Coldplagiarism? Say It Ain't So, Joe!
While there was admittedly some resemblance between the two tunes, nothing came of this. Coldplay went about their lives, racking up Grammy nominations and selling millions of records, and Creaky Boards simply creaked back into obscurity. But now a more prominent artist, guitar virtusoso Joe Satriani, is lobbying the same sort of charges at the Britrockers. Satriani has just filed a copyright-infringement lawsuit against Coldplay in Los Angeles federal court, and he may have a better case than Creaky Boards did.
Before you continue reading, check out this other video comparing and contrasting "Viva" with Satriani's 2004 instrumental, "If I Could Fly":
Now, first of all, there's no denying the similarity--it's a lot stronger than the one between "Viva" and the Creaky Boards song (that mashup at the end of this video makes a particularly convincing point). The songs in fact sound so much alike, if we'd wandered into a Satriani concert and heard him noodling away during "If I Could Fly" onstage, we'd admittedly mistake it for a guitar-wanky "Viva La Vida" cover.
Of course, the similarity could be a coincidence--and therefore the sonic resemblance isn't enough for Satriani to collect the "any and all profits" he is seeking in a jury trial against Coldplay. Another crucial aspect of his case is whether or not Coldplay had the opportunity to steal the song.
In the case of Coldplay vs. Creaky Boards, it was kind of difficult to believe Chris Martin would randomly pop up at some unknown band's CMJ showcase (Chris publicly denied he attended the gig in question). So it was almost impossible for Creaky Boards to prove that Coldplay had had ample opportunity to hear (and subsequently plagiarize) "The Songs I Didn't Write." But the Satriani album on which "If I Could Fly" originally appeared, Is There Love In Space?, came out four years ago on Epic, a major label...so it is more feasible that the members of Coldplay did have some chance to be exposed to it.
Although, of course, it's also kind of hard to imagine that Chris Martin lounges around his London mansion with Gwyneth, Apple, and Moses, attentively listening to Joe Satriani jams with notepad in hand. But hey, you never know.
Anyway, whether or not Coldplay are guilty as charged, they certainly were aware of Satriani's accusation before the lawsuit was officially filed this week. Just wait for the 3:30 mark in the video below for Chris Martin's sly mention of a mystery man whose name rhymes with "Moe Batriani"...along with his impassioned insistence that "Viva La Vida"'s resemblance to any song, by any artist living or dead, is purely coincidental:
I think if I had the slightest notion that a band who is much more popular than me ripping off my hard work... I'd be all over them. It's not publicity... it's common decency. Joes works his A$$ off and does not deserve to be stolen from. (a REAL cold play) Call him up... "can we use this chord progression, liked the melody, thought we could take it in our direction... what's your price." Not hard... likely not a problem... likely a simple 'melody by Joe Satriani' in the liner notes (that no one even sees as most music is downloaded).
These are not similarities... did you catch the video? The two played side by side are as if Satch was playing the guitar in the background.
Best thing Chris Martin ever did was show up on the Extras episode. He sort of reminds me alot more of that character now with the lie about "I've never heard of him" when a few years ago he referenced him.
Coldplay is just that... played and cold.
If they had come up with the songs at the same time, then I could understand. Just like Newton and Leibniz you came up with calculus at the same time.
The band had ample time to have been influenced by this music REGARDLESS of how mainstream they are. We aren't talking about the average person who just listens to the radio. These are music professionals who probably hear a wide variety of music and go to a wide variety of shows.
The prove is in the pudding!
They like some rappers, take beats or styles from someone else and use them, alot of people who dont listen to music or are teens or kids, have not heard some of the beats or riffs used before!
An Artist in music or Art , should come up with original or maybe improve on past works!
COLD PLAY be yourself and keep playing your music to your Gay fans!!! We will see if you stay as popular as you are!! Doubt it!!
GET 'EM SATCH!!!
Sorry, I'm not buying it. And for ALAN number 138, I answer your SO WHAT with how would you feel if you made your living off of something and someone came along and took it from you because they are popular and that makes it OK. I'm sure you'd not be happy.
maybe not on purpose but i wouldnt doubt there guitarist listens to joe and thought he came up with the riff on his own.