The name “Viva La Vida” derives from the Spanish phrase meaning “Live the life”. It takes its name from the painting by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. The track is built around string section and percussion background, with historical and biblical references in the lyrics. It is the second single from Coldplay’s fourth album Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends released in 2008. Chris Martin: I think everything we’re trying to do at the moment is about not starting again so much as breaking down what we’ve built up before and trying to build something different and hopefully better, or worse in a good way. And this song is one of our favorites, because none of us are doing anything on it that we’ve ever done before. But we really enjoy playing it. The longer you go on as a band, the harder it is to surprise yourself.