I'm always fascinated by music copyright infringement claims. One the one hand, there are only a finite number of musical notes that can be fit together in so many ways. On the other hand, it seems odd to me that two acts could write virtually the same melody independently of each other.
The latest flap involves guitarist Joe Satriani and Coldplay. Last wee, Satriani sued the British band, claiming that "substantial original portions" of his 2004 song "If I Could Fly" were used in teh song "Viva La Vida."
Coldplay has answered by saying that Satriani's allegations are baseless. "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 in a statement.
Spin magazine has done copyright infringement aficionados a solid by putting the songs back to back on its website. I hear a very distinct similarity between the melodies, so much so that the uninitiated might think that Satriani's "If I Could Fly" is an instrumental version of "Viva La Vida."
You decide. Click here. and scroll to the bottom of the page to compare the songs. I'd love to hear other opinions.
This article appears in Dec 3-9, 2008.