If I Could Fly vs. Viva La Vida: Did Coldplay copy Joe Satriani?

[BillST4s]

I first heard "Viva La Vida" as background music on one of Randy the X Man's moto videos. On a later video of Randy's, I heard a number that I thought was an instrumental version of "Viva La Vida". Much to my surprise, Randy's closing credits stated that the number was actually "If I Could Fly" by Joe Satriani.

Well, apparently Joe Satriani harbored the same thoughts as I and is suing Coldplay. The lawsuit has generated a lot of postings on Youtube. Here are two:

For you music majors and real musicians, here is one person's analysis of the two numbers. I don't understand any of his music Geek speak, but I do have a pretty good ear. Suffice it to say that Coldplay would not want me on the jury if this matter ever goes to trial.

 

[mnb]

Interesting analysis, especially part 2.

I might disagree with him slightly on some academic points that only two music theory geeks would care about, but he's pretty much nailed it.

 

[PorradaVFR]

I read somewhere that Satriani may have lifted from an even older track to boot. :idunno