Gorillaz Accused of Plagiarism
Posted by Michael Melchor on 03.17.2010
Eddy grant says "Stylo" sounds awfully familiar...
Eddy Grant, best known for his 1982 hit "Electric Avenue," claims that another of his songs, "Time Warp", was plagiarized to form the backbone of the new Gorillaz single, "Stylo".
In a statement issued on March 16, Grant said that, "This is pure piracy, it is an obvious infringement of my song. Anyone who knows 'Time Warp' will know this is 'Time Warp' with people singing and rapping over it, [along] with funny little noises. 'Time Warp' is a very popular song and has been a staple of the DJ scene for many years and I feel total disrespect from Gorillaz and their management company. It's such an obvious copy that from day one the band and their management should have taken control of this situation with EMI Publishing. I would like the outcome to be that the band admits that they have lifted my song, that I have a full credit for the song and an apology from the band."
Grant does not appear to be seeking any monetary damages, merely an apology and accreditation from Albarn, who has yet to comment on the situation.
Listen to the 2 songs below and judge for yourself...
Posted By: jim (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 11:24 AM
Totally different styles
Posted By: TheRev (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 11:42 AM
Yeah, no.
They don't sound at all alike.
Posted By: Blode (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 12:04 PM
I don't hear it. Maybe it's just me.
Posted By: Q (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 12:39 PM
I'm not hearing it.
Posted By: Guest#1157 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 12:48 PM
the part is that grants song is just an instrumental and the left out the fact that he himself ( Grant) doesn't own the rights to most of his own songs that the company the produced him does!
So if the Gorillaz paid to use the beat ( yes folks BEAT! not lyrics)than Grant would not have a clue!
Posted By: FYI (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 12:50 PM
I can see the similarities, but that is all there is. It maybe just a case of coincidence.
Posted By: vertabre (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 01:06 PM
yeah that's pretty spot on...do ppl do this shit and think no one will notice?
Posted By: ha (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 01:19 PM
The only part even remotely similar between the two is Warp's :15 mark and Stylo's :38 mark. Over than that, completely original pieces. Grant deserves nothing from the Gorillaz over this.
Posted By: Jordan (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 01:57 PM
How many songs have been made in the history of the world? Of course any song is going to kind of sound like some other song.
Posted By: Tolkoto (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 02:10 PM
Different style completely, also would like to note that those 3 synth notes are right next to eachother - its like mashing 3 keys with 3 of your fingers next to each other. I don't call that plagarism.
Posted By: Guest#8847 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 02:18 PM
It's close but there's a lot of music that sounds alike. For instance there are many songs that use a very similar riff to Lou Reed's "Sweet Jane". I don't think they're all rippin him off, possibly they're just inspired by him and his sound.
Posted By: Guest#1648 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 02:22 PM
It's the exact same fucking melody. Of course he's got a case.
Posted By: Dude (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 02:25 PM
this is pretty similar. but its not as blatant as Badgers Vs Nebraska Furniture Mart.. nobody and i mean NOBODY should rip off Weebl
Posted By: shaydee (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 02:25 PM
He's Right!
Posted By: Leon (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 02:36 PM
Go back to the 80s. Aside from Electric Avenue what did you do?
Posted By: Mikey (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 02:59 PM
Yes, those three consecutive notes played in the same rhythm sound EXACTLY ALIKE.
Sadly that is the only similarity I can hear.
Posted By: SomeDude (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 03:02 PM
if you don't think they sound similar you're stupid. they may not have exactly the same tempo but it's the same beat progression. listen to music more often, or better yet, learn about music, and you'll clearly hear that these are pretty close.
Posted By: LostCitySaint (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 03:19 PM
Completely different tempos on the songs. I don't think its close enough to call it a rip off.
"Mary Jane's Last Dance" / "Dani California" this is not.
Posted By: Guest#7260 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 03:32 PM
The fuck is he talking about? Sounds nothing alike!
Posted By: NUO (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 03:50 PM
damn this equal is gonna get credit yell
Posted By: box (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 04:04 PM
I don't really hear it. It sounds like the first few notes of the bass line are the same and then it goes into a different direction. If he's simply talking about the synth than Guest 8847 said it right. It's three keys right next to each other. I bet there's a hundred other songs that sound like that too. I compose a lot of songs for various local video projects or bands and I'd imagine I've "stolen" a song of his too.
Perhaps the song inspired them but by no means are they the same. There's only so many notes and so many variations you can make. While it's vast, it's not limitless.
Posted By: Gozzo (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 04:04 PM
If Coldplay can dodge charges of plagarism, anyone can.
Posted By: Guest#1611 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 04:23 PM
Here's the two things that I don't know if any of the angry responders picked up on:
1. Eddy Grant is not seeking any type of monetary award for damages. Just songwriting credit.
2. This appears to be a legit homage to Eddy. Unfortunately the Gorillaz (Damon Albarn), their management, their publisher & their record company never cleared the rights with any party associated with the original song they clearly plagiarized.
Posted By: Anthony_McMannequin (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 04:57 PM
If you sped Stylo up they would sound more similar, but I still don't think there's any plagiarism going on here. For one, it's a pretty basic beat that could very easily be simulated, even unintentionally. And for two, if you listen to the entire Gorillaz album, almost all of the songs are done in this style, and some of the songs are better than Stylo, so it's not like it's a case of Gorillaz being unable to come up with this sort of track on their own.
So I can see Mr. Grant's point, but he's not going to get what he wants.
Posted By: Sam! (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 05:26 PM
The real question is who bothered to listen to either one of these pieces of crap to figure out that they kinda sounded the same a little bit.
Posted By: lethargic (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 06:03 PM
Sam!: "If you sped Stylo up they would sound more similar, but I still don't think there's any plagiarism going on here. For one, it's a pretty basic beat that could very easily be simulated, even unintentionally. And for two, if you listen to the entire Gorillaz album, almost all of the songs are done in this style, and some of the songs are better than Stylo, so it's not like it's a case of Gorillaz being unable to come up with this sort of track on their own.
So I can see Mr. Grant's point, but he's not going to get what he wants."
My thoughts exactly. I see where Grant's coming from, but the beat's just so simple that Gorillaz may not have been the first to "plagiarize" it.
Posted By: Guest#7379 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 06:22 PM
LostCitySaint is an arrogant prick. I need to read about music to make my ears work? Dick.
Posted By: Guest#5673 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 06:33 PM
Sam! blatantly copied what I was about to say! Apologise or I sue.
Posted By: Chungles (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 07:10 PM
he's right. they both suck
Posted By: idk (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 07:49 PM
Not nearly as bad as Nickelback plagiarizing Nickelback.
Posted By: Soy (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 07:50 PM
Considering Sugababes steal the melodies of classic songs, switch up the last bar in nearly every song and get away with it... I can't see Eddy winning this.
Posted By: D (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 07:59 PM
Whoa..whats next ? A cop eatin a donut? its simple math rappers + new song = copyright infringement. I have my own rap song about it....Im a robb er im a theif im a big rip off with out another person's song id just jack off...WORD..
Posted By: The dude (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 08:52 PM
I dont know anything about music other than i Like it, and if this dude isnt out for money, why the did he bust this chat given the 2 songs sound completely different? He has made a fool of himself.
Posted By: KMac (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 08:55 PM
Go back to the 80s. Aside from Electric Avenue what did you do?
Posted By: Mikey (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 02:59 PM
look around, dude has a cult following in certain parts of the world
Posted By: Guest#7123 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 09:01 PM
The real question is: Who buys this shit?
Posted By: dogpound7382 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 10:27 PM
Three notes are not a legit case. That's like saying anyone that ever sang the same 3 note progression as an Isley Brothers song ripped them off, when R&B is full of that kind of overlap. better yet, look at the blues. Tons of similar arrangements in classic blues, and very rarely do you hear of such haughty legalities.
Posted By: Kyatollah (Guest) on March 18, 2010 at 01:14 AM
I wonder if anyone ever told Eddy that New Japan and Tatsumi Fujinami stole the beat from one of his songs to make Macho Dragon?
Posted By: Ste (Guest) on March 18, 2010 at 09:57 AM
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