Joe Satriani filed lawsuit against Coldplay for similar song...

[TheCracker]

As much as I hate those 2 things, especially high school musical, had they not been made well they wouldn't have sold.

I can't believe I just argued for high school musical

Being 'well made' and being 'artistically good' are two different things though are they not?

 

[Giancarlo]

Your criteria for a decent guitarist is if they use a wammy bar or not?

I hope you've never heard Stevie Ray Vaughn's Lenny, then. First note right out of the gate...

For things recorded in the past 2-3 decades? Err, yes.

 

[Formula1Driver]

I don't know, I am a fan of Satriani and like all of his songs (I even own one of his signature guitars), but I don't know if this is copying, it does sound very similar but I doubt Coldplay went out and thought "I love that melody, we should use it", more coincidence than outright copying.

 

[nitro_2005]

I found out about Satriani from the Genome Project. I love all his songs now.

Same here

 

[niky]

Meh. It's similar, but it's not identical. Anyway, I feel like it's pretty hard to "own" a pretty unremarkable chord progression.

Chord progression, no. That's why Phil Collins' similar suit regarding a drum-riff really didn't get as much air-time.

Chord progression + beat + timing + melody... why yes, I believe that's bloody worthy of a suit.

There are artists who "sample", but rules are you have to pay royalties for the use of the samples... as well as credit them.

 

[a6m5]

Damn Joey. Other people's kids, I tell ya.

On a serious note, while I am not 100% convinced that Coldplay copied the song on purpose, I do think the lawsuit is 100% warranted. It does sound too darn similar. I just have hard time believing that they so blatantly ripoff known artist's song, then feature it as the leading song/single on what is to become the best selling album. Stranger things happens everyday, I know, but....

Something Coldplay should have taken from him instead.

Nice vid. 👍 Flying in a Blue Dream was my first Satriani CD.

 

[Zrow]

Chord progression, no. That's why Phil Collins' similar suit regarding a drum-riff really didn't get as much air-time.

Chord progression + beat + timing + melody... why yes, I believe that's bloody worthy of a suit.

There are artists who "sample", but rules are you have to pay royalties for the use of the samples... as well as credit them.

So I listened to the actual Joe Satriani song in it's entirety, and now I'm even less convinced.

First of all, it's only that one phrase in Satriani's song that's even relevant - the rest of the song is completely different. The underlying chord progression is the same, but the rhythm and beat of it isn't. The melody overtop of it is basically the same for both during that one specific phrase (though still not identical).

That's not enough for me. They're both playing pop music here, and similarities are bound to occur. Maybe Coldplay did "steal" it - it's not identical, and it's not a substantial part of Satriani's song anyway. Since when did songs sounding similar become grounds for lawsuits? The entire pop industry is screwed if that's the standard we're going by.

 

[Touring Mars]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/dec/11/coldplay-law-copyright-satriani

Coldplay deny any influence... also, another band claim that Coldplay stole the same song from them (ironically titled "The Songs I Didn't Write") It's not the most complex refrain ever written, and even bears some similarity to something I wrote myself when I was in a school band!

One thing that strikes me is that 'Viva La Vida' actually sounds like a Coldplay song - it is not a million miles away from 'Clocks' or 'Moses' - it is certainly not a major leap in a new or unexpected direction for them musically, hence why I am prepared to accept their explanation that the similarity of the two (or is that three?) songs is purely coincidental. It does happen, as various vids on YouTube will testify...

Plus, I don't see a motive here. Coldplay needn't plagiarise, and I seriously doubt they'd be stupid enough to rip off Satriani and hope to get away with it. I hope Satriani doesn't try to make too much of it, since although I am no big fan of Coldplay, an accusation of wilful plagiarism is a pretty big affront to artists of integrity...

 

[arora]

It's a simple mater of credit paid where credit is due. I don't think coldpay out right stole anything but I do think that Joe is a musician who simply wants respect. Can't be about money if you think about it.

I'm not really biased about it one way or the other, I think Joe is a great musical talent, I think coldplay is a good mainstream band. One is more of an artist and the other more of a media queen.

 

[ND4SPD]

Here's the other band seeking the same argument.


Now if you listen to Cat Steven's Love/Heaven song and skip to 3:18 you'll notice something as well....


Yay I found another similar sounding song.

 

[Solid Lifters]

Joe should sue the crap out of all of them! 👍

 

[Pako]

That's unreal. Cold play could of atleast, changed it....a little. I do like their version but they should have asked permission and given credit where credit is due.

 

[Joey D]

Joe should sue the crap out of all of them! 👍

Why? For having a couple notes the sound the same?

 

[Zrow]

In light of this lawsuit, I think Johann Pachelbel should get his litigation on.