That Song Sounds Like » litigated

Chrissy vs. Ke$ha

Keith — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 19:42:56 +0000

Back in March 2011 local unsigned artist Chrissy filed a copyright infringement case against Ke$ha and the Dr. Luke camp for the similarity of Ke$ha’s “Tik Tok” (2009) and her track “My Slushy” (2007) . After the release of “Tik Tok” many Chrissy fans instantly pointed out the similarities of the two. Many of them have noted that Ke$ha’s overall vocal style, lyrics and image were borrowed from Chrissy.

“My Slushy” gained wide notoriety in the hit online Japanese game “Audition” back in 2006. Music site Vlaze has also had Slushy up on their site since March 31, 2007.

According to The Hollywood Reporter Gottwald has also been known to fight back with counter defamation suits when an artist cries foul. “My Slushy” is currently being put to the test in the justice system. While we await a verdict here’s a sample of verses from both tracks:

While we await the verdict have a listen to some excerpts below:

Ke$ha – “Tik Tok” (2009)

Chrissy – “My Slushy” (2007)

See More appearances of Ke$ha on ThatSongSoundsLike here.

Avril Lavigne vs. The Rubinoos

Keith — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 20:31:28 +0000

Here’s another Lukasz Gottwald (aka Dr. Luke) produced track for the site. This time for the 2007 Avril Lavigne song “Girlfriend”. The chorus similarity did not go unnoticed by seventies power pop band The Rubinoos whose 1979 single “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend” shares a striking resemblance. In 2007 Rubinoos frontman Tommy Dunbar and co-writer James Gangwer filed suit in U.S. District Court in Northern California against Lavigne, Dr. Luke, RCA Records and Apple Inc.

“We are not so naive as to chalk it up to some sort of cosmic coincidence,” Dunbar said in a statement on Thursday. “The lyric, the meter, the rhythm … they’re identical.”

More about the lawsuit here: Avril Lavigne Responds To Lawsuit, Says She’s Been ‘Falsely Accused’ on MTV.com

According to PopCrunch.com the case was settled out of court in 2008.

Avril Lavigne has reached a settlement in a lawsuit that accused her of plagiarizing her hit single, “Girlfriend.”

Avril Lavigne “Girlfriend” Lawsuit Settlement; Rubinoos Avril Lavigne at PopCrunch.com

I’d also like to note that The Ramones have a song called “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend” released in 1976. It doesn’t sound like either of these.

While we’re here I might as well include the audio samples from the Green Day vs. Blink-182 post for the similarity in the guitar riff.

Avril Lavigne – “Girlfriend” (2007)

The Rubinoos – “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend” (1979)

vs. Green Day vs. Blink-182

Blink-182 – “What’s My Age Again?” (1999)

Green Day – “Basket Case” (1993)

Keith Jarrett vs. Steely Dan

Keith — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 18:54:11 +0000

Submitted by Christopher

When Steely Dan‘s “Gaucho” was released on 1980 Keith Jarrett sued Donald Fagen and Walter Becker for using the main theme of ”Long As You Know You’re Living Yours” (1974) without giving him credit. Fagen and Becker both claimed that Living Yours inspired the track and they were fans. Jarrett has since been added to the credits. Have a listen:

Steely Dan – “Gaucho” (1980)

Keith Jarrett – “Long As You Know You’re Living Yours” (1974)

Leona Lewis vs. Avicii

Keith — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 19:00:15 +0000

Thanks to George for tipping me off to this bit of news.

X Factor superstar Leona Lewis is being taken to court by Swedish Ministry of Sound DJ Avicii (Tim Bergling) for supposedly using his track “Fade Into Darkness” (aka “Penguin”) without permission in her latest single “Collide”.

According to the UK paper The Sun, Ministry of Sound Records is claiming that Lewis is blatantly ripping off the song with ‘Collide.’ The label’s operators have asked that execs at Simon Cowell‘s Syco, to which Lewis is signed, to yank the track from radio. They want to ban the song from being officially released, as well.
- PopCrush.com

The Guardian reported today that the High Court will hear a plea from the dance producer on Monday for an injunction against the release of the X Factor winner’s song, which is due out on September 4.
- DailyMail.CO.UK 8/5/2011

Leona Lewis – “Collide” (2011)

Avicii – “Fade into Darkness” (aka “Penguin”) (2011)

5th August 2011

Zombie Nation vs. Lazy Jones

Keith — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 02:44:06 +0000

Submitted by Kim

I love the video game submissions that come in. You’ve probably heard Zombie Nation‘s “Kernkraft 400″ (2000) in one remixed form or another but did you realize the synth riff was lifted right from a 1984 Commodore 64 game called “Lazy Jones“? In addition to the sound clip below, you really need to see the game clip here on youtube to get the full effect. According to this NME article from 2000 ”Mr Zombie, aka Splank, has had to pay an undisclosed amount to David Whittaker, the programmer who wrote the original.”

Lazy Jones – “Stardust” (1984)

Zombie Nation – “Kernkraft 400″ (2000)