New York Band Claims Coldplay Stole “Viva La Vida” Melody
Did Coldplay steal the melody of their iPod commercial-fronting single “Viva La Vida” from a Brooklyn indie band? That’s what the Creaky Boards are alleging in a new YouTube clip. According to the band, “We were flattered when we thought we saw Chris Martin in the crowd” when the band performed at a CMJ showcase in October 2007. In the side-by-side comparison of the two tracks, the verses do seem a tad similar, though according to a Coldplay spokesperson, “Viva La Vida” was actually written and demoed in March 2007, well before Martin was supposed to have seen the Creaky Boards perform (Coldplay’s people also added that Martin was not in New York that weekend). Ironically enough, the name of the tune the band claims Martin nicked is “The Songs I Didn’t Write.” The Creaky Boards singer seems to be okay with it all, saying “I wish Coldplay the best of luck. If they ever want to collaborate, I’ve got some microphones we could use in my bedroom.”