Another 10 Rip Off Songs That Made the Original Popular Again

Another 10 Rip-Off Songs That Made the Original Popular Again

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today were looking at more songs whose suspicious similarities to another renewed interest in the original hit.

#10: Creep (1992) by Radiohead

The Air That I Breathe (1974) by The Hollies

Even if its not immediately recognizable, Radiohead were surely influenced by British rock legends like The Hollies. Well, this was recognized by the publishers of The Air That I Breathe. Legal action forced Radiohead to admit that their breakout hit Creep lifted its chord progression from The Hollies classic ballad. Pop rock songwriters Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood were thus given credits on this morose grunge anthem. Though The Air That I Breathe has always been a radio staple, the copyright incident gave it its second wind with listeners in the 90s. Meanwhile, Radiohead emerged from their humiliating confession to become one of the most original rock bands of the modern era.

#9: Dark Horse (2013) by Katy Perry

Joyful Noise (2008) by Flame

It turns out edgy pop icon Katy Perry didn't completely leave Christian music behind after her debut album. It was within that scene that rapper Flame scored a niche hit with Joyful Noise. Five years later, he sued Perry with claims that her Platinum single Dark Horse plagiarised his melody. The witchcraft themes and sexual undertones further insulted Flames Christian artistry. With this scandal, Joyful Noise wound up being a dark horse among mainstream listeners. The jury ruled that Perrys song was a copy in 2019, but the verdict was overturned by two appeal cases. Still, Dark Horse is forever cursed to remind both Christian music fans and pop audiences of Joyful Noise.

#8: My Sweet Lord (1970) by George Harrison

He's So Fine (1963) by The Chiffons

There was a time when everyone was humming along to The Chiffons chart-topper He's So Fine. It was evidently still stuck in George Harrisons head seven years later. He claimed that My Sweet Lord, an also-infectious tribute to Krishna and greater religious reconciliation, was inspired by the gospel hymn Oh Happy Day. But a copyright suit found that The Chiffons had enough unconscious influence to be entitled to damages. It was a landmark moment in music law that elevated He's So Fine from a golden oldie favorite to a timeless gem. That said, The Chiffons covering My Sweet Lord for more profit kind of validated Harrisons copyright satire This Song.

#7: Photograph (2014) by Ed Sheeran

Amazing (2011) by Matt Cardle

The hype for X Factor winner Matt Cardles debut album had died down by the time Amazing was released as a single. Ed Sheerans Photograph got a lot more attention, but not just for its success. Amazing songwriters Martin Harrington and Tom Leonard accused Sheeran with claims that he extensively plagiarised their somber love ballad. One can indeed hear a strong case in the songs tempo and theme. But Cardle distanced himself from the legal drama, expressing his fandom of Sheeran without directly addressing their songs similarities. The case was quietly settled out-of-court, with the real victory being renewed interest in Amazing. It turns out that Sheeran was the would-be hits unlikely savior.

#6: Viva La Vida (2008) by Coldplay

Various

Life was imitating art when Coldplay ruled the music world with a powerhouse art rock anthem. Unfortunately, they also faced the harder parts of power described in Viva La Vida. The band Creaky Boards accused Chris Martin of plagiarising The Songs I Didn't Write after hearing it performed live. They ultimately admitted that both songs were likely inspired by The Legend of Zelda. Guitarist Joe Satriani, on the other hand, took legal action with regard to If I Could Fly. Before this case was dismissed, Yusuf / Cat Stevens compared Viva La Vida to Foreigner Suite. Martin brushed off these many supposed coincidences because they kept Coldplays Grammy-winning opus in the spotlight. Certainly, the controversies lifted the stature of similar songs.

#5: Lucid Dreams (2018) by Juice Wrld

Shape of My Heart (1993) by Sting

The initial commercial disappointment of Shape of My Heart held nothing for its praise from Sting fans. Though it has since been sampled on many tracks, it was the interpolation in Juice Wrlds Lucid Dreams that brought it back to the spotlight. The emo rap track was so melodically similar that Sting was given a substantial percentage of the rights to it. He also expressed in an interview that it was his favorite interpretation of Shape of My Heart. This bolstered both songs popularity, as did tragedy. Juice Wrld died at age 21, the year after his breakout hits release. But he leaves behind his own classic to sustain another for generations to come.

#4: Stay with Me (2014) by Sam Smith

I Won't Back Down (1989) by Tom Petty

There must be great power in Tom Pettys reserved multi-platinum hit I Won't Back Down. A similar melody in Sam Smiths Stay with Me sure struck audiences in 2014. But just before it won the top Grammys, Petty and Jeff Lynne were granted songwriting credits. The legal settlement sparked widespread scrutiny of Smiths track and a resurgence in Pettys. Petty said this was a move by his publishers, as he didn't believe Stay with Me was deliberate plagiarism. Smith, who was just one of three writers of the song, claimed to have not been aware of I Won't Back Down before this episode. That defense may no longer stand now that Pettys classic rock staple is here to stay with modern audiences.

#3: Flowers (2023) by Miley Cyrus

When I Was Your Man (2012) by Bruno Mars

As far as typical breakup ballad themes, When I Was Your Man and Flowers represent two sides of the same coin. Miley Cyruss empowering number came to heartbreak after all in 2024, when she was sued by Tempo Music Investments for copyright infringement. The company owns a portion of Bruno Marss one-time hit When I Was Your Man, whose melodic and lyrical hooks are admittedly very Flowers. Those are just the two most prominent parallels that have brought Marss song back into public discussion. But Mars and his co-songwriters are not part of the legal discussion. Whether the popular resurgence is sufficient compensation for Tempo Music, its entirely possible that Cyrus leaned on one man for Flowers.

#2: Born This Way (2011) by Lady Gaga

Express Yourself (1989) by Madonna

Countless were inspired by Madonnas Gold-certified Express Yourself going into the 1990s. Ironically, she may have inspired Lady Gaga a bit too much when she delivered the definitive anthem of self-expression for the 2010s. Aside from the similarly empowering lyrics, Born This Way has many melodic similarities with Express Yourself. Madonna and Lady Gaga have both acknowledged this, but true to their theme, theyve extended only mutual support. It doesnt hurt that the massive success of Gagas single renewed interest in the original Queen of Pop. Born This Way may not completely live up to its message about being a true original, but it will definitely inspire fans to recognize the trailblazers before.

#1: Roar (2013) by Katy Perry

Brave (2013) by Sara Bareilles

The catchy and empowering Brave was instantly another solid hit for Sara Bareilles. But its ascension from there was largely on the controversy surrounding Katy Perrys Roar. Released just four months later, the single was accused of blatantly ripping off Bareilless melody and message. This prompted co-producer Dr. Luke to report that Roar was in fact recorded before Brave came out. In any case, Bareilless song was boosted to mainstream radio and became her signature song. In a further show of good faith, she once joined friend Perry and other pop stars in performing Roar live. Bareilles ultimately believes in promoting positive art no matter what. It was just a bonus when that art suspiciously promoted her own.

What are some other songs that put you in a strange mood to hear someone elses? Name those tunes in the comments.