Satriani Sues Coldplay

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 thoughts on “Satriani Sues Coldplay”

  1. 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…

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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!

  7. 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

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