Dec 06
Coldplay accused of plagiarism
I love Coldplay. Great music. And the song, “Viva La Vida” off their new album is fantastic. So fantastic, that Joe Satriani, famed guitarist is suing them for plagiarism of a song he wrote in 2004. He is seeking “any and all profits” from the song, which is ridiculous, but he has a strong point about the similarity so the damages argument will make or break the case. The thing is, Satriani is a very, very respected musician. Someone produced an awesome youtube video, below, so you can determine for yourself if Coldplay ripped off Satriani.
December 6th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Looks like ‘ol Joe is due his money. As Joe would say “Vini, Vidi, Vici!” I came, I saw, I conquered. Or loosely tranlasted….”Show me the Money”!!!
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December 6th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Here’s the deal. Music is about formulas. If it was copied, I’m speculating that it was unintentional. As a songwriter, I have been guilty of this in the past. This would be an interesting subject. How is music stored in your brain? In other words, sometimes you hear a song, forget about it, and 5 years later “write” it again. I think this is the case w/ Coldplay. I’m sure they heard the song at some point in their life, it made some sort of impact, and then when they went to write “Vida” it came out unintentionally. I don’t think they should be sued. It is close, but close only counts in horeshoes. Compare Norah Jones’ hit “Don’t Know Why” and Charlie Brown Christmas “Christmas Time is Here”…….very similar opening hooks.
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