copy cat?

[analogZero]

In the oceans of songs to be heard it seems inevitable that the same chord may be played more than once, and similar rhythms will exist. From time to time, however, there come songs that bare unbelievable symmetry to others, and make you wonder just how original a song may be. I'm not talking covers, or homages, but rather songs that take from other songs, perhaps plagiarism? perhaps something else? But many great artists have put out seemingly original songs that often go under the radar, or rise the charts, while holding remarkable resemblance to songs previously recorded by other artists. I'd like to know what people think of some of these examples, and your thoughts on the reasoning for this type of act in the music business. and perhaps hear some more examples you may have of bands that've bitten off a piece of originality.

01: I was listening to a song by 'the who' called 'real good looking boy'. If you can find it you only need to listen to the intro of the song to recognize the more familiar tune. I always start to sing 'only fools rush in' whenever I hear it, only to be deceived.

02:The offspring. they just released a new single somewhat recently and in it's rhythmic interchanges it emulates two rather well known songs. a close match to the bass part of 'lounge act', by nirvana, and later a more spot on match to 'all day and all of the night', by the kinks. maybe it's just me...

03:mr brightside's chorus is a split match to ode to joy. though with the numerous intricacies in this tune, I'd hardly place guilt for any misdoings. But taking to high point of one of the greatest songs of all time and splicing it into your own sounds like a smart move.

04: Avril lavigne...well f*ck...have a listen:

YouTube - Did Avril Lavigne Steal "Girlfriend?"

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it's also not the only time she's been accused of biting songs.

05: the beatles. well if you've ever heard of Lennon's jukebox then you might be familiar with what I'm talking about. If not, have a read:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2004/ma...ebeatles.media

06: While we're at it, I'd dare to go so far as the legendary hip swagger of elvis presley. It was a trademark of many black performers before elvis made it popular and sexy to a nation of young girls.

There's others, but these seem to transition the bridge of circumstantial to blatant. so then, what would you add to the list, and what do you think? Does the thought of theft change your opinion of your favorite band when you recognize something like this? Or do you let it slide and attribute it to the destiny of coincidence? What of the artists who are victims to plagiarism, the ones that didn't earn the misdirected fame?

[jyuukai]

Being a musician I have to say that it is hard to come up with original songs these days as everyone is always saying that you stole this beat or these chords or some thing to upset me but they don't see the other side of it. And as a fan of Avril I have to say that I don't believe that she stole those songs. Call it denial but I don't really give a damn

[analogZero]

Well I can respect that form the perspective of the artist it is difficult to produce something purely original, on a pedestal of it's own. But ya, sometimes I think it's just my head playing the match up game. thinking songs are like people and there's bound to be a look alike around for each...but sometimes...