# Songs that sound just like other songs (sampling doesn't count) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 4, 2003, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-just-like-other-songs-sampling-doesnt-count/159089 "2003-03-04T21:30:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![dinahmoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8797f3/32.png) [@dinahmoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dinahmoe)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2003, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-just-like-other-songs-sampling-doesnt-count/159089/81 "2003-03-07T04:39:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Evil Death \* > \*\* > I’d disagree with whoever it was that all Offspring songs sound the same - that’s Creed, and all _their_ songs sound like Jeremy by Pearl Jam - but Why Don’t You Get A Job? is most definitely a pisstake of Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da. \*\* (if you are talking about my post) Actually, what I said was that all **EVERCLEAR** songs sound the same, before making the Offspring/Beatles connection:) ---
**Author:** ![brianjedi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@brianjedi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brianjedi)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2003, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-just-like-other-songs-sampling-doesnt-count/159089/82 "2003-03-07T06:09:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Gundy \* > \*\*Oh, and the guitar in Alice in Chain’s “Heaven Beside You” sound like Steve Miller Band’s “Keep on Rockin’ Me Baby.” \*\* As a fan of Alice (and someone who’s father listens to Steve Miller,) I have to disagree. In fact, I’m listening to “Heaven Beside You” right now, and just listened to “Keep on Rockin’ Me, Baby” and I just don’t hear it. Anyway, if Jerry Cantrell was going to borrow a guitar line from someone, I don’t think Steve Miller would be high on the list. Personally, I think 3 Doors Down’s song “When I’m Gone” sounds a lot musically like Metallica’s “Unforgiven II.” ---
**Author:** ![Antonius\_Block](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/51bf81/32.png) [@Antonius\_Block](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antonius_Block)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2003, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-just-like-other-songs-sampling-doesnt-count/159089/83 "2003-03-07T10:18:38Z")
A couple from the US: “Frosty the Snowman” (1950) is a ripoff of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (1949). It’s easy to start singing one and end up singing the other. [It appears that other people feel the same way.](http://www.purelyrics.com/index.php?lyrics=dqjivmmo) A couple of “simulriffs” from the UK: > [@](#): > > Some Bowie writers have reported the similarities between the central riff of “The Jean Genie” and The Sweet’s “Blockbuster” and some suggest that Bowie may have “borrowed” the Sweet’s riff and vice versa. However, The Jean Genie entered the British Chart on the 9th December 1972 and Blockbuster was released sometime later on the 13th January 1973. Also the riffs are slightly different with The Jean Genie’s riff being “bowmp bowmp bowmp buh-DAH-duh” whereas "Blockbuster"s is “ba-domp ba-domp ba-domp ba-DA-duh”. The Sweet’s writers also deny this as below: > > Interviewer: The Sweet’s No. 1 ‘Blockbuster’ had the same riff as David Bowie’s ‘The Jean Genie’ which charted at the same time. Coincidence? > > Nicky Chinn: “Oh, absolute coincidence. The ridiculous thing was, of course, they were both on the same record label (RCA). But I know we had never heard Bowie’s ‘Jean Genie’ and to the best of my knowledge he hadn’t heard ‘Blockbuster’. There was a lot of fuss about it at the time. I think it’s interesting to note, and again it was not a conscious thing on our part, but the riff is extremely similar to ‘I’m A Man’ by The Yardbirds. Fortunately, we went to No. 1 and Bowie went to 2.” (from [this site](http://www.5years.com/encyj.htm)). ---
**Author:** ![I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_can_t_believe_that_s_butter)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2003, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-just-like-other-songs-sampling-doesnt-count/159089/84 "2003-03-07T11:21:17Z")
> [@](#): > > _cmkeller posts thusly:_ > **C’est La Lie on Shania Twain’s new album is exactly like Abba’s Dancing Queen.** As is that song about spendthrift ways having a [sup]_ahem_[/sup] _slight_ resemblance to some song by Pink Floyd, replete with cash register effects, albeit in 4/4 time rather than 7/4. ---
**Author:** ![TJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@TJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TJay)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2003, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-just-like-other-songs-sampling-doesnt-count/159089/85 "2003-03-07T11:52:57Z")
The guitar on The Strokes “Last Night” and Tom Petty’s “American Girl” - when Last Night used to be on the radio all the time, I used to get all excited thinking they were finally playing Tom Petty on the radio! ---
**Author:** ![TelcontarStorm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ab097/32.png) [@TelcontarStorm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TelcontarStorm)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2003, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-just-like-other-songs-sampling-doesnt-count/159089/86 "2003-03-07T15:31:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Don Roberto \* > \*\*\*\*My Country 'Tis of Thee (America) \*\* sounds just like **God Save the Queen**! \*\* Seems we must love changing lyrics around the good ol’ US of A, as our National Anthem only had it’s lyrics written by Mr.F.S. Key. He stole the tune from an old drinking song. Don’t ask me for the originals though, it’s like asking for the second or third verse of America the Beautiful. They exsist, but rarely seen. ---
**Author:** ![I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_can_t_believe_that_s_butter)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2003, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-just-like-other-songs-sampling-doesnt-count/159089/87 "2003-03-07T20:55:48Z")
Someone already mentioned the similarity between Robbie Dupree’s **Steal Away** and the Doobie Brothers’ **What a Fool Believes**. I just listened to Steal Away, and noticed that the bridge sounds exactly like a song that was also on the Doobie Bros. **Minute By Minute** album, **Open Your Eyes**. And, that sounds _suspiciously_ like Michael McDonald on backing vocals. [sup]Another thing that may sound the same (and may cause similarity in itself) between certain 1970’s songs is the snare drum. The [Ludwig Supraphonic](http://www.ludwig-drums.com/products/snares/chromemet.html) was quite the workhorse in the studio throughout this decade, and its punchy, versatile sound is recognizable in many recordings.[/sup] ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Death](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecccb3/32.png) [@Evil\_Death](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Death)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2003, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-just-like-other-songs-sampling-doesnt-count/159089/88 "2003-03-07T21:09:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ECJones29 \* > \*\*\*\*And good call, **Linty Freshy** , on **Sweet Home Alabama** and **Werewolves of London**. > \*\* Y’know, I just did a check on this and they don’t sound all that much alike. WoL is “dink-doo, dink-doo, dum dum dum-dum”, SHA is “dum-dum, a-dum-dum, a-dum-dum, dibbydibbydibbydibby”. The only connection is that they use the same instruments. ---
**Author:** ![chorizo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@chorizo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chorizo)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2003, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-just-like-other-songs-sampling-doesnt-count/159089/89 "2003-03-07T21:14:42Z")
“Feel Like Makin’ Love” by Bad Company and “Higher” by Creed sound an awful lot alike to me, especially the beginning parts, before the majestic, tortured rock-guy chorus. I somehow avoided hearing Creed when their first album was out, but got more than my fill when “Higher” got played on the local radio station all the time. I always thought it was “Feel Like Makin’ Love” until I heard the chorus. This is my main reason for hating Creed so much - I really hate FLML, and for anyone to rip that song off makes them utterly horrible and irredemible in my book. ---
**Author:** ![Fish42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4da419/32.png) [@Fish42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish42)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2003, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-just-like-other-songs-sampling-doesnt-count/159089/90 "2003-03-07T22:08:40Z")
The Yardbirds’ version of “I’m A Man” and The Count Five’s “Psychotic Reaction” David Bowie’s “Fame” and James Brown’s “Hot (I Need to Be Loved, Loved, Loved)” The openings of The Who’s “I Can’t Explain” and the Nazz’s “Open My Eyes” ---
**Author:** ![riserius1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7ab992/32.png) [@riserius1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/riserius1)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2003, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-just-like-other-songs-sampling-doesnt-count/159089/91 "2003-03-07T22:23:45Z")
“Back On My Mind Again” By Ronnie Milsap borows the melody from Octopus’s Garden By the Beatles. “Spiral Architect” by Black Sabbath sounds very similar to Material Girl by Madonna. “Run To You” by Bryan Adams can be sung over Refugee by Tom Petty. Like wise, when the opening chords to “Cumbersome” by Seven Mary Three start, I can’t help singing “Naaa,naa-naa,na-na-na-naa,na-na-na-naaa,Hey,Jude” And if you want a really cool segue/fade/mix, the ending chord of “Come Down” by Bush is damn near Identical to the one at beginning of Spinning Wheel by Blood Sweat and Tears ---
**Author:** ![TheeGrumpy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@TheeGrumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheeGrumpy)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2003, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-just-like-other-songs-sampling-doesnt-count/159089/92 "2003-03-08T00:19:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bob Cos \* > \*\*Weren’t the two songs “Run Through The Jungle” and “Old Man Down The Road”? \*\* I concur. I heard a song on the '80s station the other day that borrowed a lot from Harold Faltermeyer’s “Axel F”, except it was a song by some lame band. ---
**Author:** ![neofishboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/neofishboy/32/444_2.png) [@neofishboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neofishboy)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2003, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-just-like-other-songs-sampling-doesnt-count/159089/93 "2003-03-08T01:17:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Already in Use \* > \*\*The Doors’ “Hello, I Love You” sort of ripped off the Kinks’ “All Day and All of the Night.” > \*\* …which was then ripped off by the Sex Pistols’ “Sub Mission” only to be ripped off _again_ … by the Kinks with “Destroyer.” Also…take Paul McCartney’s “ahhhhhhh…ahhh…ahhh…ahhhhhhh…” part from the symphonic bit in the midde of “A Day in the Life,” speed it up, make 'em “nahhs” instead of “ahhs” and…PRESTO!..“Hush” by Deep Purple. ---
**Author:** ![katiekilldare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/838e76/32.png) [@katiekilldare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/katiekilldare)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2003, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-just-like-other-songs-sampling-doesnt-count/159089/94 "2003-03-08T03:19:20Z")
Matchbox Twenty’s song _Push_ reminds me of The Captain and Tenille’s _Love Will Keep Us Together_. Both feature the lyrics “Well I will, Well I will…” ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Death](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecccb3/32.png) [@Evil\_Death](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Death)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2003, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-just-like-other-songs-sampling-doesnt-count/159089/95 "2003-03-08T13:05:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by neofishboy \* > \*\* > Also…take Paul McCartney’s “ahhhhhhh…ahhh…ahhh…ahhhhhhh…” part from the symphonic bit in the midde of “A Day in the Life,” speed it up, make 'em “nahhs” instead of “ahhs” and…PRESTO!..“Hush” by Deep Purple. \*\* McCartney’s “ahhhing” is at a much slower pace and to a different tune. I don’t think this counts. ---
**Author:** ![JeanLinen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f6c823/32.png) [@JeanLinen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JeanLinen)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2003, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-just-like-other-songs-sampling-doesnt-count/159089/96 "2003-03-08T14:10:13Z")
The Rolling Stones “Has Anybody Seen My Baby” is EXACTLY the same as k.d. lang’s “Constant Craving” She was ‘flattered’ when this came out, meanwhile, they were total pricks when it came to “Bittersweet Symphony” by Verve. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2003, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-just-like-other-songs-sampling-doesnt-count/159089/97 "2003-03-08T15:11:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JeanLinen \* > \*\*The Rolling Stones “Has Anybody Seen My Baby” is EXACTLY the same as k.d. lang’s “Constant Craving” > > She was ‘flattered’ when this came out, meanwhile, they were total pricks when it came to “Bittersweet Symphony” by Verve. \*\* She wasn’t just flattered. Didn’t she get a songwriting credit? ---
**Author:** ![Lisa-go-Blind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Lisa-go-Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa-go-Blind)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2003, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-just-like-other-songs-sampling-doesnt-count/159089/98 "2003-03-08T20:26:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Winston Bongo \* > \*\*Speaking of Chuck Berry, am I the only one who’s always thought **Hail Hail Rock n’ Roll** is the EXACT same song as **No Particular Place To Go**? \*\* You’re not the only one. It was only about a year ago that I realized that they were two separate songs. I think I was listening to “No Particular Place to Go” while waiting to be seated at a restaurant, and I kept waiting for Berry to belt “Hail Hail Rock’n’Roll!” I had heard both songs before, but I never made the distinction before then. ---
**Author:** ![Lisa-go-Blind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Lisa-go-Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa-go-Blind)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2003, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-just-like-other-songs-sampling-doesnt-count/159089/99 "2003-03-08T20:28:07Z")
I know the Oasis-ripping-off-the-Beatles issue has been discussed ad nauseum, but the piano in “Don’t Look Back in Anger” is nicked note-for-note from John Lennon’s “Imagine”. ---
**Author:** ![NothingMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b77776/32.png) [@NothingMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NothingMan)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2003, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-just-like-other-songs-sampling-doesnt-count/159089/100 "2003-03-08T22:39:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bob Cos \* > \*\*She wasn’t just flattered. Didn’t she get a songwriting credit? \*\* Yep. The Stones said the similarities were an accident, but they gave her a credit all the same. Good peoples. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-just-like-other-songs-sampling-doesnt-count/159089.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-sound-just-like-other-songs-sampling-doesnt-count/159089.md?page=6)