Elvis Costello takes a relaxed approach to plagiarism

[Cat Burrito]

I recall Def Leppard did a similar thing a few years back but I quite like stories like this where established artists are honest about having pinched a riff or two themselves

Elvis Costello defends Olivia Rodrigo over Brutal plagiarism claim - BBC News

There are only 12 notes after all.  

I guess the stuff I don't like to hear is when an established act takes from a struggling artist. That just feels wrong on every level. 

 

[BreadBin]

Top bloke 👍 

Let's face it - he did alright out of it and has moved on a long way musically since then, 

[ezbass]

I read about this earlier. Declan McManus has been known to be somewhat prickly in the past and a bit up himself. However, this has renewed my respect for him. Good man! 👏👏👏

[Elfrasho]

A good common sense approach. And very very true! I think it would be impossible to not nick ideas from other people... Knowingly or unknowingly! It's just the way the world of music works! 

[wateroftyne]

Mixed feelings on this one. It was only a matter of time before someone pointed out PiU's similarity to Subterranean Homesick Blues, so he took the best option and 'fessed up. See also Zeppelin, Cream, and decades' worth of folk & blues etc.

Having said that, I do think there are legitimate cases where more unique melodies have clearly been pinched.

But I'll let the legal eagles worry about all that.

[Bass Fumbler]

To be fair to Elvis, I’m just reading his biography and he doesn’t hold back about re-using other people’s riffs. subterranean Homesick Blues was mentioned plus Chuck Berry, The Beatles, The Stones plus many more.but let’s face it, most bands have borrowed riffs as the fancy takes them, some just get away with it. 

Edited June 30, 2021 by Bass Fumbler

[YouMa]

Dont know how a few havent took that Gallagher bloke to court.

[Fozza]

11 hours ago, YouMa said:

Dont know how a few havent took that Gallagher bloke to court.

One did - Neil Innes

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whatever_(Oasis_song)

Although, it was more Innes' publishers that actioned the lawsuit rather than Innes himself. That often seems to be the way - the artists themselves aren't that fussed. As with Costello, they often "nick" bits of other songs themselves, so understand how the songwriting process works. It's more the publishers who kick up a stink. Probably because they aren't creatives, just a bunch of BREADHEADS!!!