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Coldplay not copycats of Joe Satriani, Viva la Vida coincidence

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December 10, 2008 12:00am

COLDPLAY has denied allegations it plagiarised a song from an American rock guitarist on its latest chart-topping album.

Guitarist Joe Satriani has sued members of Coldplay, claiming the band's smash hit Viva la Vida copied parts of one of his songs.

But in a statement on Coldplay's website on Tuesday, the band said any similarities between its music and the American guitarist was "entirely coincidental".

Read: Jonathon Moran gets up close and personal with Coldplay's Chris Martin

"If there are any similarities between our two pieces of music, they are entirely coincidental, and just as surprising to us as to him," the band said.

"Joe Satriani is a great musician, but he did not write or have any influence on the song Viva la Vida. We respectfully ask him to accept our assurances of this and wish him well with all future endeavours."

Satriani, known for his instrumental compositions, alleges Viva la Vida had "copied and incorporated substantial original portions" from his own track If I Could Fly, recorded on an album released in 2004.

Satriani's lawsuit, filed last Thursday in the federal court in Los Angeles, demands damages and "any and all profits" related to the alleged copyright infringement.

A representative for the band was not immediately available for comment.

Coldplay's latest album Viva La Vida, released in June, has topped the charts in Europe and the United States.

The recording helped Coldplay win seven nominations for the 2009 Grammy awards last week.

VIDEO: Chris Martin gets candidJONOTHAN Moran talks to Coldplay's lead singer about meeting deadlines, touring and being successful.

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Have Your Say

Latest Comments:

Joe Satriani is a very high quality guitarist. One of the best ever. Cold who?
Posted by: Peter Smith of Randwick 2:03pm today

Robert of Newcastle....I agree....exaclty what Chris martina said "entirely coincidental"....and I've never heard of Joe nobody anyway, cannot be too famous....
Posted by: matthew of Parra 2:01pm today

Joe Who?
Posted by: matthew of Parra 1:59pm today

Yeah Joe Satriani is a great musician....I saw his new album on sale for $10....hahaha....no wonder he is sueing....
Posted by: matthew of Parra 1:58pm today

To Robert of Newcastle Just for your information Joe Satriani approached Coldplay about the matter immediately following its release in June. However, due to Coldplays refusal to settle the matter privately for some time Satriani has had to make the unfortunate decision to take this matter to the courts. Joe Satriani has had a large following world-wide for over two decades and is very humble in person and he has stated he is embarrased by this issue however he needs to protect what belongs to him. Satriani said he spent nearly 15 years writing and composing his particular version of the song in question and to have something idential released races serious questions.
Posted by: Phillip Gregory of 1:50pm today

I tried to listen to Coldplay at Splendour some years ago, and walked out... WORST BAND EVER!!!
Posted by: Ug of Gold Coast 1:40pm today

This song has been around for a while now, so curious that Satriani waited until it was nominated for a stack of music awards before crying foul. There are only so many musical notes and it's inevitable that one song might sound like another. I think this is just an uncanny and unfortunate coincidence. Who listens to Satriani, anyway...?
Posted by: Robert of Newcastle 12:55pm today

Yes - I heard them both and they're identical.... However I think Coldplay are in a league of their own and don't need to copy anyone else's songs. I believe them.
Posted by: Ian of Baulkham Hills 12:22pm today

Anyone who can't see that it's a complete rip-off needs their head examined. Satriani has been around for decades and is way more respected than Chris Martin and Co.
Posted by: Paul of Sydney 12:14pm today

I heard them both yesterday played one over the other. My verdict - GUILTY!!! No wonder they had to scrap the last album they came up with - they don't have an original idea. First they copy U2, now Satriani. Cold Play = Cold Fish.
Posted by: Lachlan of Cedar Vale 11:41am today

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