Friday, January 17, 2020

VA - Copycats, Borrowed, Stolen, Taken and Used CD1 + CD2 (A Butterboy Compilation)



COPYCATS

VA - Copycats, Borrowed, Stolen, Taken and Used (A Butterboy Compilation) CD1 + CD2

Pablo Picasso said, "Good artists copy, great artists steal."  Creativity spawns' creativity, as they say. But sometimes the line between influence and plain robbery gets a little blurred. Some of the greatest have stolen or borrowed riffs, licks and melodies and used them for their own masterpieces. Whether this is coincidental, subliminal, or intentional these songs all have definite similarities. Sometimes it's totally obvious and everyone agrees with you, other times it seems to be unique to your ears. Were a song being a blatant rip off, sounding so like other tunes that lawyers have to get into a room and work things out, whether the similarity is intentional or not.

It is said that Imitation is flattery and that can be true or is it simply influence? Many artists toured together or share some history so it is fair to think the similarities are of known as the familiarity is often obivious.  In some cases it can be hard to determine if a song has been violated, while in others the rip-off is clear. The Beatles, Tom Petty and Simon and Garfunkel allow certain remakes of their songs, and consider the action as a sign of respect. They will have picked up a trick or two from artists before their time.

Below is a set songs where the sound is remarkably similar to other songs. it is either borrowed, stolen, taken and used. They are Copycats. 

I like to think they were respecting there influences first.... Here are 40 similar-sounding songs that were subject to plagiarism claims after their creators allegedly stepped on the wrong side of the mark. I have included the Original first followed by the Copycat version. There are two tracks that have 3 versions of the same song.  So in total 81 great songs. Enjoy!

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Track Lists

CD1

01.1    Pee Wee Clayton    Do Unto Others    2:22
01.2    Beatles    Revolution    3:24
02.1    Spirit    Taurus    2:47
02.2    Led Zeppelin    Stairway to Heaven    7:58
02.3    Dolly Parton    We Used To    3:12
03.1    Jethro Tull    We Used to Know    3:58
03.2    Eagles    Hotel California    6:30
04.1    It's a Beautiful Day    Bombay Calling    4:28
04.2    Deep Purple    Child in Time    10:13
05.1    Beatles    Come Together    4:18
05.2    Gary Clark Jr.    Numb    5:26
06.1    Tommy James & the Shondells    Crimson and Clover    5:31
06.2    Jarvis Cocker    Black Magic    4:21
07.1    Slim Harpo    Shake Your Hips     02:31
07.2    Rolling Stones    Shake Your Hips    2:59
07.3    ZZ Top    La Grange    3:53
08.1    Kraftwerk    Computer Love    7:19
08.2    Coldplay    Talk    5:11
09.1    Maroon 5    Sunday Morning    4:06
09.2    Bruno Mars    When I Was Your Man    3:33
10.1    Queen    Under Pressure    4:07
10.2    Vanilla Ice    Ice Ice Baby    4:31
11.1    Cat Stevens    Wild World    3:20
11.2    Pet Shop Boys    Its a Sin    4:59
12.1    Chiffons    He's So Fine    1:51
12.2    George Harrison    My Sweet Lord    4:43
13.1    Marc Bolan & T.Rex    Get it On    4:23
13.2    Oasis    Cigarettes & Alcohol    4:49
14.1    Hollies    The Air That I Breathe    4:12
14.2    Radiohead    Creep    3:55
15.1    Who    Baba O'riley    5:08
15.2    One Direction    Best Song Ever    3:20
16.1    Badfinger    Day After Day    3:09
16.2    Joe Jackson    Breaking Us in Two    4:53
17.1    Beatles    Taxman    2:42
17.2    Jam    Start!    2:32
18.1    Kinks    All Day and All of the Night    2:23
18.2    Doors    Hello, I Love You    2:29
19.1    Rolling Stones    Live With Me    3:33
19.2    Primal Scream    Rocks    3:35
20.1    Humprey Lyttelton    Bad Penny Blues    2:46
20.2    Beatles    Lady Madonna    2:15

CD2

21.1    Beatles    Norwegian Wood    1:58
21.2    Bob Dylan    4th Time Around    4:39
22.1    Pink Floyd    Wish You Were Here    5:34
22.2    Jet    Move On    4:20
23.1    Allman Brothers Band    Midnight Rider    2:56
23.2    Beck    Loser    3:54
24.1    Beatles    Tomorrow Never Knows    2:57
24.2    Chemical Brothers    Let Forever Be    3:56
25.1    Link Wray and His Ray Men    Rumble    2:27
25.2    Richard & Linda Thompson    Shoot Out the Lights    5:24
26.1    Lou Reed    Sweet Jane    3:01
26.2    Alice Cooper    Be My Lover    3:18
27.1    Luiz Bonfa´    Seville    2:11
27.2    Gotye    Somebody That I Used to Know    4:04
28.1    Beatles    Sexy Sadie    3:15
28.2    Jet    Look What You've Done    3:50
29.1    Rolling Stones    The Last Time    3:40
29.2    Verve    Bittersweet Symphony    5:58
30.1    Righteous Brothers       Little Latin Lupe Lu     2:21
30.2    Clash    Should I Stay Or Should I Go    3:08
30.3    One Direction    Live While We're Young    3:19
31.1    Lights    Flux and Flow    3:22
31.2    Miley Cyrus    Wrecking Ball    3:43
32.1    Sara Bareilles    Brave    3:40
32.2    Katy Perry    Roar    3:43
33.1    Chuck Berry    Sweet Little Sixteen    3:00
33.2    Beach Boys    Surfin' Usa    2:28
34.1    Jayhawks    Waiting for the Sun    4:20
34.2    Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers    Mary Jane's Last Dance    4:33
34.3    Red Hot Chili Peppers    Dani California    4:42
35.1    New Seekers    I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony)    2:23
35.2    Oasis    Shakermaker    5:08
36.1    Muddy Waters    You Need Love    2:42
36.2    Led Zeppelin    Whole Lotta Love    5:34
37.1    Kinks    Picture Book    2:38
37.2    Green Day    Warning    3:40
38.1    Killing Joke    Eighties    3:41
38.2    Nirvana    Come as You Are    3:38
39.1    Madonna    Express Yourself    4:00
39.2    Lady Gaga    Born This Way    4:20
40.1    Fleetwood Mac    Albatross    3:12
40.2    Beatles    Sun King    2:26

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40 comments:

  1. ButterBoy to the rescue! This concept's been itching to be compiled... and now you've done it! There's plenty more for a someday-followup, too - e.g. ELO's "Sweet-Talking Woman" vs. Huey Lewis and the News's "Do You Believe in Love". But you're here-and-now two+disk set really nails down the accidental and deliberate copycats... not to advocate any harm to cats of any sort. Thanks, vigilant sir!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Aging Child,
      Glad to see you return. Missed you here.
      I didn't notice that choice. I will check it out. HN&TN had a few hits that were lets say noticeable for being similar to other songs.

      Cheers

      Delete
  2. I've never seen anything like it, BB. Truly unique!!
    Either you have skills of observation beyond what
    I was already crediting you with or you have done
    A LOT of research.. either way, this is awesome!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi mrRadio,
      You are always kind with your words. Appreciated.
      There is always a number of tracks that stick in your head and of course that sets you down the path of looking for more.
      I hope you enjoy the sound here . I do try to make comps interesting.

      Cheers

      Delete
  3. Many thanks for your unique mixes - am enjoying them and some new music I'm not familiar with and probably overlooked years ago -
    I was tempted by the 250 HVK series, as I've only heard, and enjoyed his Beethoven series many yrs ago -
    BTW, do you have any Wim Mertens?
    Otherwise, thanks again and look forward to your posts = Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Coffee Messiah,

      I do have the box QUA by Wim Mertens. I may get around to posting that in the future as it is a huge set 37 Cd's.
      I do have others. Is there anything in particular that is of interest to you?

      Cheers

      Delete
    2. Hi Butterboy, thanks - Do you happen to have: Certain Nuances Excepted-Live In Bruges?
      Being in the US, it's hard finding anything. Have listened to his work from the '90s and enjoy them all. Listen while I make my art. Wow, that box looks amazing. Either way, I'll keep looking in, and again, appreciate the effort in the making of your compilations. Reminding me of my cassette compilation days, er, a long time ago = Cheers to you!

      Delete
    3. Hi Coffee Messiah,
      Sorry don't have that one. I will post Qua in the future.
      Music and Art creation are brother and sister. Enjoy all you do.
      Your blog looks very interesting. I need to spend more time there.
      Thanks for your kind words.
      Cheers

      Cheers

      Delete
    4. BB - Yikes, but thanks for taking a look see.
      I don't spend much effort in it anymore as you can see.
      Too many projects. Too little time.
      Many years ago it was a music blog also, then political, then art/coffee.
      Not sure if you remember or know of Willards music blog - he is sorely missed
      and was one of the best - yours is right up! = Cheers my friend!

      Delete
  4. You could load up the Righteous Brothers' "Little Latin Lupe Lu" as the base from which The Clash "Should I Stay Or Should I Go" was stolen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Dave,
      I agree totally. the 1963 original "Little Latin Lupe Lu" should have been included. How did I miss that!.
      I will add it to a revised version of Copycats. It will become track 30.1 followed by Clash 30.2

      Great pick up. Thanks

      Cheers

      Delete
    2. A new link has been created after including "Little Latin Lupe Lu" as mentioned previously.
      Thanks again.

      Cheers

      Delete
    3. Nice tip, Dave! And Butter, thanks for the update.

      Delete
  5. Hey, you've got Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" but didn't feature it's real musical influence which is Van Morrison's "Almost Independence Day"!Check it out! There's no doubt!! Also...The "The Dreamer Was A Tin Man' album version by Nicky Hopkins seems to have influenced one of the instrumental parts to "Shine On You Crazy Diamond". Also. "Lonesome Tears In My Eyes" by Johnny Burnette And The Rock 'N' Roll Trio musically influenced "The Ballad Of John And YoYo".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi JohnWCUW,
      Welcome. I didn't realize that, Will definitely check it out.. . I also like the Yohn and Yoko influences. Thanks

      Cheers

      Delete
  6. .The "The Dreamer Was A Tin Man' album version by Nicky Hopkins' "Edward The Mad Shirt Grinder" I meant to say (possibly influenced a section of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond").

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "The Tin Man Was A Dreamer" is the correct album title, oops! Love your site here!

      Delete
    2. It's the middle section of "Edward". Sounds *very much* like it has influenced S.O.Y.C.D.!! Thanks for hinting to this.

      Delete
  7. This is great! Led Zeppelin could be cited "many more times" for borrowing and stealing. "Dazed And Confused" by Jake Holmes would fit perfectly in this collection.

    Two quibbles: "Shake Your Hips" (7.1) was written by Slim Harpo. You've listed "Pablo Honey" as a song title (14.2); that was the name of the Radiohead album that contained "Creep", the song they were sued over that contained a vocal line that was remarkably similar to "The Air That I Breathe".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jonder,
      Thanks for your quibbles, I will address these as soon as possible. You are quite correct with the Slip Harpo comment. Again will be fixed on my return from travelling.

      Also agree lots of Led Zep tracks could be presented. There is an album based on Led Zeppelin's stolen moments. Maybe I will include that in the Future.

      Cheers

      Delete
    2. should read Slim Harpo above...

      Delete
  8. I love these-- excellent compilations! Here are a few more you might like...

    The Who - I Can't Explain / Nazz - Open My Eyes

    Chicago - 25 or 6 to 4 / Green Day - Boulevard of Broken Dreams

    The Monkees - Daydream Believer / Jonathan Groff - You'll be Back (from Hamilton)

    Van Halen - Runnin' with the Devil / Nine Inch Nails - Closer

    Stevie Nicks - Edge of Seventeen / Survivor - Eye of the Tiger

    Pat Benatar - We Belong / Shania Twain - Still the One

    The Who - Don't Let Go the Coat / Indigo Girls - Tried to be True

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Whoops, should be:

      Chicago - 25 or 6 to 4 / Green Day - Brain Stew

      Oasis - Wonderwall / Green Day - Boulevard of Broken Dreams

      Delete
    2. Hi kennyneal.
      Thanks for the suggestions. Appreciated.
      Sometimes I hear songs that are so like others its very interesting.
      Maybe I should do another volume to compliment these.

      Cheers.

      Delete
  9. Thanks for this, BB.

    Some missing links: -

    'Bittersweet Symphony' came from Andrew Oldham's cover of 'The Last Time', which closely resembles an earlier song of the same title recorded by The Staple Singers.

    Led Zeppelin's 'Whole Lotta Love' is actually a direct cover of the Small Faces' 'You Need Lovin'', which was an uncredited cover of the Muddy Waters track.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Nice BB!
    Deep Purple - Black Night/ Blues Magoos - Ain't got nothing yet
    Black Sabbath - Sabbath bloody sabbath/ Vanusa - What to do

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi blind willie.
      More for future comps. Thanks.

      Cheers.

      Delete
  11. I really thought I was "in the know" about stolen melodies. But this compilation teaches me otherwise! Incredible what you collected here I had no idea of! So thank you very much again for all your work!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Wolfgang.
      It is one of my favorite compilations. Glad you are enjoying it.

      Cheers.

      Delete
  12. Just listening to The Allman Brothers Band's "Midnight Rider", a track I did not know. Another track came to my mind that sounds like clearly stolen from the verse: "Come In, Come On, Get On" by Gary Glitter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Wolfgang,
      Good pick up.
      I love the "Midnight Rider" track. There are about 60 cover version available.

      Cheers.

      Delete
  13. Olá Butterboy, tudo beleza? Teria como vc repostar estas pérolas plagiadas novamente? O link está off. Desde já agradeço muito. OBS: sempre estou de olho em seu blog. Muito bacana e top demais.

    ReplyDelete
  14. stewball (Peter, Paul and Mary) - happy xmas (John Lennon)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jonas,
      New links established, tested and working.
      Enjoy!
      Cheers.

      Delete
    2. Great pick up Peter, Paul and Mary vs John Lennon.

      Delete
  15. Muito obrigado pela atenção e satisfação imediata do meu pedido. Acabei de baixar. Gostaria de saber de qual país vc envia estas pérolas. Falo aqui do Brasil. Mais precisamente Brasil - Estado de Minas Gerais - Vale do Jequitinhonha - cidade de Capelinha. Para mim, sem dúvidas, o melhor e mais interessante blog da internet . Posso saber seu nome? Abraço.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jonus,
      I am in Australia. I am glad you are enjoying what you find on the blog and thank you for your kind words.
      I use the name BB.
      Cheers.

      Delete
  16. Many thanks BB. Have to make sure I "listen" to these to see where the similarities are.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Enjoy these, hedspace.
      Some are obvious others a little trickier but nonetheless still copycats.
      Cheers.

      Delete