Almost all songs are inspired, at least in part, by those which have come before them. However, sometimes a song bares such a likeness to its influences that it veers dangerously into the realms of plagiarism. Today I look at seven such songs that, to varying degrees, 'rip off' other songs.
Also, I forgot to title on screen that the version of ‘Bad Guy’ used at 1:29 is by Seth Everman. You can view the full cover here: https://youtu.be/VSPuRXkUWoU 🌝
Sources:
Statement from Warner Chapel in regards to Lana Del Rey: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/radiohead-publisher-issues-statement-refuting-lana-del-rey-lawsuit-2-196753/
Tom Petty on The Strokes: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/tom-petty-doubts-chili-peppers-similarity-had-negative-intent-98814/
Interview clips with George Harrison (1976): https://youtu.be/a-0qlkg8xrs
FabFourArchivist look at 'My Sweet Lord' lawsuit: https://youtu.be/ksZDMx6-cJY
Billie & Finneas discuss 'Bad Guy': https://youtu.be/kpx2-EMfdbg
Vanilla Ice claiming they're "not the same": https://youtu.be/6TLo4Z_LWu4
Vanilla Ice explaining that he went 5x platinum: https://youtu.be/K5V0Fx50ViI
Interview with Roger Taylor: https://youtu.be/PWV4lwXIC6U
Gap Band and Trinidad James added to 'Uptown Funk' songwriting credit: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bruno-mars-mark-ronson-face-lawsuit-over-uptown-funk-189142/
Ronson sued by Zapp over 'Uptown Funk': https://pitchfork.com/news/mark-ronson-settles-uptown-funk-zapp-copyright-lawsuit/
George Harrison interview with Bob Harris: https://youtu.be/1klQUpgGP8o
An extra special thanks goes to Glen, Vidad Flowers, Bruce Mount, Toot & Paul Peijzel, the channel’s Patreon saints! 😇
Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/davidbennettpiano
Timecodes:
0:00 Introduction
0:18 Billie Eilish VS. The Doors
2:17 Vanilla Ice VS. Queen
5:53 Lana Del Rey VS. Radiohead
8:10 The Strokes VS. Tom Petty
9:16 George Harrison VS. "He's So Fine"
11:28 Bruno Mars VS. all funk music!