Satriani Sues Coldplay

December 8, 2008 15 Comments by Derek Phillips

Guitar phenom Joe Satriani is suing Coldplay claiming the band’s single “Viva La Vida” ripped off his 2004 song “If I Could Fly.” This sort of thing happens a lot, especially if the defendant is a mega-selling powerhouse, but the similarities are compelling. A crafty Youtuber has combined the songs for you to hear for yourself and has apperently stoked the anger of Coldplay fans. Yes, they get angry when they’re not shopping at World Market.

Video: Did Coldplay copy Joe Satriani?

Via The NME.

15 Comments

  1. scotty
    1265 days ago

    Cold play sucks! I hope their album gets pulled from stores.

  2. Jake
    1265 days ago

    Seriously though: does anybody really think that any member of Coldplay has ever listened to Joe Satriani? Let’s see… Need some good songwriting ideas, we’re going for that classic U2 vibe, something epic… Maybe we oughtta try a little surfing with the alien, see what sticks…

  3. Todd Totale
    1265 days ago

    That’s exactly what I was thinking. And if they did, Satriani should be paying them for suddenly becoming quasi relevant again.

  4. scotty
    1265 days ago

    Doesn’t matter if they intended to rip him off or not. There’s a legal standard for how many bars/measures you can “copy” before it’s legal infringment.

    The two tracks are way way too similar to have been a coincidence. If it wasn’t intentional, somebody from Coldplay at least heard the melody somewhere.

    I hope Satriani gets a mountain of cash.

  5. steve-o
    1264 days ago

    My humble opinion, since you know it matters- total rip off. I mean, listen to it!

    They’ve done this before too: listen to the hook for “Talk” and then the hook for Kraftwerk’s “Computer Love.” That’s too close to be a coincidence.

  6. vitas
    1264 days ago

    close enough for me.

    they may not be active fans of satriani, but all the obsessive guitar players i know at least have first hand knowledge of him. i’m not surprised if this is more than just a coincidence.

  7. Lep
    1264 days ago

    Of course it’s the same song, but the real question is: Does one suck any more than the other? Coldplay gets points for having those nice strings, and Joe gets points for not having an annoying singer and lyrics. But I say they’re equal in suckitude nevertheless.

  8. Rikki Lixx
    1264 days ago

    Two of these are not like the others! Guess which two guys like Coldplay?

    LMAO

    L8R

  9. Jake
    1264 days ago

    Best analysis of the situation yet: Sometime in 2009, a Courtroom.

  10. Todd Totale
    1264 days ago

    Listened to it. It is an absolute lift. It’s not only the chord progression, but the entire melody. Who will prevail: Coldplay or Satriani I smell a contest!

  11. scotty
    1263 days ago

    Wow, I played Kraftwerk’s “Computer Love” and Coldplay’s “Talk” at the same time. Not as close as the Satriani rip-off, but way way way too close.

    Now, I want The Mighty Bosstones to ante up for stealing the Mustard Plug tune “Sweet Potato”. Listen to the Bosstone’s “The Impression That I Get.” Total rip off!

  12. Maarten
    1262 days ago

    alizee, j’en ai marre ring any bells? whatever, i’m so fed up with this song. hope they don’t break their promise of breaking up in ’09

  13. Coldplagiarism
    1262 days ago

    No doubt Coldplagiarism happened here. Coldplay’s arrogance will bite them in the ass here. Get the shirt!!

    http://www.zazzle.com/coldplagiarism_viva_la_fraude_t_shirt-235701356821717844?gl=monkeyclown&rf=238266558925436073

  14. Jake
    983 days ago

    Settled. Coldplay will not be required to admit to any wrongdoing.

Post a Comment

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *