Coldplay Vs. Joe Satriani, Round 3: The Snub

American Songwriter participates in affiliate programs with various companies. Links originating on American Songwriter’s website that lead to purchases or reservations on affiliate sites generate revenue for American Songwriter . This means that American Songwriter may earn a commission if/when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links.

Guess what, Joe Satriani? Coldplay don’t think they plagiarized you, and they’re willing to swear on a stack of bibles over it.

Videos by American Songwriter

In a Los Angeles Federal Court on Monday, attorneys for the band responded to guitarist Joe Satriani’s lawsuit, which claims the multi-platinum British Band lifted the melody and chord progression to Satriani’s 2004 album track “If I Could Fly” for “Vida la Vida,” the hit single from their most recent album, Vida La Vida or Death and All His Friends. The band’s attorneys reiterated t any similarities between the two songs were not enough to merit a copyright infringement claim. They also said Satriaini’s tune “lacks originality.” In your face, Satriani!

Coldplay won a Grammy for “Vida La Vida” this year. In December, the band posted a message on their website, claiming “if there are any similarities between our two pieces of music, they are entirely coincidental and just as surprising to us as to him.”

Coldplay have jokingly admitted to plagiarism in the past, just not when any court money was riding on it. Satriani has been quoted as saying that hearing Coldplay’s song “felt a dagger went right through my heart.”

Stay tuned, folks. This could get ugly.

Log In