Copyright-infringement has become the major issues for lots of musicians lately including for rock band The Black Crowes who have just filed a lawsuit against a singer who they claimed have stolen parts of their song. The musician that is being sued by the rocker is country star Gretchen Wilson.
The rockers claimed that Gretchen has taken some parts of their old hit track "Jealous Again" and use it on her new song "Work Hard, Play Harder" without a permission. Not only suing the singer on their lawsuit, the band also addressed their allegation to the country singer's label Sony BMG, a publishing company J Money Music and TNT, that uses the track to advertise their TV series "Saving Grace".
Confirming their allegation, the Crowes manager Peter Angelus said in a statement, "We find the musical verses of Wilson's song to be such an obvious example of copyright infringement that I expect all parties to reach a relatively quick resolution to avoid litigation." Meanwhile, Gretchen or her representative still refuses to shout any comments regarding the lawsuit.
The rocker's "Jealous Again" was the band's hit song that was being included on their debut album "Shake Your Money Maker", that was dropped in January 1990. On the other hand the troubled song penned by Gretchen, reportedly will be one of the tracks included on her upcoming LP, that is being set to be outed just before the end of the year.
The Black Crowes' "Jealous Again":
Gretchen Wilson's "Work Hard, Play Harder":
 |   Fireflies Owl City |
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 | Paparazzi Lady GaGa |
 | Down Jay Sean |
 | Party in the U.S.A Miley Cyrus |
 | Meet Me Halfway Black Eyed Peas |
 | Empire State of Mind Jay-Z |
 | Run This Town Jay-Z |
 | Already Gone Kelly Clarkson |
 | You Belong with Me Taylor Swift |
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Maybe the BC's needed some cash- maybe they should work harder
The melody of the verses is EXACTLY the same. Period. That's why it's copyright infringement, and while I'd like to believe it's unintentional, I have my doubts. And wow...the ignorance of some of the posts here is STAGGERING.
I hear some similarities, but the hook is the chorus and that's different. They are both bluesy but I think the Crowes should let it go. I think the lawsuit makes them look bad.
The end of the chorus is completely ripping off "Cocaine" by Eric Claspton. J.J. Cale's camp should probably sue her too.
At first I thought it was an undeniable ripoff. However, when you think about it, that bluesy rhythm heard at the beginning is a type of rhythm heard often. The rest of the song isn't even close, so that might be what saves her.
wow , thats sad
Complete rip off - intentional or not, she owes the Crows some cash.
Clearly, she listened to the Crowes' song from 'Shake Your Money Maker' and stole the hook....so obvious. Then again, half of Led Zeppelin's songs were ripped off from other artists so I guess artist just try to get away with it.
So.... rythem and chord progessions are copywrited now? I think not.... Suck it up and try again 'Crows
The Black Crowes need to get a life, both songs has the merit each deserves. They are different songs and if I were in her shoes I would not settle on anything but for them to get off her back.
This is such an infringement on the Black Crowes work that a moron can tell its the same tune. And this chick is not at the level of the black crowes in terms of talent, madam. Don't even try to go there. She doesn't deserve the fame and the money that goes with it if she didn't write the hook that makes the song. period.
i completely agree with you mrsjinx. i think that bands that do this to other artists should crawl back in the hole they suck in and go home. the black crowes song is not even that great anyway
They'll settle, but after listening to them back-to-back, there are similarities that simply go back to the influence of the blues. It's inescapable these days, but can you imagine if all the blues greats sued each other at the beginning of the 20th century because their music sounded similar? Where would that leave us today? and in what sort of closet would artists have to hide their compositions? It's a slippery slope, my friends...