Studio Album · No. 4
Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends Songwriting Credits by Coldplay
Produced by Brian Eno, Markus Dravs, Rik Simpson, Jon Hopkins · Engineered by Michael Brauer, Andy Wallace, Olga FitzRoy, Dan Green
Coldplay wrote 10 of 10 documented tracks
Authorship Breakdown 10 / 10 documented
Scored across the 10 tracks with documented writers, by whether Coldplay carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 10 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
Awards & Recognition 4
Coldplay credit every song on Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends collectively to the four band members, Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, and Chris Martin. Brian Eno, Markus Dravs, Jon Hopkins, and Rik Simpson produced the record, the first Coldplay album made with Eno, and his approach pushed the band toward denser textures and orchestration. That collective authorship combined with Eno's production reshaped the band's sound on the title track 'Viva la Vida' and 'Violet Hill.'
Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends is Coldplay's fourth studio album, released June 12, 2008, on Parlophone. Produced by Brian Eno, Markus Dravs, and Rik Simpson, it marked a dramatic sonic reinvention, trading the polished rock arrangements of X&Y for baroque orchestral textures, martial percussion, and a conceptual grandeur inspired by Frida Kahlo's 1954 painting that graces the album cover. The title track 'Viva la Vida,' built on a soaring string loop and percussion pattern unlike anything in Coldplay's previous catalog, spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year, the band's biggest commercial achievement. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album and debuted at number one in nearly every major market. Brian Eno's presence as producer and Jon Hopkins's co-writing contributions marked a significant artistic leap for the band.
Track Listing & Credits 10 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Life in Technicolor
|
Chris Martin | Chris MartinJonny BucklandGuy BerrymanWill ChampionJon Hopkins | Brian EnoMarkus DravsJon Hopkins | Chris Martin (Lead Vocals) |
| 2 |
Cemeteries of London
|
Chris Martin | Chris MartinJonny BucklandGuy BerrymanWill Champion | Brian EnoMarkus DravsRik Simpson | Chris Martin (Lead Vocals) |
| 3 |
Lost!
|
Chris Martin | Chris MartinJonny BucklandGuy BerrymanWill Champion | Brian EnoMarkus DravsRik Simpson | Chris Martin (Lead Vocals) |
| 4 |
42
|
Chris Martin | Chris MartinJonny BucklandGuy BerrymanWill Champion | Brian EnoMarkus DravsRik Simpson | Chris Martin (Lead Vocals) |
| 5 |
Lovers in Japan / Reign of Love
|
Chris Martin | Chris MartinJonny BucklandGuy BerrymanWill Champion | Brian EnoMarkus DravsRik Simpson | Chris Martin (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
Yes
|
Chris Martin | Chris MartinJonny BucklandGuy BerrymanWill Champion | Brian EnoMarkus DravsRik Simpson | Chris Martin (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
Viva la Vida
#1
|
Chris Martin | Chris MartinJonny BucklandGuy BerrymanWill Champion | Brian EnoMarkus DravsRik Simpson | Chris Martin (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
Violet Hill
#8
|
Chris Martin | Chris MartinJonny BucklandGuy BerrymanWill Champion | Brian EnoMarkus DravsRik Simpson | Chris Martin (Lead Vocals) |
| 9 |
Strawberry Swing
|
Chris Martin | Chris MartinJonny BucklandGuy BerrymanWill Champion | Brian EnoMarkus DravsRik Simpson | Chris Martin (Lead Vocals) |
| 10 |
Death and All His Friends
|
Chris Martin | Chris MartinJonny BucklandGuy BerrymanWill ChampionJon Hopkins | Brian EnoMarkus DravsRik SimpsonJon Hopkins | Chris Martin (Lead Vocals) |