Did Coldplay copy Joe Satriani? Let’s Do the Music Theory: PART 1
Visit our website for a detailed breakdown of the theory: www.creativeguitarstudio.com OUR SCHOOL’S HOMEPAGE: www.creativeguitar.ca Follow Andrew on Facebook: www.facebook.com The Bottom Line… Joe Satriani is suing Coldplay for music plagiarism for the Verse section of their song, “Viva La Vida,” – claiming that the Chorus of his 2005 song, “If I Could Fly,” has the same; melody, harmony & rhythm. Satriani’s Lawsuit states, “substantial original portions,” of his 2005 instrumental piece, “If I Could Fly,” were copied. The copyright infringement suit was filed in Los Angeles federal court on December 4. Satriani has asked for: 1). A Jury trial. 2). Damages. 3). Profits from Viva La Vida. The general public’s response has been overwhelming! And, especially from guitar players around the world… Is the Joe Satriani song too simular to the Coldplay song? We’ll wait and see what happens… WHAT DO YOU THINK? IF THIS GOES TO COURT… THE COURT’S VIEW WILL BE SOMETHING LIKE: The music plagiarism trial court judge will need to hear and decide several facts presented by both sides for this case to establish a jury and then go to trial. The court will approach comparing the music in lay terms. They will view only essential elements of what all music is based on. Music elements which establish the essence of a musical composition – making individual songs unique. 1). The music plagiarism trial court judge will hear and decide facts presented on by both sides. JOE SATRIANI: – The …
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December 6th, 2008 at 1:00 am
I knew they were extremely similar since I heard Viva la Vida, but I never thought Satch and his camp (I assume his management and such are involved) would get involved. The similarity is quite astonishing.
December 6th, 2008 at 2:37 am
Indeed you can’t really sue based on a chord progression alone since a chord progression can’t be copyrighted. On the other hand, melodies *can* be copyrighted, plus as you clearly showed on your video, the chord progression is the same.
I still think the melody is not similar enough for Satrinai to win this case, but it certainly will be interesting to see how this develops.
December 6th, 2008 at 2:38 am
Also, even if he wins I’m not sure Coldplay copied this song, at least on purpose. There are thousand of songs that resemble each other. That’s just music…
December 6th, 2008 at 3:01 am
I don’t even like Coldplay or Satriani, but I have to say this lawsuit is ridiculous. The songs aren’t even in the same key, the chord progression isn’t the same, and there are no melodic similarities. I think this has more to do with the state of commercial rock and its utter creative bankruptcy all across the board.
December 6th, 2008 at 3:15 am
well then take a music theory class fuckface!!
99% of chord progression is going to sound like 100% to an uneducated jury
also, melody and time signature are identical jackass
December 6th, 2008 at 3:37 am
Well the other guy who responded to you was a bit rude — but he is correct, the chord progression is pretty much the same, same with the tempo and the melody is similar.
December 6th, 2008 at 7:05 am
Hey no problem, just wanted to point that out. You take care also.
December 6th, 2008 at 8:30 am
great explanation teacher! I find that quite a fake, is pretty obvious coldplay didn´t think twice about the evidence, but it sounds the same and it has te same chord progression… suit´em all!!
December 6th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Hey CTjones23,
You’re a total moron. These songs are 100% identical. Go watch the YouTube mash-up video by: “iGotSpaceLikeNASA” – “Viva La Vida vs If I Could Fly MashUp V.1″
Total Rip Off!
December 6th, 2008 at 9:43 am
So… if I take the famous, “Louie Louie” guitar riff move it to another key – keep the same rhythm and call it, “Wild Thing.” What the hell is that? I guess some sue and some don’t. If it were me… I’d DAMN WELL SUE – YEAH SATCH!
December 6th, 2008 at 9:50 am
I meant to say 12 notes in a chromatic scale.
December 6th, 2008 at 10:19 am
haing played electric guitar and written my own music for over 25 years, this is the first time i have ever heard Joe Satriani’s music – although I am more than aware of him as the ubiquitous endorser of guitar products throughout North American MI industry magazines. i imagine it would be rather easy for Britain’s Coldplay to have missed Satriani’s career ENTIRELY heretofore.
December 6th, 2008 at 10:45 am
I seriously doubt it. Coldplay with eight ears between them, plus all the production team, plus internet exposure=someone in that band has heard Satriani’s song. I’m sorry, there is just too much access to information out there for them not to have heard it before.
December 6th, 2008 at 10:55 am
they both sound like u2 ripoffs to me
December 6th, 2008 at 11:41 am
So why doesn’t Oasis just sue every band that’s used the Wonderwall Chord sequence? That’s about as reasonable as this case.
December 6th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Good Work Well Done
December 6th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Because they just have the same chord progression, but not the same rhythm, or melody…
December 6th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
You have played guitar for 25 years or written your own music for 25 years? Because if you have played guitar for 25 years and never heard of Satriani, I don’t even know what to tell you. :S
December 6th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
How can he copy something that hadn’t been written/released yet?
December 6th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
I think the issue here is not whether Coldplay intended to rip off the song (it’s very unlikely), but whether the final result, regardless of its origins, is a copyright infringement of the original Satch piece. In that case, it doesn’t look too good for Coldplay.
December 6th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Yes, thank you Todithicus.
December 6th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
not only am I for satriani winning the case but I also learned a little music theory too! Thanks for the post!
December 8th, 2008 at 12:16 am
In the video, I was incorrect in thinking that the meter and the harmony alone could warrant a plagiarism lawsuit… I did a little music plagiarism law research online and it is VERY difficult to prove music plagiarism in a lawsuit. Even getting it to a Jury trial will be difficult. This is an interesting case.
December 8th, 2008 at 12:17 am
DEC. 7th, 2008 Announcement:
I have disabled comments due to the increased swearing and vicious fighting between YouTube members, (Coldplay VS. Satriani fans). I have deleted all previously posted comments which had used threatening & vulgar language.
February 11th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
FEB. 11th, 2009 Announcement:
Coldplay ignored Joe S. (and the lawsuit) until they had to visit L.A. for the Grammies. When Coldplay found out Joe’s lawyer was planning to serve them at the Grammies (and get it on camera) Coldplay finally hired an international attorney to accept the case.