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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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!
ReplyDeleteHi Aging Child,
DeleteGlad 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
I've never seen anything like it, BB. Truly unique!!
ReplyDeleteEither 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!!
Hi mrRadio,
DeleteYou 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
Many thanks for your unique mixes - am enjoying them and some new music I'm not familiar with and probably overlooked years ago -
ReplyDeleteI 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!
Hi Coffee Messiah,
DeleteI 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
Hi Butterboy, thanks - Do you happen to have: Certain Nuances Excepted-Live In Bruges?
DeleteBeing 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!
Hi Coffee Messiah,
DeleteSorry 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
BB - Yikes, but thanks for taking a look see.
DeleteI 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!
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.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dave,
DeleteI 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
A new link has been created after including "Little Latin Lupe Lu" as mentioned previously.
DeleteThanks again.
Cheers
Nice tip, Dave! And Butter, thanks for the update.
DeleteHey, 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".
ReplyDeleteHi JohnWCUW,
DeleteWelcome. I didn't realize that, Will definitely check it out.. . I also like the Yohn and Yoko influences. Thanks
Cheers
.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").
ReplyDeleteThanks again.
DeleteCheers.
"The Tin Man Was A Dreamer" is the correct album title, oops! Love your site here!
DeleteIt's the middle section of "Edward". Sounds *very much* like it has influenced S.O.Y.C.D.!! Thanks for hinting to this.
DeleteThis 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.
ReplyDeleteTwo 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".
Hi Jonder,
DeleteThanks 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
should read Slim Harpo above...
DeleteI love these-- excellent compilations! Here are a few more you might like...
ReplyDeleteThe 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
Whoops, should be:
DeleteChicago - 25 or 6 to 4 / Green Day - Brain Stew
Oasis - Wonderwall / Green Day - Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Hi kennyneal.
DeleteThanks 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.
Thanks for this, BB.
ReplyDeleteSome 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.
Nice BB!
ReplyDeleteDeep Purple - Black Night/ Blues Magoos - Ain't got nothing yet
Black Sabbath - Sabbath bloody sabbath/ Vanusa - What to do
Hi blind willie.
DeleteMore for future comps. Thanks.
Cheers.
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!
ReplyDeleteThank you Wolfgang.
DeleteIt is one of my favorite compilations. Glad you are enjoying it.
Cheers.
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.
ReplyDeleteHi Wolfgang,
DeleteGood pick up.
I love the "Midnight Rider" track. There are about 60 cover version available.
Cheers.
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.
ReplyDeletestewball (Peter, Paul and Mary) - happy xmas (John Lennon)
ReplyDeleteHi Jonas,
DeleteNew links established, tested and working.
Enjoy!
Cheers.
Great pick up Peter, Paul and Mary vs John Lennon.
DeleteMuito 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.
ReplyDeleteHi Jonus,
DeleteI 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.
Many thanks BB. Have to make sure I "listen" to these to see where the similarities are.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy these, hedspace.
DeleteSome are obvious others a little trickier but nonetheless still copycats.
Cheers.