Some of you may have heard the new Coldplay song out there. The lyrics are pretty interesting and Amy and I had a discussion about what we think they mean. I’m gonna post them on here and I would love to hear your thoughts about what the new Coldplay song is about. Some people think its about King Louis XVI, but it sure seems like there are some spiritual overtones. Also, their song Violet Hill has some spiritual overtones too.
I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own
I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy’s eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing:
“Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!”
One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand
I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can’t explain
Once you go there was never, never an honest word
That was when I ruled the world
(Ohhh)
It was the 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
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 was never notably labeled to be any kind of religious band, even though there are very obvious spiritual overtones present in some of their music, and very clear, literal references to biblical times. i thought it was strange if the music was about Louis that there would be any parallels drawn to spiritual ages and people.
As a christian myself, i think it’s very uplifting to hear a band like Coldplay picking up references and trying to send messages like in violet hill when they talk about the banks becoming cathedrals.
I have a few of their older cd’s and several of their songs sounded “christian” and made me wonder. Then I read something Coldplay published explaining some of their past hits and what they meant and they were attacks on the western world and about free trade n correlation to poor countries and poverty. They had absolutely nothing to do w/ God or Christ or christianity. I would say don’t be fooled by Coldplay’s weird and mysterious lyrics that somehow seem to all be so similar to me these days and that nobody quite understands, I personally highly doubt they are christians. Of course, what if I’m totally wrong. I know that Chris and his wife (even though she’s American), are always attacking America and saying that Americans are obese and don’t care about the rest of the world and we are snobs…etc. Somehow I still like their music.
Probably not Christian…. I think they are using western metaphors to explain all sorts of ideas. Because the western culture is very much Christian some of are most powerful metaphors come from Christian thought. Given the title of the CD I would say that the CD is more about about life and death. Listening to the songs I think about the our journey through life. The majority of the album seems to focus on the challenges and struggle in life. Like how to face death or use force or or physical aging. The end of the very end of the album does provide us with hope. However, the rest of the album is decidedly gloomy. The gloom and tragedy is hidden by what I consider very good music. I am still surprised that so many people find it ” up lifting”. I find it rather gloomy and introspective. I think that this is a good thing, we need to look at the emotionally, culturally, tough questions. I think in the west and especially in America we tend to assume that everyone is working from or view point. I don’t think this album was written from a Christian perspective at all but rather someone challenging these very ideas. I know it makes people feel better to think this album is about praising the Christian God. I personally don’t care if this make you feel better go right ahead. I also think these people couldn’t be more wrong in there interpretation. I think my idea is supported by the bands lyrical, musical and publicly political/theological history. That said only the band knows what they meant. I hope they never tell, so that discussion like this can continue for as long as possible.