Coldplay vs Islam & Co
Posted on 11. May, 2009 by nostraboris in 24 hr Cable News BS, Music
With only 12 notes in our musical scale, melodies resemble each other. What grabbed me when I first heard the Coldplay song was not the melody, but the words:
“Now in the morning I sleep alone, sweep the streets that I used to own”
Aside from being instrumental, Joe Satriani’s version is in a different key, and has a different beat, making it sound really major and upbeat. I dare anyone to sing the Satriani melody without dancing like Carlton Banks. Two lines that capture what millions are feeling equal a hit. Not one fifth of the melody before, after, or underneath it.
Satriani plays the notes with guitar hero virtuosity, but his composition, although very crafty, does not change the lives of those exposed to it. Instrumental music has it’s limited appeal, unless you’re Yanni or Kenny G.
I am not a big Coldplay fan, but these lawsuits are weak. The song in question may resemble the plaintiff’s melodies, but they are used only as a part of the song. Coldplay wrote lyrics, which, combined with the verses and bridges around it, are the stuff hits are made of. Publishing shares are normally shared 50/50 between composer and lyricist.
Melodies re-appear all the time. To claim that a sequence of the few God given notes is your property, a combination of two things is required.
1: The tendency to create generic music
2: Lack of commercial success
These quick examples of blatant “borrowing” will prove why.
Linkin Park’s “Shadow of the Day” is almost a verbatim version of U2’s “With or Without you”. It has a different vocal line, and (pretty amazing i.m.o.) lyrics, but the arrangement, including the solo are familiar, to say the least.
Green Day’s “Boulevard of Broken dreams” borrows from Oasis’ “Morning Glory” in the same way, and has even been part of the Mash Up on LA’s now defunct Indie 103 station.
Why are there no lawsuits? Because all these bands sell more records than God. Like ‘em or not, they have always made music that was fresh when it came out, music that went against the main stream. They have also all done an excellent job in writing lyrics that relate to people, and in return command a vast army of loyal fans.
Right now the limo chasing lawyer that has Joe Satriani’s ear must be salivating. Yusuf Islam, the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens joined the swelling ranks of marginal musicians trying to milk the success of others.
In stead of calling the careers of others into question, Satriani and Islam should be grateful that they have one to begin with. Why don’t they sue eachother?
