A spokesperson for Coldplay has defended the British rockers after they were accused of copying their latest single from a 1990s dance track, insisting the similarities are intentional.

The band's new track "Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall" debuted on Friday, but many fans were quick to point out that it sounds a lot like a song called "Ritmo De La Noche," which has been recorded by acts including Mystic, the Sacados and Chocolate.

A representative for the band has now confirmed Coldplay collaborated with songwriters Peter Allen and Adrienne Anderson, whose original tune "I Go To Rio" was used in "Ritmo De La Noche."

The rep also reveals frontman Chris Martin wrote "Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall" after hearing Allen and Anderson's work featured in Javier Bardem's recent film Biutiful, telling Scotland's Daily Record, "Chris was inspired to write the song after watching the film Biutiful by Alejandro Gonzalez. In the film, there is a nightclub scene - during which a track is playing in the background, based on "I Go To Rio" by Peter Allen and Adrienne Anderson. As a result, Allen and Anderson are also credited as writers on 'Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall.'"

Coldplay were sued by guitar great Joe Satriani in 2008 after he accused them of plagiarizing his 2004 song "If I Could Fly" in their hit single Viva La Vida. The case was settled out of court.