The singer/songwriter formerly known as Cat Stevens is jumping on the “Coldplay ripped me off” bandwagon. Now known as Yusef Islam, he and his son believe that Coldplay’s hit song “Viva La Vida” sounds an awful lot like his 1973 song, “Foreigner Suite.” Islam has yet to decide if he will take legal action against Coldplay.
Another artist claims Coldplay borrowed unattributed material for one of its hit songs. Cat Stevens (now Yusuf Islam) says that the band’s “Viva La Vida” is suspiciously similar to his 1973 song “Foreigner Suite.” “My son brought it to my attention and said: ‘Doesn’t that sound like ‘Foreigner Suite?'” the singer-songwriter told Reuters by phone from his home in London. “The song definitely sounds like it.…It has such logical chords and the melody has to be what it is.” Islam is not alone in claiming credit for a Coldplay tune. The Brooklyn-based band Creaky Boards said last year that “Vida” sounded like their “The Songs I Didn’t Write,” while guitarist Joe Satriani is suing Coldplay, claiming that “Vida” lifts portions of his song, “If I Could Fly.” Asked if he, too, would take legal action against the British band, Islam replied, “It depends on how well Satriani does.”
I am beginning to think that “Viva La Vida” is one of those songs that sounds like a bunch of other songs. I listened to both “Foreigner Suite” and the Coldplay single, but I don’t see all that much resemblance- not like the resemblance to Satriani’s song. So, if Satriani wins this case against Coldplay, does that mean that Islam/Stevens will turn around and sue Satriani?
Cat Stevens is shown on 11/30/07.
I believe they ripped Cat off. Most of these artist recycle music from older performers and think the younger generation will not not. John Mayer do it to.
why doesnt cat stevens sue satriani? and why doesnt satriani then sue creaky boards? seriously, cold play ripped 3 artists off to make 1 song? if they are all ripping eachother off, what the heck is this and who the hell cares?
Argh, I just want to express my love for Yusuf Islam and my dislike of Coldplay.
Coldplay sucks whether they rip people off or not…whiny little pricks.
I can hear the similarity in it…but I bet if Chris agrees to donate money to some sort of charity he would probably overlook it.
i mean….yeah it kind of sounds like it??
i heart me some cat stevens.
Hah.. Cat Stevens wishes his song was as awesome as that Coldplay song. Foreigner Suite sounds like that really bad elevator music that inspires people to take the stairs rather than suffer through it.
the first time I ever heard a Coldplay song, not knowing who the artist was, I sincerely thought it was a U2 song.
they’ve been ripping off bands since their inception. perhaps not U2’s riffs or melodies, but their whole sound. (PS-I don’t care for U2, either.)
to “CC”…brilliant, and I agree.
figures that Chris Martin would be a phoney. Reminds me somehow of Gywneth’s website — the one nobody gets — where she pretends to have original ideas.
not likely.
All Chris Martin do is rip other people music off.
Don’t all musicians “borrow” from other musicians/songs/melodies/chords/beats? It’s the end result that is unique. I mean it’s like saying the Twilight series was ripped off since there was already books about relationships between vampires (havent read it), but the series itself is unique. i dont know, but the fact that all these has-beens are coming forward claiming originality is a bit fishy.
I agree, girly. There are only so many chord structures in the world. I strongly believe that any plagiarism would have been unconscious. It could be as simple as thinking “these notes sound good together” because many years ago you heard them and sub-consciously you remember them. Then again, it could also be a coincidence – they may never have even heard those songs. It’s funny how no one ever gets mad at unsuccessful artists for plagiarism.
I don’t see the connection. sorry.
Amen, K McFarlane!
Chris Martin is a douchebag.
McFarlane, no one gets mad at at unsuccessful artists because no one gets to know them, so they don’t know their music either. It’s logic. And I do see a connection, but like a lot of songs are connected between them.
Yurp, i don’t hear similarities between Cat’s & Coldplay’s!
It’s a fake protestation, but for Satriani, it’s weel grounded! And hope, justice will be for him.
I can’t stand either Coldplay or Cat Stevens, so truthfully, I don’t care who is right or wrong in this instance. But I did listen to the comparison and it’s clear that Stevens is blowing smoke. Is there a passing similarity? Yeah, a little. Is it plaigiarized work? No way.
I don’t think the Cat Stevens song is similar enough. There were only like 3 similar notes…
But I do think Satriani has a case!
As any seasoned musician knows, there are only so many chord progressions in the world. The fact that some get repeated is just a fact of life.
to hah and girly, cat stevens does not suck, and he’s not a has been. he’s a legendary folk artist. his music has done more and had more influence than fucking u2 wannabes coldplay. i really wish they would fuck off and die. they act so pretentious about their music and it’s not even original. it’s all been done before. i believe they ripped off cat stevens, and joe satriani…i wouldn’t be surprised if they ripped off other artists as well. i can’t remember now which songs they were, but i heard a few shitty coldplay songs and i immediately thought one sounded a lot like a kate bush song (which they admitted to ripping off once), and a brian eno song too…
I can see some similarities between Viva la Vida and Cat Steven’s song Foreigner Suite: Heaven.
The Cat Steven’s song on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lWjg_xlVxg&feature=related
Both songs use highly unoriginal chord progressions. It’s pop music and all these guys need to take themselves way less seriously.
Now, is Bobby McFerrin going to sue Four Non Blondes? (compare the melody of the verses in “Don’t Worry Be Happy” and “What’s Up”. You’ll be surprised)
That is stupid, and I think it comes from jealousy and greed, If he really thought his song was copied..he wouldn’t need to “see how well Satriani does first”. If that isn’t a big indicator that he is jealous and greedy for all you losers..then you are all doomed to be losers forever lol.
Uhm…so it sounds a teeny bit similar. Big deal. Most music is ripped off of something else.
Moral of the story: Coldplay has always sucked and Cat Stevens sucks just as hard.
I don’t think it’s possible for Coldplay to plagiarize from 3 different artists but I believe Viva la Vida sounds more like the Satriani song. It’s a shame they can’t write their own material. Cat Stevens is a legend and a musical genius and to say he sucks just means you’re probably 12 and will appreciate him when you grow up.
I sort of hear it but not like the others. Once (Brooklyn band), Twice (Satriani) but 3 songs? Something in the milk ain’t clean. Of the other 3 who copied who?
As for Coldplay, the fact that they won all those awards earlier in the year pissed me off because if everyone on the internet heard the copied songs, how did the judges of the award shows not know this was going on? It was a mockery of all the musicans that actually CREATED their music. But I doubt they’ll be stripped of their awards. They wouldn’t do that to Mr. Paltrow and Co. It’ll just be another award in that house that neither deserved (*cough* Oscar *cough*)
……Ice ice baby
can’t Cat Stevens just sue ALL OF THEM because he was first?
“cat stevens does not suck, and he’s not a has been.”
Please. That is simply a matter of opinion. That’s nice that you like him, but I happen to agree that he sucks. His voice is nasally and annoying, and his personality is sanctimonious, smug and superior. And I think there is absolutely no question whatsoever that he is a has been.
I can tell you that the people I know that are under 40 haven’t got a clue who he is/was, and that’s because his music, while it was okay, just isn’t good enough that people still listen to it regularly. I’m 44 and listen to the “oldies” radio stations usually (music from his era, generally) and they NEVER play his songs, simply because that’s not what people want to hear. He definitely qualifies for has-been status.
This is clearly a desperate ploy on his part to get some attention.