No, Chris Martin hasn’t taken to nose reconstruction or fanciful masks; the UK rockers are being dragged into court again, as yet another artist accuses the act of flogging an existing melody and calling it their own.
Legendary singer/songwriter Yusuf Islam, better known as Cat Stevens back in the day, is maintaining the ‘Yellow’ hit makers have taken elements of his 1973 track ‘Foreigner Suite’ and used it in ‘Viva la Vida’.
"If you listen to it, it's mine! It's the ‘Foreigner Suite’ it is!" claimed Islam about the popular Coldplay song. Although the singer isn’t seeking any sort of monetary compensation, he wants songwriting credits he feels he deserves.
Cast your mind back a year when the first of three plagiarisms accusations came to light. Little known New York indie act, Creaky Boards claimed front man Chris Martin attended one of their shows in 2007, heard their song ironically entitled ‘The Songs I Didn’t Write,’ and subsequently used the melody to write ‘Viva La Vida’.
Coldplay denied stealing the song, and released a statement alleging that ‘Viva La Vida’ was in fact written and demo’d months before the Creaky Boards show. Martin also denied that he even attended the gig – claiming he was in London at the time.
Then legendary guitarist Joe Satriani came forward, claiming Coldplay copied elements of his 2004 song ‘If I Could Fly’ on Viva La Vida.
Satriani said he recognised his work the moment he first heard the song: "Almost immediately, from the minute their song came out, my e-mail box flooded with people going, 'Have you heard this song by Coldplay? They ripped you off, man.' I mean, I couldn't tell you how many e-mails I received. Everybody noticed the similarities between the songs. It's pretty obvious".
Coldplay once again denied the charge. Talking to NME, Chris said, "When these things happen it's a coincidence and we're as surprised by it as anybody else. Oh, I know exactly where the song came from. It came in the middle of the night, on a piano. I just get embarrassed about having to talk about these things. I do feel a bit upset about it because I wrote the song. But, you know, these things happen. Whatever will be will be."
Freaky co-incidence, song envy or do Coldplay take 'inspiration' from other artists more than is kosher? Whatever happens, we’re sure what ever royalties they made off the song will be eaten up in lawsuits!
Copyright : MTV Australia
