Viva la Vida

Coldplay’s “Viva la Vida” (2008) is a sweeping orchestral pop song that became one of the band’s biggest anthems. Featuring chiming church bell sounds, a stirring string section, and no traditional chorus, the song is sung from the perspective of a fallen king reflecting on his lost reign. Its unique arrangement and poetic lyrics captivated global audiences, sending it to No. 1 in both the US and UK. “Viva la Vida” won Song of the Year at the Grammys and solidified Coldplay’s status as stadium-filling hitmakers, with fans joyously shouting the “wo-o-o-oh” refrain at concerts around the world.