Satriani vs Coldplay: What Do You Think?

bob [Visitor] //December 8 2008 at 16:54

I can't imagine Coldplay ever listen to Joe Satriani.

union jill [Visitor] //December 8 2008 at 17:16

they sound nothing alike, I keep listening, but I dont' hear it

knightmonkey [Visitor] //December 8 2008 at 17:24

Sorry but it sounds nothing like it!!

Seb Spacestrings [Visitor] //December 8 2008 at 17:34

Well thats a fine example to set there Coldplay. I was staggered at how similar both the chord progression and the melody line are. Now there is the argument that there are only 12notes in the western scale and therefore only a limited number of possible combinations - but there are too many similarities for it to be an accident - and even if it was then at least have the decency to respond to Joe's contact attempts. Fairtrade eh Chris!!

Pete from Philly [Visitor] //December 8 2008 at 17:38

I think CP is safe...similarities yes, plagiarism? Don't believe so...

Momiji [Visitor] //December 8 2008 at 17:41

Yup, they definatly sound very similar, far too much to be considered a coincidence....

Bob gurn [Visitor] //December 8 2008 at 17:50

Nothing like it - he'd never win if i was a juror.

Dr Mike [Visitor] //December 8 2008 at 17:51

good luck with the law suit. hes no chance! gonna waste a heap of money on lawyers thats the only crime committed!

Stevo_man [Visitor] //December 8 2008 at 17:51

Was wondering since this song by Colplay came out, why it was so familier.....makes you go humm...

John [Visitor] //December 8 2008 at 18:22

It's clearly the same song

Mover [Visitor] //December 8 2008 at 18:31

Coud be. But I know from experience that it can easily happen.

Karl Blakesley [Visitor] //December 8 2008 at 19:24

firstly - Viva La Vida is a far superior song. secondly - not similar enough at all for the prosecution to go any further. thirdly - Coldplay have always been plagarists, they take great songs and make them better, thats why we love them!

ItchySox [Visitor] //December 8 2008 at 19:33

Hang on, I wrote that! Just before I wrote 'Millenium'...

Total [Visitor] //December 8 2008 at 20:14

RIP OFF

analyst [Visitor] //December 8 2008 at 20:32

I'm sorry but i cant really hear any similarities, and also all the music today sounds similar (shit). I did however hear a banging drum noise that i can recognise as mine! See you in court

Gundo [Visitor] //December 8 2008 at 20:36

Joe who? If he wrote decent songs in the first place he wouldn't need to sue someone else for damages because he would make enough money of his own music.

Tara [Visitor] //December 8 2008 at 21:00

They sound pretty similar to me. Maybe they heard the melody unconsciously and thought they came up with it originally. It happens all the time. Disappointing though. I love Cold play....but it is obvious that this tune existed before Viva la Vida.

Christine [Visitor] //December 8 2008 at 21:22

I don't think these songs are similar enough at ALL to call it plagiarism. If I hadn't read anything about it and had heard the song I don't think I would have even noticed the subtle similarities they do have.

Tom Maslan [Visitor] //December 8 2008 at 21:23

Joe needs to sue these assholes to teach them a lesson. These punks couldn't write a hit song if their life depended on it.

The Thrill of It All [Visitor] //December 8 2008 at 21:47

no offense to Satriani (whose music fucking sux) but i don't hear the ripoff by Coldplay (whose music also fucking sux)

hamish 707 [Visitor] //December 8 2008 at 21:48

perhaps joe can tell us which parts of his song sound like coldplays maybe a musician could tell but joe public I dont think so. by the way I am a joe satriani fan amazing guitarist

Michael from Studio Crash [Visitor] //December 8 2008 at 22:16

Yep, that's plagiarism. Possibly unintentional, but that is the same chord progression and the same melody. It even has the same mood.

Alan [Visitor] //December 8 2008 at 22:19

I have to agree with Joe here ! The whole groove of the piece seems like its been lifted from 'If I could Fly'

Hu2mberto [Visitor] //December 8 2008 at 22:22

Of course it is fucking plagiarism. I hope Satriani gets all the royalties from that shitty, overblown song.

coldhands [Visitor] //December 8 2008 at 23:07

Sue the pants off 'em... What's yours is yours. Beautiful tune with nice hooks. What you look like & what guitar you play has nothing to do with it.

chopper [Visitor] //December 9 2008 at 01:08

friggin no talent hacks

Chris M. [Visitor] //December 9 2008 at 04:21

I am a fan of both Coldplay and Joe Satriani. I downloaded the Satriani track and compared it to Viva a number of times. If you only listen to that 12 second clip--it's strikingly similar with only a few different notes. But the rest of the song is very different, so it's just that one short piece in his song that sounds like Coldplay. He repeats it a couple times--but it's one of many pieces to his song. It seems that legally--this will come down to precedent as to how many contiguous notes comprises theft. Hard to tell if Coldplay would have heard this record beforehand and really "copied" it or if their notes are close enough and they did indeed write it on their own. Just not sure here. This is not so "cut and dried" as many want to think, but we'll have to see. Additionally, it is worth noting the Coldplay's producer is one of the industry's more revered--Brian Eno. He would never allow music to be ripped off--that's not to say Coldplay would--but Eno's made stars of U2 and others with originality--so consider how many people get involved in a record and if they did really "copy" how likely it would be to leak from someone involved... not just from YouTube.

Anonymous Coward [Visitor] //December 9 2008 at 04:55

I can hear the resemblance. I caught myself singing parts of the Coldplay song in the Satriani song, so to me at least that means it's more than coincidence.

jonmx [Visitor] //December 9 2008 at 04:57

once satriani's song hits the chorus, it's pretty obvious why there's a lawsuit. youtube "satriani coldplay" and you'll find a video of satch and coldplay's songs remixed together and it's like two pieces of a puzzle.

Alex [Visitor] //December 9 2008 at 11:58

Yeah I am trying to sing viva la vida over the top of satriani's, but I dont know if its me but I am really not getting any strong links.

Dean Meyer [Visitor] //December 9 2008 at 13:40

Seems to be a lot of deaftone ears in not hearing the blatant obvious to this one!

Mob [Visitor] //December 9 2008 at 16:17

It sounds like Satriani covering "Viva la vida"... Hardly a coincidence, shame on Chris!

Lau Chi Hang [Visitor] //December 9 2008 at 16:23

OH COLDPLAY , MUSIC Represents the expression of OWN feelings, YOU MUST USE U OWN STUFFS TO CREATE U OWN MUSIC

Rafael [Visitor] //December 9 2008 at 16:35

Well, Coldplay fans will deny it until death but as an experient musician i have to say, actually the song parts in question have near the same melody, it is not simply similar, chord progression is the same , tempo too.Satriani has a won case.

L. Topfer [Visitor] //December 9 2008 at 17:23

Joe needs to get over himself and get on with writing music. I can't believe that Chris Martin is the kind of man who would intentionally do such a thing. Let it go Joe!

juliux [Visitor] //December 9 2008 at 21:22

i think the only thing that satriani can win is fame he´s a guitar hero but nobody knows his songs. he`s only vai`y kirk hammet teacher but an aged to new generations

juliux [Visitor] //December 9 2008 at 21:30

every body that one time have been composed music knows how it´s works; one day you wake up with the song in your head and you just start to play it it`s impossible to know if is new or something that you remember. in a case now satriani is traying to steal some coldplay fame

mike [Visitor] //December 9 2008 at 23:03

ridiculous. i'm surprised someone like joe satriani - someone with obvious talent and musical knowledge- could accuse coldplay of plagerism. Sometimes artists travel a similiar musical path when creating music. Every song sounds like another song. And if every songwriter had to worry about that there would be no (good) new music.

K [Visitor] //December 10 2008 at 01:57

Not even close

whatever [Visitor] //December 10 2008 at 04:36

I'm no expert, but going strictly by what I hear it "sounds" like plagiarism to me.

sara [Visitor] //December 10 2008 at 08:26

anyone who says they cant hear any resemblance, is very naive. the "i used to ruuule the world...." bit, and joe satriani's chorus are the same. maybe they ddnt mean to copy it..

Steve [Visitor] //December 10 2008 at 12:41

I thought it sounded familiar when I first heard it but I couldn't place the original - although I do have most of Satch's CDs. When you hear them together it's quite obviously the same sample of tune but what that means legally I have no idea.

Chald [Visitor] //December 10 2008 at 14:55

Not enough to constitute plagiarism. Music would be bereft if bands had to watch out for similarities as small as this. Totally different songs despite the similarities which exist.

Chald [Visitor] //December 10 2008 at 14:56

PS I don't know what happened to my first comment above there - it disappeared, and I entered another shorter one.

Seb B [Visitor] //December 10 2008 at 16:08

The tracks are very similar in their harmonic progression. But that can happen when you write such unoriginal melodies.

Eric L [Visitor] //December 10 2008 at 16:50

I don't think Joe will have a hard time making his case in court. The tunes are virtually identical

honestharry [Visitor] //December 10 2008 at 21:21

i think they sound nothing alike. maybe a tiny part of the song..but that little piece is surly not plagiarism. coldplay's too original and inspirational to do something like that.

[Visitor] //December 11 2008 at 01:26

Coldplay owes this guy money. Royalties, not damages. its the guitar riff in question, not the song in its entirety. even if Coldplay did it accidentally, they owe him money.

reacharound [Visitor] //December 11 2008 at 05:40

hey gundo, it is called integrity in music. something joe has and something you will never understand! not every musician panders to the latest trends.

roger [Visitor] //December 11 2008 at 10:37

yep , they sound the same. using almost identical chord progressions . but i know it's possible to write a tune that's already been done without knowing it, innovation or imitation . so who's telling the porkies? cos if coldplay released a tune that sounded like one of mine, it wouldn't break my heart at all, certainly nothing a big fat payout couldn't fix...

ClaretMatt [Visitor] //December 11 2008 at 12:34

There is a striking resemblance in a short section of the Satriani song but I before that chorus part kicks in I honestly couldn't notice any similarity at all. There are songs in recent memory that are bare more of a similarity, Cornershop - Brimful of Asha -> The View - Same Jeans -> Noah and the Whale - 5 Years Time, for example

UNitUniTUnIt [Visitor] //December 11 2008 at 12:34

Defo strong similarities - especially in the vocal melody that Chris Martin sings vs the lead guitar line in the "chorus" of the JS song. Maybe they should join forces and release a super-version of Viva La Vida - JS's guitar solos are completely off their tits, might give the CP song some balls at least.

Nickv [Visitor] //December 11 2008 at 12:43

I’ve just endured 6 ½ minutes of Joe Satriani. If I was Chris Martin I wouldn’t make any more comments on this subject. It’s obvious Joe is just seeking publicity. There’s no way his songs been copied. He’s just using Coldplay to get noticed. I’d never heard of him until now. If people actually buy his records now, I think Coldplay should counter-sue for using them to sell his records!

nico_m [Visitor] //December 11 2008 at 13:57

Satrian's chorus has same chords with Coldpaly's verses. However, how can you possibly know if the song you've just written right from your mind would be similar to another one. You can't know all of the songs in the world... The sad thing is that inspiration and imagination cannot be proved. I have to say it's a coincidence.... Music doesn't have endless tunes....

Yay [Visitor] //December 11 2008 at 15:53

Cough Enanitos Verdes - Frances Limon Cough Who's the fool now ^_^ I think Satriani owes money to Verdes :D

Coldplagiarism [Visitor] //December 11 2008 at 17:42

No doubt Coldplagiarism happened here. Coldplay’s arrogance will bite them in the ass. Get the shirt!! http://www.zazzle.com/coldplagiarism_viva_la_fraude_t_shirt-235701356821717844?gl=monkeyclown&rf=238266558925436073

visitor [Visitor] //December 11 2008 at 18:01

don't think they sound anything alike.

Mr. Music [Visitor] //December 11 2008 at 19:16

Being that I am huge fan of Joe and ColdPlay, I feel like they are both awesome in their own rights. These songs share a common intonation in the beginning about 12-30 seconds of the start of the song. Part of what Joe is playing lead is very similar to part of the first and second parts of the verse. I don't see this as the same though. If you listen to each song entirely you will hear that Joe's song goes along a completely different line, it does not stick to the same melody the whole time, the ColdPlay song also has a lot of other subtle things to it such as the violins...not present in Joe's song. Bottom line is here maybe Joe is looking to get some free publicity, along with some cash from some music he didn't write. It's a shame that people turn to lawsuits so often. If Coldplay did honestly just bastardize the song, then they deserve the punishment in this case would be royalties. I just don't see enough of a connection. He will have a hard time in court with this one. Can't wait to hear the verdict on this shit...don't we have more pressing matters in the world to deal with?? Caio!

[Visitor] //December 11 2008 at 21:23

I don't understand how anyone could hear that and think that coldplay didn't rip it off. It's the same thing.. if you can't hear that then your just dumb. Coldplay owes Satriani some money I hope he sues the crap out of them and wins.

Alan [Visitor] //December 11 2008 at 23:19

I've listened closely to both of these songs and yes, a very short part of Santani's song has a similarity to Coldplays, but I don't think it constitutes plagiarism. Why would Chris Martin need to copy anyone - he is an excellent song writer in his own right?

Josh [Visitor] //December 12 2008 at 02:04

There's nothing new under the sun. People have been churning out the same tunes since the dawn of human kind. Some parts do sound similar but that doesn't mean it's plagiarism. With all the people strumming guitars around the world, songs are going to sound alike. I'm sure some lute player from the middle ages would be turning over in his grave if he knew that both joe and coldplay stole his song.

Michelle [Visitor] //December 12 2008 at 07:32

To the people who are stating he doesn't have a case because of a 12 note similarity, if you remember the case brought against Vanilla Ice w/ Ice Ice baby and Queens Under Pressure. The difference was just 1 note. He lost. I can totally hear Viva La Vida. It does sound like a guitar instrumental version. It was just written first.

Novembrance [Visitor] //December 12 2008 at 19:57

Many pop songs have similar chord progressions; have you ever seen the comic who does the riff on Pachelbel's Canon in D being everywhere? The same chord progression and a 8-note bit of melody don't equal plagiarism.

Mozo [Visitor] //December 13 2008 at 13:45

Much as I hate Coldplay now I must admit that it is possible for two tunes to sound very similar and it to be a total co-incedence. Its happened to me and I didn't have the dosh to the people involved (a one hit wonder band in the 80's) and in the end it would probably have been all put down to co-incidence anyway so what's the point? Just move on and write something else. But thats the first time I've seen that video from Coldplay. Whate exactly is going on? Has he got some form of Saint Vitus dance or something. That's the most contrived bit of video muggery I've seen for a long time! If you can't dance mate just stand there and sing, unless you are deliberately trying to create something more annoying than your voice to take our mind off it.

Dack [Visitor] //December 13 2008 at 19:04

Joes sounds far better. You can easily put Coldplays lyrics in Satriani's sony. Melody is same. I think he has a case. And for those who say Joe Who?, look him up on Wikipedia. You may get a surprise. any of the guys in ColdPlay could only wish to have the resume Joe Satriani does.

Jeremy Rouse [Visitor] //December 14 2008 at 01:49

Ha, video not available due to copyright claim by EMI. How much you wanna bet Satriani will get an Out Of Court Settlement?

dave [Visitor] //December 14 2008 at 11:33

To the prick that says joe satriani dosent write good songs you fucking dildo try and listen to some of his albums if you could even play a guitar a millionth of a fraction of him then you deserve to write a comment like that

Hermanthecripple [Visitor] //December 15 2008 at 23:12

And EMI have taken it down? Suddenly I lose sympathy x

Munkey46 [Visitor] //December 16 2008 at 03:48

who the hell is Joe Satriani? never even heard him... music and lyrics dont just come, it takes time to blend it in... there's alot of songs that sounds similar to each other, why don't all those people go and complain... Coldplay has more originality than that Joe Satriani so i reckon he's just takin a piss coz coldplay sells more...

Suzan [Visitor] //December 16 2008 at 18:06

Sorry guys, ya there is some brief similar notes here and there but, no way does it rise to the level of dishonesty this dude Joe is claiming. Joe is just trying to get his 15 minutes of fame. Personally, I thought his song stunk!!

Andy [Visitor] //December 16 2008 at 18:15

As a musician there are 'some' similarities but whoever said it is the same progression is 100% wrong, they use similar chords but they are clreadly different - there is ONE hook that is the same and that is it.....get over it! if you want to pick up on this then you can pick holes in everything from Primal Scream and The Verve vs Rolling Stones, Oasis vs Beatles, Elbow vs Peter Gabriel, Killers vs early Simple Minds - they all borrow hooks and musical phrases from their source of influence.....!

Mike [Visitor] //December 16 2008 at 21:00

oh piss off Satriani, yes the songs are a little similar but couldnt it just be a coincidence? in fact I went to see coldplay in manchester on the weekend actually and Chris Martin said 'this song is dedicated to joe satriani, as are all our songs' just thought that was quite funny, as did the rest of the audiance lol

Samware89 [Visitor] //December 17 2008 at 02:22

I dont agree they sound nothing a like and I agree it is impossible nowadays with not having some songs sounding the same there is limit on how many different riffs you can make with a gutiar tbh. and I don'd think Chris Marton shoul have to owe anything as it was by PURE CONINSCIDENCE!

steve [Visitor] //December 18 2008 at 14:52

OK they are similar but if every case of plagiarism went to court messrs Page and Plant would be skint!

RonBo [Visitor] //December 18 2008 at 22:16

News Flash---Coldplay's Chris Martin: 'I ripped off Jeff Buckley' Why won't he admit he or someone in his band (maybe his guitar player) ripped off Joe Satriani.

Marco [Visitor] //December 19 2008 at 19:36

I'm surprised no one mentioned coldplay's 'talk' ripping off Kraftwerk's 'computer love'. Even if they did ask for permission it's not exactly original.

steav [Visitor] //December 21 2008 at 14:47

the too songs are exacle the same he has all the rite to soo them

Andre [Visitor] //December 22 2008 at 18:54

It's funny to see people saying they never heard about Satriani before. He's a legend. Coldplay is a little girl's band and people's comments only confirm that.

Andre [Visitor] //December 22 2008 at 19:03

It's funny to see people saying they never heard about Satriani before. He's a legend. Coldplay is a little girl's band. I understand why people think Satch shoul let it go, but that's another point.

Satch Fan [Visitor] //December 23 2008 at 01:34

I love the Satch, but I do not see what the big deal is. There is so much that is different. I have heard many others songs that sound more alike than these two.

Ryan [Visitor] //December 29 2008 at 11:40

They sound nothing like each other, Satriani is obviously trying to make money out of Coldplay because the crap that Satriani maker just doesn't maker him $$$

Joel [Visitor] //December 30 2008 at 07:25

haha to whoever said that Satch is looking for his 15 minutes of fame obviously knows nothing about music. He's had his 20+ years of fame and if he claims to be upset about this he probably is. Personally I don't see enough resemblance between the two to win a case but hey what does that matter. I guess we'll see soon enough.

noel [Visitor] //December 30 2008 at 15:18

never before heard of Satriani, don't want to hear the word ever again in my opinion or watch another one of his flat videos ever. the songs are completely different, apart from viva la vida is a tune unlike Satriani shit, just shut up Satriani & try and squeeze some £ out of someother poor artist

Markk [Visitor] //December 30 2008 at 16:27

No plagiarism, it's just a band using poor melodies and chord combinations used million times before so it HAS to sound like another tune eventually.

Overpaid Lawyer No.1749 [Visitor] //December 31 2008 at 15:04

Plagiarism or no plagiarism, the fact remains- JOE SATRIANI IS LORD VOLDEMORT and therefore cannot be trusted. He probably magicked the similarity into the song, and should therefore have millions of bus tickets thrown at him until he confesses. Defense Rests

ythemodernage85 [Visitor] //January 3 2009 at 00:23

anybody want to check out further coldplay robbery should check out the similaritys between the song 'politik' and blurs 'sing' thievery of the highest order! as for this they are very similar, but it could potentialy be an accident

MLJ [Visitor] //January 4 2009 at 14:16

I have not heard of Satriani before this case, and I am not a fan of coldplay either. Though listening to the songs, the only resemblance I can hear out is the first line of coldplays hook (which has a little variation to the actual "If I could fly" line of Satriani.) I don't think there are enough of "same chords" because in its essence Coldplay's Viva la vida is totally different to Satriani's If I could fly. I really don't think that Satriani is looking for his 15 minutes of fame simply because he had been known and been around for a very long time... 20 odd years... and what I mean under known is, known in the guitar scene...i guess... I only did some research on Satriani after hearing about this alleged coldplay rip off, so pls pardon me if I say somethin inaccurate. But either or my personal opinion is, the two songs have a 2-3 seconds long chord progression where it seems "ALMOST" identical... but its still different. I don't think Satriani will win this case, to me... I am really just wondering why someone like him would actually sue them when a noob like me can hear/make out that there are way too many differences within the song to be even having a chance of winning. The only guys getting anything out of it will be the lawyers...what a shame...

Nathan [Visitor] //January 4 2009 at 21:12

I am a big fan of Joe Satriani, and I hate Coldplay, but I think that Satch is just blowing smoke. I hear nothing similar. Maybe a chord here or there, but overall, nothing alike. When I first heard that Satch was suing Coldplay for Plagiarism, my initial reaction was "YES!!" Now that I see that they are nothing alike, I don't care.

Len [Visitor] //January 5 2009 at 12:58

Agreed; there is a similarity between the two songs, enough to make Mr Satriani prick up his ears. However I personally think that, as complete pieces the songs have a different feel or emotive quality to them. In any case, I have to say "So What?!" ... even if they were notationally identical, big deal? This copyright malarky has gone way to far and frankly is out of date. There's 22 frets on a guitar and possibly half a million guitar bands. What are the chances of similarities? (Imagine if somone had copyrighted the blues scale,...) Also, having entered firmly entered the remix age we end up seeing different creative interpretations of the same musical sequence time and again. For creative types to have to go begging for permission and pay out royalties to each and every self-important gold-digging thug artist will stifle the creative process. (God only knows which song Mr Satriani plagiarised when he wrote "If I could Fly") What'll be interesting to see is what point of view the court takes and whether or not they see that the copyright laws need major changes to keep up to date with the times. Of course this all depends on your view of musicians. Are they demi-gods or just people making small contributions to a global musical cauldron. Personally I think the time for hooting, stripping off and shaking your tits at every passing axe-wielding ego has long since finished. We're all rockstars now.

kcmeredith [Visitor] //January 7 2009 at 21:57

They both sound like "The Game of Love" by Santana and Michelle Branch.

tom [Visitor] //January 11 2009 at 06:35

okay, sure, they sound similar at many parts, but not enough to sue over

Jimmy [Visitor] //January 30 2009 at 16:45

I like both, but about the plagiarism its a sad story... I hope the truth is released :P btw satriani rlz, and always will...

VG [Visitor] //February 6 2009 at 01:06

Coldplay's Viva la Vida is a dead ringer to Joe Satriani's If I Could Fly! They should be sued or at least they should have asked permission to use that melody!!

erj-o-matic analytic [Visitor] //February 9 2009 at 01:45

The similarity is not close enough to sue over in my opinion. It is mainly THREE NOTES that sound the same. Come on... the combination of those 3 notes have been used dozens of times in songs that have charted(which I am sure Satriani's did not). The song 'Hearts' from Jefferson Starship comes to mind immediatlely.

Mike S [Visitor] //February 9 2009 at 05:27

coldplay is so pathetic! I saw them on 60 minutes deny any allegation of plagiarism and then go on the Grammys and accept the award for best song of the year. They must assume that everyone can't see their deception which makes it that much more insidious. Lennon McCartney had to pay an out of court settlement after a single line ("Here come ol' flat top...) from "Come Together" strongly resembled a line from a Chuck Berry song. George Harrison had to pay a huge suit for plagiarizing "He's so Fine" in his single "My sweet Lord". But those lads from Liverpool had class. coldplay are punks!

Exacta [Visitor] //February 9 2009 at 21:27

They are similar, but Joe's guitar tone and style itself owes a large amount to Steely Dan with Larry Carlton from the late 1970s. Should they sue him?

bizzy [Visitor] //February 10 2009 at 01:52

can you say "rip off"? The melody is almost note for note

JimmyB [Visitor] //February 17 2009 at 03:50

No hope in hell that a jury would unanimously decide this is a rip off. Game over!

[Visitor] //February 18 2009 at 20:36

It is in the same key the same tempo the same melody and the same chord sequence. Case closed

Heather [Visitor] //February 23 2009 at 01:35

Seriously? Joe, get a life and some music that is interesting, please!

Kevin JB [Visitor] //March 10 2009 at 05:50

Coldplay ripoff.

Joseph Fritzel [Visitor] //March 12 2009 at 17:57

What coldplay did to music, is what i did to my grand daughter....rape!

Kieran Hearne [Visitor] //March 13 2009 at 12:38

anyone who knows anything about music will tell you this is plagarised, this is an unbiased opinion. If anyone doubts this is plagarism then go do some music theory. Coldplay should have responded to Satriani but there ignorance only incriminated them more. Coldplay did this also with their song "Talk" if you listen to Kraftwerk's song "Computer Love", I'm actually disapointed that Coldplay have done this and i have lost alot of respect for them as musicians.

Matt S [Visitor] //April 10 2009 at 02:11

Satriani's song is shite... but there is no denying Satriani has a section which has the same chord progressions and a very similar melody to the Viva La Vida chorus... i reckon it is very unlikely that chris martin would have intentionally plagiarised Satriani as: 1) CM would never have bothered to listen to Satriani's masturbatory 80s guitar wanky wanky 2) if CM had known his chorus was the same as Satriani's section he would never have pushed ahead with the song for the album because of the risk of being sued and the accusation of plagiarism

visitor [Visitor] //April 12 2009 at 01:56

There is a pause at 4:13 into the song that's the exact same as one in my song. Should I sue also?

Jocose [Visitor] //April 17 2009 at 01:14

Hey. Repetition does not transform a lie into a truth. I am from Bulgaria and now study English, tell me right I wrote the following sentence: "Software listing of author - cheap airline tickets publisher - cheap airline tickets date released - download size - kb download." With love ;-), Jocose.

Sheffield [Visitor] //April 18 2009 at 12:42

Hi guys. Everybody knows if you are too careful you are so occupied in being careful that you are sure to stumble over something. I am from Nepal and also now'm speaking English, give please true I wrote the following sentence: "Faqs page to get more information about airline tickets." Thank you so much for your future answers :). Sheffield.

Will [Visitor] //May 6 2009 at 10:41

they definetly sound the same and i like coldplay but i think either they stole it or maybe by accident after hearing this song without knowing it and wrote "Vida"

Fan of Both [Visitor] //May 9 2009 at 09:26

There is certainly room for argument on both sides - enough similarity to call Chris Martin to the carpet, anyway. All that aside, IMHO, the biggest offense is Coldplay ignoring Satriani; it shows a complete lack of respect for a rock veteran. That alone warrants a suit.

dbedwards [Visitor] //May 9 2009 at 16:58

Yes,indeed. Coldplay has lifted the main theme from Satriani. Absolutely. But isn't this an artists perogative? Beatle George Harrision borrowed the theme called "She's So fFne"and turned it into a masteropiece "My Sweet Lord." What of it.? I trully enjoy the Coldplay version of VIVE LA VIDA., even though the inspiration is not original. A fterall, isn't imitation the most sincere form of flattery?

fillbert [Visitor] //May 11 2009 at 03:57

I'm not musician but after listening to both several times, I just don't hear enough similarities to justify a legal finding of plagiarism. There could be a few parts that are similar, but I think you could find that in many different pairs of songs.

Bart [Visitor] //May 15 2009 at 14:50

There are some slight similarities, but Satriani is dreaming if he thinks he has a case. How do you copyright a fragment of melody and a chord progression? Vida La Vida is also a far superior song overall, with brilliant arrangement and lyrics. This Satriani thing is just dated, it's Muzak. I can't imagine Coldplay ever even heard it.

Monny [Visitor] //May 15 2009 at 21:51

Whatever, these songs are totally different. Coldplay is WAY better.

BumbleBeeWantsAHug [Visitor] //May 16 2009 at 19:56

i personally cannot hear the similarities. but even if there are did anyone see if i could fly becomming a international number 1? no-one? me neither. :-)

myocalpingalong [Visitor] //June 9 2009 at 07:33

Well, then we might as well say they ripped off JOHN LENNON in "A Message"; the BEATLES in "Twisted Logic", "Yes" and Death and all his Friends; GENESIS in "Death and all his Friends"; LED ZEPPELIN in "In My Place" or U2 in any number of tracks. The fact is they are VERY POPULAR because while their music is indeed unique, it is cleverly arranged to remind us (just enough without alleged plagiarism) of these pop artists. Those seeking $$ would be better off focusing on something new of their own rather than wasting precious time and resources to fight cases they don't have a prayer winning.

Kam$haft [Visitor] //June 17 2009 at 03:31

It is the same song. Unbelievable

Alejandro [Visitor] //June 23 2009 at 21:17

It is very obvious that Coldplay copied it. For those who say that Satriani is nothing compared to coldplay i'd say that they know nothing about music.

Ashley Carr [Visitor] //July 7 2009 at 23:15

I'll admit I'm not a musical genius but I'm also not tone deaf. I notice similar arrangements of certain cords. The pitch was different but it mainly seemed to be a brief 10 seconds used for the beginning of a chorus for Coldplay's song. Although I remember accidentally copying as song as a child. I used to make songs up and sing them to friends. I have never before heard the song I copied (its was country and my family listened to rock) until a friend pointed it out. They were so close in words that it was unbelievable. So I'm not sure if it was completely intentional. Maybe it was a tune they briefly heard and was stuck in their head. How many time have you flipped on the radio and heard the same worn out beats? There is very few original ideas left in the world for music, books, and movies.

Josh [Visitor] //July 31 2009 at 17:25

In response to: Michelle [Visitor] //December 12 2008 at 07:32 To the people who are stating he doesn't have a case because of a 12 note similarity, if you remember the case brought against Vanilla Ice w/ Ice Ice baby and Queens Under Pressure. The difference was just 1 note. He lost. I can totally hear Viva La Vida. It does sound like a guitar instrumental version. It was just written first. That's a totally different situation. That was clear and incredibly obvious plagiarism. With ice ice baby and under pressure, it was the EXACT same begining, they didn't even try masking the introduction. Here, at least Coldplay used different instruments and a slightly different ending to the chorus riff. It's not plagiarism. 5-6 seconds of similar sounding music doesn't make a legitimate court case. Satriani is pathetic and wants to gain fame by suing coldplay so that people will think he has talent and want to buy his cds.

zephyr [Visitor] //August 14 2009 at 20:07

cat stevens should sue both of these losers!

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By David Moynihan

Posted on 08/12/08 at 04:23:04 pm

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