The Shrine

Joe Satriani sues Coldplay for Plagiarism

Hmmm...these are two artists (or a group, speaking for Coldplay) that I really respect, and it's disappointing that something came to this. Specifically, it's Coldplay's Viva La Vida on the album of the same name, and Satriani's If I Could Fly from Is there Love in Space.

I own both albums, so I've listened to the songs, and yes, I can see the similar riff. The riff in question is the beginning violin notes in Viva La Vida that basically plays through the whole song is similar to some riff later in If I Could Fly.

But, we're talking about four notes here. The odds of somebody either creating the riff from scratch, or accidentally borrow the riff subconsciously, are very good. I hope this case doesn't go to trial or really go anywhere.

SineSwiper wrote:Joe Satriani sues Coldplay for Plagiarism

Hmmm...these are two artists (or a group, speaking for Coldplay) that I really respect, and it's disappointing that something came to this. Specifically, it's Coldplay's Viva La Vida on the album of the same name, and Satriani's If I Could Fly from Is there Love in Space.

I own both albums, so I've listened to the songs, and yes, I can see the similar riff. The riff in question is the beginning violin notes in Viva La Vida that basically plays through the whole song is similar to some riff later in If I Could Fly.

But, we're talking about four notes here. The odds of somebody either creating the riff from scratch, or accidentally borrow the riff subconsciously, are very good. I hope this case doesn't go to trial or really go anywhere.

Sounds like Metallica wanting to copyright the c chord.

Funny stuff, but nothing unusual when you are dealing with a limited number of note combination. I remember the Vanilla Ice/David Bowie controversy back in the day with Ice Ice Baby.

See, I would care more about this if it wasn't for the fact that Coldplay is and always has been a shitty band.

So, meh.

I like Coldplay, so fuck off.

And the stuff with Ice Ice Baby is pretty legitimate. It was completely stolen Bowie's Under Pressure. Just like MC Hammer, or Puff Daddy, or Will Smith, or any of the other rappers that like to rip off samples from other songs. I don't mind some sample use, but when it's the backbone of your song...

Imakeholesinu wrote:Sounds like Metallica wanting to copyright the c chord.

Uhh...you know that was a hoax, right?

I'm with rent on this one. Crybaby music is just not my thing. Taste in media, religion, and ideology are things that can always be argued, but no one is ever right.

No one may ever be right, but I am willing to make an arguement that some people can be VERY VERY wrong.

Read up on your math and musical theory.

Ripping off songs is nothing new.... There must be dozens of songs that rip off Good Times... Then there is Pachelbel's canon....

I don't buy it. I've heard lots of songs over the years that are similar - several times now I've heard the beginning of Foo Fighter's recent The Pretender and thought it was Stairway to Heaven. (I actually think a radio station in NY made a joke out of this, by actually playing Stairway after The Pretender.)

When you have lots of people making pop music, there's going to be some similarities.

heeeyy...I love Coldplay...so...SHUT UP!!