thanks to the magic of youtube, i can actually show examples of why i get so annoyed by musical ripoffs.
exhibit one: a not-so-interesting ’80s song by the group visage entitled fade to grey.
exhibit two: a copycat song and video by kelly osbourne (no, not my friend kelly o but ozzy’s progeny) entitled one word.
i’ve said it before, and i’ll say it again — there is no such thing as a completely original musical idea — people always grab snippets of something else. but this is a little above and beyond the call of duty.
why i care, of course, is a mystery. but these things drive me batty.
Music history, is, sadly, littered with such moments.
Steve Millers complete rip off of Frees all right now (Rock’n’me)
Paul Wellers complete rip off of ELOs 10538 overture (the changing man)
Oasis complete rip off The New Seekers “Id like to teach the world to sing (she’s electric)
then there’s the samples
pm dawns nicking of true by spandau ballet (set adrift on memory bliss)
all saints nicking of the fez by steely dan (I know where its at)
plus two (MERCIFULLY) Unrembered dance acts who butchered foreigners “cold as Ice” and Totos “I wont hold you back” respectively.
and yes, it drives me batty too!
madonna’s ripoff (“beautiful stranger”) of love (“she comes in colors”). i couldn’t agree more. we should start a list of the ripoffs.