Pet Shop Boys Cover Coldplay’s ‘Viva La Vida’ For ‘Christmas’

One of the highlights of the Pet Shop Boys’ glitzy, colorful Pandemonium tour this year was the duo’s mashup of their own 1988 classic “Domino Dancing” and Coldplay’s 2008 #1 hit “Viva La Vida.” The Boys announced via Twitter earlier this month that a studio recording of the two blended songs—produced by Stuart Price—will be included on Christmas, a five-track EP slated for December.

Have a listen to the Pet Shop Boys’ synthy “Viva La Vida” cover after the jump.

Well, the drumbeat-laden intro and outro probably seemed a meritorious idea at the time. (The track really did work live.)

Pet Shop Boys’ Christmas EP will also include a cover of Madness’ “My Girl” and newly-remixed versions of both “All Over The World” and their late ’90s holiday tune “It Doesn’t Often Snow At Christmas.” (You can read Idolator’s April Q&A with PSB singer Neil Tennant here.)

Meanwhile, not to be outdone, Sweden’s 2004 Idol winner, Darin Zanyar, also recently covered Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida.” His version topped the chart in his home country.

Here’s 22-year-old Darin strutting and swaggering while performing “Viva La Vida” on the Idol stage recently: