MovieChat Forums > General Discussion > Music plagiarism?

Music plagiarism?

posted 6 years ago by GlenEllyn (21659)
10 replies | jump to latest

I'm sure we've all heard or read stories of lawsuits over music plagiarism. I sometimes have a very difficult time detecting what the alleged similarities are, but I'm no musician so what do I know?

I stumbled across "Way Down" last night and was a little surprised that I couldn't find anything about a lawsuit in this case. I don't know who wrote Way Down, but I believe "Flowers on the Wall" was written by one of the Statler Brothers. Or is this a non-issue because Eric Heatherly copied his own arrangement of Flowers?

Flowers on the Wall
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9f7uhZcbfQ

Way Down
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=235KeVQTM3M

[–] TexasJack (12516) 6 years ago

I think the vocal melody and the main instrumental melody are the key elements that can trigger a claim of plagiarism. Your examples have a similar groove and are in the same key, but I don't think there is a case for plagiarism at all.

[–] BillHicksFan (10717) 6 years ago

Heart's "Barracuda" is a much shorter version of Led Zeppelin's "Achilles Last Stand" but Robert Plant lifted up quite a few lyrics himself (and received consequences), as did George Harrison with "My Sweet Lord"

[–] GlenEllyn (21659) 6 years ago

Well, like I said, I'm no musician.

[–] slimone (7996) 6 years ago

The Bee Gees were sued for plagiarism, but I forget what the song was that caused the trouble

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

How Deep is Your Love.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Locked Out of Heaven by Bruno Mars

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-fA-gBCkj0

is similar to Roxanne by The Police

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T1c7GkzRQQ

why no lawsuit ??

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Not close enough, but clearly some inspiration there.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l5H6576MCQ&list=RDQMQEZRM1Kz2kc&start_radio=1

sounds like Got To Give It Up by Marvin Gaye

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Js6uDz_FagQ

[–] BillySlater (4285) 6 years ago

Nirvana - Come as you are
Killing Joke - Eighties.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

They are similar