Did Coldplay Rip Off Cat Stevens As Well?

BY Brock ThiessenPublished May 5, 2009

As Coldplay duke it out in court with Joe Satriani, the British soft rockers are once again being accused of plagiarism. This time it's Yusuf Islam (aka Cat Stevens) who is coming out with allegations that Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" bears striking similarities to one of his songs. However, unlike guitar hero Satriani, it doesn't look as if the Islam/Stevens will be taking legal action.

Speaking to Reuters, Islam said his son brought the Coldplay track to his attention, explaining that it sounded a lot like Stevens's 1973 song "Foreigner Suite." "The song definitely sounds like it," he said. "It has such logical chords and the melody has to be what it is."

When asked if Islam would be taking Coldplay to court, he replied: "It depends on how well Satriani does."

As previously reported, Satriani has come out with accusations that the same Coldplay track ripped off his "If I Could Fly," and is currently seeking damages and "any and all profits" from the Brits' "Viva La Vida."

Here are both tracks, "Foreigner Suite" and "Viva La Vida," so you can decide for yourself if Coldplay have borrowed a bit too heavily (apparently it's the 5:15 mark on the Stevens track that sounds a lot like "Viva La Vida"):



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