If I Could Write a Song
Whether you’re talking about a slogan, logo, product — or even a rock song — it sure is hard to come up with an original idea these days.
Just ask members of the band Coldplay, who are being sued for allegedly plagiarizing an instrumental by guitarist Joe Satriani, called “If I Could Fly,” and turning it into their own Billboard hit, “Viva la Vida” (which, by the way, is the title of Coldplay’s new CD).
I’ve always hated Coldplay – and I’ve always loved Joe Satriani – so yes, I’m biased on this one. The real irony here is that Satriani is a gifted musician and composer whereas the members of Coldplay are a bunch of talentless corporate sell-outs — yet it is Coldplay that is raking in the big bucks, singing a song they (allegedly) ripped off from Satriani. (I should point out that a few other bands have accused Coldplay of stealing a line or two for “Vida” as well — but not the whole thing.)
The thing that really gets me is how the members of Coldplay basically flat out deny that they ripped the tune off – they don’t even acknowledge that there are similarities. Obviously they must be familiar with Satriani’s work (he is, after all, a “musician’s musician”) — it’s hard to believe that none of them ever heard this tune before.
Remember when Vanilla Ice ripped off the bass line from Queen/David Bowie single “Under Pressure” and got sued? Later he argued that he changed the bass line ever so slightly, by adding one extra beat or grace note. That was a landmark case — although these things are typically settled out of court.
Well, if you ask me, this is an even more of a blatant rip-off – because in this case Coldplay stole almost the entire melody from Satriani’s “If I Could Fly,” note for note. It would be hard to believe that they did it inadvertently.
I’m hoping Coldplay’s CD and concert sales plummet from this atrocity, just the same way Ashley Simpson saw her career take a nosedive after she was caught lip-synching on SNL. I think they deserve to suffer as much embarrassment as possible.
If you have doubts that Coldplay intentionally stole Satriani’s tune, or you haven’t heard either one yet, check out this post on YouTube and decide for yourself …
Some have said that maybe Coldplay stole the melody by accident. I say either way they should be held accountable.
And if the court decides in favor of Coldplay, well, all I can say is, so much for artistic integrity folks!
