Guitarist Satriani sues Coldplay

[Van1lla ™]

Grammy nominees Coldplay have been sued by rock guitarist Joe Satriani, who claims the band's song Viva La Vida uses one of his riffs.

In court papers filed in Los Angeles on Thursday, he said the song used "substantial original portions" of his 2004 instrumental If I Could Fly.

Satriani, 52, wants a jury trial and is seeking damages and "any and all profits" for the alleged plagiarism.

Coldplay are shortlisted for seven Grammys, including song of the year.

Viva La Vida is credited to the band's four members - singer Chris Martin, bass player Guy Berryman, guitarist Johnny Buckland and drummer Will Champion.

The song's title was inspired by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

It appeared on the album Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends - which was released in June and went to number one in 36 countries - and was also one of their hit singles.

Satriani's track appears on his album Is There Love in Space?

You decide, to me it does sound almost the same, its the chorus which is similar.

Coldplay - Viva La Vida
[youtube]dvgZkm1xWPE[/youtube]

Joe Satriani - If I Could Fly
[youtube]CMcjXo8ZuqE[/youtube]

 

[Callum93]

It's one riff. What's the big deal?

 

[Van1lla ™]

Its plagiarism, if he's copyrighted the entire song and someone takes even a riff from it he has the right to sue them.

 

[Murder he Wrote]

I can hear the similarities, although i'm not convinced coldplay have used Joe's exact riff. Parts of Viva la Vida are most likely inspired by If I could fly, however if I were part of the Jury I would vote in Coldplay's favour.

I hope for COldplay's sake that Joe is wrong.

 

[Jacky]

Both songs are pretty good but they copied so he can sue

 

[Watch Me Sink]

Excuse my rant (I toned it down on my forum a bit more):
Coldplay will lose this case and its obvious. Coldplay has a little originality, but otherwise they suck. I used to like them, (Clocks was my favorite song) but their songs sounded the same. They suck live-the vocalist looks like he thinks that he is some epic vocalist, when in fact he can only sing really high notes. I could see why they would want to copy Joe Satch, since he is an awesome guitar player (and has a sick guitar, I've played it and it sounds awesome, but it costs a couple thousand dollars) and has a lot of talent.

 

[Murder he Wrote]

Coldplay will lose this case and its obvious.

On what evidence do you base this?

 

[Watch Me Sink]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ofFw9DK ... re=related
The vocals are the same as the guitar (minus the solo). Listen to the last part where the person plays the songs overlapping each other. Though I'm thinking they Coldplay might have a chance to win it since Satch has to prove that they copied their song rather than it be coincidence.

 

[Kino]

The video doesn't work.