7 Songs That 'Rip Off' Other Tunes

Summary

The video examines seven songs accused of borrowing from earlier music. It compares their melodies, rhythms, chords, and musical styles while emphasizing that similarity alone does not always prove plagiarism. Some cases led to legal action or changes in songwriting credits; others were treated as friendly homage or as similarities within a shared genre.

The seven examples

1. “bury a friend” — Billie Eilish / “People Are Strange” — The Doors

   • Both melodies end with the same four-note phrase, their clearest point of resemblance.
   • They also share a minor-key sound and somewhat similar chord progressions, but their melodies are otherwise distinct.
   • Similar melodic contours may contribute to the impression that they sound alike.

2. “bad guy” — Billie Eilish / Plants vs. Zombies theme

   • The instrumental break in “bad guy” recalls the game’s theme, though the melodies are not identical.
   • Both use the G minor scale and a raised fourth, a feature of the double harmonic minor (or Hungarian minor) scale that gives them a spooky quality.
   • Eilish and her brother and collaborator, Finneas, have acknowledged the resemblance.

3. “Ice Ice Baby” — Vanilla Ice / “Under Pressure” — Queen and David Bowie

   • “Ice Ice Baby” uses the distinctive bassline from “Under Pressure.”
   • Vanilla Ice initially argued that the songs were different because he had slightly altered the bassline’s rhythm. The video explains that this small change did not remove the need for permission or credit.
   • Queen and Bowie were eventually credited and received royalties.
   • The case also illustrates how commercial success can affect whether a copyright dispute is worth pursuing: a hit that sells millions may attract legal attention that a less profitable song would not.

4. “Get Free” — Lana Del Rey / “Creep” — Radiohead

   • The video points to a shared chord progression and, more notably, matching melodic phrases between “Get Free” and the chorus of “Creep.”
   • “Creep” itself had previously been linked to “The Air That I Breathe” by The Hollies. That song’s writers, Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood, were credited on “Creep” and receive a share of its royalties.
   • A Warner/Chappell representative reportedly said that “Get Free” used musical elements from “Creep” and that acknowledgement was requested in favor of “Creep”’s writers. The video notes that the relationship between this claim and the earlier “Creep” case is not entirely clear.

5. “Last Nite” — The Strokes / “American Girl” — Tom Petty

   • Both songs feature a guitar repeatedly playing the tonic note in octaves, along with a similar drum groove.
   • Petty said he was not bothered by the resemblance, and The Strokes later supported him on tour.

6. “My Sweet Lord” — George Harrison / “He’s So Fine” — The Chiffons

   • The video compares the songs’ chords and melodies, which it describes as very similar, despite differences in lyrics and style.
   • The judge in the case concluded that “My Sweet Lord” was effectively the same song as “He’s So Fine,” with different words. Harrison said he had not heard the earlier song, but the video explains that copyright infringement does not require intentional copying.
   • After a lengthy legal process, Harrison reportedly had to pay nearly $1.6 million to the publishers of “He’s So Fine.” He later described the case as damaging his confidence as a songwriter.
   • Harrison also recalled that musicologists presented many songs with similar structures and notes in court, while the case focused closely on a short musical motif.

7. “Uptown Funk” — Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars / several funk and pop songs

   • The video describes “Uptown Funk” as an intentional homage to funk, but asks whether some similarities go beyond ordinary genre influence.
   • Its vocal bridge was compared with “Oops Upside Your Head” by the Gap Band and “Funk You Up” by the Sequence. The Gap Band and rapper Trinidad James were later added to the song’s songwriting credits.
   • Ronson was also sued over similarities to Zapp’s “More Bounce to the Ounce” and Collage’s “Young Girls.”
   • The video cautions that many of the shared features are common elements of funk. Songs in the same genre can naturally resemble one another, so not every resemblance establishes plagiarism.
   • It suggests “Uptown Funk” attracted multiple claims partly because it was exceptionally successful: it reportedly went 11-times platinum in the United States in its first two years.

Main lessons

• Similarity can range from a shared phrase to extensive borrowing. Each comparison requires attention to the specific musical elements involved, such as melody, rhythm, chords, bassline, or arrangement.
• A resemblance is not automatically proof of copying. Similarities may arise from genre conventions, common musical devices, or influence; the video distinguishes these from more specific overlaps.
• Intent is not necessarily decisive in copyright cases. Harrison maintained that he had not heard “He’s So Fine,” but the video says accidental copying can still create liability.
• Commercial success can increase the likelihood of legal disputes. The more money a song makes, the greater the incentive for rights holders to pursue a claim.
• Credit and royalties can change after release. Some cases result in new songwriting credits or royalty arrangements, while others end in lawsuits or settlements.

Speakers and sources featured

• Narrator: David Bennett, as identified by the channel context.
• Billie Eilish and Finneas: Discuss the resemblance between “bad guy” and the Plants vs. Zombies theme.
• Vanilla Ice: Discusses the “Under Pressure” bassline and why the case drew attention.
• Roger Taylor of Queen: Comments on Vanilla Ice using the bassline.
• Tom Petty: Says he was not bothered by The Strokes’ borrowing from “American Girl.”
• George Harrison: Discusses the “My Sweet Lord” lawsuit and the musicological evidence presented in court.
• Warner/Chappell representative: A reported statement about “Get Free” and “Creep.”
• Judge Richard Owen(s): Quoted through the ruling in the “My Sweet Lord” case.

Songs and musical works compared: “bury a friend,” “People Are Strange,” “bad guy,” the Plants vs. Zombies theme, “Ice Ice Baby,” “Under Pressure,” “Get Free,” “Creep,” “The Air That I Breathe,” “Last Nite,” “American Girl,” “My Sweet Lord,” “He’s So Fine,” “Uptown Funk,” “Oops Upside Your Head,” “Funk You Up,” “All Gold Everything,” “More Bounce to the Ounce,” and “Young Girls.”