Viva La Vida

Coldplay · 138 BPM · 4/4

Viva La Vida

Coldplay · Capo 1

0:000:00

CapoPlace capo at fret 1; pitch is unchanged.

EmI used to rule Gthe Dworld

DSeas would rise wGhen I gave tBmhe word

BmNow Emin the morning, I sleeDp alone

DSweGeEmp theC stDreGets EmI usCed toG own

GIEm used to roll the dice

FeeGl the fear in my enemy's eyEmes

EmListened as thCe crowd wouDld sinGg

G"Now the old king is dead, long live the king"

GOEmne minute I heCld theG key

GNext, the walls were closed on me

GAnEmd I discovered that myC castles stGand

GUpon pillars of salt and pillars Emof sand

EmI hear JerCusalem bellDs a-ringing

DRoman Gcavalry choirsEm are singing

EmBe my mirCror, my sword aDnd shield

DMy missionGaries in a forEmeign field

EmFor someC reason, I cDan't explain

DOnce yGou'd gone, there was neEmver

EmNever an hoCnest wDord

DAndG thEmat waCs wDhenG EmI ruledC theG world

GIEmt was a wicked anCd wilDd wind

DBlew down the doors to lBmet me in

BmSEmhattered windows and the sound Dof drums

DPeople couldn't bGelieve what I'd bEmecome

EmRevolutioCnaries waGit

GFor my head on a silver plate

GJust Ema puppet on Ca lonely sDtring

DOh, who wGould ever wantEm to be king?

EmI hear JeCrusalem bellsD a-ringing

DRoman cGavalry choirs aEmre singing

EmBe my mirrCor, my sword Dand shield

DMy missionGaries in a forEmeign field

EmFor some Creason, I can'Dt explain

DI knowG Saint Peter won't Emcall my name

EmNever anC honest woDrd

DBuGtEm thCaEmt CwaEms CwhEmenG I rCuDleGd EtEmhCe DwoGrlEmd

EmHear JCerusalem bellsD a-ringing

DRoman cGavalry choirs arEme singing

EmBe my mirrCor, my sword aDnd shield

DMy misGsionaries in a forEmeign field

EmFor someC reason, I can'Dt explain

DI kGnow Saint Peter won't callEm my name

EmNever an Ghonest woDrd

DBut that Gwas when I ruled thEme world

Tap any line to jump

All Chords Used (6)

KeyF minor

CapoFret 1

Tempo~138 BPM

How to play Viva La Vida by Coldplay on guitar

Viva La Vida is a great song to learn if you want a strong, driving progression that feels dramatic and steady under your fingers. You get a clear sense of motion right away, and the pace at about 138 BPM keeps it lively without feeling rushed.

Most of the chart uses barre shapes, so it will test your left-hand pressure and clean changes. The one open shape is F, but the harder work comes from Fm, G#, D#, Cm, and C#. Watch the opening move from Fm to G# to D# to G#, since that change sets the feel for the whole song.

Start by looping that opening progression slowly until each shape lands cleanly. Then add the rest of the chord changes one by one, keeping your hand relaxed as you move between barre shapes. Once the switches feel automatic, bring the tempo up in small steps until you can play it smoothly at speed.

Use the play-along above to follow each chord change in time with the music, or learn the shapes first with the chord diagrams below.

Looking for more? Browse the full guitar song library or explore chord diagrams.

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