Exclusive: Will from Coldplay says we are not jackin' for beats!

(pic via newsday.com)

So just hung up with Will Champion, the drummer from Coldplay. (Our second time talking; great guy. Chill, humble, smart and patient with someone who's probably asking at least one question someone else already has.)

Anyway, I digress. You might have heard that, as of yesterday, there are now four groups claiming Coldplay plagiarized them, the latest being Yusuf Islam, who says "Viva La Diva" swipes part of his 1973 song "Foreigner Suite." (Of course, he recorded that song under a different name. But, I say if a man vants to be called Muhammad Ali, this is a free country, you should respect his vishes, and call the man Muhammad Ali!") 

There are all sorts of scholarly breakdowns of Coldplay's alleged thievery online, but Will says they are not, to quote Ice Cube, jacking for beats. Check it:

Malcolm: So I read that there was yet another plagiarism accusation to come out yesterday. I read that you guys aren't commenting on it, but do you care to now? 

Will: I don't know...in general, we're very...It's tough when people accuse you of stealing something when you know that you didn't. So, we accept that it's part of the territory and know it is only for some reason, God only knows why, the successful songs that seem to be the ones that are accused of being stolen. So you go figure it out. (Laughs.)

Malcolm: That can be kind of subjective too right? I mean, you can take a whole lot of songs and say, 'Hey that's the drum or melody from such and such.'

Will: Yeah I mean I think if everyone...there are elements of our music that I've heard in other people's music but it's kind of...I don't know. It's interesting but a very difficult thing to define. How can you...there are only eight notes in an octave and no one owns them. And there are probably about 12,000 songs that feature the exact same chord progression. I think it lies on an intent to steal, which we certainly have never done and never would. So it's unfortunate but it's the way people are. That's that. We're confident we haven't done anything wrong.

Ok then. Whoomp: there that is. 

Check back later for the full interview.

Coldplay does the Verizion Amphitheater here in VB May 20.

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