Brooklyn Indie Band Accuse Coldplay of Stealing “Viva La Vida”
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUhFLiw6h6s]
Apparently it is Coldplay month(s) here at My Poproks. Some amusing news made it’s way onto NME this morning regarding a Brooklyn indie band accusing Coldplay of stealing their song to create the latest iTunes hit, “Viva La Vida.” The band claims via this video that Chris Martin came to see them at CMJ in October, and seemed “too into” their set.
I’m sure your myspace page will get a lot of hits, but I’ve never heard a more shameless attempt to cash in on the success of someone else. While the song does share some vague similarities in style, it is a basic melody over a basic pop song. These things will happen. NME also quoted a spokesman for Coldplay, stating that “Viva La Vida” was written and demoed in March of ’07. Good luck boys.
Now this on the other hand, I can understand.
Posted: June 16th, 2008 under News.
Tags: Coldplay, Viva La Vida
Comment from Ashley
Time July 30, 2008 at 2:30 am
Hey, so I listened intently to the chord progressions in both songs. The first two or three progressions in the “original” song do indeed sound similar to Coldplays, but they definitely do NOT repeat. All of Chris Martin’s tune repeats the same basic chords (from what I think I hear, C-D-G-Em), and the occasional Bm in the chorus ending. The other guy’s stuff literally takes a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ROUTE, and it takes more than 3 chords to constitute as stealing.
Consider also a line from Simple Plan’s song, “When I’m gone”:
“Life is what happens while you’re busy making your excuses.”
And John Lennon’s tune, “Beautiful Boy”:
“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.”
I was surprised it was so close! Anyway, thanks for the blog–got it off a “possibly related” blog from my sister’s webpage. You might be interested in her stuff (she’s under the name “the realist”)
Thanks again!