

The song was released on 13 June 2008 as the album's second single, debuting to critical acclaim and commercial success. The lyrics to the song contain historical and Christian references, and the track is built around a looping string section in unison with a digital processed piano, with other layers gradually being added as the song builds. On the album, this song segues directly into the next track, "Violet Hill". It was written by all members of the band for their fourth album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008), and was released as the second single from the album. "Viva la Vida" (, Spanish: Spanish for "Long Live Life") is a song by British rock band Coldplay.
