Music Plagiarism: Cult Songs & Lawsuits

Who doesn’t know theOde to joythis passage from the Ninth Symphony by Beethoven which became the European anthem in 1985? What is less known is that the German composer “borrowed” the melody from another musical giant: Mozart. Listen to his Lord’s mercies composed in 1775, almost fifty years before: the resemblance is uncanny. That said, if Mozart had lived until then, he would have been in a bad position to protest: he himself copied his Symphony No. 37 on the Symphony No. 25 by Michael Haydn, Joseph’s brother.

Sacem: a key organization for protecting copyright

At the time, we didn’t talk about plagiarism. Taking a fragment of an existing work was then seen as a tribute, if not as the fruit of an involuntary inspiration, or even as a simple coincidence. It was not until the 19th century that musical creation was protected by law. Emancipated from the royal courts and patrons, the composer who had become independent must now make his works bear fruit. In France, Sacem (Society of authors, composers and music publishers) was created in 1851. The appearance of technical means of recording and listening to music reinforces the need to defend copyright. However, plagiarism continues and today concerns all genres, from classical to rock and from variety to rap. It is so true that, as Igor Stravinsky said, “good composers borrow, brilliant composers plunder“.

Oasis: the champions of musical plagiarism

Since July 4, 2025, hundreds of thousands of fans have been applauding the Manchester group, miraculously reformed for a series of concerts around the world until November 23, 2025. Iconic songs such as Whatever or Don’t Look Back in Anger are repeated at the top of their lungs, without a thought for those without whom the Gallagher brothers could not have composed them.

First the Beatles, inexhaustible source of inspiration. The first keyboard chords of Don’t Look Back in Anger (1995) are thus a direct quotation from the beginning ofImagineby John Lennon (1971); And She’s Electric (1995) looks a lot like While My Guitar Gently Weeps (1968) des Beatles.

Oasis also borrows from elsewhere : REM, T.Rex… After leaving the tube Whatever (1994), the Gallaghers are forced to credit the singer Neil Inneswho recognized his song How Sweet to Be an Idiot (1973).

Stevie Wonder also won against the two Britons whose song Step Out (1995) is considered too close toUptight (1966) – it is also removed from the album (What’s The Story) Morning Glory on which it should appear.

As for Shakermaker (1994), it costs Oasis dearly: it is strongly inspired by the New Seekers song I’d Like to Teach the World to Singwhich became the property of Coca-Cola who used it in an advertisement. Result : Oasis had to pay half a million dollars to the American firm.

Oasis in concert at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on August 8, 2025.

© Avalon/ABACA

Gainsbourg and his classical inspirations

“I like great music. I make little music. Music. A minor art. So, I borrow.“Since he had confessed, Serge Gainsbourg certainly felt forgiven…and allowed to start again. His songs are full of melodies drawn from the classical repertoire.

This is howInitials BB (1968) takes up a motif from the New World Symphony d’Antonin Dvorakwhich Baby Alone in Babylone (1983) copies the theme of the third movement of the Symphony No. 3 of Brahmsand that Lemon Incest (1984) borrows from Étude opus 10, n° 3 of Chopin…among other examples. SO, homages or plagiarism ?

Ex-Beatles: the longest plagiarism trial

Too similar to be a coincidence. In 1970, when George Harrison releases its title My Sweet Lord – which quickly became a hit – the producer of Ragsan American female group, jumped out of his chair: he recognized He’s So Fineone of their songs dating from 1963. The ex-Beatles may admit a involuntary borrowingthe lawyers get involved.

After two years of negotiations, Harrison offered to pay the injured producer 40% of the royalties from My Sweet Lord. Alas: in the meantime, the Chiffons label has been bought by the former manager of the Beatles, fired by the Fab Four, who sees this as an opportunity for revenge. He refuses the financial arrangement and takes the matter to court. Harrison was ordered to pay $587,000 to the record company in 1981. The final details would not be settled until… 1998.

Sinatra: a song stolen from a Malagasy artist?

In 1967, Frank Sinatra sing Somethin’ Stupid in duet with his daughter Nancy. Immediate and international success. The hit even earned its performer his first gold record..

But in Madagascar, the singer Barijaona chokes: minus the words, Somethin’ Stupid is a true copy, to the nearest note, of its title Come Play written in 1958. The greatest mystery surrounds this story.

According to some sources, the Malagasy artist would have obtained financial compensation ; according to others, he refused it. Still, for posterity, Somethin’ Stupid is indeed associated with the American crooner.

The hidden influences behind the music of Star Wars

For fans of the saga Star Warsthe demonstration is cruel but we must face the facts: the main theme of the credits composed by the American John Williams in 1977 resembles… the music of another film, Kings Row (1942), signed by the Austrian Erich Wolfgang Korngold.

Nourished by classical influences, John Williams was indeed able to let himself be influenced by this work. But his borrowings don’t stop there. The famous theme of The Imperial March, also belonging to the original soundtrack of Star Warshas many similarities with the orchestral suite by the British Gustav Holst, The Planetswritten during the Great War.

Led Zeppelin vs Spirit: the story of the trial around Stairway to Heaven

Stairway to Heaven is perhaps one of the most famous songs in rock history. When it came out in 1971, it immediately became a worldwide hit without anyone finding fault with it. It was not until 2014 that a journalist sounded the alarm: the similarity is striking with Taurusa song written and performed by Spirit from 1968. The lawyers of the last musician of the group still alive threw themselves into the matter: potentially millions of dollars were at stake. In 2016, justice admitted the good faith of the members of Led Zeppelinwho claim to have never heard Taurus before composing Stairway to Heaven. Spirit appeals for procedural defects. The affair only ended in 2020 with a definitive dismissal for Led Zeppelin.

Elvis Presley’s hit inspired by an 18th century melody

The King went way back in time to find inspiration for his 1961 hit, Can’t Help Falling in Love : until 1784 exactly. That year, the Bavarian composer Johann Paul Aegidius Martini wrote a romance for piano and voice entitled Pleasure of love. The song was a great success, so much so that it caught the attention ofHector Berlioz who, in 1856, composed a version for chamber orchestra and voice. In the 20th century, it was interpreted by a host of artists, from Brigitte Bardot to Elisabeth Schwarzkopf and Barbara Hendricks. But Elvis copied the melody and added his own lyrics in English. And it is this version that will become a global hit.

Jenny Maxwell, Pamela Austin, Joan Blackman, Elvis Presley et Darlene Tompkins, Blue Hawaii 1961.

© PARAMOUNT PICTURES DILTZ / BRIDGEMAN IMAGES

Copyright: the historic trial surrounding the silence of John Cage

Avant-garde composer of the 20th century, the American John Cage created controversy in 1952 when he “wrote” a piano score entitled 4’33” : four minutes and thirty-three seconds of absolute silence. In 2002, the English composer Mike Batt wishes to pay homage to this provocative work by introducing, in his album Classical Graffitia minute of silence – duly credited Batt/Cage. But John Cage’s beneficiaries do not see it that way and are demanding compensation. Batt had to pay several hundred thousand dollars in a landmark dispute : from now on, silence belongs to someone!

Auteuil, Neuilly, Passy: plagiarism which cost the Inconnus dearly

In 1991, the song Auteuil, Neuilly, Passy of the Unknown is only intended to last as long as a television sketch. However, she remained in the Top 50 for twenty-one weeks and her clip was rewarded with a music victory in 1992. From then on, we scrutinized her more carefully. And we discover that she covers the melody of a 1990 hit by Watch David, People of the worldas well as the sample (or sample) of the song Southwick (1970) Maceo ParkerJames Brown’s saxophonist. However, as long as the title of the French trio was intended to be onlya humorous parodythe notion of plagiarism could not apply. But once it becomes a work in its own right, detached from the context of the sketch, the problem of copyright arises. Maceo Parker sued in 1993 and obtained payment of all royalties from the song. A cruel shortfall for the Unknowns.

These other famous plagiarisms

• All by myself, d’Eric Carmenis pumped on the second movement of the Concerto pour piano n°2 of Rachmaninov.
• Russians, of Sting, borrows from Prokofiev his suite for orchestra entitled Lieutenant Kijé.
• Big Pimpin’of Jay Zuses a sample traditional Egyptian music, Khusara Khusaraby the composer Baligh Hamdi.
• Live life, of Coldplayis shamefully copied from If I Could Fly, of Joe Satriani.
• Blurred Lines, of Pharrell Williams et Robin Thickeis inspired by Got to Give it Up of Marvin Gaye.
• Get Free, of Lana Del Reyis the exact copy of Creep, of Radiohead.

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