Are These 27 Hit Songs Brilliant Samples Or Shameless Rip Offs?
Now that bad boy Robin Thicke has preemptively sued Marvin Gaye's estate over similarities between his controversial summer anthem "Blurred Lines" and Gaye's 1977 hit "Got to Give it Up," the issue of music sampling (ripping?) is back at the forefront. And, though the Thicke/Gaye feud may be the first time in popular music history that the remaker actually sues the original producer, this is neither the first nor the last time creative (lazy?) producers take a portion of a previously successful song, add new-ish lyrics to it and call it a day. Following are 27 of these examples, are they brilliant samples or shameless rip offs? You be the judge:
1. "Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke (2013)
From: "Got to Give it Up" by Marvin Gaye (1977)
2. "Juicy" by Notorious B.I.G. (1994)
From: "Juicy Fruit" by Mtume (1983)
3. "Feel This Moment" by Pitbull feat. Christina Aguilera (2013)
From: "Take on Me" by Aha (1985)
4. "S.O.S." by Rihanna (2006)
From: "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell (1981)
5. "Loser" by Beck (1993)
From: "I Walk on Gilded Splinters" by Johnny Jenkins (1968)
6. "Stronger" by Kanye West (2006)
From: "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" by Daft Punk (2001)
From: "Cola Bottle Baby" by Edwin Birdsong (c. 1975)
7. "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga (2011)
From: "Express Yourself" by Madonna (1989)
8. "Suit & Tie" by Justin Timberlake feat. Jay Z (2013)
From: "Sly, Slick & Wicked" by Sho Nuff (c. 1972)
9. "Naughty Girl" by Beyonce (2002)
From: "Love to Love You Baby" by Donna Summer (1975)
10. "The Time (Dirty Beat)" by B.E.P. (2010)
From: "Time of my Life" by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warners (1987)
11. "Future Lovers" by Madonna (2005)
From: "I Feel Love" by Donna Summer (1977)
12. "Ice Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice (1989)
From: "Under Pressure" by Queen (1981)
13. "Levels" by Avicii (2010)
From: "Something's Got a Hold on Me" by Etta James (1962)
14. "Right Round" by Flo Rida (2009)
From: "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" by Dead or Alive (1985)
15. "On the Floor" by Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull (2011)
From: "Chorando se Foi (Lambada Song)" by Kaoma (1989)
16. "All Summer Long" by Kid Rock (2008)
From: "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd (1974)
17. "Poker Face" by Lady Gaga (2008)
From: "Ma Baker 1977" by Boney M.
18. "So Human" by Lady Sovereign (2009)
From: "Close to Me" by The Cure (1985)
19. "Hung Up" by Madonna (2009)
From: "Gimme Gimme Gimme (A Man After Midnight)" by ABBA (1979)
20. "Come With Me" by Puff Daddy (1998)
From: "Kashmir" by Led Zepellin (1975)
21. "Like Toy Soldiers" by Eminem (2004)
From: "Toy Soldiers" by Martika (1989)
22. "U Can't Touch This" by MC Hammer (1990)
From: "Super Freak" by Rick James (1981)
23. "Bootylicious" by Destiny's Child (2001)
From: "Edge of Seventeen" by Stevie Nicks (1981)
24. "Don't Stop (All Night Long)" by Janet Jackson (2004)
From: "Hang Your Hands Up" by Herbie Hancock (1975)
25. "Rapper's Delight" by The Sugar Hill Gang (1979)
From: "Good Times" by Chic (1979)
26. "Reach Out" by Hilary Duff (2007)
From: "Personal Jesus" by Depeche Mode (1989)
27. "Hips Don't Lie" by Shakira (2006)
From: "Amores Como el Nuestro" by Jerry Rivera (1993)
