Features
Yusuf Islam Wants To Hug It Out With Coldplay
Yusuf Islam, the folk singer formally known as Cat Stevens, has come to terms with the similarities between his 1973 song “Foreigner Suite” and Coldplay’s 2008 Grammy award winning tune “Viva la Vida,” and says he doesn’t think the English soft rock band copied him on purpose.
In early May Islam became the third artist to accuse Coldplay of plagiarism, following claims by guitarist Joe Satriani and Brooklyn indie band Creaky Boards.
Satriani sued Coldplay for copyright infringement last year, accusing the band of ripping off his 2004 instrumental “If I Could Fly.”
When asked by Reuters whether he planned on also taking legal action, Yusuf said “it depends on how well Satriani does.”
Photo: AP Photo
The artist formerly known as Cat Stevens performs during a soundcheck at the El Rey Theater in Los Angeles.
The Daily Express now reports that Islam doesn’t plan on serving Coldplay with legal papers and that he wants to make sure everything is hunky-dory between him and the band.
“I stand by what I said. They did copy my song but I don’t think they did it on purpose,” Islam said.
“I have even copied myself without even knowing I have done it. I’ll write down what I think is a good melody and realise it’s the same as something I have already done.
“I don’t want them to think I am angry with them. I’d love to sit down and have a cup of tea with them and let them know it’s okay.”
Photo: AP Photo
Chris Martin accepts the award. In background looking on from left are: Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland and Will Champion.
Last month Coldplay frontman Chris Martin swore to the Philadelphia Inquirer the band never meant to do any harm.
“We’ve never had a hit that big before. So I don’t know if it’s to do with it’s the only song that’s been that famous. Or that there’s a musical phrase within it that does pop up in a lot of other things, we’ve now heard. But on my grandfather’s life, I promise that I didn’t mean to do anything wrong.”
Martin added that all of the accusations have inspired the band’s songwriting.
“If there was any basis in truth, I wouldn’t be offended at all. But on this one, it just makes me feel, ‘OK, I’ll have to prove that it’s not true by writing better songs.’”
Click here for the Daily Express story.
Click here for the Philadelphia Inquirer story.
Click here for the Reuters story.