Viva La Lawsuit

Here's more on the Coldplay copyright story.

Cat Stevens Says Coldplay Ripped Him Off Too

This time Yusef Islam (aka Cat Stevens) lays claim to the all-too-common musical progression:

"There's been this argument about Coldplay stealing this melody from Joe Satriani," he said. "But, if you listen to it, it's mine! It's the [1973 song] 'Foreigner Suite', it is!"

Some chord progressions are VERY common. Some very common progressions inspire very common melodies. In each of these songs, they only things that really set them apart are the lyric, arrangment and delivery. Or, in the case of Joe Satriani, the style of the guitar playing. The real value is in the whole.

These are pop songs. Anyone who has written pop songs knows they're are common elements or certain standard devices that are employed in that genre. This is true of any genre.

Fortunately for Coldplay or better yet, Joe Satriani, Yusef Islam isn't planning to sue.