Stealing Songs

Part 1

January 6. 2008

Ne-yo

A flurry of songs released over the last year have been blatant rip-offs of preexisting, previously released songs from the eighties. The brazen lack of originality by the writers of the following knock-offs is very telling regarding the current, poor state of music. Here are three of the most flagrant:

ORIGINAL	RIP OFFS
Jennifer Hudson’s 2008 song “Spotlight” (right) was a flat-out rip-off of Don Henley’s 80's track “Not Enough Love In The World” (left). The writers of the Hudson track stole Henley's melody, specific song subject, concept and some of his lyrics. The first time I heard it I remembered the Henley song from the 80's.
Ne-yo’s 2008 song “Closer” (right) ripped off the melodies, harmonies, chord progression and staccato musical phrasing of Michael Sembello’s popular 80's track “Maniac” (left). A listen to both songs back to back shows the similarities, especially during the choruses of "Closer." Ne-yo's video is also a big dance number a la "Flashdance" from which "Maniac" comes.
Trina’s 2008 song “I Got A Thang For Ya” (right) rips off Lo-Key’s 80's hit “I Got A Thang For Ya” (left). I was in a store and heard the Trina song and immediately thought, they’ve just ripped off that well-known 80's R&B song by Lo-Key, that used to be played on BET all the time. Not only are the song titles the same, so are the melodies, harmonies and some of the lyrics. I checked online and it was not listed as a sample.