Musical Ripoffs

F You for Being a Friend

2011-02-22T08:16:00.000-06:00

"Thank You for Being a Friend," Andrew Gold (Golden Girls theme, performed by Cindy Fee)
"F*ck You," Cee Lo Green

The message of these two songs could not be more different. And the tempo is off a bit. But every time I'd hear the Cee Lo hit, I kept expecting it to close with a run of strings and a prolonged note from a song I couldn't quite place. I knew it was a TV theme. I knew it was from the '80s. But "FU" is such a catchy song, I never lingered on the similarity very long.

Also, since I now update this blog only annually, I didn't feel compelled to take action. But today I finally cleared away enough mental laziness to try to remember what song it really is. I can't say I expected the road that started at Gnarls Barkley to end at Bea Arthur, but here I am.

I Could Really, Really Use Somebody

2010-01-25T14:09:00.001-06:00

Bryan Adams, "Somebody"
Kings of Leon, "Use Somebody"

This is the kind of ripoff observation that causes people to hate me. The mere comparison of the alt.cool Kings of Leon to Canadian pop prince Bryan Adams is scoff-inducing. Alleging that one of the Followill brothers' most acclaimed singles would rip off or even be influenced by an '80s teeny bopper power ballad qualifies me for a lifetime ban from the musical hall of the internets.

I'd be concerned for my own sanity and safety were it not for the obvious connection between the two songs.

I'll answer the accusations of any haters* in advance: I'm not a fan of the Leonite Kings. I don't think they're terrible, they just make me yawn. But this entry has nothing to do with my personal feelings toward them. It's just that my initial reaction to this song was that it sounded like their take on a Bryan Adams song of almost exactly the same name. It's like Bryan Adams went off of Xanax and rewrote his old song. And that's fine. It's kinda catchy.

But, you know, it's earned its spot here, don't you think?

*Don't you like how I pretend that a) people are reading this and b) it's triggering some sort of intense emotional response? I'm silly like that.

Ripping Off Easy as 1, 2, 3 (4)

2009-10-31T11:40:00.001-05:00

Travis, "Side"
Plain White T's, "1, 2, 3, 4"

The first time I heard the Plain White T's uber-meh hit, "Hey There, Delilah," I felt pretty certain they had perfected the formula for a one-hit wonder. I don't listen to the radio enough to gauge the success of their second major release (or even to tell if another "hit" escaped me) but the moment I heard "1, 2, 3, 4," I was absolutely certain I had heard something just like it before.

Obviously the title is unoriginal. Feist, The Jackson Five, and about a zillion Muppets have done alpha-numeric progression songs. But that wasn't what caught my ear and dragged me for 3:30. It was the cadence and melody of the opening verse that sounded familiar. Only problem: I didn't like the original song enough to ever make a mental note of the title or the artist. I didn't hate it, I just didn't . . . anything it.

After about a month of occasional mental digging and Internet sifting, I finally discovered (via hearing a song by Keane and searching for bands that sounded like them) that the rip-ee was Travis, and the ripped-off song was "Side," as in "the circle only has one." Overall, the songs sound dissimilar, so I'll point you in the direction of the rippage.

Compare the chorus of "Side" (starting at 0:36) with the opening verse of "1, 2, 3, 4" (:20 in) and you'll hear exactly what I mean. It's not a perfect match, but there's no question the latter wouldn't exist without the former. That's right. It's a Plain White T's ripoff, even though Matthew McConaughey was not involved.

Midnight Train to Elizabethtown

2009-05-22T09:39:00.002-05:00

Journey, "Don't Stop Believin' "

Pinback, "Loro"

It's hard to say I'm a fan of the show Glee, partly because there's only one episode but mostly because, frankly, it's just hard to say that publicly. But I watched the show, and put a big L on my forehead, because I loved it.

What I haven't loved is the fact that their version of "Don't Stop Believin' " is cycling endlessly through my head. It's not that I hate the song or the version, it's just that I don't know the lyrics well at all, so the same parts keep repeating over and over. Apparently, that exact scenario occurred in the minds of the Pinback folks when they composed "Loro," which is featured on the second volume of the Elizabethtown soundtrack.

I've heard that song many times, but it wasn't until it played over the constant mental loop of Glee that I recognized the similarity (maybe it was because that version shares the same lyrics: da, da, da-da-da, dum, dum, dum). It doesn't sound as if they intentionally used Journey as their inspiration, but those two melodies have definitely met before in someone else's mind, and I doubt the latter song would have existed without the former. Sometimes a song plants a seed in our heads that simply can't be killed, and it's bound to bear fruit in some other creation.

Even if it is just the same part of the song repeated for three or four minutes.

Nobody's Spoon but Mine

2009-03-31T09:28:00.003-05:00

Blind Willie Johnson, "It's Nobody's Fault but Mine"

Led Zeppelin, "Nobody's Fault but Mine"

Soundgarden, "Spoonman"

I realize I'm a little late with this observation, since the most recent fossil in the evolutionary chain of the song was unearthed by Chris Cornell and friends in 1994 and the oldest came out of the 1920s. But this morning I realized that I a) had a song in my head and b) couldn't tell if it was "Nobody's Fault but Mine" or "Spoonman." I decided I'd lump those two songs together on the Musical Ripoff jukebox despite their obvious differences—there's just an undeniable influence, in my ears anyway.

But then I discovered that Plant and Page weren't the original authors of the song after all. I was delighted to learn the song is actually an old Negro Spiritual catalogued as far back as 1924.

I also learned I've been misinforming people about the origins of "Spoonman." I knew that Chris Cornell wrote the song based on a made-up song/band name from the movie Singles. What I didn't know was that Jeff Ament had indeed implanted meaning into said name. It is, indeed, about a guy who plays spoons (and also likes to cuddle): Artis the Spoonman.

Go figure. Actually, forget the figuring. Just listen and compare and see what you think.

Chy Khoh Ckh Ckih Chook

2009-01-18T22:43:00.002-06:00

The Transformers, "Transforming Sound"

Michael Jackson, "The Way You Make Me Feel"

Maybe the title makes no sense to you. Maybe you don't recognize that as the transliteration of the sound a Transformer makes when it transforms. Maybe no one will acknowledge that Michael Jackson indubitably received the entire inspiration of his song (released in 1987) from that one sound effect that first graced the ears of prepubescent toy junkies in 1984. Maybe you won't be able to detect a single instance of anything resembling that sound in the entire song.

Let me help you. First, play the sound effect and observe how naturally it blends into the subsequent song intro. Then, if you aren't convinced, advance to the 4:09 mark of the song. I'll accept your apology at 4:13.

Now excuse me as I transform into a giant moonwalking robot.

Giving Thanks for Pets

2008-11-21T16:26:00.002-06:00

Henry Smith, "Give Thanks" (performed by Don Moen)

Pet Shop Boys, "Go West"

This is the weirdest one I've ever done or heard. You've got the praise song preceding the punk pop song . . . add that to the fact that I realized the ripoff was in progress by listening to sports talk radio, and it's just odd. But it's worth a listen.

Bringing Elton Back

2008-07-18T14:00:00.003-05:00

Elton John, "Madman across the Water"
Justin Timberlake, "What Goes Around"

I'd say this is one of the more subtle ripoffs, but the more I listen, the more I hear it. Elton is worthy of ripping off, and Justin made a better choice than what you'd expect from the Mouseketeer. But all in all, I still think music might be the weakest of Justin's talents. I just don't get the music from him. He's funny. He can dance. And he's got that charisma that just makes people forgive him for whatever shlock he puts on a record . . . as opposed to Sir Elton who gets away with everything about himself because his music is that good.

Anyway, check out the ripoff and see what you think.

25 or Brain Stew

2008-06-06T22:24:00.002-05:00

Chicago, "25 or 6 to 4"
Green Day, "Brain Stew"

I think the similarities between these two songs vanishes after about 13 seconds, but for those first 13 seconds the songs swing in sweet sonic symbiotism. Chicago and Green Day, together at last. You wouldn't think Green Day would rip off jazz rock for a grunge punk riff, but maybe the two bands have more in common than I realized. You be the judge.

Stand by Those Beautiful Girls

2008-05-14T18:13:00.002-05:00

Ben E. King, "Stand by Me"
Sean Kingston, "Beautiful Girls"

David Archuleta exposed this one for me, although my brother has apparently been offended by this ripoff transgression for quite some time. My brother's right. This ripoff is so egregious, someone should be punished . . . I recommend Archuleta, just because. Sampling is common, and I have no problem with it. But this isn't the sampling of a hook in the song. Kingston just recorded his song directly over the musical track of King's song. It's the musical equivalent of eating an entire 5-gallon bucket of Baskin Robbins with one of those little pink spoons. Heck, you could sing "Beautiful Girls" at a Karaoke Bar just by asking for "Stand by Me." This is the worst ripoff since Vanilla Ice denied any link to "Under Pressure" . . . I'm just ashamed it took me so long to notice it.

The Price Is Blind

2008-05-05T10:20:00.000-05:00

"Price Is Right Theme"
Stevie Wonder, "Do I Do"

I have a pretty good feeling that Bob Barker was doing his thing before Stevie Wonder was Do I Doing his, but it's painful to think the musical genius that is Stevie Wonder would rip off a syndicated gameshow. Nevertheless, there was ripping going on, for sure.

Dylan vs. Diamond

2008-04-27T18:20:00.000-05:00

Wallflowers, "Sleepwalker"
Neil Diamond, "Solitary Man"

With all the Neil Diamond - Bob Dylan comparisons I've been making, I can't believe it took me this long to post this musical ripoff, which is not my original observation, but an old carpool mate. Enjoy.

Mayer vs. Cooke

2008-02-27T00:32:00.000-06:00

John Mayer, "I'm Gonna Find Another You"
Sam Cooke, "You Send Me"

John Mayer slowed it down a little bit, but check it out . . . total ripoff. Or spinoff. But, as I've said before, ripoff is so scintillating and scandalous, it's yummy.

Elton John vs. Counting Crows

2008-02-14T23:00:00.000-06:00

Elton John, "Daniel"
Counting Crows, "Holiday in Spain"

This is one of those that is a long way from ripoff status . . . heavy influence at best, and I'm just taking a guess. But I like the guess. And as Heavy Musical Influences isn't nearly as scintillating as calling it a ripoff, I'm calling it a ripoff. Elton John's "Daniel," to me seems like it may have served as a musical inspiration for the Counting Crows' "Holiday in Spain." For the sake of argument, I'll say that Elton is singing from the point of view of the one left behind, and Adam is the one doing the leaving. Check it out and tell me what you think. See a link there? For what it's worth, I love both songs, so I hold the Crows to the musical ripoff flames with the highest respect.

All I Need

2008-02-08T23:07:00.000-06:00

Mat Kearney, "All I Need"
Shawn McDonald, "All I Need"
Radiohead, "All I Need"
Jack Wagner, "All I Need"

Okay, these aren't actually ripoffs, other than that all these songs have the same title. I got the first one stuck in my head, which aggravated me to no end because the only lyrics I can ever remember are, "All I Need is just a little more time to be sure what I feel." Drives me nuts. Anyway, I thought I'd pass the aggravation on to you by adding the song to my playlist. But in my search for the song, I found loads of other artists who have recorded tracks called "All I Need." And while I wouldn't go so far as to call them clones of each other, at least three of them seemed to have the same vibe as the song I was looking for. I guess it sounded to me like they all had an assignment in music class to write a song called "All I Need" that was melancholy while making a vain attempt to be upbeat. Go figure.

Hulk vs. James Blunt

2008-01-27T01:28:00.000-06:00

I've been sitting on this one for a long time. I have no idea if James Blunt has ever acknowledged the true source of his only hit's melody, but I know where he got it.

I submit for your comparing pleasure, "The Lonely Man Theme" from the 1980s television series, The Incredible Hulk and JB's sapfest, "You're Beautiful." Please note, the Hulk theme is a YouTube submission that has some Enya thrown in somewhere in the middle of the homemade montage, but you'll get the idea.

Hulk

James Blunt

Mayer vs. Winwood (vs. Petty)

2008-01-14T16:56:00.000-06:00

John Mayer, "Say"
Steve Winwood, "Back in the High Life Again"
Tom Petty, "Free Fallin'"

I think I should preface this post by saying, I like musical ripoffs. I like when you can follow the melody, rhythm, spirit of a song from one artist's rendering to the next. I believe imitation really is the sincerest form of flattery. Of course, if you imitate only yourself (yes, I'm talking about you, Third Eye Blind) that's another story.

Today's ripoff comes to us from "Say," John Mayer's contribution to The Bucket List soundtrack. It sounds remarkably like Steve Winwood's "Back in the High Life Again." As was the case with the Matchbox 20 ripoff, there's a symmetry between the messages of each song. The Modern English song whispered hopefully, "I've seen the future, and it's getting better all the time," while Rob Thomas bemoaned, "I believe the world is coming to an end." In this pair, Steve Winwood is the voice of hope promising that "all the doors I closed one time will open up again." John Mayer counters with the warning to "say what you need to say," while there is still time to say it.

I like both messages. I like the idea of reclaiming a broken past and enjoying life to the fullest. But I also appreciate the warning not to take any days for granted. It's good to be hopeful for tomorrow. And it's good to express your feelings as if tomorrow might not happen.

And now I just can't get around adding this one.

Matchbox 20 vs. Modern English

2008-01-12T23:27:00.000-06:00

Matchbox 20, "How Far We've Come"
Modern English, "Melt with You"

Today Addison was doing one of the odd things that drive me crazy. Nothing bad, just . . . he sings songs, and I can't tell if he made them up or he heard them somewhere. The song tonight went like this: "SOMEDAY, I'll be a firefighter. SOMEDAY, I'll be a man." The tune was kind of catchy. It sounded real enough. But when I asked him where he heard it, he said he didn't know. When I asked him if he made it up, he said he didn't know. So neither of us know, but it bothers me alone.

But that got me thinking of a musical clone I noticed on the radio recently. The Mix 101.9 had Modern English and Matchbox 20 in their daily 15-song rotation, and the station was on all day in our house. But I had trouble distinguishing these two songs. Check 'em out.