:Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends

In October 2006, two weeks after bassist Guy Berryman had a child, reports circulated that the band were taking a five-year hiatus. The new baby, and the fact that Coldplay had no touring or recording schedule at the time, had fans wondering if the band's new album would not be released until 2010. Dispelling such reports, Ambrosia Healy, spokesperson to Capitol, sent an e-mail message to MTV saying that there was no self-imposed hiatus. However, Healy clarified that Coldplay was indeed "enjoying a much-deserved break", and that there was no timetable for their fourth album.{{Cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1542172/20061002/coldplay.jhtml|title=No Five-Year Hiatus For Coldplay — But They Are Taking A Break|last=Montgomery|first=James|date=2 October 2006|publisher=MTV|access-date=23 March 2009|archive-date=30 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091130180706/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1542172/20061002/coldplay.jhtml|url-status=dead}} Work on Viva la Vida began in November 2006, only interrupted by the final leg of the Twisted Logic Tour in early 2007.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1046477/coldplay-mixing-next-studio-album|title=Coldplay Mixing Next Studio Album|date=22 February 2008|access-date=1 January 2011|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=1 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801062601/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1046477/coldplay-mixing-next-studio-album|url-status=live}}

File:Chris-Martin-BBC-live.jpg as a reference to the album's revolutionary themes]]

Ambient musician and English record producer Brian Eno produced the album.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1055657/coldplay-drafts-eno-to-produce-fourth-album|title=Coldplay drafts Eno to produce fourth album|author=Cohen, Jonathon|magazine=Billboard|date=26 January 2007|access-date=18 August 2008|archive-date=28 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528060636/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1055657/coldplay-drafts-eno-to-produce-fourth-album|url-status=live}} Coldplay moved to the Bakery, after finishing up their Twisted Logic Tour, building a recording studio there. The songs written during their time at the studio are lyrically "much more abstract, much more visual than before", and musically "less straight-forward, more oblique".{{cite web|url=http://www.coldplay.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071130111924/http://www.coldplay.com/|archive-date=30 November 2007|title=Coldplay|publisher=Coldplay.com via Wayback Machine|date=20 April 2007|access-date=18 August 2008}} Additionally, lead singer Chris Martin wanted to make a vocal transition from his trademark falsetto to a lower register.{{cite magazine|last=Serpick|first=Evan|date=3 April 2008|title=Coldplay Break the Mold|magazine=Rolling Stone|issue=1049|page=14}} This is explored in "Yes", where the main characteristic of the Velvet Underground–inspired song is the lowest vocals Chris Martin ever recorded; this was suggested by the producer Brian Eno, to make every single song sound different. The band's drummer Will Champion said in an interview for MTV: "One of the main things we tried to focus on with this record is changing vocal identities, because Chris has a very recognizable voice."{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1589032/20080609/coldplay.jhtml |title=Coldplay Give Track-By-Track Tour Of Viva La Vida, Explain Handclaps, Tack Pianos And The Number 42 – Music, Celebrity, Artist News |publisher=MTV |date=9 June 2008 |access-date=25 November 2010 |archive-date=11 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100311163005/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1589032/20080609/coldplay.jhtml |url-status=dead }} Coldplay sparked an interest with Hispanic influences after having recorded in churches and in Spanish-speaking countries such as in Mexico in North America and Spain in Europe,{{cite magazine|last=Tyrangiel|first=Josh|date=9 June 2008|title=Coldplay, Viva la Vida|magazine=Time|volume=171|issue=67|page=23}} specifically in Barcelona.{{cite magazine|last=Clark|first=Jason|date=30 March 2008|title=Summer Music Preview|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|issue=994|page=36}} However, it was stressed that the influence was not in any specific sound but a general feel to the songs taken as a whole. On their website, the band also described taking acoustic guitars and basic recording equipment to churches and experimenting with particular sounds.{{citation needed|date=January 2016}}

Throughout the recording of the album, Coldplay communicated to fans through their website. "Famous Old Painters" and "Glass of Water" were written in late 2007, and they were considering both tracks for the album; however, they were not well received by the producers, though the latter was added to the finalised Prospekt's March extended play track listing instead. The album was delayed further, but a December 2007 post gave hints that the recording stage was nearly finished. The article was signed "Prospekt", strengthening rumours that this would be the album's title. While the band completed two more songs ("Lovers in Japan" and "Strawberry Swing"), they denied that the album was called "Prospekt". Martin revealed he had been reading many Charles Dickens novels during the recording process which may have contributed to the strong visual imagery on such tracks as "Violet Hill" and "Cemeteries of London".

When asked about why "Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love" had an additional song, bassist Guy Berryman explained that the band had wanted to keep the album concise with a total of ten tracks.{{Cite news|url=http://news.q4music.com/2008/05/coldplay_viva_la_vida_2.html|title=Coldplay — Viva la Vida|date=15 May 2008|work=Q|page=2|access-date=19 February 2009|archive-date=27 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227023810/http://news.q4music.com/2008/05/coldplay_viva_la_vida_2.html|url-status=dead}} Champion followed with, "We just preferred to have less titles and more stuff. The album as a whole has got the most on it, but it's the shortest. We wanted to make it almost impossible for you to not listen to it all in one go."

The Italian violinist and composer Davide Rossi collaborated with Coldplay to record strings on his acoustic and electric violin (the latter being capable of reaching notes as low as the upright bass, thus recreating a full orchestra) throughout the album. His strings are featured in six songs: "Viva la Vida" (the song in which his strings are the most used), "Violet Hill", "Life in Technicolor", "42", "Yes" and "Strawberry Swing". Some of the songs recorded with Rossi did not make the cut for the album but were released on Prospekt's March (2009).

On 18 July 2009, two early demos from the Viva la Vida recording sessions leaked on the internet: "Bloodless Revolution" and a very early version of "Lovers in Japan". A day later, a demo, called "St. Stephen", appeared online.{{Cite news|url=http://www.coldplaying.com/update-three-coldplay-demos-leak-online-bloodless-revolution-st-stephen-lovers-in-japan/|title=Two Coldplay demos leak online (Bloodless Revolution, Lovers in Japan)|date=18 July 2009|work=Coldplaying.com|publisher=coldplaying.com|access-date=18 July 2009|archive-date=22 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122053108/http://www.coldplaying.com/update-three-coldplay-demos-leak-online-bloodless-revolution-st-stephen-lovers-in-japan/|url-status=dead}} On 20 July 2009, six more demos were leaked: "The Fall of Man", "The Man Who Swears", "First Steps", "Loveless" and "Goodbye and Goodnight".{{citation needed|date=January 2016}} Three other left-off tracks were leaked later into the internet: an instrumental of "Lukas", an unreleased song given to Natalie Imbruglia; "Solid Ground (Until The Water Floats Over)", a song written and performed live in 2006; and an instrumental of "Famous Old Painters".{{citation needed|date=January 2016}}

Viva la Vida is generally considered a rock album,{{cite web|author=Downer, Adam|date=9 June 2008|title=Coldplay – Viva la Vida (staff review)|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/25923/Coldplay-Viva-la-Vida/|access-date=2 April 2014|website=Sputnikmusic}} which has been more specifically described as alternative rock,{{cite web|url=http://www.soundandvision.com/content/cd-review-coldplays-viva-la-vida-or-death-and-all-his-friends#WXMdH3xdpbCYpele.97|title=CD Review: Coldplay's 'Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends'|last=Mettler|first=Mike|date=26 June 2008|website=Sound & Vision|access-date=25 August 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924104028/http://www.soundandvision.com/content/cd-review-coldplays-viva-la-vida-or-death-and-all-his-friends#WXMdH3xdpbCYpele.97|url-status=live}}

• {{cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2018/11/coldplays-new-documentary-reminds-us-why-theyre-ri.html|title=Coldplay's New Documentary Reminds Us Why They're Rightly Loved and Hated|last=Manno|first=Lizzie|date=28 November 2018|website=Paste|access-date=22 September 2019|archive-date=22 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922164254/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2018/11/coldplays-new-documentary-reminds-us-why-theyre-ri.html|url-status=live}} art rock,{{cite web | url=https://www.stereogum.com/1669500/the-week-in-pop-its-time-we-all-agreed-that-coldplay-is-great/franchises/the-week-in-pop/ | title=The Week In Pop: It's Time We All Agreed That Coldplay Is Great | website=Stereogum | date=13 March 2014 | access-date=11 February 2015 | author=DeVille, Chris | archive-date=12 February 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212085924/http://www.stereogum.com/1669500/the-week-in-pop-its-time-we-all-agreed-that-coldplay-is-great/franchises/the-week-in-pop/ | url-status=live }}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.idolator.com/7620599/coldplay-discography-review-super-bowl|title=Coldplay's Pop Report Card: We Grade Their 7 Albums|last=Williott|first=Carl|date=3 February 2016|website=Idolator|access-date=22 September 2019|archive-date=29 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029082418/https://www.idolator.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-ajax/endpoint.php?action=id_get_sidebar_widgets&front=&date=&feed=&author=&search=&archive=&post_id=7620599|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/coldplay-debate-is-the-british-quartet-the-hottest-band-around-or-just-plain-overrated-1.224694|title=Coldplay debate: Is the British quartet the hottest band around or just plain overrated?|last1=Garratt|first1=Rob|last2=Saeed|first2=Saeed|date=27 December 2016|website=The National|access-date=22 September 2019|archive-date=22 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922164240/https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/coldplay-debate-is-the-british-quartet-the-hottest-band-around-or-just-plain-overrated-1.224694|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/rows-ructions-revelations-2396781|title=Coldplay movie 'A Head Full of Dreams': what we learned from the career-spanning film|last=Beaumont|first=Mark|date=9 November 2018|website=NME|access-date=22 September 2019|archive-date=22 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922164240/https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/rows-ructions-revelations-2396781|url-status=live}} pop rock,{{cite news| url=http://www.nysun.com/arts/coldplay-whistling-toward-the-middle-of-the-road/80094/| title=Coldplay, Whistling Toward the Middle of the Road| newspaper=New York Sun| date=17 June 2008| access-date=25 August 2015| archive-date=14 September 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914144516/http://www.nysun.com/arts/coldplay-whistling-toward-the-middle-of-the-road/80094/| url-status=live}} indie pop{{cite web|url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/16600/reviews/4143856|title=Drowned In Sound – Mylo Xyloto review|date=22 January 2015|access-date=22 January 2015|archive-date=18 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118123518/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/16600/reviews/4143856|url-status=dead}} and art pop,{{cite news | url=http://www.dailycal.org/2015/12/10/coldplay-explores-gets-lost-in-a-head-full-of-dreams/ | title=Coldplay explores, gets lost in 'Head Full of Dreams' | newspaper=The Daily Californian | date=10 December 2015 | access-date=24 August 2017 | author=Gu, Josh | archive-date=24 August 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824220513/http://www.dailycal.org/2015/12/10/coldplay-explores-gets-lost-in-a-head-full-of-dreams/ | url-status=live }}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/12/4/9849468/coldplay-a-head-full-of-dreams-album-review|title=Coldplay's new album is better than your dad-rock jokes|last=Cox|first=Jamieson|date=4 December 2015|website=The Verge|access-date=22 September 2019|archive-date=22 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922164243/https://www.theverge.com/2015/12/4/9849468/coldplay-a-head-full-of-dreams-album-review|url-status=live}} with dream pop influences.{{cite web|url=https://laterwithalexanderfrost.tumblr.com/post/80726904628/coldplay|title=Later With Alexander Frost – Coldplay|date=21 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122191151/https://laterwithalexanderfrost.tumblr.com/post/80726904628/coldplay|archive-date=22 January 2015}} Musically, it contrasts with their previous records. The title track uses an orchestra, while "Lovers in Japan" features a tack piano. "Lost!" is influenced by tribal music, whereas "Strawberry Swing" incorporates Afropop music.{{cite magazine |author=Serpick, Evan |date=27 February 2008 |title=Coldplay at Work on "Something Different" for Upcoming Album – Chris Martin talks about trilogy and change. |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/18915732/coldplay_at_work_on_something_different_for_upcoming_album |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080418130110/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/18915732/coldplay_at_work_on_something_different_for_upcoming_album |archive-date=18 April 2008 |access-date=24 April 2008 |magazine=Rolling Stone}} Martin described Viva la Vida as a new direction for Coldplay: a change from their past three albums, which they have referred to as a "trilogy". He said the album featured less falsetto, as he allowed his voice's lower register to take precedence, which is particularly evident on such tracks as "Yes" and "Death and All His Friends".{{Cite web|last=Healy|first=Andy|date=12 June 2018|title=Revisiting Coldplay's 'Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends' (2008) {{!}} Retrospective Tribute|url=https://www.albumism.com/features/coldplay-viva-la-vida-or-death-and-all-his-friends-turns-10-anniversary-retrospective|access-date=2021-06-08|website=Albumism|language=en-US|archive-date=8 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608153717/https://www.albumism.com/features/coldplay-viva-la-vida-or-death-and-all-his-friends-turns-10-anniversary-retrospective|url-status=live}}

The album contains an array of different themes such as love, war, and revolution. Unlike their previous releases, the album has a more universal approach, dealing less with personal problems and more with issues of humanity. Songs like "Life in Technicolor II" (which didn't make it to the final track list but instead was released on Prospekt's March) and "Death and All His Friends" talk about war and politics, while "Violet Hill" has been described as the first anti-war protest song from the band.{{cite magazine|last=Willman|first=Chris|date=13 June 2008|title=Viva La Vida Review|url=https://ew.com/article/2008/06/13/viva-la-vida/|access-date=29 August 2008|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|archive-date=29 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080829223010/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20206310,00.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Meares|first=Josh|title="Violet Hill" by Coldplay|url=http://www.planetwisdom.com/music/reviews/coldplay_violethill.php|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906212855/http://planetwisdom.com/music/reviews/coldplay_violethill.php|archive-date=6 September 2008|access-date=29 August 2008|publisher=Planet Wisdom}} Martin stated the lyrics of "Violet Hill" were a commentary on Fox News.{{Cite news|first=Brian|last=Stelter|url=http://tvdecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/12/coldplay-lyrics-take-a-swipe-at-bill-oreilly/?scp=3&sq=Violet%20Hill&st=cse|title=Coldplay Lyrics Take a Swipe at Bill O'Reilly|access-date=22 August 2008|date=12 June 2006|work=The New York Times|archive-date=29 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029082436/https://a.nytimes.com/svc/nyt/data-layer?sourceApp=blogs&referrer=&assetUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fmediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com%2F2008%2F06%2F12%2Fcoldplay-lyrics-take-a-swipe-at-bill-oreilly%2F|url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/21185368/page/2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080613221027/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/21185368/page/2|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 June 2008|title=The Jesus of Uncool|last=Hiatt|first=Brian|date=26 June 2008|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=27 November 2008}} Other songs, such as the double track "Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love" and "Yes", are about love and desire.

Revolutionary themes are also an important part of the album and its promotion.{{Citation needed|date=September 2010}} Coldplay used customised French revolutionary costumes throughout the Viva la Vida Tour and in the videos produced for the album's singles.{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1589362/20080616/coldplay.jhtml |title=Coldplay Raise Eyebrows With Sgt. Pepper's Military Look – So What's Behind The Costumes? – Music, Celebrity, Artist News |publisher=MTV |date=16 June 2008 |access-date=25 November 2010 |archive-date=11 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211065202/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1589362/20080616/coldplay.jhtml |url-status=dead }} In an interview for the Latin American TV channel Boomerang in 2010, Martin said that a big inspiration for the record was Victor Hugo's book Les Misérables — which can be noted by the French revolution themes on "Viva la Vida", for example.{{cite web |date=14 February 2010 |title=Coldplay – Boombox All Access – 2/3 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohJWLGSHZQs&feature=player_detailpage#t=194s |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625042839/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohJWLGSHZQs&feature=player_detailpage#t=194s |archive-date=25 June 2014 |access-date=7 August 2011 |via=YouTube}}

The work of the Beatles is apparently an inspiration throughout the album, starting with orchestration on the title track. The song "Violet Hill", with its distorted guitar riffs and bluesy undertones, references Abbey Road (1969), being named after a street near Abbey Road and borrowing its rhythm from the Beatles.{{Cite web |title=Chris Martin: 'Coldplay's 'Violet Hill' Inspired By The Beatles' |url=https://www.gigwise.com/news/48307/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608153717/https://www.gigwise.com/news/48307/ |archive-date=8 June 2021 |access-date=2021-06-08 |website=gigwise.com}} At the 2009 Grammy Awards, during their acceptance speech for Song of the Year, Will Champion joked: "I'd like to say, first of all, thank you and sorry to Sir Paul McCartney for blatantly recycling the Sgt. Pepper outfits".

File:La Liberté guidant le peuple - Eugène Delacroix - Musée du Louvre Peintures RF 129 - après restauration 2024.jpg's 1830 painting Liberty Leading the People.]]

File:Coldplay Live in Bogota.jpg screens.]]

The artwork for Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends was designed by Coldplay and Tappin Gofton; the latter designed the X&Y cover three years earlier. The design style for the album took months to be completed; it was initially developed from a set of large-scale sketches and paintings of expressive typography. Lyrics and song titles were boldly painted across old maps, books, copies of old paintings, newspapers and various sorts of second-hand things. The final work was photographed and some additional typography was later added by computer.{{Cite web|url=http://tappingofton.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305151930/http://www.tappingofton.com/#/Work/Coldplay/Viva%20La%20Vida%20sketchbook |url-status=dead |title=Tappin Gofton|archive-date=5 March 2010|website=tappingofton.com}}

Almost all tracks from the album and the Prospekt's March EP have one or more graphic images. On the album's booklet there are nine paintings made by the band. The first is a blue map of Brazil that includes part of the lyrics from "Glass of Water" painted in white. However, the image was later reworked and used as the artwork for the "Lost!" single cover. The second painting on the booklet illustrates the song "42". The image consists of part of the song's composition written in a red background, with a black stripe covering the centre. The design for "Cemeteries of London" contains an illustration of London, the song's title and a messy violet background. A portion of the lyrics is used on the top of it. The visual design for "Reign of Love" has its lyrics drawn on a green background. In the middle of the booklet, most of the lyrics of the album are shown amidst an unrecognisable object. The artwork for "Yes" consists of a ripped heart, and a line from the song, "Lord lead me not into temptation". The painting next to the song's artwork contains lyrics from "Viva la Vida" painted in black on a blue background. The artwork for "Death and All His Friends" was made with scissors and paper. Lyrics for the song appear in the design. The last page in the booklet is simple: a Roman numeral of the number 7 painted in red and green on a yellow background.(2008) Artwork for Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends by Coldplay. Capitol (50999 2 16886 0 7). Some of the paintings were shown on a screen during the Viva la Vida Tour, or used on big balloons inside of the venues.{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/features/index.cfm?FeatureID=1900&pn=1 |title=Coldplay goes interstellar – Project – Digital Arts |publisher=Digitalartsonline.co.uk |date=19 October 2009 |access-date=28 June 2011 |archive-date=20 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720063021/http://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/features/index.cfm?FeatureID=1900&pn=1 |url-status=live }}

There were three covers for the album. The front cover for the standard edition is a painting by Eugène Delacroix, entitled Liberty Leading the People, which was slightly altered for the cover by using a white paint brush to draw "VIVA LA VIDA". The Prospekt's March Edition cover uses the same words again, but they are bigger and painted in gold on a solid black background. The cover for the Prospekt's March EP included another Eugène Delacroix painting, Battle of Poitiers, and had "Prospekt's March" drawn across the painting similarly to how "Viva la Vida" was drawn across Liberty Leading the People for the standard album cover.(2008) Artwork for Prospekt's March by Coldplay. Capitol (D174457) The cover used for the Asian Tour edition and has the word "VIVA" painted in red and black stripes against a white background;(2009) Artwork for Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends: Asian Tour edition by Coldplay. EMI Music Japan (49880 068632 5 5) this same painting was used as the home page for the official Coldplay website for a while, and it was created by the band and painted by the drummer Will Champion on a wall at the Bakery.{{cite web |author=Slender Fungus |url=http://www.coldplay.com/oracledetail.php?id=621&page=870 |title=Coldplay Oracle: How did the idea for the VIVA logo come up? Was it first painted on Chris' piano or used as the site's logo? Who's the mastermind behind it? |publisher=Coldplay.com |date=1 April 2009 |access-date=25 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708174633/http://www.coldplay.com/oracledetail.php?id=621&page=870 |archive-date=8 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}

In a Rolling Stone magazine interview, vocalist Chris Martin announced the album's release date and its title, Viva la Vida, which is a Spanish phrase that means in English "long live life".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/03/18/rolling-stone-exclusive-coldplays-new-album-title-revealed/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080320002044/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/03/18/rolling-stone-exclusive-coldplays-new-album-title-revealed/|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 March 2008|title=Rolling Stone Exclusive: Coldplay's New Album Title Revealed|author=Serpick, Evan|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=18 March 2008|access-date=18 August 2008}} It takes its name from a painting by Frida Kahlo, an acclaimed 20th-century Mexican artist.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/coldplay/35287|title=Coldplay name album with Frida Kahlo's help|date=19 March 2008|access-date=11 January 2011|work=NME|archive-date=28 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628204718/http://www.nme.com/news/coldplay/35287|url-status=live}} The album cover art is an 1830 painting by Eugène Delacroix titled Liberty Leading the People. On 10 April 2008, a new journal entry appeared on the band's website announcing the track list and release date, as well as hinting at new tracks to be issued before the album's release. "Violet Hill" was confirmed as the first single from Viva la Vida, with a release date of 5 May. In May 2008, Coldplay featured in an advertisement for Apple's iTunes with the song "Viva la Vida".

The band's official website was updated in late April to reveal the official Viva la Vida artwork as well as a free release of the single "Violet Hill", which became available for download for one week from 29 April 2008.{{cite web|url=http://coldplay.com/song.html |title=Coldplay Official Site |access-date=27 April 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430134611/http://coldplay.com/song.html |archive-date=30 April 2008}} The album was leaked around 5 June, so the band decided to make the album available to stream via their Myspace profile from 8:30 pm WEST on 6 June. On 25 June 2008, the band became the third band ever to perform on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, performing "42" and "Lost!".{{cite web |author=Coldplay |url=http://www.coldplaying.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4477 |title=Coldplay Perform Live On The Daily Show: 42 & Lost! |publisher=Coldplaying.com |access-date=31 December 2009 |archive-date=8 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708174636/http://www.coldplaying.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4477 |url-status=live }} On 27 June at 7:00 am EDT, Coldplay began a live outdoor performance for the Today Show on the streets outside of Rockefeller Plaza, New York.{{cite web|url=http://www.coldplay.com/newsdetail.php?id=56|title=R#42 blogs amid crazy scenes in NYC|access-date=10 July 2008|date=28 June 2008|publisher=Coldplay.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080710082541/http://www.coldplay.com/newsdetail.php?id=56|archive-date=10 July 2008|url-status=dead}} The band performed on the Late Show with David Letterman on 30 June and on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on 17 July.

In August 2008, Coldplay announced they would be releasing an EP, Prospekt's March, consisting of unreleased material from the Viva la Vida recording sessions.{{Cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1593941/20080902/coldplay.jhtml|title=Coldplay Will Issue EP Of Viva La Vida Leftovers In December, New LP In 2009|last=Harris|first=Chris|date=2 September 2008|publisher=MTV|access-date=5 December 2008|archive-date=22 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722083532/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1593941/20080902/coldplay.jhtml|url-status=dead}} The album was re-released on 25 November 2008 in a deluxe edition, titled Viva la Vida – Prospekt's March Edition. It contains tracks from the original album and Prospekt's March.{{cite web|url=http://www.antimusic.com/news/08/oct/08Coldplay_Announce_Deluxe_Edition_of_Viva_La_Vida.shtml|title=Coldplay Announce Deluxe Edition of Viva la Vida|access-date=8 October 2008|date=8 October 2008|publisher=antiMUSIC|archive-date=9 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081009093215/http://www.antimusic.com/news/08/oct/08Coldplay_Announce_Deluxe_Edition_of_Viva_La_Vida.shtml|url-status=live}}

The stage setup for the Viva la Vida Tour consisted of a stripped-down main stage and two catwalks; Coldplay also performed among audience members at the back of venues in a special acoustic set.{{cite web|url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/C/Coldplay/ConcertReviews/2008/06/24/5966931-sun.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130101021729/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/C/Coldplay/ConcertReviews/2008/06/24/5966931-sun.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=1 January 2013|title=Madison Square Garden, New York – June 23, 2008|work=Canoe.ca|author=Stevenson, Jane|access-date=24 June 2008}} Instead of a giant video screen on-stage, the band opted for six hanging giant lightbulbs that displayed images and closeups. The band started the tour playing a concert at the Paradiso in the Netherlands, on 5 June 2008, and played their first UK show of the tour at Brixton Academy eleven days later on 16 June. Free shows at Madison Square Garden on 23 June, and they ended the tour in Barcelona.

{{Album ratings

| MC = 72/100

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1Score = {{rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/viva-la-vida-or-death-and-all-his-friends-mw0000787235 |title=Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends – Coldplay |website=AllMusic |access-date=22 November 2019 |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |archive-date=25 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425182216/https://www.allmusic.com/album/viva-la-vida-or-death-and-all-his-friends-mw0000787235 |url-status=live }}

| rev2 = The A.V. Club

| rev2Score = B+{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/review/coldplay-emviva-la-vidaem-7019 |title=Coldplay: Viva La Vida |work=The A.V. Club |date=16 June 2008 |access-date=7 December 2015 |last=Phipps |first=Keith |archive-date=22 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122053108/http://www.avclub.com/review/coldplay-emviva-la-vidaem-7019 |url-status=live }}

| rev3 = Entertainment Weekly

| rev3Score = A−{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/article/2008/06/13/viva-la-vida |title=Viva La Vida |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=13 June 2008 |access-date=25 November 2010 |last=Willman |first=Chris |archive-date=9 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151109183200/http://www.ew.com/article/2008/06/13/viva-la-vida |url-status=live }}

| rev4 = The Guardian

| rev4Score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/jun/06/popandrock.shopping |title=Coldplay, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends |work=The Guardian |date=5 June 2008 |access-date=26 October 2011 |last=Petridis |first=Alexis |author-link=Alexis Petridis |archive-date=29 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829071532/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/jun/06/popandrock.shopping |url-status=live }}

| rev5 = Los Angeles Times

| rev5Score = {{rating|3|4}}{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-etw-coldplay14-2008jun14%2C0%2C7252812.story |title=Review: Coldplay's 'Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends' |work=Los Angeles Times |date=14 June 2008 |access-date=26 October 2011 |last=Powers |first=Ann |author-link=Ann Powers |archive-date=28 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628214627/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-etw-coldplay14-2008jun14,0,7252812.story |url-status=live }}

| rev6 = NME

| rev6Score = 8/10{{cite journal |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/coldplay/9713 |title=Coldplay: Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends |journal=NME |date=30 May 2008 |access-date=26 October 2011 |last=Beaumont |first=Mark |author-link=Mark Beaumont (journalist) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009204520/http://www.nme.com/reviews/coldplay/9713 |archive-date=9 October 2012}}

| rev7 = Pitchfork

| rev7Score = 6.9/10{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11621-viva-la-vida-or-death-and-all-his-friends/ |title=Coldplay: Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends |work=Pitchfork |date=16 June 2008 |access-date=26 October 2011 |last=Dombal |first=Ryan |archive-date=26 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111026010943/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11621-viva-la-vida-or-death-and-all-his-friends/ |url-status=live }}

| rev8 = Q

| rev8Score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite journal |title=Coldplay: Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends |journal=Q |issue=264 |date=July 2008 |page=95}}

| rev9 = Rolling Stone

| rev9Score = {{rating|3.5|5}}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/viva-la-vida-or-death-and-all-his-friends-20080626 |title=Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends : Coldplay |magazine=Rolling Stone |issue=1055 |date=26 June 2008 |access-date=26 October 2011 |last=Hermes |first=Will |author-link=Will Hermes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325160051/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/21236751/review/21256424/viva_la_vida_or_death_and_all_his_friends |archive-date=25 March 2010}}

| rev10 = Spin

| rev10Score = {{rating|4.5|5}}{{cite journal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XJj9SR3-aSgC&pg=PA91 |title=2008: A Rock Odyssey |journal=Spin |date=June 2008 |volume=24 |issue=7 |page=91 |access-date=26 October 2011 |last=Wood |first=Mikael |archive-date=29 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029082415/https://books.google.com/books?id=XJj9SR3-aSgC&pg=PA91 |url-status=live }}

}}

Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends received generally positive reviews from critics. On the review aggregator website Metacritic, the album has a weighted average score of 72 out of 100 based on 32 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/viva-la-vida/coldplay |title=Reviews for Viva La Vida by Coldplay |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=26 October 2011 |archive-date=29 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729060409/http://www.metacritic.com/music/viva-la-vida/coldplay |url-status=live }} Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic stated, "They demonstrate a focused concentration throughout this tight album – it's only 47 minutes yet covers more ground than X&Y and arguably A Rush of Blood to the Head – that turns Viva la Vida into something quietly satisfying." Chris Willman of Entertainment Weekly magazine rated the album "A−" and called it their best album, while Alexis Petridis of The Guardian, however, wrote a mixed review, explaining: "Viva la Vida{{'}}s mild tinkering with the formula represents a failure of imagination: perhaps it's hard to think outside the box when the box is the size of the Las Vegas MGM Grand Garden Arena. Equally, however, there's a genuine conviction about its contents, a huge advance both on its predecessor and their legion of imitators." Will Hermes of Rolling Stone magazine wrote that "Coldplay's desire to unite fans around the world with an entertainment they can all relate to is the band's strength, and a worthy goal. But on Viva la Vida, a record that wants to make strong statements, it's also a weakness. Sometimes, to say what needs to be said, you need to risk pissing people off." Melodic magazine's critic Kaj Roth gave the album 4/5 and felt that "the typical Coldplay trademark is there too with beautiful atmospheric melodies that will embrace the heart".{{cite web|last=Roth|first=Kaj|url=http://www.melodic.net/?page=review&id=6785|title=Coldplay – Viva La Vida And All His Friends|work=Melodic|access-date=26 October 2011|archive-date=13 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313054640/http://www.melodic.net/?page=review&id=6785|url-status=live}} Spin magazine's critic Mikael Wood said in a positive review of the album, "For all of Coldplay's experimentation, though, there's no doubting that Viva la Vida, with its sturdy melodies and universal themes – think love, war and peace – is an album meant to connect with the masses (arenas have been built for less than the climax of "Death and All His Friends"). The band's triumph lies in how exciting they make that prospect seem". IGN gave the album 9.3/10,{{cite web|url=http://music.ign.com/articles/883/883028p1.html|title=Coldplay – Viva La Vida Review|last=Grischow|first=Chad|website=IGN|date=19 June 2008|access-date=22 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090101021740/http://music.ign.com/articles/883/883028p1.html|archive-date=1 January 2009|url-status=dead}} while Q said: "So some habits die hard, but on every other level Viva La Vida [...] is an emphatic success [...], radical in its own measured way but easy to embrace". Robert Christgau gave it a one-star honourable mention ({{Rating-Christgau|hm1}}), saying: "Applying all his powers, Chris Martin successfully dilutes Radiohead, with — what else? Pleasant results".{{cite web|url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=coldplay|title=CG: Coldplay|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|publisher=RobertChristgau.com|access-date=22 May 2012|archive-date=13 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130413004940/http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=coldplay|url-status=live}}

The album won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album at the 2009 Grammy Awards.{{Cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1604545/20090208/story.jhtml|title=Grammy 2009 Winners List|date=8 February 2009|publisher=MTV|access-date=9 February 2009|archive-date=1 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001031948/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1604545/20090208/story.jhtml|url-status=dead}} It appeared in several Best Albums of 2008 lists, including New York Post (Number 1),{{cite web|url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/12072008/entertainment/music/best_of_2008_142978.htm?page=0|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219191308/http://www.nypost.com/seven/12072008/entertainment/music/best_of_2008_142978.htm?page=0|title=Best of 2008|work=New York Post|date=7 December 2008}} Rolling Stone (Number 7),{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/24958695/albums_of_the_year/11 |archive-date=13 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081213075508/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/24958695/albums_of_the_year/7 |url-status=dead |title=The 50 Best Albums of 2008 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=25 December 2008 |access-date=31 December 2009}} Q (Number 3),"[http://www.qthemusic.com/cgi-bin/50bestalbums/month.pl The 50 Best Albums] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223113329/http://www.qthemusic.com/cgi-bin/50bestalbums/month.pl |date=23 February 2009 }}" Q Magazine (January 2009) p. 87. Retrieved 29 January 2009 Spin (Number 9),{{cite web |url=http://www.spin.com/2008/12/40-best-albums-2008/coldplay-viva-la-vida/ |title=Coldplay, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends |work=Spin |access-date=24 May 2017 |archive-date=14 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514141325/https://www.spin.com/2008/12/40-best-albums-2008/coldplay-viva-la-vida/ |url-status=live }} Entertainment Weekly (Number 6), and Billboard (Number 6).[https://www.metacritic.com/music/bests/2008.shtml Best Albums of 2008] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227060453/http://www.metacritic.com/music/bests/2008.shtml |date=27 February 2009 }} Metacritic{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=1000303401 |title=Amazon Music: Best of 2008 |publisher=Amazon.com |access-date=31 December 2009}}{{cite web |last=Adams |first=Sean |url=http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4135939 |title=Drowned in Sound's 50 albums of 2008 / In Depth // Drowned In Sound |work=Drowned in Sound |date=11 December 2008 |access-date=31 December 2009 |archive-date=24 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824034442/http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4135939 |url-status=dead }} Despite giving the album three stars out of five in The Times,{{Cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article4074281.ece|title=Coldplay: Viva La Vida|last=Paphides|first=Pete|date=6 June 2008|work=The Times|access-date=22 December 2008|location=London|archive-date=29 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029082427/https://www.the-tls.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2019/11/cropped-favicon.png?w=32|url-status=dead}} Pete Paphides admitted in December 2008 that he was wrong to give it this score and had in fact become his favourite album of the year.{{Cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article5246750.ece|title=Chris Martin on Coldplay's success and celebrity|last=Paphides|first=Pete|date=28 November 2008|work=The Times|access-date=22 December 2008|quote=I confess to [Chris] Martin that since meting out a lukewarm three stars to Viva La Vida, it's become my favourite record of 2008|location=London|archive-date=29 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029082443/https://www.the-tls.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2019/11/cropped-favicon.png?w=32|url-status=dead}} Conversely, NME nominated the album for Worst Album at the 2009 NME Awards despite reviewing it with a 8/10 grade.[https://www.nme.com/news/shockwaves-nme-awards-2008-big-gig/42311 Oasis, Alex Turner, Killers: Shockwaves NME Awards 2009 nominations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709130428/http://www.nme.com/news/shockwaves-nme-awards-2008-big-gig/42311 |date=9 July 2016 }} NME.com, 26 January 2009

File:Coldplay Viva La Vida Tour in Hannover August 25th 2009.jpg in 2008.|255x255px]]

Prior to its release, Viva la Vida became the most pre-ordered album in iTunes history, later setting the record for global first-week sales in the platform.{{Cite web |date=14 July 2008 |title=Help: Do You Live in a Country Where Coldplay Aren't Huge? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2008/jul/14/helpdoyouliveinacountrywherecoldplayarenthuge |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240414032046/https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2008/jul/14/helpdoyouliveinacountrywherecoldplayarenthuge |archive-date=14 April 2024 |access-date=14 April 2024 |website=The Guardian}} It debuted at number one in 36 countries around the world, achieved the highest album sales of 2008,{{cite web |title=Top 50 Global Best Selling Albums for 2008 |url=http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/top50-2008.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090324201403/http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/top50-2008.pdf |archive-date=24 March 2009 |access-date=8 June 2010 |publisher=International Federation of the Phonographic Industry}} and became the best-selling record of the decade in the download format.{{cite book |last1=Miller |first1=Donald C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RlHEEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA277 |title=Coming of Age in Popular Culture: Teenagers, Adolescence, and the Art of Growing Up |publisher=Greenwood |year=2018 |isbn=978-1-4408-4060-9 |location=Santa Barbara Calif |page=277}} In the United Kingdom, the record sold 125,000 copies on its first day and 302,074 in three days, debuting at number one on the UK Albums Chart.{{cite magazine|first=Paul|last=Sexton|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045067/new-coldplay-album-sells-300k-in-three-days|title=New Coldplay Album Sells 300K In Three Days|access-date=10 July 2008|date=16 June 2008|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913030330/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045067/new-coldplay-album-sells-300k-in-three-days|url-status=live}} After ten days, Viva la Vida had surpassed 500,000 copies sold, beating the first-week numbers of X&Y.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=1034631&c=1|title=Coldplay album breaks through 500,000 UK sales in 10 days|access-date=23 June 2008|magazine=Music Week|archive-date=12 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212124213/http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=1034631&c=1|url-status=live}} As of October 2021, the album has sold over 1.5 million copies in the country.{{cite web|last=Griffiths|first=George|title=Coldplay's Official biggest albums in the UK revealed|work=Official Charts Company|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/coldplays-official-biggest-albums-in-the-uk-revealed__34255/|access-date=18 April 2022|date=19 October 2021}} It spent 11 non-consecutive weeks atop the European Top 100 Albums chart in 2008.{{Cite magazine |date=11 September 2008 |title=Coldplay, Perry No. 1 in Europe |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/coldplay-perry-no-1-in-europe-1303985/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109154831/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/coldplay-perry-no-1-in-europe-1303985/ |archive-date=9 November 2024 |access-date=9 November 2024 |magazine=Billboard}}

Viva la Vida also debuted with 41,041 copies sold in Australia and has since been certified 4× Platinum.{{cite web|author=Cashmere, Paul|date=23 June 2008|title=Coldplay Sells|url=http://www.undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=5341|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080721044331/http://undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=5341|archive-date=21 July 2008|access-date=23 June 2008|publisher=Undercover.com.au}}{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupagesARIACharts-Accreditations-2009Albums.htm |title=ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2009 Albums |publisher=Aria.com.au |date=31 December 2009 |access-date=25 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091112030515/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupagesARIACharts-Accreditations-2009Albums.htm |archive-date=12 November 2009}} In Canada, the album entered the Canadian Albums Chart at number one with 90,000 copies.{{cite magazine|url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/C/Coldplay/2008/06/25/5981456-ca.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730035421/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/C/Coldplay/2008/06/25/5981456-ca.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=30 July 2012 |title=Coldplay has hot chart debut |magazine=Jam!|first=John|last=Williams|date=25 June 2008|access-date=6 April 2011}} It remained in the region for five consecutive weeks, selling 176,000 copies in the first month and eventually being certified 5× Platinum by the Canadian Recording Industry Association.{{cite magazine|last=Williams|first=John|date=23 July 2008|title=Coldplay still reigns on charts|url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/C/Coldplay/2008/07/23/6244521-ca.html|url-status=usurped|magazine=Jam!|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709215744/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/C/Coldplay/2008/07/23/6244521-ca.html|archive-date=9 July 2012|access-date=6 April 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cria.ca/gold/0109_g.php |title=Gold & Platinum Certification – January 2009 |publisher=Canadian Recording Industry Association |access-date=6 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101215011930/http://cria.ca/gold/0109_g.php |archive-date=15 December 2010 }} In the United States, Coldplay sold 316,000 copies in the first day and 721,000 in the entire first week,{{cite web|url=http://www.emigroup.com/Press/2008/press75.htm|title=Coldplay's Viva La Vida simultaneously tops the US and UK album charts|access-date=17 August 2008|date=25 June 2008|publisher=EMI |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080802040810/http://www.emigroup.com/Press/2008/press75.htm |archive-date = 2 August 2008}} nearly matching X&Y{{'s}} debut of 737,000 copies.{{cite magazine |author1=Caulfield, Keith |author2=Pietroluongo, Silvio |date=18 June 2008 |title=Coldplay Headed To No. 1 On Billboard 200, Hot 100 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045040/coldplay-headed-to-no-1-on-billboard-200-hot-100 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625095349/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045040/coldplay-headed-to-no-1-on-billboard-200-hot-100 |archive-date=25 June 2014 |access-date=17 August 2008 |magazine=Billboard}} As of August 2011, Viva la Vida has moved 2.8 million copies stateside.{{cite magazine |last=Waddell |first=Ray |date=12 August 2011 |title=Coldplay: The Billboard Cover Story |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/467960/coldplay-the-billboard-cover-story |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201054353/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/467960/coldplay-the-billboard-cover-story |archive-date=1 February 2013 |access-date=12 August 2011 |magazine=Billboard}} In January 2025, Billboard ranked it at number 145 on their list of most successful albums of the 21st century (8th place among international groups).{{Cite magazine |date=9 January 2025 |title=Top Billboard 200 Albums of the 21st Century |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/top-billboard-200-albums-of-the-21st-century/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250109151230/https://www.billboard.com/charts/top-billboard-200-albums-of-the-21st-century/ |archive-date=9 January 2025 |access-date=9 January 2025 |magazine=Billboard}}

Shawn Cooke from Billboard considered Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends the "last massive experimental rock album" when writing its tenth-anniversary review, mentioning how "We haven’t seen another super-popular, multi-platinum rock record with a No. 1 single really swing for the fences" ever since.{{Cite magazine |date=17 June 2018 |title=Viva la Vida Turns 10: How Coldplay Made the Last Massive Experimental Rock Album |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/coldplay-viva-la-vida-or-death-and-all-his-friends-10-year-anniversary-8461326/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220426162432/https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/coldplay-viva-la-vida-or-death-and-all-his-friends-10-year-anniversary-8461326/ |archive-date=26 April 2022 |access-date=26 April 2022 |magazine=Billboard}} The album has been retroactively described as transitional, being simultaneously "the most Coldplay record" and "unlike anything they'd done before", since the band continued to explore new styles and genres in subsequent releases. American singer and producer Finneas O'Connell has cited both Viva la Vida and Coldplay themselves as influences for his career.{{Cite web |date=25 September 2019 |title=Grammy Preview: Finneas |url=https://hitsdailydouble.com/the_bside&id=318060&title=GRAMMY-PREVIEW:-FINNEAS |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128064543/https://hitsdailydouble.com/the_bside&id=318060&title=GRAMMY-PREVIEW%3A-FINNEAS |archive-date=28 January 2023 |access-date=24 April 2024 |website=Hits Daily Double}} The album was also one of the inspirations for his sister Billie Eilish's When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? (2019),{{Cite web |date=9 April 2019 |title=Inside the Making of Billie Eilish's When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? |url=https://www.vulture.com/2019/04/the-making-of-billie-eilish-when-we-all-fall-asleep.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220117003345/https://www.vulture.com/2019/04/the-making-of-billie-eilish-when-we-all-fall-asleep.html |archive-date=17 January 2022 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Vulture}} and Hit Me Hard and Soft (2024).{{Cite magazine |date=24 April 2024 |title=Billie Eilish Would Like to Reintroduce Herself |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/billie-eilish-hit-me-hard-and-soft-mental-health-fame-1235003585/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424131905/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/billie-eilish-hit-me-hard-and-soft-mental-health-fame-1235003585/ |archive-date=24 April 2024 |access-date=24 April 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}

All tracks are written by Coldplay, with production from Brian Eno, Markus Dravs and Rik Simpson, except where noted.

{{Track listing

| headline = Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends track listing

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title_width = 40%

| writing_width = 30%

| extra_width = 30%

| title1 = Life in Technicolor

| writer1 = {{hlist|Coldplay|Jon Hopkins}}

| extra1 = {{hlist|Eno|Dravs|Hopkins}}

| length1 = 2:29

| title2 = Cemeteries of London

| length2 = 3:21

| title3 = Lost!

| length3 = 3:55

| title4 = 42

| length4 = 3:57

| title5 = Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love

| length5 = 6:51

| title6 = Yes

| length6 = 7:06

| title7 = Viva la Vida

| length7 = 4:01

| title8 = Violet Hill

| length8 = 3:42

| title9 = Strawberry Swing

| length9 = 4:09

| title10 = Death and All His Friends

| writer10 = {{hlist|Coldplay|Hopkins}}

| extra10 = {{hlist|Eno|Dravs|Simpson|Hopkins}}

| length10 = 6:18

| total_length = 45:51

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Japanese edition bonus track

| title11 = Lost?

| length11 = 3:42

| total_length = 49:34

}}

Notes

• "Yes" contains the hidden track "Chinese Sleep Chant", which begins at 4:05.
• "Death and All His Friends" contains the hidden track "The Escapist", which begins at 3:32.

Sample credits

• "Life in Technicolor" and "The Escapist" contain a sample of "Light Through the Veins" (written by Jon Hopkins).

Credits adapted from AllMusic.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/viva-la-vida-or-death-and-all-his-friends-mw0000787235/credits|title=Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends – Coldplay – Credits|work=AllMusic|access-date=6 March 2021|archive-date=19 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019015713/https://www.allmusic.com/album/viva-la-vida-or-death-and-all-his-friends-mw0000787235/credits|url-status=live}}

• Chris Martin – composer, performer
• Guy Berryman – composer, performer
• Jonny Buckland – composer, performer
• Will Champion – composer, performer

Additional personnel

• Michael Brauer – mixing
• François Chevallier – assistant engineer, engineer
• Coldplay – artwork
• Eugène Delacroix – cover painting
• Markus Dravs – mixing, producer
• Brian Eno – producer, sonic landscapes
• Olga Fitzroy – assistant engineer, engineer
• Tappin Gofton – art direction, design
• Dan Green – assistant engineer, engineer, photography
• Phil Harvey – manager
• William Paden Hensley – assistant engineer, engineer
• Dave Holmes – management
• Jon Hopkins – "colouring", producer
• Jason Lader – assistant engineer, engineer
• Bob Ludwig – mastering
• Dominic Monks – assistant engineer, engineer
• John O'Mahoney – mixing
• Vanessa Parr – assistant engineer, engineer
• Jan Petrov – assistant engineer, engineer
• Davide Rossi – strings
• Andy Rugg – assistant engineer, engineer
• Rik Simpson – mixing, producer
• Brian Thorn – assistant engineer, engineer
• Michael Trepagnier – assistant engineer, engineer
• Andy Wallace – mixing

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for Viva la Vida}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Argentina|type=album|title=Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2008|certyear=2009|access-date=24 June 2012|certref={{cite web | url = http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=coldplay&album=&LanDesde_MM=0&LanDesde_AA=0&LanHasta_MM=0&LanHasta_AA=0&Galardon=O&Tipo=0&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP | archive-url = https://archive.today/20090616031636/http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=coldplay&album=&LanDesde_MM=0&LanDesde_AA=0&LanHasta_MM=0&LanHasta_AA=0&Galardon=O&Tipo=0&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP | publisher = Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas | language = es | archive-date=16 June 2009 | title = Discos de Oro y Platino – Coldplay}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=album|title=Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|number=4|relyear=2008|certyear=2009|access-date=7 July 2012}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|type=album|title=Viva la Vida|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2008|access-date=7 July 2012}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|type=album|title=Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2008|certyear=2009|access-date=7 July 2012|relmonth=6|certmonth=8}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=album|title=Viva la Vida|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|number=5|relyear=2009|access-date=18 March 2012}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=album|title=Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|number=5|relyear=2008|certyear=2024|access-date=12 March 2025|id=14835}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Finland|type=album|title=Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|salesamount=21,991|access-date=7 July 2012|salesref={{Cite web |url=https://www.ifpi.fi/tilastot/artistit/Coldplay |title=Musiikkituottajat – Tilastot – Kulta- ja platinalevyt |access-date=11 October 2018 |archive-date=29 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929191854/http://www.ifpi.fi/tilastot/artistit/Coldplay |url-status=live }}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|type=album|title=Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends|artist=Coldplay|award=Diamond|relyear=2008|certyear=2009|certmonth=12|access-date=18 June 2021|relmonth=6|source=archive}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=album|title=Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends|artist=Coldplay|award=Gold|number=7|relyear=2008|certyear=2019|access-date=22 January 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Greece|type=album|title=Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends|artist=Coldplay|award=Gold|relyear=2008|access-date=7 July 2012|id=20081227040940}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Ireland|type=album|title=Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|number=4|relyear=2008|certyear=2008|access-date=7 July 2012}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=album|title=Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends|artist=Coldplay|relyear=2008|nocert=true|salesamount=150,000|salesref={{cite web|url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/mdonline/7267.pdf |title=Le Cifre de Vendita – Album|work=Musica e dischi|access-date=22 August 2021|page=8|url-status=dead|language=it|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125084131/http://www.musicaedischi.it/mdonline/7267.pdf |archive-date=25 January 2016 }}|note=Sales in 2008}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=album|title=Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2008|certyear=2014|access-date=5 February 2021|note=Sales since 2009|id=601}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|type=album|title=Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|access-date=7 July 2012|certyear=2008|certmonth=09}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|type=album|title=Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends|artist=Coldplay|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2008}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|type=album|title=Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends|artist=Coldplay|award=Diamond+Platinum|number=2|number2=4|relyear=2008|certyear=2010|relmonth=6|preloaded=true|note=Pre-loaded album}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Netherlands|type=album|title=Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|certyear=2008}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=album|title=Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|number=4|source=radioscope |access-date=15 December 2024|relyear=2008|certyear=2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|artist=Coldplay|title=Viva la vida|relyear=2008|salesamount=44,000|region=Norway|nocert=true|salesref={{Cite web |url=http://www.seher.no/799111/sissel-er-verdensrekord-holder |title=Sissel er verdensrekord-holder |access-date=10 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091224180359/http://www.seher.no/799111/sissel-er-verdensrekord-holder|archive-date=24 December 2009|url-status=dead }}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|type=album|title=Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|certyear=2008|date=3 September 2008|access-date=7 July 2012}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Portugal|type=album|title=Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2008|certyear=2012|access-date=5 July 2012|archive-date=29 June 2012 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/68n6ofSyj?url=http://www.artistas-espectaculos.com/noticias/pt/topafp.htm |id=201222}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=album|title=Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2008|access-date=7 July 2012|certyear=2010|certmonth=23}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=album|title=Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|access-date=7 July 2012|certyear=2008}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|type=album|title=Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2008|access-date=7 July 2012}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Turkey|type=album|title=Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends|artist=Coldplay|award=Gold|certyear=2009}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=album|title=Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|number=5|relyear=2008|certyear=2017|id=14202-1754-2|access-date=24 March 2017}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|title=Viva la Vida|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2008|access-date=7 July 2012}}

{{Certification Table Summary}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Europe|type=album|title=Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends|artist=Coldplay|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2009|certyear=2011|access-date=18 March 2012}}

{{Certification Table Bottom | streaming=true}}

{{col div}}

• 2008 in British music
• List of best-selling albums of the 21st century
• List of best-selling albums in France
• List of best-selling albums in Mexico
• List of best-selling albums of the 2000s (decade) in the United Kingdom
• List of best-selling albums of 2008 in Ireland
• List of number-one albums in Argentina
• List of number-one albums in Norway
• List of Billboard 200 number-one albums of 2008
• List of number-one albums of 2008 (Australia)
• List of number-one albums of 2008 (Canada)
• List of number-one albums of 2008 (Finland)
• List of number-one albums of 2008 (Ireland)
• List of number-one albums of 2008 (Portugal)
• List of number-one albums of 2008 (Spain)
• List of number-one hits of 2008 (Europe)
• List of number-one hits of 2008 (Austria)
• List of number-one hits of 2008 (France)
• List of number-one hits of 2008 (Germany)
• List of number-one hits of 2008 (Italy)
• List of number-one hits of 2008 (Sweden)
• List of number-one hits of 2008 (Switzerland)
• List of number-one albums from the 2000s (Denmark)
• List of number-one albums from the 2000s (New Zealand)
• List of UK Albums Chart number ones of the 2000s

{{col div end}}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{Discogs master}}
• {{Metacritic album}}

{{Coldplay}}

{{Coldplay songs}}

{{Navboxes

|title = Awards for Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends

|titlestyle = background: lightblue

|list =

{{Grammy Award for Best Rock Album}}

{{Juno Award for International Album of the Year}}

}}

{{IFPI Global Year-End}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2008 albums

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Category:Albums produced by Jon Hopkins

Category:Albums produced by Markus Dravs

Category:Albums produced by Rik Simpson

Category:Capitol Records albums

Category:Coldplay albums

Category:2000s concept albums

Category:Parlophone albums

Category:Grammy Award for Best Rock Album

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