10 Infamous Rip Off Classic Rock Songs Ever

In the music industry, the fine line between inspiration and plagiarism is often blurred, with chord sequences serving as potential pitfalls. The landscape of rock music, a jungle of traps and mirages, has witnessed its fair share of alleged rip-offs and imitations. For music fans and listeners, it falls upon them to unravel and distinguish the genuine from the deceptive.

Here are ten notorious cases of classic rock songs that have sparked debates over originality:

“All Day And All Of The Night” by The Kinks (1964) vs. “Hello I Love You” by The Doors (1968)
The iconic riff in The Doors’ “Hello I Love You” came under scrutiny when guitarist Robby Krieger faced allegations of replicating The Kinks’ “All Day And All Of The Night.” Legal intervention ensued, and a UK court eventually acknowledged the striking resemblance between the two, leading to an out-of-court resolution.

“I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty (1989) vs. “Stay With Me” by Sam Smith (2014)
A musical accident or subtle mimicry? Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne found themselves credited as co-authors of Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me” due to its perceived similarity to Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down.” While initial reports hinted at a lawsuit, Petty clarified that an amicable agreement was reached, dismissing it as a harmonious resolution.

“If I Could Fly” by Joe Satriani (2004) vs. “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay (2008)
Guitarist Joe Satriani lodged a copyright infringement lawsuit against Coldplay, claiming that their song “Viva La Vida” substantially borrowed from his instrumental piece “If I Could Fly.” The Central District of California court, however, dismissed Satriani’s case against Coldplay.

“You Need Love” by Muddy Waters (1963) vs. “Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin (1969)
Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” faced accusations of uncredited adaptation from Muddy Waters’ “You Need Love.” The legal dispute led to an out-of-court settlement, with Led Zeppelin adding Waters’ name to the songwriting credits.

“Run Through The Jungle” by CCR (1970) vs. “The Old Man Down The Road” by John Fogerty (1985)
In a peculiar case, John Fogerty found himself sued for allegedly ripping off his work. Fogerty, embroiled in a contractual dispute with Fantasy Records boss Saul Zaentz, faced legal actions related to his Creedence Clearwater Revival songs.

“Crescent City Blues” by Gordon Jenkins (1953) vs. “Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash (1955)
A bizarre yet resolved case involved Gordon Jenkins’ “Crescent City Blues” and Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues.” The courts initially scrutinized the similarities, but the matter was settled out of court, leaving behind an intriguing chapter in musical history.

“The Last Time” by The Rolling Stones (1965) vs. “Bittersweet Symphony” by The Verve (1997)
The Verve’s iconic “Bittersweet Symphony” faced legal challenges when former Rolling Stones manager Allen Klein alleged sampled use of the orchestral arrangement from “The Last Time.” The dispute resulted in The Verve relinquishing authorship credits and royalties to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.

“You Can’t Catch Me” by Chuck Berry (1956) vs. “Come Together” by The Beatles (1969)
Inspiration from Chuck Berry’s “You Can’t Catch Me” led to a plagiarism lawsuit against The Beatles for their famous hit “Come Together.” The legal tussle brought attention to Lennon’s open acknowledgment of Berry’s influence, resulting in a resolution.

“He’s So Fine” by The Chiffons (1963) vs. “My Sweet Lord” by George Harrison (1970)
George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord” faced legal repercussions as its similarities to The Chiffons’ “He’s So Fine” prompted a copyright infringement lawsuit. The case highlighted unintentional influences and the complex nature of musical creativity.

“The Air That I Breathe” by The Hollies (1974) vs. “Creep” by Radiohead (1992)
A well-known case involved Radiohead’s “Creep” and The Hollies’ “The Air That I Breathe.” The Hollies accused Radiohead of plagiarism, leading to a legal dispute that shed light on the challenges artists face regarding unintentional similarities in their creations.