One minute you’re humming along to a fresh radio hit, and the next you’re wondering if you somehow jumped back in time. Familiar chord progressions. Echoes of older melodies.
Rhythms that jog an odd sense of déjà vu. It’s a phenomenon that occasionally shakes the music world, stirring up debates and, more often than not, heated court battles. Some people argue it’s artistic homage.
Others call it blatant copying. Whichever side you’re on, it’s impossible to ignore the repeated patterns that have cropped up over decades of popular music.
Music critics lose sleep over this topic, and entertainment lawyers make a living on it. But behind the lawsuits and scathing headlines lies a very human reality: creative inspiration doesn’t exist in a vacuum.
When thousands of songs are churned out year after year, sooner or later, a few are bound to overlap. Listed below are some infamous cases and a handful of reasons for those sonic similarities.
George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord” vs. The Chiffons’ “He’s So Fine”
Here’s a prime example that keeps popping up in legal textbooks. George Harrison released “My Sweet Lord” in 1970, only to face accusations that he borrowed a melody from The Chiffons’ 1963 tune “He’s So Fine.” The court ruled Harrison had copied it—subconsciously, no less.
One could say this was a harsh wake-up call for him, proving that even the most beloved Beatle wasn’t immune to stepping on someone else’s musical toes.
Some fans have speculated he might’ve simply been nodding to doo-wop influences. A judge, however, didn’t see it as a friendly nod but an unwanted copy.
Olivia Rodrigo’s “Good 4 U” vs. Paramore’s “Misery Business”
When Olivia Rodrigo dropped “Good 4 U” in 2021, an entire generation jumped at the sound of pop-punk angst that had a distinct echo of Paramore’s “Misery Business” (2007).
Listeners flooded social media with mashups, drawing attention to the shared chord progressions and overall vibe. Reaction from Paramore’s camp was far friendlier than a lawsuit. If you’re curious about detecting patterns in writing, you might find this detector de ia helpful.
Hayley Williams and Josh Farro received writing credits, and everyone walked away with a piece of the pie. In an industry that can be cutthroat, it’s nice to see a relatively civil conclusion once in a while.
Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk” vs. The Gap Band’s “Oops Up Side Your Head”
“Uptown Funk,” featuring Bruno Mars, stormed the charts in 2014 and became the musical earworm nobody could escape.
Then came the inevitable: sharp-eared fans claimed it bore too strong a resemblance to The Gap Band’s “Oops Up Side Your Head,” a funk classic from 1979.
Ronson and Mars probably weren’t going for a cheap imitation, but the groove was close enough to raise eyebrows. The Gap Band eventually secured writing credits, ensuring everyone got a slice of that immense commercial success.
Coldplay’s “Clocks” and Its Influence on Modern Hits
Coldplay’s signature piano riff in “Clocks” (2002) is so recognizable it’s practically the band’s calling card. That repeated pattern found its way into other artists’ work, including Jordin Sparks’s “No Air” (2008).
Fans argued that the tracks share more than a passing resemblance, though no major courtroom drama ever erupted. It’s a testament to how a simple yet addictive piano motif can ripple through pop music, leaving subtle imprints wherever it goes.
Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” vs. TLC’s “No Scrubs”
@kfortch @Ed Sheeran interpolated “No Scrubs” in his mega hit “Shape Of You” ! #edsheeran #shapeofyou #eyesclosed #tlc #noscrubs #interpolation #musicproduction #musicbiz #singersongwriter #songwritersoftiktok #fyp ♬ Eyes Closed – Ed Sheeran
By 2017, Ed Sheeran was everywhere, and “Shape of You” dominated global charts. Then listeners noticed the melody and rhythm echoed TLC’s 1999 anthem “No Scrubs.”
Suddenly, the writing credits on Sheeran’s single included Kandi Burruss, Tameka “Tiny” Cottle, and Kevin “She’kspere” Briggs—names behind the TLC classic.
Sheeran seemed fairly cool about sharing credit. Some cynics claim it was a quick way to sidestep a legal brawl, while others think it was a genuine nod of acknowledgment. Take your pick.
Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me” vs. Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down”
When Sam Smith’s emotional ballad “Stay With Me” dropped in 2014, it became a staple for heartbreak playlists worldwide. Fans soon called out a striking melodic similarity to Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” (1989).
Word got around, the artists had a chat, and Petty, along with co-writer Jeff Lynne, ended up with songwriting credits on Smith’s hit.
Everybody tried to act calm and collected, but the situation subtly reminded us that a memorable melody can easily crop up again decades later.
The Strokes’ “Last Nite” vs. Tom Petty’s “American Girl”
@rebelliondiscos The Strokes plagió a Tom Petty? #thestrokes #lastnite #tompetty #americangirl #vinylrecords #vinylcollection #vinylcollector #records #recordcollection #vinilos #discos #lp ♬ sonido original – Rebellion Discos
Tom Petty’s influence pops up again. This time, it’s The Strokes’ 2001 single “Last Nite,” which many felt echoed Petty’s 1977 track “American Girl.”
Guitar riffs, chord progressions, an overall rhythmic bounce—they were close enough for fans to point fingers. Petty, in his characteristically laid-back way, basically shrugged and said it happens all the time in rock.
For once, no lawsuits ensued, and fans of both artists had an amusing topic for bar discussions.
Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” vs. Marvin Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up”
“Blurred Lines” (2013) burned up dance floors and radio playlists, only to end up in one of the most high-profile lawsuits in music history. The Marvin Gaye estate claimed it had too many similarities to “Got to Give It Up” from 1977.
A jury ultimately sided with Gaye’s family, leading to a massive payout. That verdict rattled musicians everywhere, creating a new wave of anxiety over tracks that might evoke a familiar style.
Some critics argued the ruling was too broad, opening a Pandora’s box. Let’s just say it gave entertainment lawyers plenty to discuss at dinner parties.
Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” vs. Madonna’s “Express Yourself”
@brittany3187 Versuz Tuesday! Lady Gaga Born This Way vs Madonna Express Yourself #versuztuesday #ladygaga #madonna #bornthisway #expressyourself #lgbtqia #loveislove #womenupliftingwomen @ladygaga @madonna ♬ Silent Song – Silent Song
Lady Gaga drew immediate comparisons to Madonna for her 2011 anthem “Born This Way,” primarily linked to the chord progression and lyrical themes in “Express Yourself” (1989).
It didn’t evolve into a legal fight, though Madonna publicly acknowledged the parallels. Fans from both camps had a field day debating originality and artistic lineage.
Was it a shameless rip-off? Or was Gaga simply channeling a pop icon’s style while promoting self-empowerment? Opinions varied, but it definitely got people talking.
Radiohead’s “Creep” vs. The Hollies’ “The Air That I Breathe”
In 1992, Radiohead’s debut single “Creep” helped catapult the band into alternative rock stardom. Sharp listeners noticed the chord progression sounded suspiciously like The Hollies’ “The Air That I Breathe” from 1974.
Before the media whipped up a feeding frenzy, Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood of The Hollies were given co-writing credits.
Radiohead eventually moved on to create far more experimental tunes, and ironically, “Creep” ended up as a song they seldom play at concerts.
Katy Perry’s “Roar” vs. Sara Bareilles’s “Brave”
The pop scene in 2013 saw a cheerful, motivational track from Sara Bareilles called “Brave.” Katy Perry’s “Roar” arrived not long after.
Comparisons poured in from fans who noted the melodic similarities and thematic overlap. Both artists shrugged off any suggestion of wrongdoing, offering only public admiration for each other’s work.
Some might say the controversy helped both songs gain even more visibility—free publicity at its finest.
Fools Garden’s “Lemon Tree” and Its Misattribution
“Lemon Tree,” released in 1995 by Fools Garden, has a whimsical retro vibe that left countless listeners convinced it was a Beatles track. Nostalgic chords and melancholic lyrics created a potential confusion so widespread that entire forums sprang up to correct fans.
It never went to court because nobody tried to sue The Beatles for rewriting their own style. Nevertheless, it showed how closely new songs can mirror legendary acts without direct copying.
Nirvana’s “Come as You Are” vs. Killing Joke’s “Eighties”
Grunge fans adore Nirvana’s “Come as You Are” (1991), but the guitar riff has an uncanny resemblance to Killing Joke’s “Eighties” (1984).
Rumors suggest that Killing Joke pondered legal action at one point, but a lawsuit never materialized.
Kurt Cobain’s untimely death in 1994 and the band’s subsequent hiatus may have put an end to any serious conflict. Music historians still point it out as one of those “too close for comfort” cases.
The Verve’s “Bitter Sweet Symphony” vs. The Rolling Stones’ “The Last Time”
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No list of notable cases would be complete without a nod to The Verve’s infamous legal nightmare. “Bitter Sweet Symphony” (1997) took a sample from an orchestral version of The Rolling Stones’ “The Last Time.”
Permissions were secured—just not enough, apparently. Before long, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards claimed the entire songwriting credit.
The Verve’s frontman, Richard Ashcroft, famously lost all rights for years. In a heartwarming twist, Ashcroft regained those rights in 2019, finally putting an end to what many call a cautionary tale in music sampling.
Reasons for Repeated Musical Patterns
Some might insist the industry is riddled with sneaky thieves. Others say it’s just the nature of creativity. Several factors can push artists into familiar territory:
- Limited Chord Progressions: Popular music often recycles a small pool of chord progressions. The I–V–vi–IV pattern, a favorite in countless hits, has been reused so frequently that any musician dabbling in mainstream pop risks sounding eerily similar to an older track.
- Subconscious Influence: Artists devour an enormous amount of music. Melodies sink in, sometimes without any active decision to copy. George Harrison’s legal case even hammered home the concept that someone might be guilty of infringement without realizing they’ve lifted material.
- Homage vs. Plagiarism: Some creators intentionally weave in references to honor musical heroes. It’s a tricky distinction because there’s a fine line between a tribute and a blatant act of copying. In some cases, fans see it as respectful, while other times, lawsuits argue it’s crossing the line.
- Commercial Trends: The industry loves repeating formulas that sell. If a particular style is riding high, record labels and producers keep pushing for more tracks in the same vein. That constant demand can lead to repeated melodies, rhythms, and hooks across multiple artists.
Wrapping It Up
Originality in music is a tricky concept. Musicians soak in the sounds of pioneers who came before them, occasionally stepping onto territory someone else has already marked. Not every resemblance leads to a public spat or a nasty lawsuit, but a fair number do. The moral of the story? Creative fields are built on a mixture of innovation and influence, and spotting the difference between the two can get messy.
Most listeners have that nagging “Wait, haven’t I heard that?” moment from time to time. Fans will debate, critics will rant, and lawyers will send bills. It’s all part of the grand scene of popular music, reminding everyone that a little déjà vu might be inevitable.
