There’s a fine line between sampling a song and straight ripping off someone else’s artistic integrity. Imitation is recognized as the highest form of flattery – but at what point does it go too far?

Most recently, Madonna finally spoke out about her insane influence of Lady Gaga, with focus on ‘Born This Way‘ and it’s similarity with Madge’s 1989 hit ‘Express Yourself’. And in the spirit of that buzz – we’re delighted to bring you a little sampling, thirteen songs that famously ripped off others (and were pretty successful in their own right). Some of which dealt with court settlements and others were able to slip through the legal cracks. For those arguing that the likes of Hammer and Vanilla Ice had the right to sample – both were busted by the predecessors for their use. Ice even argued in an episode of VH1′s ‘Behind the Music’ that it was completely original and the sampling accusations were bogus.

Tell us what you think! Below are thirteen examples, first being the song that ripped off the following song:

Jennifer Lopez “On The Floor (Ft. Pitbull)” VS. Los Kjarkas “Lloranda se fue”

MC Hammer “U Can’t Touch This” VS. Rick James “Superfreak”

Sean Kingston “Me Love” VS. Led Zeppelin “D’yer Mak’er”

Sum 41 “Pieces” VS. Coldplay “The Scientist”

Ray Parker Jr. “Ghostbusters” VS. Huey Lewis “I Want A New Drug”

Red Hot Chili Peppers “Dani California” VS. Tom Petty “Mary Jane’s Last Dance”

Flo Rida “Right Round” VS. Dead Or Alive “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)”

The Offspring “Why Don’t You Get A Job” VS. The Beatles “Ob La Di Ob La Da”

Vanilla Ice “Ice Ice Baby” VS. Queen & David Bowie “Under Pressure”

Avril Lavigne “Girlfriend” VS. The Rubinoos “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend”

Coldplay “Viva La Vida” VS. Joe Satriani “If I Could Fly”

Green Day “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” VS. Oasis “Wonderwall”

Fergie “Fergalicious” VS. J.J. Fad “Supersonic”

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Overlooking the Toronto skyline from backstage at the Molson Amphitheater, Manchester Orchestra’s rhythm-guitarist and singer-songerwriter Andy Hull took in a drag and the scene.

“It’s pretty awesome to wake up in the city that you grew up in,” confessed Hull, moments before opening for My Chemical Romance and Blink-182 as part of the 2011 Honda Civic Tour. It would almost seem that, other than sharing a stage, lyrical honesty and vulnerability is about all that these three bands have in common.

“It’s fun man, they’re all really kind people,” says Hull about being on the road with MCR and Blink. It’s been a sleepless summer for Hull and company, leaping between a plethora of festivals from Montreal’s Osheaga to Chicago’s Lollapalooza. “It’s been quite an experience to play these venues. It’s definitely this casting vision tour to really see how big a band can get. It’s kind of crazy. And [Blink-182] is definitely a band that represented a huge part of our childhood.”

“I used to hide [Blink-182's] ‘Take Off Your Pants and Jacket’ from my mom all the time,” adds keyboardist Chris Freeman, dawning a black MacBeth Footwear t-shirt, a company owned by Blink-182′s singer-guitarist Tom DeLonge.

Manchester Orchestra was founded by a 16-year-old Hull in 2004 with his buddies: bassist Jonathan Corley, Freeman, guitarist Robert McDowell and drummer Tim Very. Their suburban Atlanta walls likely plastered with posters of the English city Manchester, a city that has spawned musically rich children from Joy Division to Oasis to Stone Roses.

“Growing up at 16, we pretty much named the band after the Smiths,” reminisces Hull as he looked to Freeman’s smile. “It was a band we were all really, really into.” He also cited the range of musical influences to be “anything from Pavement, Built to Spill, Modest Mouse, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Granddaddy, the Weakerthans, and the Flaming Lips.”

The five grew to produce arena-worthy anthems that hinted at an intimacy of an “indie rock” mix-tape. This signature sound was honed in 2005, while playing over 200 shows behind their first release: “I’m Like A Virgin Losing A Child.” A massive sound emerged that rippled exploration into issues of life and the human condition, essentially shredding the chains that age and experience wrapped around him.

Inspired by classic nineties efforts like Nirvana’s “In Utero” and Weezer’s “Pinkerton,” the band shifted their distorted textures to create their sophomore album, “Mean Everything to Nothing.”

After opening for their friends Kings of Leon at Madison Square Garden in 2010, the band went into the studio to patch together a musical vengeance of emotion. Almost like Dylan’s “Blood on the Tracks” responded to his carnage of relationship, Hull painted a comparably darker and more modern picture of the lover’s debris. Its melodies sound like enlightening promise, yet the undercoated lyrics protest distraught and failure (check “Virgin”at the band’s website).

Their third full-length album, “Simple Math,” surfaced in May and critics have praised its intimacy and Rolling Stone magazine found it “tough to look away”. It debuted at No. 21 on The Billboard 200 and at No. 8 on the magazine’s Rock Albums chart. A mixture of spiritual and marital confessions, it’s not just a few good songs; it’s an album.

“We made a strong commitment to each other that we wouldn’t make any records that were a step backwards or even a step on the same plain,” Hull looks at Freeman, almost like reaffirming a non-verbal agreement. “So that was pretty simple. We just wanted to step it up and make something that was grand, potentially better. But, still have it feel like a counter-piece to our record before.”

Freeman notices that, “the writing process was kind of easier on ['Simple Math'] and it felt natural.”

For the first time, the band recorded without former drummer Jeremiah Edmond, who parted ways with the band in January 2010 to focus on his family and the band’s record label, Favorite Gentlemen. “He was such a power drummer,” Hull says. “It was cool to work with guys who had a different feel, finesse and pocket to their vibe. We were playing outside of what we were used to doing when it came to recording and writing. It allowed us to explore different areas.”

This fall, the band will be dedicating their time by embarking on a 25-city tour in the U.K. and across the States. Aside from their hometown, the band is looking forward to playing their namesake.

“It’s one of the coolest cities we play, the people are so appreciative of us,” says Hull, cracking a Jack Nicholson-esque smirk.

Imagining the scene, Freeman chuckled to himself, “those Manchester crowds are crazy.”

“They’re just ready to get it on.”

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Liam Gallagher

Talk about brotherly love. Liam Gallagher is suing his brother Noel for calling him a “drunk.”

TMZ reports Noel claims Oasis bailed on a 2009 music festival because Liam was too “hung over to perform.”

Liam just told U.K. tabloid The Sun: “I have taken legal action against Noel Gallagher for statements he made claiming Oasis pulled out of the 2009 V festival Chelmsford gig because I had a hangover.”

Liam claims the real reason was he had a case of laryngitis.

He adds, “I tried to resolve this amicably but have been left with no choice but legal action. All I want is an apology.”

Yet another example of why you shouldn’t mix business with family.

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His Holiness has spoken.

Former British alternative rock band Oasis have been featured on a list of the Pope’s favourite albums, reports msn.com.

The list was recently revealed in the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano and showed Oasis’ 1995 album, What’s The Story Morning Glory? coming in at third place. However, the newspaper went on to say that the band were the “protagonists of 90s Britpop, led by the terrible Gallagher brothers, working-class children.”

Michael Jackson’s album Thriller and Fleetwood Mac’s Rumors were also featured on the list, as well as albums by The Beatles and Pink Floyd.

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Now that the long-time popular band Oasis are officially finished, lead singer Liam Gallagher is finally free to start a new band. And he’s doing so… with the members of Oasis who aren’t his brother Noel, reports rollingstone.com.

Bassist Andy Bell, drummer Chris Sharrock, and guitarist Gem Archer are currently working with Liam on new songs. In an interview with an Italian radio station, Liam promised fans that this new revamp of “Oasis,” which will perform under a different name, will return with music and performances soon.

“I’ll be back doing that, playing live, within a couple of months,” Liam said. “I’ve just done a tour, I always miss singing songs. I miss the people.”

Noel Gallagher left Oasis in late August, following a backstage fight with his brother before a performance at a French music festival. In the Italian interview, Liam revealed that the argument started when Noel poorly treated a guitar that was given to Liam as a present from his wife. In angry response, Liam took one of Noel’s guitars and smashed it.

“I didn’t smash the guitar on him,” Liam said. “I wish I had, man.”

“To be quite honest, I think Noel wanted out,” Liam continued. “We had an argument – but we’ve had bigger ones, about more important people. Basically, I think he wanted out, wanted something different, but he hadn’t got the bollocks to tell the band or the fans.”

Liam singularly wrote Oasis songs such as “Songbird,” “I’m Outta Time,” and “Little James,” but the music he creates in his new band will definitely be different without the intense yet creatively brilliant song relationship with his brother.

To really drive home the point, Liam repeated one more time, “Oasis is done.”

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Singer Liam Gallagher told WENN.com that he planned on putting together a new band next year. The former Oasis lead singer has taken a break form music since his brother Noel caused the band to fold after a fight with the two.

While Noel is pursuing a solo career, Liam intends to maintain a group dynamic, saying, “Getting away from the whole Oasis thing is going to be a good thing, I suppose. I don’t want to do anything solo. I want to be in a band. But we can do things a lot differently these days. It’ll definitely be rock ‘n’ roll.”

Liam is far form bitter about his time with the arguably one of the best bands in history.”I’m always going to miss Oasis. It was my f**king thing, you know what I mean? It’s who I am. But it’s only a name. I’m still who I am and I can go and do something else.”

Whatever Gallagher ends up doing, he will have an immediate following in the rock community.

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Now that Oasis has disbanded, lead singer Noel Gallagher is breaking away from his brother Liam and going solo, reports Perez Hilton.

“I’m looking forward to doing my own thing, bringing out my own music,” he said. “I’m glad that’s what people want to hear. I am not thinking about much else, Oasis or Liam, I’m just having a good time.”

He left the band in August following comments his brother made about the paternity of his daughter, Anais.

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Oasis singer Liam Gallagher has officially confirmed that the band is no longer around, according to CHARTattack.

Gallagher told Britain’s Times newspaper that the band are “done” and are “no longer.” He also said he was thinking about what his next musical move will be.

There was talk of Oasis continuing to make music without guitarist and main songwriter Noel Gallagher, who left the band earlier this year after a backstage fight with his brother. However, that appears to be out of the question now.

“I know [Oasis are done],” Liam Gallagher said in the Times article. “Without a doubt. And it’s a shame but that’s life. We had a good run at it. The thing about Oasis is [we ended it.] No one ended it for us. Which was pretty, kind of… cool.”

Oasis had a rocky 2009. Earlier in the year, Noel Gallagher said he wanted to release a solo album following Oasis’ tour for last year’s album Dig Out Your Soul. His brother was not a fan of that idea.

For now, Liam Gallagher’s busy promoting his Pretty Green clothing line, which launched earlier this year. He has also become a big supporter of bees – yes, as in the bug – and publicly supports a campaign to save them.

“You’ve got to look after the birds and bees, man,” Gallagher told British tabloid The Sun. “The bees are vanishing. We’ve got to save them before they all buzz off. It’s important. It’s really worthwhile cause.”

CHARTattack reported that one-fifth of Britain’s bees died last winter, which is a devastating number considering bee products contribute 200 million British pounds each year to the country’s economy.

Gallagher apparently became aware of this problem after honey cured the throat virus that led Oasis to cancel their Virgin Festival performance this summer.

“I like honey,” Galagher added. ”If it weren’t for honey, I’d have a rough voice.”

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Oasis gossip comes fairly cheap, but the latest news from the Brit-pop powerhouse may actually cost the band their very existence. Noel Gallagher, guitarist and older brother of vocalist Liam Gallagher, announced Friday on his blog he had quit the band for good this time.

“People will write and say what they like, but I simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer,” Noel wrote on oasisnet.com.

The post came after an altercation between Noel and Liam at the Paris music festival Rock en Seine. The two were so worked up they bowed out of their headlining set moments before they were scheduled to take the stage, disappointing fans even to the point of tears, according to drummer Chris Tomson’s statement to NME.

Vampire Weekend played the slot directly before Oasis and walked off stage into the midst of the confrontation between the brothers.

“It’s a story for Oasis to tell,” keyboardist Rostam Batmanglij told NME at the Leeds Festival the next day. “We’d just come offstage. It was weird – you feel kind of good [having played], your mind is not on other people’s problems. It was a strange time.”

Of course, Oasis have turned this trick dozens of times, and very publicly at that.

Both brothers have stormed off the stage mid-set, dropped off tours and slandered the other via interviews, on stage or most recently through Twitter. But entertainment media around the world seem to be taking this split more seriously and have already begun questioning the future of the 18-year-old band.

NME reported that while Liam said he has no intention of pursuing a solo career, he has said he would carry on with Oasis should Noel ever leave beacuse he was the one who started the band in the first place. On the other hand, Noel said he has written a number of songs that don’t belong to Oasis and a solo record is a possibility.

The Mirror UK reported both the Gallagher’s mom and the man responsible for discovering them, Creation Records’ boss Alan McGee, believe this is all just a spat and they will reunite in the end.

Noel’s wife, Natalie Appleton (former member of All Saints) told NME “Oasis will die before they split up…They’re going to go on forever until they are old men.”

The Guardian UK’s John Harris wrote a column on Aug. 25 – three days before Noel called it quits – titled “Oasis: Is it really over?” detailing the rapidly expanding divide between the brothers over the last year. The column even mused the Milan gig on Aug. 30 could be the band’s last.

Looks like they couldn’t even hold out that long.

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The initial wave of performers has been announced for the third annual iTunes Live: London Festival, which will run throughout July at the Roundhouse in north London.

Flo Rida, Oasis, Kasabian, Snow Patrol, Paolo Nutini and the Saturdays are among the confirmed acts, with more artists expected to be announced shortly.

In total, 62 bands will play over 32 consecutive nights starting July 1.

The event is free to attend, with tickets being given away to contest winners via www.ituneslive.co.uk and the iTunes Live profile page on Facebook. Becoming a fan of the Facebook profile will also give you access to video highlights, live audio broadcasts and the latest lineup announcements.

As with past iTunes Live events, each performance will be recorded and available to download via iTunes stores worldwide.

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Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher is stepping into the world of fashion with his own clothing line called Pretty Green.

Named after a song by The Jam, Pretty Green is described as an “up-front, straight talking, classic clothing range (with a) team made up of key industry professionals.”

The limited-edition line will include footwear, denim, knitwear, jackets, trench coats, parkas, t-shirts, hats, scarves and accessories, all subject to Gallagher’s final approval.

“Clothes and music are my passion,” the musician said in a statement on the Pretty Green website. “I’m not here to rip anyone off and I’m not doing it for the money either. I’m doing it cuz there’s a lack of stuff out there of the things I would wear.”

Click here to watch a promo video for Gallagher’s clothing line, which officially launches in June.

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Oasis have scored a leading seven nominations for U.K. magazine NME’s annual music awards.

Organizers of the Shockwaves NME Awards 2009 announced the nominees Tuesday, with Oasis earning nods in such categories as best British band, best album for “Dig Out Your Soul” and, swinging oddly to the other side of the spectrum, worst band.

The latter was among the awards’ “lighter” categories; others included hero of the year and best dressed, for which Oasis frontman and guitarist Noel Gallagher also received nods.

“Seven nominations, you say? Is that all?” Gallagher told NME.com.

He added: “I always knew my time would come in the best-dressed man in the world category.”

U.S. bands Kings of Leon and Vampire Weekend also emerged as top contenders, nabbing four nods each including best international band.

Representing for Canada was Toronto’s Crystal Castles, who are up for best dancefloor filler for “Courtship Dating,” as well as best international band.

Nominees and winners are decided by fans. Votes can be cast at the NME website here.

Awards will be handed out at London’s Brixton Academy on Feb. 25.

The ceremony will also see this year’s godlike genius award presented to The Cure, who will then play the next night’s Shockwaves NME Awards Big Gig 2009 at the O2 Arena. Franz Ferdinand, Crystal Castles and White Lies are also slated to perform.

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A man charged with attacking Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher at Toronto’s Virgin festival is due to return to court next month.

Daniel Sullivan of Pickering, Ont., appeared briefly in court Friday, where the case was adjourned until Nov. 25.

The 47-year-old man is charged with assault.

At the Toronto show last month, a man ran onto the stage during Oasis’ performance of “(What’s the Story) Morning Glory” and pushed Gallagher from behind, causing the musician to fall onto his speakers.

Gallagher was hospitalized after the incident and was found to have three broken and dislodged ribs.

His injuries forced a premature end to the band’s North American tour. The postponed dates included a show in London, Ont., which has now been rescheduled for Dec. 15.

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Britpop band Oasis will receive a lifetime achievement award at the Silver Clef music awards next month, joining such previous recipients as Paul Weller and U2.

The Manchester group will be honoured for its dedication to music and impressive record sales during a charity lunch in London, organizers said.

Seven other awards will be doled out at the ceremony, including best British band, best international act and the Icon award, which Rod Stewart took home last year.

The Silver Clef awards take place annually to raise money for the charity Nordoff-Robins, which provides music therapy for adults and children.

Oasis launched to fame in 1994 after the release of their debut album “Definitely Maybe,” and in 1997 their third LP “Be Here Now” became the fastest-selling album in the U.K. to date.

The band will release their seventh studio album later this year.

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Oasis is extending their stay in Canada this fall with three other performances.

The band is scheduled to headling the Virgin Festival in Toronto in September. Now, pairing up with Ryan Adams, the band will play Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary in August, just before the festival.

According to their web site, advance tickets to the special shows can be purchased at ticketmaster using the password OASISINET.

Oasis will play in Seattle before flying North. It will be their first live performance together in over two years.

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Oasis star NOEL GALLAGHER cringed after hearing RAZORLIGHT and the KAISER CHIEFS’ songs on a new SGT PEPPER’S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND tribute record – because they are so terrible.

A host of bands are performing on the tribute record, which celebrates the 40th anniversary of the landmark album’s release – with Oasis performing Within You Without You.

And while Noel was delighted with his contribution on the album, he was less than impressed with others’.

He says, “I was watching Kaiser Chiefs and Razorlight on the documentary and with the greatest respect to those two bands, it was embarrassing. I was embarrassed for them.”

(c) 2007 WORLD ENTERTAINMENT NEWS NETWORK LTD. All global rights reserved. No unauthorized copying or re-distributing permitted.

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LATEST: OASIS rocker NOEL GALLAGHER has played down suggestions he is going solo.

The Don’t Look Back In Anger hitmaker recently admitted he has written a selection of songs that are not right for the best selling band but would be great for a solo album.

He said, “‘I’ve got a backlog now of about four or five songs which are probably too far in the past as far as the band is concerned, but which could work on my record… it’s coming.”

However, his spokesperson denied he is going solo, saying, “He is not preparing a solo career.”

(c) 2007 WORLD ENTERTAINMENT NEWS NETWORK LTD. All global rights reserved. No unauthorized copying or re-distributing permitted.

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OASIS member NOEL GALLAGHER will take time out from performing with his successful band to release a solo alum.

The Don’t Look Back In Anger hitmaker has already written a large selection of songs earmarked for the forthcoming album, which he hopes to release in between world tours with the British band.

Gallagher was inspired to go alone after wowing audiences and critics with his recent solo appearances singing the band’s songs.

He explains, “I have actually got a backlog of songs that are slowly building up. The thing about a solo record is the time to do one is between Oasis world tours because you’d have a good couple of years.

“But it takes me so long to write the songs that eventually I run out of time, but I’ve got a backlog now of about four or five songs which are probably too far in the past as far as the band is concerned, but which could work on my record… it’s coming.”

(c) 2007 WORLD ENTERTAINMENT NEWS NETWORK LTD. All global rights reserved. No unauthorized copying or re-distributing permitted.

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OASIS may delay the release of their forthcoming album, so band member NOEL GALLAGHER can support his girlfriend during the birth of their baby.

Gallagher’s long-term love SARA MacDONALD is four months pregnant with her first child, while the star is dad to seven-year-old ANAIS from his previous marriage to party planner MEG MATHEWS.

The band has started work on its seventh album, but Gallagher admits childbirth and parenting will take a priority over the disc.

He says, “We virtually have an entire album ready to go, so there won’t be a great deal of work to do.

“But Sara is making a baby, so that kind of puts most of this year out, I would have thought.”

(c) 2007 WORLD ENTERTAINMENT NEWS NETWORK LTD. All global rights reserved. No unauthorized copying or re-distributing permitted.

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THE BEATLES’ iconic album SGT PEPPER’S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND is to be re-recorded by a host of modern acts, including OASIS, THE KILLERS and RAZORLIGHT.

Campaigning rocker BOB GELDOF is organising the project, which will mark the LP’s 40th anniversary this year.

The tracks will be recorded at The Beatles’ Abbey Road recording studios in London, using analogue equipment from the Fab Four’s era.

Geldof is still recruiting acts to the project and hopes U2 will agree to record a track.

The album will be recorded by Grammy-winning Beatles engineer GEOFF EMERICK and will be broadcast on BBC Radio 2 later this year.

Radio 2 controller LESLEY DOUGLAS says, “This will be not only a unique radio event but a very special musical moment.”

(c) 2007 WORLD ENTERTAINMENT NEWS NETWORK LTD. All global rights reserved. No unauthorized copying or re-distributing permitted.

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