There is nothing worse than taking someone else’s hard work and passing it off as your own, are we right? So let’s all take a stand against the stealing of content, starting with some of the biggest ripoffs in rock music. You won’t believe your ears.
“Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin – Ripoff of “Taurus” by Spirit
One of the most recent cases of major music copyright infringement is the questioning of Led Zeppelin’s classic “Stairway to Heaven.” Spirit guitarist claims their 1968 instrumental song came before Jimmy Page’s staple solo recorded in 1971. This is, however, not the first time Page has been accused of making a cover song into an original hit. The band lost the first round of the suit earlier this year, and while the band requested the case be dismissed, the courts have ruled to carry on.
“Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash – Ripoff of “Crescent City Blues” by Gordon Jenkins
In 1955, Johnny Cash’s big hit stole lyrics and melodies–not bothering to hide much in the title either–from the 1953 Gordon Jenkins folk song. Cash paid $75,000 to Jenkins, a tidy sum back then but a small amount now compared to the fame and worth of the song today. Oh, Johnny, you slick bastard.
“Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker, Jr. – Ripoff of “I Want a New Drug” by Huey Lewis and The News
Just before the release of the cult comedy “Ghostbusters” in 1984, Huey Lewis and The News released their highest acclaimed album in 1983 entitled Sports, which featured four Top 10 singles, one of which was the ripoff original “I Want a New Drug.” Lewis sued in 1985 to receive part of the “Ghostbuster” franchise for compensation but was sued back when he broke confidentiality in 2001 for discussing the lawsuit in public forum.
“Creep” by Radiohead – Ripoff of “The Air That I Breathe” by Albert Hammond
The breakthrough 1992 single from Radiohead credits Albert Hammond as its writing credit now that Hammond successfully sued the Brit rock band for stealing chord progressions from his 1972 hit “The Air That I Breathe” (which was later released by The Hollies in 1974). Thom Yorke can’t bat a crooked eye considering Hammond’s name now appears on their jacket cover next to the song that got the Radiohead name out more than 20 years ago.
“The Old Man Down the Road” by John Fogerty – Ripoff of “Run Through the Jungle” by CCR
In an interesting suit of plagiarism, John Fogerty was taken to court by his label for stealing from CCR after he opted out of his contract for eight solo records. Fogerty gave up his rights to Creedence Clearwater in order to get out of his contract, therefore losing the rights to steal from his own band. Oh, the irony. He would go on to defame the label’s head Saul Zaentz in the song “Zanz Kant Danz,” which Fogerty was also taken to court for, ordering him to change the title to “Vanz Kant Danz.”
“Shakermaker” by Oasis – Ripoff of “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing” by The New Seekers
The 1971 Australian pop song by The New Seekers was famously used in Coca Cola ads. Then in 1994, Brit rockers Oasis released a single “Shakermaker” that stole melodies directly from the Aussie group, a practice that became commonplace for Noel Gallagher and company in the ’90s. They were sued for half a million dollars, but Oasis got the last laugh as they close the song live by joking “now we all drink Pepsi.”
“Given to Fly” by Pearl Jam – Ripoff of “Going to California” by Led Zeppelin
Released on Zeppelin’s IV in 1971, “Going to California” has been a fan favorite ballad featuring a classic acoustic riff with Robert Plant’s vocals laid on top. The 1998 Pearl Jam album Yield features one of their most successful songs “Given to Fly” with an extremely similar guitar riff, albeit with Eddie Vedder’s raspy vocals. Many people claim the song as a ripoff, even the band itself doesn’t deny Jimmy Page’s guitar influence. In 2005, Pearl Jam played their song at a benefit show with Robert Plant, transitioning into “Going to California” by the end of it.
“Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice – Ripoff of “Under Pressure” by Queen & David Bowie
Freddie Mercury and David Bowie’s 1981 chart topper was later blatantly stolen and sampled for the one-hit wonder Vanilla Ice song “Ice Ice Baby,” a song which drew a lot of attention to Bowie, who would eventually sue for sampling and writing credits, along with Mercury. Vanilla Ice, now a celebrity with a real estate job, claims he added an extra note so as not to be a total ripoff. What’s next, you’re going to tell us he ripped off “Ninja Rap” in the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” sequel, as well? Oh wait, that beat does sound a bit like “Apache (Jump on It)” from The Sugarhill Gang, now that we mention it.
“Why Don’t You Get a Job” by The Offspring – Ripoff of “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” by The Beatles
The Offspring released a 1998 smash single from “Americana,” a song that rips both melody and rhythm of The Beatles 1968 “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” classic. In addition, there is evidence of sampling from Simon & Garfunkel’s “Cecilia” in The Offspring single. This is just one of several instances where artists have stolen from The Beatles, almost as if it’s standard practice, but The Beatles themselves are not innocent when it comes to pirating music.
The Beatles “Come Together” – Ripoff of “You Can’t Catch Me” by Chuck Berry
Although everybody seems to steal from The Beatles, they steal from Chuck Berry, next in line to classic plagiarism-worthy material, it seems. Chuck Berry sued John Lennon for taking melodies and lyrics from his 1956 “You Can’t Catch Me” hit, forcing Lennon to pay him back partially with recording three new songs, one of which being a cover of “You Can’t Catch Me” to wind up on his covers album “Rock ‘N Roll” in 1975. This, of course, led to several more lawsuits over the years.
