10. “Locked Out Of Heaven” by Bruno Mars (2012)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rncev51qUEY
Sounds Way Too Much Like: “Roxanne” by The Police (1978)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXzFCS72QIA
Bruno Mars admitted that the Police song was the main inspiration behind his latest hit. He paid tribute to the source by inviting Sting to perform the tune with him during the Grammys in February.
9. “California Gurls” by Katy Perry (2010)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F57P9C4SAW4
Sounds Way Too Much Like: “TiK ToK” by Ke$ha (2009)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iP6XpLQM2Cs
Even though we admittedly like Katy’s track way more, we can’t help but segue into the earlier Ke$ha song in our minds.
8. “When Love Takes Over” by David Guetta ft. Kelly Rowland (2009)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zudbz4hOcbc
Sounds Way Too Much Like: “Clocks” by Coldplay (2000)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbI1FpLd4Vk
Whenever we first hear that cartwheeling piano intro, we’re never sure which song we’re listening to! Although we love them both tremendously. Just sayin’…
7. “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay (2008)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvgZkm1xWPE
Sounds Way Too Much Like: “If I Could Fly” by Joe Satriani (2004)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FclrtPUquhQ
Coldplay got mixed up in some rights issue shenanigans, too. They first got accused of plagiarism by the alt band the
Creaky Boards, ironically for their song “The Songs I Didn’t Write.” Then guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani took them to court for allegedly ripping off his instrumental track. The case was dismissed in 2009. And then even Yusuf Islam (formerly
Cat Stevens) got on board, noting that the songs sounds uncannily like portions of his song “Foreigner Suite” from 1973. Coldplay’s Chris Martin remains defiant, saying, “If everyone’s trying to take away our best song, then we’d better write 25 better ones!”
6. “Come As You Are” By Nirvana (1992)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vabnZ9-ex7o
Sounds Way Too Much Like: “Eighties” by Killing Joke (1984)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1U1Ue_5kq8
Many have noted how Nirvana’s iconic “Smells Like Teen Spirit” sounds distinctly like Boston’s “More Than A Feeling.” We don’t really hear it, but it’s eerie how much “Come As You Are” resembles this post-punky British band.
5. “Some Nights” by .fun (2012)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQkBeOisNM0
Sounds Way Too Much Like: “Cecilia” by Simon and Garfunkel (1970)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5_QV97eYqM
Something about the clap-along rhythm of .fun’s recent song reminded us of the S&G classic.
4. “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga (2011)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45aRMPsOrKM
Sounds Way Too Much Like: “Express Yourself” by Madonna (1989)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3BcI0GCDs8
The Material Girl raised quite a fuss when Gags dropped the title track from her much-anticipated album. We don’t think it sounds
that much like “Express Yourself” in particular, but more like a bunch of Madonna’s songs put in a blender.
3. “I Feel Fine” by The Beatles (1964)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZUb_NJZ4To
Sounds Way Too Much Like: “Watch Your Step” by Bobby Parker (1961)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvtabNAb_wE
John Lennon admitted that he borrowed the track’s signature riff and distinctive drums from this ’61 deep cut. Years later when he could afford to buy his own jukebox for his apartment, he made sure to include this record in it.
2. “What I Got” by Sublime (1996)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izOl4rJLRII
Sounds Way Too Much Like: “Lady Madonna” by The Beatles (1968)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfthrizXKOM
Obviously tons have bands have been influenced by the Fab Four. But the most unexpected (and most harmonically blatant) seems to be this mid nineties tune.
1. “Creep” by Radiohead (1992)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFkzRNyygfk
Sounds Way Too Much Like: “The Air That I Breathe” by The Hollies (1974)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HydvceA1PAI
This one is sort of on the fringe, but there’s no denying that the verses on this ballad written by Albert Hammond sound similar to Radiohead’s breakthrough hit.
