyrics are delivered in song breathes meaning into the overall message. Kudos to the reflections contributed by the above. I especially agreed with those points italicised. In my own interpretation (the video included), the song toys with the idea that fame, power, good things in our lives (and that of our lives) are transient - see the physical disintegration of the band members @ the end of the video - and one has to be prepared to be able to face bad times, when the tide turns.

Coldplay lyrics have been more subtle and comprehensible. I won't be surprised if Mrs Martin had a helping hand in the affair.


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The most in-your-face Anti-Bush, Anti-War video. Politicians frolicking in fun, while the bloodletting is being carried out in the Middle-East. Very misleading though - that politicians lead good lives. Nobody wants to take on the role of the bad guy - but going by the train of rational thought, the war and occupation in Iraq is justifiable to liberate the oppressed people there. You can't just stand by the sidelines and ignore atrocities being carried out by tyrants, terrorist groups. Hence, being evil to eliminate a greater evil is justifiable, for the protection of personal interest and the maturity of mankind. What if celebrities that opposed war were asked to take on the Presidential term? They must know there are flipsides to the choice of peace. Rock bands should tone down their take on international politics, especially if they are not exposed to those kind of diplomatic relations 24/7. It's no easy job of responsibility, so of course letting your hair down is justifiable. This kind of anti-Bush propaganda is both defamatory and misleading, especially to those youth that are not well-read about international politics.. Mr Martin should use his fame responsibly to promote good causes, and not make any personal attacks.

I had a dream I was in a nightmarish landscape. With black, dark clouds of apocalypse above me, but the sun still shone through in little specks. I could see the rays of the sun, yellow, orange, crimson lines that pierce the matter, the space, until it becomes uncertain, where the ray has travelled to, where the piercing end of the ray has touched. The light has illuminated two figures. Meanwhile, The strings played in the background, an apocalyptic tune on the minor key. change chord, gets higher up by a fifth (or a few tones). It was a picturesque landscape which wasn't original. It was extracted from an anime and the matrix. It was the setting for a major confrontation of two people who were close, but were in trying circumstances, that threaten to upset the balance of the world.

Expectations, Hopes & Fears.

The last word is in the negative sense that I would not dwell upon. ZH does not fear. He is invincible. at least he thinks he is.

Mounting 7d duty is f***ing crazy in every sense. Of course, not to say that we screw up on the job without fail. But the boredom and trepidation that follows with the expectation of 'what-if'. 'What if' something were to happen, that threatens the security of the base I'm guarding. 'What if' there was a bomb threat... 'What if' war broke out in the region. It IS a HEAVY WEIGHT to BEAR on your SHOULDERS. I feel tired as my work days is 7 days per week. I'm going to miss the Singapore Biennale, other activities, and I can't pursue weekend activities (e.g. studies or enrichment activities). I feel like a bird in a cage!

Then our superiors have high expectations of how we carry out our work. Seriously, how would you feel if the company is under-staffed and the hours are long? And on our resting days are organised live firing practices of outdated weapons, and over-strenuous Physical training with unrealistic expectations of your men. The cramming of our schedule on training days, in result, cheats us of our freedom to take leave.

Don't expect me to love thy unit and thy duty. Two words for you. F.. you....

Proof ?

Sometimes I feel the army screws up your life big time. Especially in a 7d in-camp, then 4d training workday (8 to 5) system. It is seriously screwed up. My acapella group is in dissolution now. sigh. well, YT, never expected you to give me false hope.

While my mood is in a down, knowing that we might never meet again, it's hard to think positively... let me grieve pls...

hahahaha..... and n ow you see me smiling.


I know it's not the end. I tell myself it's not the end. It's just a phase. I know it ain't practical to schedule myself for this acapella thing too. It's too heavy on me. I know it's heavy for you guys too. So I'm not blaming anyone. Such is our fate. Would it be that we were best friends from the same choir, sharing the same dream in making music, popularising themes, and providing entertainment, and artistic insight to the masses. However, currently, my DREAM IS BUT A DROP OF FUEL FOR MY NIGHTMARE.

AND INSANITY TAKES FLIGHT!! =(

I KNOW..
I KNOW
I KNOW what I'm gonna do.

I'm gonna run away from it all.

Running away from your troubles is the classic way. Each of us has to run down the mountain to meet our maker, like how we climbed up the mountain with our maker's blessings. (NOTICE I REFER TO GOD AS OUR MAKER)

I'm always thinking about GOD, the big question, because I want to know why I am here. AND I'M CERTAIN MY MAKER WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN THE CREATION OF LIFE (AND THE ARROGANT HUMAN RACE) - MOST OF US, GREW TOO PROUD FOR OURSELVES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ROOTS OF OUR HUMBLE ORIGINS. TO REFUTE THE EXISTENCE OF A MAKER WOULD BE FOOLISH, because an infinite existence of God (and the guises of other deities/immortals) are imperceptible to us living in the finite dimension. TO REFUTE THE EXISTENCE OF MIRACLES IS FOOLISH, FOR THERE IS MUCH WE DO NOT KNOW.

YET - YET - ONE IS INEVITABLY TRAPPED IN THE STRUGGLE OF FORCES THAT LEAD HUMANS ASTRAY FROM THE TRUTH, THEY SAY "SATAN" TRAPS MAN IN EVIL WAYS, AND GOD IS HOLINESS - GOODNESS, SHOWING THE TRUTH OF THE WORLD AND LIFESTYLE THAT MAN SHOULD LEAD.

Who can be sure? but there is definitely a God.. Don't expect me to believe atoms, the electrons, neutrons, and charges came from nowhere, from emptiness. Not wondrous ways, and not a miracle of God.

Songs and Feelings

Reflecting on my current feelings, I feel my life ought to be documented into a novel. It may be a life like any other, filled with boring periods of individual reflection and studies. Yet there are fleeting, enjoyable moments of social activity that just leave me craving with an empty stomach when they're gone. I think I can identify myself in a mood-swing. One minute, I'm listening to the negative melodic metal band, the next, some dance track...... No. This could be a result of my reflex positive correction. In fact, I corrected myself positively, instead of letting my mind linger on the negative thoughts and songs.

Eureka! I realise I can change the way I think! Probably by simply choosing to be positive and stop dwelling on negative thoughts. I can be content with what I have, and stop thinking about that which is not mine. And you can play with your own mind, if you know what perks you up. Sometimes you just need to F***ING HELL WAKE UP YOUR IDEA!! =)


My dream's but a drop of fuel for a nightmare


The walls of night have left me scarred
the broken glass I stepped on, twice.
the ardent spirits' rusty edge, decapitate me...

Believe the dreams that let you sleep
the broken glass you need to sweep
The book you read; if you found an explanation
to help you in any way,
you are your own prison.


When I listen to metal, I often impose my personal anguish into it, typical of the song style. I use it as a medium to convey my emotions, otherwise repressed. I'm not saying it's a good thing. There's a limit to how far you should express them.

And now I'm listening to MISIA... in her eighth world album. feels like 7th heaven to me.

The trappings of the mind!!!

Review of Le Marche de Emperor (March of the Penguins).

Likes
1) Hallmark factual documentary on Penguin's mating season.
2) Showed the fact that Penguins behave in a similar fashion to humans. The viewer can empathise with the feelings of the animals.
3) Showed examples of reproductive successes and failures
4) Showed that Penguines are also prone to emotions (e.g. grief, joy of freedom)


Disliked
1) New-age lyrical music gives me the goosebumps.
2) Portrays Penguins' reproductive journey as quasi-religious, (which may for a fact be true).
3) The artificial scripts can be too imaginative sometimes.
4) Penguins' cry reminiscent of "The Call of the Ktulu" (Don't read that book.)


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The Cola Wars (Modern Marvels)

http://www.surfthechannel.com/info/documentaries/Modern_Marvels/69139/13x43+The+Cola+Wars.html?aid=73911


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Sometimes, I will have this unspeakable urge to write, because of the inability to convey my thoughts to anyone. My thoughts are always inadequate on the subject or incoherent to form a whole. And I know I seldom win in arguments, unless I have a deep conviction that I am right.

Oh Stranger, ignore the last three emo sentences addressed to thin air - myself.

WALL-E, the foolish robot falls for EVE. And is giving me a hard time playing the movie companion on my PSP. The scrap-collecting robot scoops up thrash, and compresses them into "junk-cubes". The junk cubes are stacked into towers. This in perspective, is hardly environmental-friendly, as the junk to be sorted is not returned back to the earth. Hence the desert wasteland, sandstorms. The name BNL (By 'n Large) Corporation which employs WALL-E robots, has an apt name for handling by-products and Bulky waste. At the rate we're using stuff, this is am ugly future we can anticipate

PALM OIL KILLS CHIMPS.. I'm seriously missing the environmental activist.

and Red Cliff is a good movie. I'm going to expand this post if I have time...