Viva la Vida (Coldplay) in database as "Viva la vida"

Viva la Vida (Coldplay) in database as "Viva la vida"

Posted 20 Jan 2020, 22:29:40

Is this a mistake on setlist.fm's part? Why does Viva la vida not have the second V capitalized? I've noticed this on Coldplay setlists for a while and wanted to fix it, but the actual song page has it as a lowercase v, which is incorrect. The correct spelling is two capitalized Vs and the lowercase “L”.

Looking for some info if anyone has any.

Re: Viva la Vida (Coldplay) in database as "Viva la vida"

Posted 21 Jan 2020, 7:30:10

That's interesting, since the suggested sources mentioned in the guidelines have it as either “Viva la Vida” or “Viva La Vida”. I have no idea why this it's “Viva la vida” on setlist.fm. But as this is a very prominent song that has been played hundreds of times, there must be a different reason. I'm no expert on Coldplay, maybe a Coldplay superfan or moderator that took part of the editing could take part in this discussion?

Re: Viva la Vida (Coldplay) in database as "Viva la vida"

Posted 22 Jan 2020, 14:01:22

The title capitalization was probably changedbased on the capitalization rules in the Spanish language, which does not capitalize every word in a title:

https://www.spanishdict.com/guide/capitalization-in-spanish

This is a bit tricky, because you are right, the title on the CD cover is capitalized. How should we, moderators, treat grammar rules where the recording artist doesn't follow them?

http://www.pjlgroep.nl/03_downloads/covers/cd_audio_artiest/C/C/Coldplay/Coldplay%20-%20Viva%20La%20Vida%20[ak].jpg

I feel we should follow whatever is written on the release tracklist, but this can be a mess if that information is not readily available. I remember we recently had a discussion on Billie Eilish, who is also creative with capilization in her songs.
Perhaps something to capture as an exception in the guidelines, but as with all exceptions, it can be difficult to manage.

Re: Viva la Vida (Coldplay) in database as "Viva la vida"

Posted 15 Mar 2020, 6:59:00

A request to change the L and V (2nd and 3rd word's first letter) of Viva La Vida to a capital letter in all instances – song and album title. It's how the band purposefully spelled it. While Spanish language title rules may dictate lowercase, this is an English language speaking band that used this phrase in the title only (doesn't appear in the song lyrics) and purposefully capitalized Viva La Vida in EVERY instance they could control – track listing, tour name, press releases, digital song & album and they were given awards with the same capitalization.
At the LEAST the Vida should be capital V given the Frida Kahlo (if that's not Spanish language I don't know what is) painting the title is inspired by is also a capital Vida
https://www.frida-kahlo-foundation.org/Viva-La-Vida-1954.html
https://artanddesigninspiration.com/frida-kahlo-viva-la-vida/

Coldplay Official:
https://www.coldplay.com/release/viva-la-vida/
https://www.coldplay.com/song/viva-la-vida/
https://timeline.coldplay.com/article/viva-la-vida-biography/

Single & Album purchase and downloads:
https://www.discogs.com/Coldplay-Viva-La-Vida-Or-Death-And-All-His-Friends/release/1369232
itunes: https://search.itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZContentLink.woa/wa/link?path=coldplay
googleplay: https://play.google.com/store/music/album/Coldplay_Viva_La_Vida_Prospekt_s_March_Edition?id=Buiiuyxfmor64iim6o75cbashsi
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Viva-Vida-Death-All-Friends/dp/ B001AU8ZLK/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=viva+la+vida&qid=1584249411&sr=8-2
On the tracklist for the MEXICO (and thus Spanish language – see text on packaging) iTunes Festival Blu-ray – spelled Viva La Vida
Songbook: https://www.amazon.com/Coldplay-Viva-Vida-Songbook-ebook/dp/ B00G9584Q2
Single art: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viva_la_Vida#/media/File:Lost? (+Jay-Z)_-_Viva_La_Vida(Live_At_the_51st_Annual_Grammy_Awards).jpg

ASCAP: https://www.ascap.com/playback/2008/ FALL/FEATURES/weareascap/Coldplay

Universal Music Publishing: https://www.umusicpub.com/uk/Artists/C/Coldplay.aspx

Brit Awards: https://www.coldplay.com/viva-makes-final-five-in-brits-vote-for-it-to-win/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/britawards/2009/winners.shtml

GRAMMY Award: Song of the Year: https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/coldplay
https://www.grammy.com/grammys/videos/viva-la-vida-wins-song-year

CHARTS:
https://web.archive.org/web/20140625095349/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045040/coldplay-headed-to-no-1-on-billboard-200-hot-100
https://web.archive.org/web/20140628102709/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045034/digital-sales-drive-coldplay-to-top-of-hot-100
https://web.archive.org/web/20140624002122/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045007/coldplay-dominates-uk-album-singles-charts
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/blogs/music-news/chart-watch-radioactive-sets-rock-record-001439867.html

General press working off the EPK and press release
https://www.nme.com/news/music/coldplay-344-1324780
There are a few examples of The New York Times using a lowercase l in “Viva la Vida”
https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/01/arts/music/01ligh.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/25/arts/music/25viva.html

Court filings between Joe Satriani and Coldplay over allegations of copyright infringement in (the song) Vida La Vida.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-coldplay/guitarist-satriani-accuses-coldplay-of-plagiarism-idUSTRE4B40XV20081205
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/apr/08/coldplay-deny-satriani-plagiarism-claims
https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/coldplay-respond-to-joe-satriani-lawsuit-186464
https://www.litigationandtrial.com/2009/09/articles/trial/news/joe-satriani-settles-copyright-suit-against-coldplay-and-a-word-on-settlement-technicalities/

Re: Viva la Vida (Coldplay) in database as "Viva la vida"

Posted 14 Apr 2020, 9:35:17

Anglosaxon artists with songs with English lyrics with titles in Spanish. I think here we can make some exceptions.

For example, with “El Mañana” from Gorillaz

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Ma%C3%B1ana_(song)

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