Cat Stevens Accuses Coldplay Of Stealing

The hit song “Viva La Vida” has become quite the lightning rod for Coldplay.

Yusuf Islam, the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens, has said that he believes the melody of “Viva La Vida” is a direct take-off from his 1973 tune “Foreigner Suite,” which clocks in at 18-minutes.

“There’s been this argument about Coldplay stealing this melody from Joe Satriani, but, if you listen to it, it’s mine! It’s the Foreigner Suite, it is!,” Yusuf told Britain’s Sun Newspaper.

The latest Cat Stevens allegation completes a nice, copyright infringement trifecta for Brit-rockers Coldplay.

First, it was the indie band Creaky Boards who claimed that “Viva La Vida” sounded a little too much like their own tune “The Songs I Didn’t Write.”

Then rock guitarist Joe Satriani made the case that his 2004 song “If I Could Fly” was also ripped-off by Coldplay’s for “Viva La Vida.” The case was filed in a Los Angeles court last month.

At this rate I’m expecting Paul McCartney to declare any day now that Chris Martin and Co. lifted a melody or two off Rubber Soul. Then again, who hasn’t?

It’s been reported that Yusuf isn’t likely to seek any legal action.

He does, however, have a new album coming out tomorrow, titled roadslinger, so perhaps the ‘Hey, Coldplay stole my song!’ report will provide a nice bit of publicity for the legendary singer/songwriter.  Today’s news already has me dusting off my copy of Tea for the Tillerman.

Do you agree with Cat Stevens / Yusuf?

Source: The Sun