The Mexican Artist Who Inspired Coldplay’s Song About the French Revolution: “Viva La Vida”

When the 21st century came around and serialized pop music was the new primary genre, protest songs seemingly became a thing of the past. Now, of course, there were still artists out there writing socially poignant and subversive lyrics. However, a very small few received loads of attention. Except for one, and that was the No. 1 hit, “Viva La Vida”, by Coldplay.

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Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida” is not a prototypical protest song, as it politically dissects a past movement. Specifically, the French Revolution and the fall of King Louis XVI. That being so, it ambitiously, in a sense, tackles the idea of political power itself. It is a general anthem promoting liberty, democracy, and revolution. That being so, it can apply to any political circumstance that involves these themes in a real-world scenario. On the other hand, it could also not apply to politics at all. It is simply up to the listener.

Regardless, Martin seemingly didn’t have these political themes in mind when the inspiration of the song struck him. Instead, he was just looking at a piece of art, and consequently, the title idea for “Viva La Vida” struck him.

How Frida Kahlo and a Watermelon Created Coldplay’s First No. 1 Hit

During an interview with Howard Stern on The Howard Stern Show, Chris Martin divulged how the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo inspired him to write “Viva La Vida”. Martin stated in the interview, “We were on tour in Mexico City, and there is a painter called Frida Kahlo,” and “Where she used to live is a museum called the ‘Casa Azul’, and I went to look at it, and in there is a painting called ‘Viva La Vida.’” “Which is just written on a watermelon, and I just thought, ‘that’s a great a title,’” added Martin.

Now, you are probably asking yourself: How did Chris Martin write a song about the French Revolution after seeing a piece of Frida Kahlo’s work? Well, he didn’t divulge that during his interview with Howard Stern. So, you are just going to have to use your imagination to find the answer to that question.

Nevertheless, “Viva La Vida” became one of Coldplay’s first major songs and their first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Following its release in 2008, the single peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and in the United Kingdom. To this day, it is arguably Coldplay’s most popular song, and weirdly enough, it’s partially thanks to Frida Kahlo and a watermelon.

Photo by Hayley Madden/Redferns