Coldplay accused of copying 'Viva La Vida' melody

[busybeeburns]

Brooklyn band say single sounds very similar to their track

 

An American indie band have implied that Coldplay knowingly copied one of their melodies for recent single 'Violet Hill'.

 

Posting their claims in a Youtube clip, Brooklyn group Creaky Boards alledge that the melody in Chris Martin and co.'s track sounds very similar to one of their songs - and that the Coldplay frontman may have even seen them play live last year.

 

Including footage of the band play at the 2007 CMJ festival in New York, a caption posted by songwriter Andrew Hoepfner reads: "We were flattered when we thought we saw Chris Martin in the crowd that night. He seemed pretty into it. Maybe too into it."

 

He then adds: "The crazy thing is that my song is actually called 'The Songs I Didn't Write'."

 

The clip compares sections of both songs to allow viewers to make up their minds.

 

Hoepfner then concludes the video with a caption, saying: "Anyway, I wish Coldplay the best of luck. If they ever want to collaborate, I've got some microphones we could use in my bedroom. I'm gonna get ready to play a show now. I hope the soundguy remembers to pass the tip jar..."

 

You can watch the full clip below.

 

Coldplay have yet to respond to the claims.

 

Meanwhile, the band are set to play a free gig at Brixton Academy tonight (June 16) - see NME.COM for a live report later today.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUhFLiw6h6s

[Mimixxx]

Uh oh :uhoh:

 

Although I heard a passing resemblance, if that. Am I just biased though?

[TraceOddity]

Meh. Music consists of only 12 notes, and some are goig to repeat eventually. I wouldn't read too much into it.......

[Mimixxx]

I don't, is free publicity for those lads.

 

Just means they're back in the papers...again. :dozey:

[costello]

I don't, is free publicity for those lads.

 

Just means they're back in the papers...again. :dozey:

 

+ 1

 

 

and on the other hand, at least, Martin & co made a decent, brillant, catchy, cool as fuck tune of that " song "

[The Mad Hatter]

It's really not that uncommon of a sort of melody anyway.

 

This blog post is funny.

 

I kind of like the song, actually. :laugh4:

[Ron Burgandy]

Is that the guy from My Name is Earl?

[The Mad Hatter]

rofl.

 

He does look like...Jason Lee? Is that his name?

 

Their music isn't actually bad, though.

[mayurshikotra]

it does abit but not increadbly...and i think he looks like the guy from my name is Earl as well

[Glossal Fragster]

it does sounds a bit like VLV......but just like a bar or so..coldplay's song is MUCH better anyway!......they are just looking for publicity!.........a while back i wrote a guitar part...then a few months later kings of leon song "fans" came out and it had the same guitar part on it! :o they MUST have stole it!!!!! :D

[BigFatNoises]

That guy is just jealous :P I hear some similar notes but this is not plagarism.... btw that guy can't even sing :D and he need to brush his teeth

[Famous Old Painter]

Meh. Music consists of only 12 notes, and some are goig to repeat eventually. I wouldn't read too much into it.......

 

+1

 

Really, if you look into it enough you'll find that EVERY SONG IN THE HISTORY OF EXISTANCE would sound very similar to another song before it. You cant deny that, it's just how art is made.

[vivian3]

OK so it is sound similar

but in this video there is a part when he said that chris was watching their consert, how did they know it's chris? mabye it is someone that looks like him

but if it's true, where is the proof that he was at their concert?

 

acually this band sound good, at least they are better than the "Coffe and cigarettes" song that sound "similar" as clocks... :laugh3:

[Blakeb155]

definately a degree of similarity.. but I think thats only because I'm looking really hard for it..

 

if I heard this on the radio without reading this, wouldn't really make the comparison.

[CRYSTAL]

i always hate these comparisions!

[cephaus]

From NME.com:

 

Coldplay: 'there's no way 'Viva La Vida' copied Brooklyn band'

 

Coldplay

 

 

Band weren't even in US when alleged plagiarism occurred

 

Coldplay have declared that there is no way that they could have stolen the melody for one of their new songs from an unknown New York band.

 

Creaky Boards claimed Coldplay's 'Viva La Vida' sounded very similar to their own track, 'The Songs I Didn't Write' in an online video.

 

They also added that the British band's frontman Chris Martin had attended one of their gigs and had "enjoyed" their set.

 

However, a spokesperson for Coldplay has told NME.COM there is no chance the melody was copied, even inadvertently.

 

Firstly, 'Viva La Vida' was written and demoed in March 2007, seven months before Creaky Boards claim Martin was at their gig.

 

Secondly, having checked back in the Coldplay frontman's diary, it turns out he was in AIR Studios in London when the October 2007 gig took place, so they believe it was a case of mistaken identity.

 

Meanwhile, the band are set to play a free gig at Brixton Academy tonight (June 16) - see NME.COM for a live report later today.

[Magnus]

Another attack on coldplay

 

This band claims they wrote the song that resembles viva la vida a long time ago:

 

 

Another try to promote a band through attacking Coldplay? There are some simmilarities, but I don't think it's enough to be called plagiarism, what are your thoughts?

[busybeeburns]

Coldplay angrily deny plagiarism claims over Viva La Vida

 

Coldplay have poured cold water on an American band’s claim that they’ve ripped off one of their songs for their new album.

 

Unknown New York indie outfit Creaky Boards say Chris Martin and co have stolen one of their melodies for their number one album title track Viva La Vida.

 

Creaky Boards say the Coldplay track sounds uncannily like their tune called The Songs I Didn’t Write and that Martin may even have seen them play the song live at this year’s CMJ festival in New Yotk.

 

But Coldplay have reacted angrily to the claim. Their spokesman told Mirror.co.uk: “Viva La Vida was written and demoed in March 2007, which is more than six months before this band claim Chris went to see them! We totally refute their claims.”

 

However, Creaky Boards are sticking to their claim and have posted up a video on You Tube comparing the tracks.

 

http://www.mirror.co.uk/showbiz/2008/06/16/coldplay-angrily-deny-plagiarism-claims-over-viva-la-vida-89520-20609397/

[Stefan8]

http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47021 :)

["*"*Claire*"*"]

Pathetic. It can be similar at first, but try to listen to them for many times.. You'll see that this songs are different, even the first part..

Just.. just pathetic.

[johnnymax865]

probably they both heard another third song and copied that one...:rolleyes: anyway, the unknown song isn't so similar, just reminds a little viva in some pieces... just a way to become famous since they aren't with their music yet ;)

[Lore]

they just want some free publicity

[Magnus]

Haha, I'm gonna stop trying to post news on this board, there's always someone faster than me

[Magnus]

It's funny though, the songs have some degree of similarity, yet Coldplay made it into a superhit that will sell in milions of copies, and this other band will be happy with a 100 copies maybe. It's such difference in quality. I mean, Viva la Vida rocks, and if this other song was even half as good, it would be better known.

["*"*Claire*"*"]

Secondly, having checked back in the Coldplay frontman's diary, it turns out he was in AIR Studios in London when the October 2007 gig took place, so they believe it was a case of mistaken identity.

 

Poor Chris! I imagine him desperatly reading in his diary, shauting to the others :

"I swear I wasn't there! I wasn't there! Belive me!" ;)