As someone who is fascinated with artists’ ability to create fresh, original material, it really gets my goat when songs bear striking resemblances to previously-released great tunes. More shameful than a Folex, copying another, better musician makes the ripper-off (is that a word?) seem tired and contrived.
Exhibit A: The Offspring’s “Why Don’t You Get a Job?”
I’m really ashamed to say I sort of like this song. It might be because it came out when I was 11 (who listens to anything good at 11?), but I always find myself singing along…. until I realize I’m singing “la la how the life goes on!”. Hello! Being the painfully obsessive Beatles fan that I am, I died a little inside when I realized this song is a blatant copy of “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”, down to the background yelling and steel drums.
Exhibit B: Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone”
I can breathe for a second because this one isn’t as blood-boiling. It’s actually a pretty crafty and subtle rip off of the uber-catchy guitar riff from The Yeah Yeah Yeah’s. Also, the whole melody of the song hints at “Barely Legal” by The Strokes. Ted Leo does a really funny cover of this song where he switches into “Maps” after the infamous solo. I kind of wonder of this was done maliciously, though. Knockoff? Oversight? Kelly showing off her indie rock side? The world may never know.
Exhibit C: Natalie Imbruglia’s “Torn”
Betcha didn’t know this was a cover! My editor Steve mentioned that the doe-eyed Aussie stole her breakthrough hit from a little-known alternative band called Ednaswap. Their version is totally different from Natalie’s; a little darker, not nearly as danceable. I would have much preferred their version to be a late-90’s hit.
A word of advice to musicians: Write your own shit. It’s way more interesting, and there’s the added bonus that a die-hard fan won’t show up at your show and cause a scene. Watch your back, Natalie.
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“A word of advice to musicians: Write your own shit. ”
This was great, Rachel. Also, you were right; I had no idea “Torn” was a cover.
Cheers.
rahawa
this is really good! I think this subject would bother me more if it were bands that i was actually into that were ripping people off. These folks you mention are kinda just scam artists to begin with. It makes sense that it’s just a big circle of sounding like one another or hocking a riff from a lesser known writer with a little more credibility. p.s.- your blogs are the best on here, so keep it up!
kyle
Thanks guys!
Rachel Knox