Coldplay May Get Served Lawsuit At Grammys

Coldplay may get served legal papers at this weekend's Grammy Awards.

Last year guitarist Joe Satriani alleged that Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" borrowed a little too heavily from his "I Just Wanna Fly." Satriani's lawyer Howard King is planning to blanket the Grammys with servers to hand the band a plagiarism lawsuit.

Fox News reports:

King says, "We have warned their British lawyers that we have hired a fleet of process servers lined up to dog the band everywhere they go this weekend in the hopes of serving them."

King even promises to have camera crews roaming around with the process servers to get the whole thing on tape.

Coldplay denies the charges.

Read about Satriani's complaint here.

Hear a song comparison:

Comments

[mikesw]

Just a question:

If Satriani's song is so similar, why isn't it as popular as Coldplay's?

Should Satriani be suing his manager??

[BarackMan]

Ummmmm....­are you serious?

[andvoodoo2]

It doesn't work that way.

[jweider]

Your question doesn't make any sense? The the chord progressions and the melody are the same. Satriani's song was released 4 years before Coldplay's. I don't see where it becomes legally relevant that your car radio is tuned to stations that play Coldplay and The Jonas Brothers instead of Joe Satriani.

[mikesw]

Excuse my ignorance. I'm quite a neophyte on this sort of stuff. I don't know either Coldplay or Joe Satriani's song (though I suspect I'd dislike both).

But I strongly suspect that Satriani's lawsuit is motivated by the success Coldplay's song has had. Am I mistaken? Would he sue Coldplay if they didn't make any money off of it?

If the answer is "no", then it is indeed a serious question to ask why Satriani's version wasn't as popular. Was it just about radio play (in which case his record company would also seem to have not been very good) or is there something else that Coldplay had that he didn't?

[mymatrix]

A few Coldplay songs are too similar to Radiohead.

[AtomiClash]

They always said they started out trying to be Radiohead. Ergo, not that surprising.
However, I think Thom Yorke would probably go "Huh? Oh, well, whatever," if someone made tha similar accusation, and go on to do something totally amazing and inimitable.

[DocManhattan]

You know, people say that -- but can you name a single Coldplay song that REALLY sounds like a specific Radiohead song? I know Radiohead's back catalogue pretty well, and Coldplay's moderately well, and I can't think of a single one.

What I think people mean by this is that the overall blend of Coldplay's sound is similar to Radiohead's -- and that's true (but only if you're thinking of Radiohead circa 'OK Computer'). But you can't sue for duplicating another band's timbre.

[NoSillyName]

I, for one, would rather listen to a guitar virtuoso than FrigidPlay, Starring Chris Martin any day.

And I will.

[greendream]

My problem with this is I can't believe Brian Eno (Coldplay's Producer) would let something this major slip! The man has been around the music block twently times... and would surely have caught something like this!

More than likely its because he knows that that particular chord progression is pretty much in the common domain by now.

[BassMent]

You're more or less correct, greendream.

In order to successfully sue for plagiarism of music, you've got to have something more to go on than harmonic structure. This is because the harmonic structure of Western music is, by its very nature, limiting..­. especially as it is applied to popular music idioms. No one's going to score an atonal twelve-tone hit. Songwriters are stuck with a very limited palette when it comes to combining chords into songs. And whenever some pop group breaks out of those confines, they usually get labeled as "quirky" (cf XTC).

If chord progressions were subject to copyright, Chuck Berry would have to have given his entire fortune to Muddy Waters, who in turn would have had to turn it over to some Delta blues man who recorded on cylinders back in the 20's.

A successful plagiarism suit requires a combination of harmonic structure and some melodic and/or lyrical component that makes the original song stand out from other songs that came before it that used the same harmonic structure. The classic example is George Harrison's 'My Sweet Lord,' whose vocal hooks ("Hallelujah, Hare Krishna" etc) were identical to the hooks in the song "He's So Fine" by the Chiffons..­. same notes, same rhythm and phrasing over the same chords. The court ruled it an "unintentional" cop, but have the publisher of "He's So Fine" all of Harrison's royalty money anyway.

Satriani's claim does not pass this smell test, not even remotely.

[NoSillyName]

And a snappy "do lang do lang do lang" to you!

"Subconscious Plagarism" by an extremely creative man with many musical innovations to his name.

Intentional "lifting" by a group of minimally talented guys.

I know which of the above I'd consider most likely to steal from others.

[BarackMan]

Ever hear of the song "Shake It Up" on the album by the same name by a group named the Cars? Guess what......­they stole it....... Ever hear of the song He's so fine and George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord"? Guess what....he stole it. It's only after the money is made does the truth begin to get revealed. They stole it....they know it....Joe gets his dough.

[NoSillyName]

Who did The Cars steal this from?

Mr. Harrison had no reason to steal; it was subconscious.

[DrFelch]

AAAARRRGH!!! I love Eno's work, and have for decades. I cannot believe he is responsible for this Coldplay crap. Well, anyway, if Eno produced them, no wonder they got so famous. He is expensive, but it is always money well spent. He turned U2 into the biggest thing in pop when he produced "The Joshua Tree" for them. Let us also not forget what he did for Devo, (Q&A album), the Talking Heads,
and many others. Not to mention his utterly awesome and before it's time solo work. I mean, if you have never listened to "Another Green World" or "Taking Tiger Mountain (by strategy)" you ain't heard nuttin'!!! I know a recording engineer who does a lot of work locally who has never listened to an ENO album, poor guy. I can't believe anyone hires him. I had him do some work for me, but it was free! :-)

[DocManhattan]

Have you actually heard the Coldplay album, DrFelch? It's pretty good (and I was not a fan before). It's got Eno's stamp all over it -- I think he did a great job with it.

[deepfreezevideo]

Another biting commentary on music producers by someone who expects free work from music producers.

[NoSillyName]

Eno?! He's obviously lost his touch.

[Bookkillrr]

I had a chance to hear Coldplay. I wanted to hear what all of the excitement was about.
After hearing three songs I could not believe how lame they sounded. Elevator music gets more exciting. How did they guys ever get to where they are now? It has to be one of the label pushed bands. Not a band that made it by their music. It does not surprise me at all they they need to flat out steal music to continue. Their next move would be to buy a beatles song, and turn into a cover band.
Coldplay : only the posers like you. your horrible.

[dentuso]

Yes. Let Satriani make an @$$ of himself by suing over a simple 4-chord progression.

Then we'll watch as Gunther sues Satch.

Then we'll watch as Cat Stevens sues Gunther.

The we'll watch as Wagner's estate sues Cat Stevens.

[lisalovesamelie]

Thank You!

[Mitch rite]

4 Chord progression and a very distinct melody. That's the key issue. It is almost note for note the same song, even with the same tempo.

[Testiculus]

You only have to change one note. All this is doing is getting media play. This will go nowhere.
Hey has anyone noticed that the ABC song sounds the same as Twinkle twinkle little star? Whom do I sue?

[andvoodoo2]

This is basically what my musician daughter said. She doesn't believe Satriani will prevail.

[Zillacabra]

Except the Gunther single in question ("Teeny Weeny String Bikini") came out about a month after Satch's album (Satch - April 13, 2004, Gunther - May 5, 2004). When you think about it, Coldplay must have actually stolen the song from Gunther since they have much more in common both musically and lyrically (search the Gunther videos on youtube and you'll see). They even share similar fashion sense. I can easily envision Chris Martin listening to Gunther and viewing Gunther as a major inspiration more than I can envision Martin listening to ol' bullethead.

Other than that, carry on.

[NoSillyName]

What?! "Teeny Weeny String Bikini"? That sounds like a rip off of the 1960 Brian Highland song ""Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini"!

Could two writers, decades apart, come up with such a similar silly title/lyric?

I think not.

[robbor]

Coldplay May Get Served Lawsuit At Grammys

very creative..­.great way to increase viewership­...the ultimate mash-up: Grammys and COPS

[BarefootSoul]

Then Lynard Skynard could sue EVERYONE!!!!!!! G - C - D The basis for todays lazy musicianship. (Not to put Skynard down...you get me though)

[13lotus]

i first heard this on npr months ago. they played satriani's song. then coldplay's song. then played them on top of each other...an­d the similarity is uncanny. don't get me wrong...i really like coldplay. but, this isn't the first time their songs REALLY REALLY sound like others music, i.e. several kraftwerk songs, etc.

true. musicians are influenced by other's music. let's not even talk about led zeppelin. again, i love led zeppelin, but they made a career of stealing music.

[NoSillyName]

Borrowing is not stealing.

But face it, rock evolved from the Delta Blues. Few of those old guys were ever credited.

[EricR11]

Just like George Harrison with My Sweet Lord (google for details)

guilty of "subconscious plagiarism"

[John Foster]

This article has the song wrong. The Satriani song is "If I could Fly". And it is quite similar. Wether or not you like either musician is besides the point. Satriani might be on to something. Let the lawyers figure it out.

[MARCANTONIO]

O' they clearly copied the progression .
-Tell me what you think.

[colossus]

There is a small motif similarity in the two songs: about 3 notes that resolve the way. I can probably find a thousand other songs with that same type of thing if I took the time (or was being sued). It is NOT the same melody. Notes are supposed to resolved a certain way. It's what the ear wants to hear. Coldplay has most likely not even heard Satriani's song before. I hadn't heard it before this. Lawsuit will most likely be dismissed as well as what's left of Satriani's career (which is a shame, because I enjoyed him mildly).

[gdkzen]

I largely agree. Satriani has done his reputation a great injustice by engaging in this idiotic action. He is one of the few remaining icons of virtuosity in Rock, and he now looks like a loser attempting to grab some press.

Somebody is giving him some lousy counsel.

[jweider]

Legally he is required to protect and enforce his copyright or he looses his right to do so. Usually this kind of thing is done daily in the music business. Coldplay should just accept being served and avoid the whole public embarrassment.

[BarackMan]

Ummm..... You are very wrong!

[MARCANTONIO]

ITS STRIKINGLY SIMILAR!!

[Fraugher]

A judge and/or jury will decide this, not bloggers..­.

[ltyr2002]

Same chords, same key, same tempo, same melody.
I'm glad you love Coldplay so much you'd put your ignorance of what it takes to write an original song on the line, but you are very, very deluded.
This is the most striking example of plagarism since George Harrison's My Sweet Lord. (Don't know about that? Look it up.)

[MARCANTONIO]

The Chiffons ehh?

[georgiegirl]

Coldpay best get ready to pay up.

[Lisa Kl]

All people are innocent until proven guilty. To have cameras following servers at a public venue is saying Cold Play are guilty. And if they are, it's between Cold Play and Joe Satriani! If I were a juror on this case, this kind of behavior would make me believe in Cold Play more than Joe Satriani as it’s out of control. Let the music speak for its’ self. That’s all you need. I just feel so angry when people do public with things like this, just because someone is a celebrity. If they are able to serve CP the papers on the Grammy press Line, it will be on TMZ and in the papers and thus just another stupid story that does nothing to help this nation. Like I said, all people are innocent until proven guilty and Joe has every right to file a suit against CP, but not in such a predator like way that supports the dumbing down of this country and the insanity of our lawyers. No wonder most people don’t like lawyers. In this case, Joe’s lawyers are not serving him well.

[Fraugher]

They are guilty of trying to avoid being served... makes Cold Play stupid...

[PrincessAnnie]

If Coldplay is avoiding being served, all they plaintiffs have to do is prove to a court that they made reasonable attempts to serve the respondants, then the judge can approve another avenue to serve them besides serving Coldplay directly. A judge can approve service to their manager's office, where the summons can be given to anyone over 18.

I was a plaintiff in a civil suit; avoiding service is a common respondant ploy to delay proceedings and frustrate the plaintiff into dropping the case. I hope this guy knows there is more to come.

[gdkzen]

The problem is that while the chord progression and melody bears striking resemblance to Satriani's tune, it also bears resemblance (as does Satriani's) to a plethora of other tunes. It is fairly well understood in certain musical circles the diatonic music has been rehashing itself for centuries and that there is very little room left for individuality.

The only issue is whether they deliberately took his piece and attempted to repackage it as their own. The problem is, that determining that is all but impossible without someone testifying that they stole it. This has really got to end, because just about every pop tune out there could be accused of plagiarism.

[ltyr2002]

Please name another song in the "plethora" you mention that bears such a resemblance to this Coldplay song.
This is a matter of: same melody, same tempo, same chord changes, same rhythmic pulse, same key!

Find another song that come close to meeting all those measures.

Coldplay will, and should lose.

[lisalovesamelie]

Again, here you go.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=yVruURaUqOw&feature=related

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6XnhFR73wOs&feature=related

[gdkzen]

I'm sorry, but it is not incumbent upon me to prove that coldplay did not plagiarize this song. It is incumbent upon Joe Satriani to prove that they did plagiarize this song.

But since you asked for examples, I would recommend taking a look at this video:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=fxSIAXGakuk

[SwingingFromCenter]

Your argument fails for one reason:

Coldplay has come right out and admitted they copy from other artists, and will continue to do so, and will copy anyone they darn well please.

They can't come up with a sound of their own. Most of the time, they try to sound like U2 with a piano. Every now and again, they get "fresh" and mimic someone else. They're nothing but a glorified cover band.

[gdkzen]

"Artists are thieves, and the best artists are great thieves" - don't remember who said it.

Except in specific cases, music and art in general are not academic exercises being submitted for credits. The standards of academic honesty simply do not apply here. The question is not whether or not this is plagiarism, the question is whether or not this is copyright infringement.