Yusef Islam is the latest to claim plagarism in the face of Coldplay’s hugely successful ‘Viva La Vida’ album, but there is a difference, Islam forgives them.
Islam told The Sun that he felt the band had taken part of his 1973 song ‘Foreigner Suite’ and used it in the title track from their latest record, but he later told The Daily Mail “I stand by what I said. They did copy my song but I don't think they did it on purpose. 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.”
It’s not the first time Yusef Islam (formerly Cat Stevens) has been ripped off. In 2003, The Flaming Lips were accused by Islam of ripping off his song ‘Father and Son’ in their tune ‘Fight Test’. Lips front man Wayne Coyne at the time agreed to split the royalties, claiming it was an accident and happily paying his dues.
Meanwhile, Joe Satriani is still fighting Coldplay in the courts claiming their song ‘Viva La Vida’ (yes, the same one that allegedly ripped off Yusef Cat Islam Stevens) also contained “substantial portions” of his song ‘If I Could Fly’.
