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”
Since Janet Jackson’s infamous wardrobe malfunction of 2004, The Super Bowl’s halftime show has played it safe when choosing its featured artists. This year will be no different.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers will take the stage during the halftime show in Arizona on Feb. 3, E! Online reports.
The veteran rocker and his band are set to headline the legendary event, following in the footsteps of Prince, Paul McCartney and the Rolling Stones.
Petty and the Heartbreakers have been around for thirty years and have sold more than 50 million records.
Musician Tom Petty isn’t planning on suing the Red Hot Chili Peppers for plagiarism, according to the rock icon himself.
Some media reports said that Petty had contacted lawyers and was mulling litigation over similarities between his song “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” and the Chili Peppers’ hit “Dani California.”
“The truth is, I seriously doubt that there is any negative intent there,” Petty told Rolling Stone magazine. “And a lot of rock & roll songs sound alike.”
“If someone took my song note for note and stole it maliciously, then maybe,” he continued. “But I don’t believe in lawsuits much. I think there are enough frivolous lawsuits in this country without people fighting over pop songs.”
Rock icon Tom Petty will soon have another accolade to add to his long list of Grammy Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Petty will receive the Century Award at this year?s Billboard Music Awards, scheduled to air live on the Fox network from Las Vegas on Dec. 6.
The Century Award is Billboard?s highest award for creative achievement. In past years, the honour has been bestowed upon the likes of George Harrison, Buddy Guy, Billy Joel, Joni Mitchell, Carlos Santana, Sting, and Stevie Wonder.
“This award comes at a particularly nice time as the Heartbreakers and I go into the 30th year of our career,” Petty said in a statement Thursday. “I’m very honoured that Billboard has acknowledged me.”
