What key is "Viva La Vida" in?

"Viva La Vida" by Coldplay is in the key of Db with a tempo of 133 BPM. Difficulty: medium.

Is "Viva La Vida" easy to play on piano?

This arrangement is rated medium. It requires comfort with chord shapes and basic hand independence. Expect 1-2 weeks of regular practice for a confident performance.

Can I play "Viva La Vida" without reading sheet music?

Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.

What chords are used in "Viva La Vida"?

This arrangement of "Viva La Vida" uses 9 chords: Ab, Ab6, Abmaj7, Db, Db6, Dbpow, Eb7, Eb9, +1 more.

How long does it take to learn "Viva La Vida" on piano?

2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.

What other songs by Coldplay can I play here?

Try "Everglow", "HYMN FOR THE WEEKEND", "FIX YOU". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

I used to (Db5)rule

the (Eb7sus)world.

Seas would (Ab)rise when I gave the (Fm)word.

Now in the morn ing I (Db5)sleep

a (Eb7sus)lone,

sweep the (Ab)streets I used to (Fm)own.

I used to (Db5)roll

the (Eb7sus)dice,

feel the (Ab)fear in my en e mies’ (Fm)eyes.

Lis ten as the (Db5)crowd would (Eb7sus)sing,

“Now the (Ab)old king is dead, long (Fm)live the king.” One min ute I (Db5)held

the (Eb7sus)key,

next the (Fm)walls on were closed on me.

And I dis cov ered that my (Db5)cas tles (Eb7sus)stand

up on (Ab)pil lars of salt and pil (Fm)lars of sand.

I (Db5)hear Je ru sa lem (Eb7sus)bells a ring ing, (Ab)Ro man cav al ry (Fm)choirs are sing ing.

(Db5)Be my mir ror, my (Eb7sus)sword and shield, my (Ab)mis sion ar ies in a (Fm)for eign field.

(Db5)For some rea son I (Eb7sus)can’t ex plain.

I (Ab)Once you’ve gone there (Fm)was nev er, nev er an hon

est (Eb7sus)word.

And that was (Ab)when I ruled the (Fm)world.

It was a wick ed and wild

(Eb7sus)wind

blew down the (Ab)doors to let me (Fm)in.

Shat tered win dows and the (Db5)sound of (Eb7sus)drums.

Peo ple (Ab)could n’t be lieve what (Fm)I’d be come.

Rev o lu tion (Db5)ar

ies (Eb7sus)wait

for my (Fm)head on were sil ver plate.

And Just a pup pet on a (Db5)lone ly (Eb7sus)string.

Ah, on (Ab)who would ev er na be (Fm)king?

of sand.

I (Db5)hear Je ru sa lem (Eb7sus)bells a ring ing, (Ab)Ro man cav al ry (Fm)choirs are sing ing.

(Db5)Be my mir ror, my (Eb7sus)sword and shield, my (Ab)mis sion ar ies in a (Fm)for eign field.

(Db5)For some rea son I (Eb7sus)can’t ex plain.

I (Ab)know Saint Pe ter (Fm)won’t call my name, nev er an

est (Eb7sus)word.

But that was (Ab)when I ruled the (Fm)world.

It was a wick ed and wild

(Eb7sus)wind

blew down the (Ab)doors to let me (Fm)in.

Shat tered win dows and the

Oh,

oh,

oh.

(Db5)hon est (Eb7sus)word.

But that was (Ab)when I ruled the (Fm)world.

(Db)Ooh.

Viva La Vida by Coldplay

22 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of Db at 133 BPM. Difficulty: medium. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “Viva La Vida”

What key is "Viva La Vida" in?: "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay is in the key of Db with a tempo of 133 BPM. Difficulty: medium.
Is "Viva La Vida" easy to play on piano?: This arrangement is rated medium. It requires comfort with chord shapes and basic hand independence. Expect 1-2 weeks of regular practice for a confident performance.
Can I play "Viva La Vida" without reading sheet music?: Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.
What chords are used in "Viva La Vida"?: This arrangement of "Viva La Vida" uses 9 chords: Ab, Ab6, Abmaj7, Db, Db6, Dbpow, Eb7, Eb9, +1 more.
How long does it take to learn "Viva La Vida" on piano?: 2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.
What other songs by Coldplay can I play here?: Try "Everglow", "HYMN FOR THE WEEKEND", "FIX YOU". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.