Back in Time Today
Explore 32 fascinating cases where musicians were accused of plagiarism.
From legendary bands to modern pop stars, these disputes often end up in court, leading to settlements or landmark judgments.
Discover the stories behind these controversial tracks, the songs they allegedly copied, and the outcomes of their legal battles.
1. “Blurred Lines” – Robin Thicke ft. Pharrell Williams
Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams faced a major lawsuit when their hit “Blurred Lines” was accused of mimicking Marvin Gaye’s classic, “Got to Give It Up.” The lawsuit ended with a hefty $5+ million judgment against Thicke and Williams, marking a significant moment in music copyright history. The case emphasized the fine line between inspiration and plagiarism, sparking discussions across the music industry and setting a precedent for future copyright disputes.
2. “Stairway to Heaven” – Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin’s iconic song “Stairway to Heaven” faced allegations of copying Spirit’s “Taurus.” After years of legal wrangling, the jury ruled in favor of Led Zeppelin. The case highlighted the complex nature of musical inspiration and copyright. It became a pivotal moment in the rock world, illustrating the challenges artists face in creating unique work while acknowledging their influences.
3. “Viva La Vida” – Coldplay
Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida” was embroiled in a lawsuit for allegedly borrowing from Joe Satriani’s “If I Could Fly.” The matter was settled out of court, allowing Coldplay to avoid a public trial. This case underscored the blurred lines between homage and infringement, raising questions about originality in contemporary music and the impact of settlements on artistic integrity.
4. “Stay With Me” – Sam Smith
Sam Smith’s soulful ballad “Stay With Me” drew comparisons to Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down.” The resolution involved adding Petty and Jeff Lynne to the credits, reflecting a trend towards crediting influences in modern songwriting. This settlement illustrated the music industry’s evolving approach to handling disputes over song similarities and the importance of acknowledging past artists’ influence.
5. “Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” was accused of echoing Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On.” Despite multiple lawsuits, Sheeran emerged victorious in 2023. The case drew attention to the challenges artists face in maintaining originality while drawing inspiration from iconic predecessors. It highlighted the balance between creative freedom and respecting musical heritage in crafting new hits.
6. “Dark Horse” – Katy Perry
Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse” faced accusations of copying Flame’s “Joyful Noise.” Initially, Perry lost the case, but the verdict was overturned on appeal. The legal battle showcased the intricacies of copyright law and its impact on artists. It emphasized the importance of legal expertise in navigating disputes and the potential for appeals to reshape outcomes in music plagiarism cases.
7. “Creep” – Radiohead
Radiohead’s “Creep” sparked controversy when it was deemed too similar to The Hollies’ “The Air That I Breathe.” The case was settled, with Hollies’ writers added to the credits. This resolution highlighted the practice of credit allocation in resolving copyright disputes, demonstrating a collaborative approach to acknowledging musical influence and fostering creative dialogue.
8. “Come Together” – The Beatles
The Beatles’ “Come Together” faced legal action over alleged similarities to Chuck Berry’s “You Can’t Catch Me.” The case was settled by Lennon recording Berry songs as part of the deal. This arrangement illustrated the potential for creative compromise in resolving copyright issues and underscored the ongoing influence of early rock and roll on subsequent generations of musicians.
9. “My Sweet Lord” – George Harrison
George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord” was famously ruled as “subconscious plagiarism” of The Chiffons’ “He’s So Fine.” The legal battle emphasized the subconscious nature of musical inspiration and the complexities of proving intent in copyright cases. It became a cautionary tale for artists, highlighting the need for careful consideration of influences in the creative process.
10. “Ghostbusters” – Ray Parker Jr.
Ray Parker Jr.’s iconic “Ghostbusters” theme was accused of copying Huey Lewis & The News’ “I Want a New Drug.” The lawsuit was settled out of court, reflecting a common resolution method in such cases. The situation underscored the challenge of distinguishing homage from infringement, particularly in the realm of commercially successful tracks that echo popular predecessors.
11. “Ice Ice Baby” – Vanilla Ice
Vanilla Ice’s hit “Ice Ice Baby” famously sampled Queen & David Bowie’s “Under Pressure.” Initially, the sample was uncredited, leading to legal action. The resolution included crediting the original artists, highlighting the importance of proper attribution in music production. This case underscored the value of acknowledging musical influences and paved the way for future sampling practices.
12. “You’re Beautiful” – James Blunt
James Blunt’s “You’re Beautiful” faced accusations of bearing similarities to Natasha Bedingfield’s “Soulmate.” While the controversy did not escalate to legal action, it fueled discussions on songwriting originality and the nuances of musical inspiration. This situation highlighted the industry’s informal mechanisms for addressing perceived similarities, often resolved through mutual recognition rather than courtroom battles.
13. “Lucid Dreams” – Juice WRLD
Juice WRLD’s “Lucid Dreams” prominently sampled Sting’s “Shape of My Heart,” leading to discussions over credit and compensation. The situation was resolved amicably, with Sting praising the track despite initial tension. This case highlighted the evolving landscape of music sampling, where mutual respect and collaboration often replace contentious legal battles, fostering a spirit of artistic exchange.
14. “Get Free” – Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey’s “Get Free” was compared to Radiohead’s “Creep,” leading to negotiations over songwriting credits. While the case did not result in a lawsuit, it underscored the importance of crediting inspiration and maintaining open dialogues between artists. The situation reflected the industry’s shift towards collaborative resolution methods, emphasizing mutual respect and artistic acknowledgment.
15. “Do It” – Nelly Furtado
Nelly Furtado’s “Do It” was accused of copying Janne Suni’s “Acidjazzed Evening.” The controversy highlighted the complexities of digital music sampling and the fine line between influence and infringement. This case emphasized the importance of transparency in the music creation process and the need for clear agreements on sampling rights to avoid future disputes.
16. “Whole Lotta Love” – Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” drew comparisons to Willie Dixon’s “You Need Love,” leading to a lawsuit that was settled with Dixon receiving songwriting credits. The case underscored the ongoing influence of blues on rock music and highlighted the importance of acknowledging musical roots. It became a landmark example of credit allocation as a resolution method in copyright disputes.
17. “Bittersweet Symphony” – The Verve
The Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony” famously sampled The Rolling Stones’ “The Last Time,” leading to a loss of royalties until 2019. The case became emblematic of the music industry’s struggles with sampling rights and copyright. It highlighted the need for equitable agreements and paved the way for more transparent negotiations in the future.
18. “Old Town Road” – Lil Nas X
Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” initially used a Nine Inch Nails sample without proper licensing. The situation was quickly rectified, and the sample was licensed after the song’s release. This resolution highlighted the challenges of digital music production and the importance of securing permissions promptly, while also emphasizing the collaborative spirit of modern music creation.
19. “Paper Planes” – M.I.A.
M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes” sampled The Clash’s “Straight to Hell,” leading to a licensed agreement despite controversy. This situation emphasized the potential for artistic dialogue and collaboration in resolving sampling issues. It highlighted the growing trend towards formalizing sampling rights, ensuring that artists can draw inspiration from predecessors while maintaining respect for original works.
20. “All Summer Long” – Kid Rock
Kid Rock’s “All Summer Long” weaved together elements of “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Werewolves of London,” sparking discussions about homage versus plagiarism. The track was ultimately cleared, reflecting the delicate balance between inspiration and originality in music production. This case highlighted the importance of securing proper rights and acknowledging musical influences in creating nostalgic hits.
21. “Photograph” – Nickelback
Nickelback’s “Photograph” was noted for its similarities to their earlier hit, “How You Remind Me.” While this did not lead to legal action, it raised questions about self-plagiarism and creative evolution. The situation highlighted the challenges artists face in balancing consistency with innovation, and the importance of evolving musical identity over time.
22. “Born This Way” – Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” drew comparisons to Madonna’s “Express Yourself,” leading to widespread discussions but no legal action. The controversy highlighted the blurred lines between influence and imitation, emphasizing the importance of creative evolution. It underscored the need for artists to innovate while acknowledging the groundwork laid by their iconic predecessors.
23. “Toxic” – Britney Spears
Britney Spears’ “Toxic” famously sampled a Bollywood track, “Tere Mere Beech Mein,” sparking discussions about cross-cultural influences. The sample was cleared, illustrating the music industry’s growing appreciation for global musical diversity. This case highlighted the potential for cross-genre collaboration and the importance of respecting cultural origins in modern music production.
24. “Talk” – Coldplay
Coldplay’s “Talk” used a riff from Kraftwerk with permission, raising questions about innovation versus homage. The case emphasized the role of clear agreements in fostering artistic collaboration and the importance of transparency in the music creation process. It highlighted the potential for bridging generational gaps through respectful acknowledgment of musical influences.
25. “Roar” – Katy Perry
Katy Perry’s “Roar” faced comparisons to Sara Bareilles’ “Brave,” leading to discussions but no legal action. The situation underscored the challenges of creating distinct hits in a crowded musical landscape. It highlighted the importance of maintaining originality while drawing inspiration, and the role of public discourse in shaping perceptions of song similarities.
26. “Set Fire to the Rain” – Adele
Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain” was noted for its similarity to Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy,” sparking public debate but no legal action. The situation emphasized the subjective nature of musical inspiration and the challenges of defining originality. It highlighted the importance of audience perception in shaping discussions on song similarities and the evolving standards of creativity.
27. “Shallow” – Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
“Shallow,” performed by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, faced allegations of echoing Steve Ronsen’s “Almost.” The lack of substantial evidence prevented a lawsuit, emphasizing the challenges of proving plagiarism in music. The case highlighted the importance of clear differentiation in musical composition and the complexities of navigating creative similarities in high-profile collaborations.
28. “Down Under” – Men at Work
Men at Work’s “Down Under” incorporated a melody from the children’s song “Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree.” The legal battle resulted in Men at Work losing and having to pay for the sample. This case highlighted the complexities of incorporating traditional melodies into contemporary music and the financial implications of copyright infringement, even in seemingly innocuous contexts.
29. “Waiting on a War” – Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters’ “Waiting on a War” was accused by some of mirroring Nirvana’s “Something in the Way.” While this did not lead to legal action, it raised questions about influence and originality. The case highlighted the ongoing dialogue on musical inspiration and the balance between honoring legacy and forging new paths in the music industry.
30. “Shake It Off” – Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” faced a lawsuit over the “players gonna play” lyric, which was ultimately dismissed. The case underscored the challenges of lyric originality in pop music and the importance of creative freedom in songwriting. It highlighted the evolving standards of lyrical expression and the role of legal systems in resolving disputes over common phrases.
31. “Levitating” – Dua Lipa
Dua Lipa’s “Levitating” was accused by two different artists, Artikal Sound System, and L. Russell Brown & Sandy Linzer, sparking discussions about musical influence. The case emphasized the challenges artists face in navigating complex creative landscapes and maintaining originality. It highlighted the importance of respecting predecessors while forging unique paths in contemporary music.
32. “Good 4 U” – Olivia Rodrigo
Olivia Rodrigo’s “Good 4 U” was compared to Paramore’s “Misery Business,” leading to Paramore being retroactively credited. The situation underscored the importance of acknowledging influences in songwriting and the evolving industry standards for credit allocation. It highlighted the collaborative spirit of modern music and the role of mutual respect in resolving creative similarities.